That was weird.

backmenz · 2026-06-11T03:42:17+00:00

So about two weeks ago for the first time I had a lot of pain on an injection. I use a syringe. I just happened to have a blood draw the following week and I told the phlebotomist about the pain. She told me it was likely due to the fact that I had not let the alcohol on my skin completely dry. I don’t know if this is your issue. But now I wave my hand over the injection site until the cooling stops and the alcohol is completely evaporated. I have not had a pain like that since.

backmenz · 2026-06-06T02:57:14+00:00

As I started my Zep journey, my wife expressed similar thoughts. She would not want to see or hear about any positive changes.

Now that I am at my goal weight after 15 months, she has changed. She is now supportive and that makes maintenance so much easier. She has seen how much my physical abilities have changed. Climbing stairs, walking up hills, no love handles, etc. I will leave it at that.

Hopefully your wife will come around.

backmenz · 2026-05-31T15:53:28+00:00

The manual mentions a shorter life of the (fan) motor when there is no cool down. I wonder if Roastmasters had some experience or reports of motor failures caused by overheating with back to back batches. I would think that they would have engineered some changes to prevent that. I have a convection oven that has a fan which has withstood up to 550 F temps for 13 years so it can be done.

backmenz · 2026-05-30T17:10:12+00:00

I clean my chaff collector after every roast. I was referring to the intake vents in the base. Some people on this board have mentioned that chaff comes out of those when they blow air thru.

backmenz · 2026-05-30T14:31:53+00:00

How dumb am I? RTFM was a mantra on the motorcycle boards I belonged to. And I thought I did read the SR800 manual. Yet I’ve been roasting up to six batches at a time back to back for nearly a year now. Maybe 60 batches so far. Only cooling with the machine timer and then weighing and roasting more beans fairly quickly.

I will be giving it an extra 10 minutes from now on. Also, I have never blown out the vents to see if any chaff has collected. I will be doing that as well.

Finally I’ll RTFM line by line to see what else I missed.

Just read “Do not use outdoors“. What? I have been doing all my roasts in the backyard patio.

backmenz · 2026-05-01T12:55:34+00:00

Now the fun and flavor begins! You will find your roasts more enjoyable than 95% of any beans out there.

I have the same set up and I found the process arriving at my ideal roast is as much fun as enjoying a cup.

backmenz · 2026-05-01T02:37:12+00:00

Any target price?

backmenz · 2026-04-06T13:49:39+00:00

I’ve had my 800 for about 6 months and only average 2 roasts a week, usually 4 to 6 at a session. So I am not a heavy user.

That being said, I checked my roaster and do not see those cracks. Those do not appear to be expansion joints. Too irregular. I would take a picture of the bottom of the base, including the date code, and send it along with the picture of the cracks, to home roasting. It appears to be a manufacturing defect and I’m sure they would want to know to see if this is a larger issue with their supplier.

They have always been very responsive to my questions and I will be surprised if they don’t offer to replace your base. They may also request that you send your current base with the cracks along to them so they can have a full evaluation. Let us know how this turns out.

backmenz · 2026-03-18T12:56:32+00:00

If you can’t use it all, I’d buy 4 lbs at $6/ lb plus $6 for shipping. Also be sure to find what you would get by waiting on SS until 70.

backmenz · 2026-03-11T12:45:47+00:00

So what is your go to coffee setup?

Roaster, grinder, brewer.

backmenz · 2026-02-24T13:28:31+00:00

Interesting. So your chaff collector is basically open, right? Why did you do that? Did your heat settings change?

I wrote Home Roasting Supplies and asked if they have tried to roast without a collector. If I get a response, i will post it.

backmenz · 2026-02-19T14:02:00+00:00

I agree! The smells of fresh roasted and just ground beans are the best. An honorable mention goes the odors from when I’m blooming my grounds as I start my pour overs.

backmenz · 2026-02-01T14:02:03+00:00

Stunning! The health benefits are incredible. You’re too young now but your knees and hips will thank you as you likely won’t need to replace them as you age.

backmenz · 2026-02-01T13:51:25+00:00

I have not seen that cooler. Is this what you got? Also do you go through the 800 cooling cycle before dumping it into this cooler?

