Can I achieve Commercial Retail quality beans at home?

[docdvm]

The more due diligence I do the more I realize that you are right, Peter. I just need to take the plunge. Although I get good (baked) beans with my HotTop and the Huky would be an improvement as the gas heat should make a difference in the roasts, I know that I will not be totally satisfied until I have the north Roaster. My suggestion to the new roaster, either get the HotTop and add a BT and ET thermocouple or get the Huky and learn how to roast. The HotTop may be more user friendly for a novice and there is some automation built in. The Huky is purely manual but with a BT and ET it is a great learning tool. For Home Roasters we cannot expect a roaster to be automated. There are too many variable with small loads that we use. It requires attention and understanding. The Huky is more nimble as the gas heat responds quickly. The HotTop takes longer to drop and heat so has its own issues. If you are dedicated likely the Huky will get you great roasts and prepare you for the jump to a small commercial roaster.

Will you get the best tasting coffee you have ever had. Of course you will. There is no better coffee than one you prepared from green bean to cup! Plus you can appreciate the different tastes you get from the same bean roasted differently. (City, Full City, full City plus....etc....)

 

[MillCityRoasters]

As long as I'm skulking about the forums this evening...

One thing I (almost) wish someone had warned me about is that my coffee would eventually get so good, I wouldn't be able to stomach ordering anything at a coffee shop.

Here in Minneapolis, the only two places I order coffee are Rustica (serving typically excellent and excellently prepared coffee from Dogwood) and Isle Bunn (they have a G3 and know how to use it). Pretty much everywhere else, I'm stuck with a cup of Earl Grey. Fudge.