The Gene Cafe is a sophisticated new home coffee roaster that puts powerful controls into the users hand and is simple for new roasters to learn with. The Gene Cafe roaster is one that you can start with and grow into. Why is this new roaster so unique? There are many reasons, starting with the two dials on front that allow you to adjust the time and temperature of your roast, at any time during the roast. This unique feature allows the user to make quick and simple changes to the roasting parameters. It also allows different size roasts with better results. Most home roasters are optimized for one batch size and that is it. The Gene Roaster can roast a batch size anywhere from 50 to 300g of green beans. The controls coupled with the unique heat delivery and bean agitation method (more on this below), allow for roasting different batch sizes without either roasting too quickly and burning or under-roasting. And speaking of batch size, the Gene Cafe roster has one of the largest (if not the largest) batch size of any home roaster. This roaster will roast enough green beans to product a half pound of roasted coffee (by starting with as much as 10 oz of green beans). Since you lose as much as 10-20% of the green coffee bean weight during the roast cycle, ending with a half pound is no small feat.

When you first look at the roaster, you may notice the roast chamber sits on an angle instead of the expected horizontal position. This feature truly sets the Gene Roster apart. The patented design creates 3-D mixing – the first in the world to do so. The coffee beans are well mixed and roasted by adopting the vortex twisting technique achieved by asymmetrical rotation of the chamber. The chamber sits off axis so as it rotates, the beans also move side to side. The heating system is a cross between at typical drum roaster and a hot air roaster. The convection system moves hot air around the beans and indirect heat from the element combine to produce a full bodied roast that preserves the character of the bean or the “brightness”.

Another “clear” advantage of the Gene Cafe roaster (pun intended) is the Pyrex glass construction that allows the user to see the roast development. Sight is one of the best ways to monitor the roast. As the beans change color you can check if the color is developing quickly enough or too quickly. Viewing the beans can also help prevent over roasting. Sound is another primary technique for monitoring a roast. With a low noise level (65 db) compared to other home roasters, you will be able to hear the first and second crack of the coffee beans.

More about the Gene Cafe roasting process:

The ability to control the variables is key to producing the perfect roast, and the Gene Cafe has been engineered to give complete control over time and temperature– two important factors for achieving perfectly roasted beans. The Gene Café’s control panel is equipped with temperature and time controls capable of producing a full range of coffee styles, from a light American roast to a dark Italian roast that is ideal for espresso. The system’s large Pyrex® roasting chamber and clear safety cover allow users to check the progress of the entire half-pound batch– an advantage over many other roasters.

Gene Café’s Total Control system allows the user to make time and temperature adjustments on the fly without having to interrupt or re-start the roasting process. LED displays provide time and dynamic temperature information while audible tones alert the user to cycle changes. Those new to home coffee roasting can follow the instruction manual’s simple time and temperature chart while experienced roasters will be pleased by how easy it is to fine-tune the process to personal tastes. Gene Café’s unique, patented off-axis roasting chamber and hot air convection system ensure even roasting regardless of the batch size. And because the flow-through convection system does not recirculate the hot air, Gene Cafe is exceptionally efficient at removing chaff, even from dry processed beans.

As with all home coffee roasters, roasting into the dark stages can product a fair amount of smoke. We recommend using the Gene roaster under a vent hood or other ventilated area. We also suggest being near any home roaster during the roasting cycle to ensure a quality and safe roast.

Product Features

- Clear Pyrex off-axis roasting chamber allows easy monitoring of the roasting ® process and ensures even roasting.
- Produces a full half-pound of roasted beans, or a small batch ranging from light American style to Espresso roast.
- Convection roasting eliminates hot spots that can cause an unevenly roasted batch.
- High-efficiency chaff removal with generously proportioned, easy-empty collection chamber.
- Dynamic temperature-monitoring sensors ensure that the ideal temperature is maintained, regardless of voltage fluctuations.
- Analog dials control time, temperature and system status and permit on-the fly adjustments.
- LED displays monitor time, current temperature status and alternately display selected temperature data.
- Audible tones signal cycle changes.
- On-board diagnostics provide system status information.
- Sleek styling and small footprint make the Gene Cafe a welcome addition to the kitchen.

Gene Cafe Model CBR-101 Specifications

Capacity: Half-pound (finished batch size)
Agitation: Off-axis mechanical drum rotation
Heating: Convection
Chaff Collection: Removable, easy-clean chaff collector
Temperature Range: 0-480EF (0-250E C)
Controls: Analog rotary dials and digital displays for time and temperature. Audible cycle change signals.
Power Requirements: 110v-120V AC, 1,400 Watt
Dimensions: 15.1" x 10" x 9" (383 x 243 x 229 mm)
Weight: 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg)
Color: Black
Safety: Overheat sensors with safety shut-off, automatic shut-off, safety cover
Diagnostics: On-board electronics with diagnostic digital error code displays