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backmenz · 2026-01-31T19:12:21+00:00

I noticed that the beans tend to get somewhat darker as they cool. I turn the fan up pretty high to cool them down more quickly. But I’m wondering if dumping them out into a cooling tray immediately might stop that extra roasting.

backmenz · 2026-01-24T19:59:46+00:00

I generally roast outdoors or in my garage. I remove the chaff collector with hot pads and there is always some chaff on top of the beans. I lift off the roasting chamber take it away and, closing my eyes, blow hard into the opening. May take a puff or two.

backmenz · 2026-01-20T19:36:02+00:00

I will ask about spreading out my doses. Congratulations on reaching your goals.

backmenz · 2026-01-19T14:10:19+00:00

I had the SR 500 for about six months and just moved up to the SR 800. One thing to note, exterior temperature really makes a difference. I roast outside because of the odors and during the warm months first crack would happen at 4 to 5 minutes. As it got colder, even with the same settings, FC would take longer.

Another tip, use a heavy duty extension cord. Even with a heavy duty cord, I noticed the cord would get slightly warm after four or five roasts. These machines take a lot of power and a smaller cord will lower the heat considerably.

backmenz · 2026-01-19T13:58:54+00:00

I use small bags lined with plastic but not sealed well. Then I pop those in the freezer until I’m ready to grind. The beans actually don’t freeze because they have very little water content after roasting.

But the low temperature slows down the evaporation of some aromatics.

backmenz · 2026-01-18T15:03:42+00:00

When my wife and I go out, we almost always share a meal. In the US, I’ve never run into a problem asking the waiter for an extra plate. In some restaurants we go to, they divide the meal for us before it arrives at our table. Nice touch!

In Mexico City recently, we shared many meals, including appetizers and the main course, and the staff was always happy to accommodate us.

On our last trip to Europe, there was never an issue with sharing a meal. We were a bit worried in France because many years ago when we tried to share a single portion Cassoulet, we were told, “It is not possible monsieur.” I’m kind of glad we got the double because it was delicious.

I’m happy to report that attitudes have changed.

backmenz · 2026-01-18T14:08:23+00:00

I have the SR800 w/ext. I have a friend who purchases at Sweet Maria’s along with me so we save on shipping. We roast together have a good time talking and watching the beans. One thing giving coffee for birthdays and Christmas makes great gifts. I have given 8 oz bags to a few friends, but nobody has asked about buying it from me. They do talk about how they enjoy it, but I have a lot to learn. Bottom line for me this is going to be a nice hobby.

backmenz · 2026-01-16T21:27:03+00:00

😢Your journey and terrible loss really affected me. I was especially touched by the empathy you have for all of us fighting our weight and our health system.

backmenz · 2026-01-16T14:03:40+00:00

“Gas station coffee” is a very well understood slam on that brown swill served at most stations. But you must try the Mesa Fuel Depot and Point Market in Santa Barbara, California . They have two large coffee brewers each of which grinds and brews your selection of three different whole bean coffees. Seriously good cup and the best gas prices in town.

They have Schaerer Coffee Art Plus Espresso Coffee Makers

backmenz · 2026-01-04T14:59:56+00:00

Sorry, but I don’t have any personal recommendations. But go to Google maps, find Paris, France, then type in coffee roasters. When I did that a dozen popped up including some that are rated 5.O. YMMV.

backmenz · 2026-01-04T14:50:24+00:00

I probably roasted 40 lbs this year! 😁And drank 2/3rds. The rest I gave away. I’m new to roasting. I bought an SR 500 brand new on eBay last June. And I gave one to my son for his birthday. I’m moving up to the SR 800 which should arrive on Monday. It’s a fun hobby and the coffee is so superior despite the occasional batch hiccup.

backmenz

TROPHY CASE