So then Joe.... gonna "join up"? Pass on the joy? Help the next poor I-Roaster?
The chaff ring is such a disappointment, it is so easy to fix one would have expected the manufacturer to get it right. I was one of the first people to get an I-Roast in the UK and have been meaning to publish my review of it here on TMC, but I never seem to get around to finishing it
My first two roasts were way too dark for me, but thanks to a stash of beans that was supplied with the device, I kept on trying things, including the sweetmarias tip of switching the way the chaff collector is assembled (results in other problems with the chaff collector screwing on to the pot). Till in the end, I found the "washer" idea simplest (literally what I had to hand and it can be made to size depending on how well your chaff ring has been manufactured!) and its easy to replace if it gets lost. I don't know how many people are now using this technique (the joys of the internet!) but those that have tried it around here seemed to think it does the job well (though if anybody has a better idea, please do share!!!).
In it's price bracket and for the size, I reckon the I-Roast is the best air roaster of its type, though it is far from perfect. Both it and the HotTop have their faults, sadly... but if you learn (or can find help) with getting to grips with these foibles, then the results can be great.
Once you get a feeling for what sort of profile works best for you, then you can pretty much program the I-Roast (despite the interface and believe me, you'll get used to it) and let it do it's thing... though I would always recommend watching closely for the last minute to 30 secs. I've been monitoring the temperatures of my I-Roast for the past 6 months using a thermocouple and I've been very surprised by how consistent it is.
As for the profile that I suggested, it is likely to be far from perfect, however it seemed to me to be the next obvious thing to try following your experiences with preset 2. I can imagine that it could do with quite a lot of refining to get the roast just right in the cup (and not just the roast colour). Now we need to come up with something more like a City roast for your partner, it's only fair!
Thanks again for taking the time to work it all out.
No problem. TMC is a great place for this, there are people far more experienced and knowledgeable than I, who often help out, so I just try and do my bit when I can. Better still, no matter how "goofy" the problem or question, people always take the time to respond, and do so without the attitude that you get over at CG.
Hopefully this thread might help others in the future too!
D