Fresh Roast Researched
SR540 Coffee Roaster
The friendliest way into home roasting — a fast air roaster with real heat and fan control, for about $230.
BeginnersSmall batches
Behmor1600 Plus Coffee Roaster
Behmor 1600 Plus Coffee Roaster
No longer in Behmor's lineup, which now lists the 2000AB Plus, though Behmor still sells a 1600 Plus upgrade kit. A drum roaster rated for up to a pound per batch, with smoke suppression and five power profiles.
ResearchedLarger batchesDrum roast
8.3
BrewSift Score
Excellent
$400
Approximate — verify the latest price
Not sold on Amazon right now
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Should you buy it?
Buy it if
- Larger batches
- Drum roast
- Up to 1 lb per batch
- Smoke suppression for indoor roasting
Skip it if
- Expensive
- Longer roast cycles
- Superseded by the 2000AB Plus in Behmor's lineup
Not for you? Consider the Fresh Roast SR540 Coffee Roaster — or see all home coffee roasters .
The verdict
Behmor's drum roaster runs to a one-pound batch, with default roast times set for quarter-, half- and one-pound loads, five profile buttons (P1 to P5) that set heating power, and a manual mode you can drop into mid-roast. Its smoke suppression is what makes indoor roasting practical, and a spring-loaded chaff tray catches the skins. Behmor's own quick-start guide tells new owners to begin with quarter-pound batches, and its current lineup lists the 2000AB Plus, which keeps the one-pound capacity and five pre-programmed profiles, rather than the 1600 Plus; Behmor still publishes support and upgrade kits for the 1600 family. There is no trusted Amazon listing for it right now.
BrewSift Score breakdown
Scored across the dimensions that matter for roasters. The overall is a weighted average — see the formula.
Roast quality8.5
Consistency8.0
Ease of use8.3
Batch capacity7.8
Value8.6
Pros & cons
What we like
- Up to 1 lb per batch
- Smoke suppression for indoor roasting
- Five power profiles plus manual mode
Watch-outs
- Expensive
- Longer roast cycles
- Superseded by the 2000AB Plus in Behmor's lineup
Specifications
- Type
- Drum
- Batch
- Up to 1 lb (start at ¼ lb, per Behmor)
- Profiles
- P1–P5 power settings + manual
- Smoke
- Behmor smoke suppression
- Chaff
- Removable chaff tray
Complete your setup
The gear that pairs with the 1600 Plus Coffee Roaster to make a complete, working setup.
Add a grinder
Keep beans fresh
Planetary Design
Airscape Coffee Canister
An airtight, opaque canister protects the beans you just bought from going flat within days.
$43.23Buy
Alternatives to consider
All home coffee roasters
Fresh Roast Researched
SR800 Coffee Roaster
The SR540's bigger sibling — roasts a larger batch and pairs with an extension tube for even more capacity.
Bigger batchesTinkerers
NescoCR-1010-PR Coffee Bean Roaster
8.5Nesco Researched
CR-1010-PR Coffee Bean Roaster
An enclosed roaster with a catalytic smoke reducer — the lowest-fuss, lowest-smoke way to roast indoors.
Less smokeSet-and-forget
JIAWANSHUN Researched
Electric Coffee Roaster Machine
A budget electric stir-type roaster with adjustable temperature and a glass lid — a cheap way to roast a bigger batch you can watch.
Budget bigger-batch roasting