... try to grind a small amount and view it next to the roasted bean under a good strong white light source. I doubt this could be an issue with the Behmor, but more exterior roast than interior can happen (usually fast air roasts) and you see it when trying to compare surface vs ground color. (Which ...

I've read that it's easier to hear cracks on the GeneCafe if you listen at the end by the chaff collector.

Another Gene Cafe user here. I have to admit, I find hearing the cracks difficult with this machine. I'm not sure I have ever been able to hear 2C, but I prefer a lighter roasts anyway. I've been roasting in cooler temps and that may be a factor.

Tim

I just got a HotTop on Friday. While there is some noise of the beans moving on the rotating drum, I had no problem hearing first crack. (The temperature sensor on the HotTop is handy as well to know when you're getting close.) Second crack was clear and easy to hear as well. (Rice Krispies!)

Oven cleaner will work nicely, but you sure need to clean THAT out very thoroughly once you've finished. Use it very sparingly.

Thanks for the kind words. I like happy users.

Ira

I've been using the Gene Cafe for over a year. I have no trouble hearing first or second cracks but I do need to be in the vacinity of the roaster. I can't hear it from across the room. If I'm being very careful with a roast I will position myself near the exhaust end where the cracks are easiest to...

... first crack. Machine shuts down completely, beans burn while I try to find a way to get it going again. For the third roast I get hooked up with BehmorThing, and I'm cruisin'. Last three batches have been so good I'm wanting the roasted bean levels to go down faster. My wife loves her Panama, ...

Soak it with Simple Green or if you don't have that try some other similar spray cleaner. I'd not use steel wool and would try to stick to cleaners. Simple green will work in time. If you don't get that corner clean, where the temperature sensor is, it will think the chamber is hotter than it is and...

Any suggestions on how to clean it? It's pretty burnt on. Steel wool and elbow grease?