KALDI Mini Size (200~250g) Home Coffee Roaster Including Thermometer -Gas Burner Required (Motorized)

I have been roasting coffee with a modified popcorn popper for about 20 years. I am an engineer and a hands-on individual, handy with tools, mechanisms, and basic electric circuitry. This Kaldi roaster is an upgrade into the world of home drum coffee roasters for me. The first four roasts off of this machine have been great, except that after the fourth roast the motor switch stopped functioning. I am currently working with the seller on a fix to the problem and can update my review based on that experience. In the attached pictures, (1) the power supply is plugged in but disconnected from the motor. The green light is on indicating power is available. When I plug the power supply into the motor, the motor will not run regardless of switch position (2) and (3). Further, the green light on the power supply goes dark, which indicates that the power supply protection circuitry has activated and turns power off. This can occur. for example, if there is a short circuit in the device it is attached to. The switch lever is also loose in the switch housing without clear positions. Normally a toggle switch makes a clear click as a spring mechanism holds the switch in the On or Off position. The roaster frame, drum, support bearings, and the gearhead dc motor are good quality and solidly built. I just wish the switch was better quality. It has disrupted my roasting. Without the drum spinning, the coffee will not be evenly roasted and I have to wait to get the motor switch fixed.

I wanted a gas-powered roaster which provided me the most basic controls of temperature and time, which this provided. Control of the roasting temperature has proved, however, to be somewhat tricky, as the roaster can easily overheat, through not responding as quickly to changes in the height of the gas flame as I might prefer. So, there is a learning curve, which I have not yet entirely mastered. But I am persevering. Some of my roasting with this roaster has turned out quite well, with other attempts resulting in over-roasting.

It’s running well.However, small problem without ventilation. It’s single drum so most of heat transfer to bean by conduction, you must choose position correctly on gas burner, gas burner must heat to center of bean pile.

Arrived with broken motor, it had clearly been dropped on the switch prior to packing. Not the best quality control. Looks like a solid product otherwise.