I roasted my first batch of coffee yesterday. The machine actually filled my house with smoke. This isn't the norm, right?
1255046
Yes. Ours is in the garage for that reason. Sometimes we use it I the bathroom with the window open and the fan on. But we love it anyway. Worth the trouble. Makes great coffee. We have given it to several friends and family members, warning them about the smoke problem.
1255047
I have had my machine for almost a year....no smoke whatsoever....have you followed instructions?
1255048
The beans do smoke when they roast. I roast under the hood on my stove, and I will set off the smoke alarms at home if I forget to turn on the exhaust fan. Try running a full cycle without any beans, if you don't get smoke, then should all be normal.
1255049
I've been using an SR500 for a couple of years. I don't understand how some can answer that it does not smoke. I do it in the bathroom where I have a vent. If the door is left open, smoke alarm time. The amount of smoke is determined by how far you roast and the amount of chaff on the beans. Different varieties have different amounts of chaff. Green decaf has lost almost all of its chaff in the de-caff process. Before I get flamed by the purists, I've roasted some SWP high grade Arabicas that are delicious; a compromise only when compared to fresh roasted similar quality full octane beans. I've been using an SR500 for a couple of years. I don't understand how some can answer that it does not smoke. I do it in the bathroom where I have a vent. If the door is left open, smoke alarm time. The amount of smoke is determined by how far you roast and the amount of chaff on the beans. Different varieties have different amounts of chaff. Green decaf has lost almost all of its chaff in the de-caff process. Before I get flamed by the purists, I've roasted some SWP high grade Arabicas that are delicious; a compromise only when compared to fresh roasted similar quality full octane beans.
1255050
You are luckier than I was, my machine burnt out after 2 minutes despite carefully following instructions. I did warn people on the review page. I manages to use a precision roaster for 15 years. The SRI is not robust enough..
1255051
I've roasted over a hundred batches with the FR SR500 and although there is a caramel/burnt sugar smell afterwards, I've not had much smoke. It is a good idea to roast under a kitchen hood to help eliminate the smell, but I don't even turn on the fan anymore as we've gotten used to the smell. Can you tell me about your roast:Are you new to roasting? How dark did your beans get? Did you reach second crack? How long did you roast?
1255052
No this is not the norm. It seems like your settings were too high or your timing clock needs to be adjusted down to less time for that particular batch. I burned beans in the beginning because I had my machine set on high, which was the factory setting, and the beans cooked too fast. I now leave my machine on medium and adjust the timer according to what I am roasting, and never had that problem again. And all my roasts are just right according to my taste.
1255053
Yup. That's normal. You have to roast in a well ventilated area. I roast in the garage. It still gets smoky there but doesn't set off alarms. Be advised that if you roast in a cooler area like the garage in the winter it will affect roasting times.
559790
I like my coffee not as strong as most people, so I've adjusted the beans accordingly. Just practice till you get the strength you prefer.
224728
It's going to be more than the typical single shot. My Racillio holds 1/3 the grounds that this one holds. So, you're using more coffee, but the shot is infinitely better.
504414
Very happy with the machine, once i figured out the coffee grind, the fresh roasted coffee is key. If you use coffee that that is not fresh, the coffee with never be as good and the creme will be a very light. Make sure you start with fresh roasted coffee and perfect the grind and enjoy the best cup of coffee you will ever have. Overall i am very pleased with the machine.
202120
For myself, the only kind of programmable coffee maker worth having would be one with a built in grinder. I mean, to load up a non-grinder automatic, you've got to load ground beans the night before, so they just sit there getting stale. At least with a grind-and-brew, you've got freshly ground beans and automation. :) I've had such makers in the past and they were great...when they came from Germany. So, now I think that this little Bonavita number might be the ticket. All the fanciness went into the coffee itself, not the doo-dads. ;)
352276
Dunno if you're still monitoring this, but if four cups will do it for you in the mornings this may be your machine. Experiment with different roasts to get the flavor you like. I've found going to a darker roast gives me the strength I like even less than a full carafe. It'll brew those four cups faster than the Keurig does one with no noise.
326677
When using the unit for the first time, you may notice a fine smoke haze. This is normal. It is due to the initial heating of internal components. You shouldn't experience smoking after initial use.
1482125
Answer here...What is "real hot" to you? The temperature is about the same as the coffee from my Mr. Coffee machine.
603451
I have had my coffeemaker for less than a week, but I am about to "unload" it because not only does the smell cause me to check for "something burning" each time I make coffee, but the coffee bears NO taste of coffee, but rather of hot plastic. I CAN'T STAND IT!
1176944
Hi Victoria:I delayed answering your email because I wanted to be 100% sure I was correct. I went home and made a pot of (Mountian Blue) coffee. I filled it up to 5 cups - on the glass carafe it was just a tad under the max line and not a drop spilled. So short answer your pot is defective :(
1677049
i agree with you, it might be hot at first, then it cools down much to fast, they need to make the temp higher on these machines. coffee should be enjoyed hot over time, and not chugged down like a shot and a beer before nascar party.
1368227
To second another answer... There should be a little note from the factory that says they test with actual coffee before the unit leaves the factory, so finding left over grinds is normal on new units.
1576473
No. This is a very good coffee maker for the home. It has one burner and has a 12 cup carafe.
667747
There was an immediate odor on application but I live in a single one bedroom apartment and did a coffee table and end table right in the living room with just the immediate living room window open and a bedroom window open for a cross breeze and I did not feel overwhelmed by fumes or anything. It was surprising better than I was expecting, (I was expecting something that burned my eyes or nose like bleach) and the scent did not linger for days after. Just vent the place and I think you would be just fine.
1677052
I like hotter coffee also. My solution is to run a cup of plain hot water from the machine into my cup to preheat it. I pour this out and then make my regular brew cycle. Seems to work for me.
2216961
Yes, know your issue completely. We don't often brew to capacity but when we do have guests, it can be embarrassing bec. if lady luck is not with us, we would have the puddle and the stream running off the counter. Six/Eight cups would be fine for a second round of coffee for family. However, we had to worry if we had a full house esp. w/ a repeat round of coffee. Tried to temper down the amt for some events and do smaller batches. Sometimes a success; other times a flooded counter and floor. No logic to examine possible reasons.
515835
That doesn't sound normal, unless there's just a tiny bit of coffee left in the pot. Any coffee pot will scorch coffee if only a little bit of coffee is in the pot, but it usually takes much longer than an hour to scorch. I would assume the coffee pot is defective if it's doing this within an hour. I've never heard of being able to turn down the temperature on a warming pad, cause usually it's not needed.