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    Fresh Roast SR340 Roaster

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      Purchase Fresh Roast SR340 Roaster

      Fresh Roast SR340 Roaster

      $149.00


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      About Fresh Roast SR340 Roaster

      The latest model in the Fresh Roast lineup is the SR340. We believe it will soon replace the SR300. Basically the two roasters have the same specifications but a fan speed control and knob has been added that allows fine tuning of the roast. At this time the SR340 costs $20 more than the SR300 and we think it is well worth the additional control you will have during the roast cycle. The fan speed control allows adjustments of + or - 10%. At the start of a roast beans are at their heaviest and the fan speed can be turned up to keep the beans in motion and to provide an even roast. As the beans become lighter, the fan speed can be turned down to help raise the temperature for desired roast.

      The Fresh Roast SR340 has the same capacity ( 4 scoops , 120 gm) and features of the SR300 and SR500 - plus a fixed temperature settings that can be adjusted from heat to cool at any time during the roasting process. The target temperature is 490 degrees.

      There are now a number of Fresh Roast models that have replaced the Plus 8 model that had been available for a number of years. All of the SR models can roast coffee dark, desirable for those into that style, however, these roasters do not offer smoke suppression. If you roast dark expect to roast under an oven exhaust hood, near an open window or outdoors if the weather is warm enough to not reduce thermal efficiency. Roasting outside in the cold will increase roast time but cooling will be quicker.

      Build quality is sturdy and clean, operation is very quiet and controls are easy to read and understand. All of the SR series roasters can roast about twice as much as earlier Plus 8 models, now 4 scoops (supplied), each 43cc. This is equivalent to about 4.5 ounces or 130 grams of green coffee, enough to yield 18 to 20 cups.

      We think the SR340 should now be considered the entry level SR roaster and priced at $149. The SR500 at $179 adds a 4 way roasting temperature switch (high, medium, low, off). Both models have timers that are preset to 5.9 minutes and you can increase or decrease time as needed.

      Fresh Roast SR340

      Latest model from Fresh Roast - SR340
      Dimensions: Height 12 7/8", Width 6 3/4", Depth 8 1/8"

      Model SR340:

      • Roasting capacity 120 grams, roughly 1/4 pound
      • Variable fan speed control
      • Digital display. Maximum time on the control is 9.9 minutes.
      • Has three buttons: Up, Down, Cool
      • At any point during the roast 6 seconds can be added for every tap of the Up button; likewise, the Down button takes away time in 6 second increments
      • Tapping the Cool button overrides the timer and places the roast into a 3 minute cooling cycle

      Model SR500 - All of the above features plus:

      • Three temperature settings that can be adjusted any time during the roast.
        -- High temp is 490 degrees
        -- Medium 455 degrees
        -- Low 390 degrees

      Both models share the same physical body and dimensions. What is different is functionality, which can be seen clearly by looking at the plainly laid out controls.

      Fresh Roast SR340 and SR500

       

      FEATURE
      SR500
       
      SR340
      Variable convection fan control
       
      Temperature control - 3 settings for roast control
         
      Time control - precise digital time display
       
      Adjust temperature and time without interrupting roasting cycle
       
      Heat override switch to fine tune your roast without interrupting roasting cycle
       
      Roast beans enough for 20 cups in under 10 minutes
       
      Easy to use for novice and experienced roasters
       
      Speed Roast fluid motion system ensures fast, even roasting
       
      Roast any coffee light or dark
       
       
      $179
       
      $149

      One of the problems with the older Plus 8 models, in our opinion, is that it was easy to scorch beans, which happened during the early stages of the roast. The dense beans sat just above the heating element and fan, but the fan wasn't sufficiently powerful to get them airborn. So, they just sat there getting overheated on their underside until they had shed enough water weight to begin moving in the air stream. These new models address the problem but each in a different way. The variable speed fan control get the coffee moving from the start. The heating element is considerably more powerful at 1600 watts than the earlier model's 1100. The ability to regulate fan speed, combined with heat intensity, offers some protection against scorching. The manufacturer suggests if beans are particularly dense or high in moisture that you run it with beans in and heat off for a couple of minutes. Likewise, you may want to lower the fan speed toward the end of the roast. The more expensive model gives you more ability to tweak and many roasters will like that.

      The roasting chamber is a glass cup fitted within a handle and base. Heated air is forced up from a fan in the base, past a heating element, through the coffee bed and out through holes in the lid. Chaff, or the skin that comes off beans during roasting, gets trapped inside the two-part lid and can be easily disposed. Both models are very effective at trapping chaff and users should be certain to empty the collector after each roast.

      Fresh Roast new and old
      Inside view of lid. Screen captures chaff

      Conclusion: The latest SR340 model from Fresh Roast offers beginner and experienced roasters more control than the SR300 base model is a good tool for roasting beans enough for a couple of pots. The roaster performs quickly and is capable of the full roasted coffee range from light to dark. It has no smoke suppression nor does anything else close to it in price, but that also makes it possible to do dark roasts. The additional features of the SR500 make it worth considering but the SR340 model will satisfy many.

      SR340 control panel

      Specifications

      • Height: 12 7/8"
      • Width: 6 3/4"
      • Depth: 6.75"
      • Weight: 4 pounds
      • Power Supply: 120V
      • Watts: 1600
      • Warranty: 1 year manufacturer's