OK, I regret spending almost US$1000 for this CBR-301 roaster. I used the CBR-101 for years and only because it was getting a little long in the tooth and I had managed to break the roasting chamber (which I have since fixed) ) did I order the CBR – 301. It is a royal pain. Let me count the ways:
1. The display indicates that the temperature can be measured in either Celsius or Fahrenheit. However, the display does not indicate which temperature scale is being used. You have to get the app connected and look at the app for that.
2. The app stinks. If you try to look at anything other than the device status and “your roast“, it gives you an error message.
3. If you don’t press the temperature button when the temperature gets to 200°C and again when it gets to 230°C, the roaster goes into cool down mode with blinking lights and all kinds of beeping. I roast espresso at around 460°F/240°C. So I have to stand over the roaster and press the button two different times. Didn’t have to do that with the CBR – 101. Apparently the concerns for safety have overridden the concerns for ease of use.
3. I hate the fact that if I lift the cover the roaster stops. Sometimes it is just difficult to see the condition of the beans through two layers. One layer (the roasting chamber) should be enough. Again, if users are so stupid as to touch the roasting chamber while it is 240°C, they need to learn a lesson. For those of us that are not that stupid, being able to see the status of the roast is important.
4. OK, on the plus side, it does appear that the roasting chamber heats up and cools down maybe a little faster than with the 101. However, this roaster has a meaningfully larger footprint and being forced to use the app when you should be able to see/set temperature scale, etc., on the display, is simply irritating.
Judge for yourself. However, if I had it to do over, I would not buy this Roaster even though I was very, very happy with the CBR – 101.
