My 10th year old Behmor wants to retire. What's next?

#1: Post by **LeoZ** » March 17th, 2022, 9:29 am

A long long time ago, I had a hot top. It was amazing. Then, I pulled off the super French Vienna Italian firefighter roast. And it died.
So, I bought a behmor 1600. The OG.
Now, ~10 years later, I think it wants to be set to pasture. The basket vanes have broken so beams fall out. It won't heat well so roasts get to city at best.

I guess I've convinced myself it's upgrade time.
I did a quick search but am not seeing any obvious posts. Are there recommendations these days?

I roast 1-2 lbs/week, 99% for espresso. I'd like to be under $1000, ideally under $500.

Thanks

#2: Post by **mkane** » March 17th, 2022, 10:07 am

Buy another Behmor

#3: Post by **Brewzologist** » March 17th, 2022, 11:05 am

Used a Behmor for a long time. Then I decided to move up, and yes it cost a lot more money. I will simply say the capability and quality of my roasts increased substantially. Something to consider.

March 17th, 2022, 11:10 am

to what?

#5: Post by **civ** » March 17th, 2022, 11:22 am

Hello:

LeoZ wrote: ... bought a behmor 1600.
... convinced myself it's upgrade time.

Hmm ...
If you actually had to convince yourself, you may want to reconsider.

Your post called my attention as 10 years is a really good run for an electrical appliance for roasting coffee, so I looked up Behemor.
I have my own DIY gas drum roaster so I did not have a clue about this brand or model.

And it was worth looking into as I came across some interesting info at the Behemor website.

1.
You can get a new drum for ~ US$35.00, so that solves your first issue.

2.
Then there are what seem to be very interesting upgrade kit options (no idea which one applies to your model) which go from the 1600 AB upgrade kit for ~US$80.00 to the 1600/1600 Plus upgrade kit for ~US$130.00.

3.
They even sell you a new door and gasket for ~US$40.00.

I see these chaps making a real effort for the clients/user base.

------------
Q: Just how many outfits/OEMs respect your right to repair and actually make the necessary parts + instructions available to you at a reasonable price?
A: a very small minority.
------------

https://behmor.com/knowledge-base/repair-guides/

So, as seen from high above:
(ie: YMMV)

-> High estimate: (drum, door, 1600Plus UG Kit) US$35+US$40+US$130 = US$205+SH.
-> Low estimate: (drum, door, 1600ABUG Kit) US$35+US$80 = US$115+SH.

https://behmor.com/product/upgrade-kit- ... -version/
https://behmor.com/product/1600ab-upgrade-kit/
https://behmor.com/product/front-door-w-gasket/

LeoZ wrote: ... ideally under $500.

Unless there is something else wrong with your Behemor, with a high estimate of US$205.00+S&H and some elbow grease, you are well covered.
And you will still have US$295+S&H to change any other parts that may not be working properly.
eg: quartz elements, DC fan, cooling fan, etc.

See the Parts Shop here: https://behmor.com/shop/

And then, after a ten year run, I expect that whatever parts do not seem to be working properly may be because they just need some basic maintenance:

a. clean up any crud built up on the quartz elements
b. clean/lubicate moving parts
c. check all spade connectors for loose fit creep
d. other etcs.

Best,

CIV

#6: Post by **Brewzologist** » March 17th, 2022, 12:59 pm

Agree with civ. Behmor has some of the best support around and provides cheap upgrade paths to keep your machine current. I did this for years so it's another option for you.

As for what to upgrade to if you were to spend more money, I would say a roaster that lets you monitor bean mass and environmental temperature and also log your roasts in software. And one that allows good control of power and airflow. Even though I loved my Behmor for what it was, it couldn't give me the fine level of control and data to produce exceptional roasts. Bear in mind should you go this route, there will also (likely) be a new learning curve for you too.

I'l also offer another option that I seriously considered before deciding to take a step up in my roasting journey; stop roasting your own coffee and just buy from top-shelf roasteries.

#7: Post by **ira** » March 17th, 2022, 1:19 pm

I had a Behmor, them modified the heck out of it to try and do a better job of roasting, got busy and just bought roasted beans for a couple of years and just recently acquired an Ikawa home. Downside is 100gm at a time, but almost with out needing to pay much attention and the roasts are consistent. 2 "identical" roasts in a row and they come out the same. Depending on what you're looking for, it might be perfect. It's both very limiting and very wonderful.

But you didn't say why you want to upgrade. Do you want to roast larger batches or do you want more control? Are you interested in learning more about roasting or spending less time roasting? And I guess, do you have a budget?

Ira

March 17th, 2022, 1:25 pm

I use a popcorn popper but if I was gonna move up in the world I'd get a Feima 100N Gas Drum Coffee Roaster MK2. https://en.pifferia.com/products/feima- ... 20Shopping

They're cheaper direct but it's complicated.

#9: Post by **Jonk** » March 17th, 2022, 5:23 pm

What I liked a lot about the Behmor when I had one was the smoke suppression. The only other consumer alternative that I know about with that is https://hiveroaster.com/ (affordable and fairly capable, but a bit of a work-out to use and small capacity)

What I didn't like about the Behmor was the limited control and poor cooling. In the same price range you can get a Boca Boca that remedies these two points some. http://gsearch.gmarket.co.kr/Listview/S ... d=bocaboca

#10: Post by **mkane** » March 17th, 2022, 5:45 pm

And you mentionn a step up? Question is do you want to roast the beans or buy a program (machine) that roasts them for you.

Roasting coffee takes time and dedication if you buy something without pushbuttons. $500 won't get you there.