Rule 1. NEVER leave your roaster unattended.

I knew this but ignored it today when I was a few minutes into a 20 minute roast on my Behmor.

I walked inside to answer a Skype and it took me a few minutes to get back to my porch which was completely engulfed in smoke when I did.:-)

I must have inserted the drum wrong because it was not turning and the beans were as charred black as I have ever seen and the chaff was probably close to fire.

Scared some sense into me, and the roaster performed well on a follow up roast that was closely watched.
[Reply]

Glad everyone and everything is OK.
[Reply]

Wow Pete glad it's all ok. Scary stuff!!!
[Reply]

Glad you and the roaster are safe!!
[Reply]

Glad All Is Well, Pete!:-) Lots Of Problems Leaving Fire Unattended. :-)
[Reply]

Yeah, the Behmor's famed smoke suppression system had a bit more than it could handle.

I took it out to the workbench and opened it up to check everything out and it was a good chance to give it a good cleaning anyway.

I'll never walk away from a roaster again.
[Reply]

I know squat about roasting... but glad nothing worse happened brother!
[Reply]

So glad it wasn't worse, Pete. :-)
[Reply]

Your a lucky man Pete...
[Reply]

Pete....I'm am happy that it did not turn out for the worse in your case. You may be aware that I lost my home to a fire last September, (not due to roasting). We have not even started rebuilding. So do take care up front.

So fellas....please leave no roaster unattended. Clean out chaff collectors (a popular source for ignition).

And no RUI (roasting under the influence) ever. :-)
[Reply]

Well I have roasted under the influence but those roasts turn out crappy.

Having a CO2 extinguisher is a must for roasting for the just in case situations, it won't ruin your roaster but will save you from a bigger fire.
[Reply]

I had heard the bad news Norm and am glad it wasn't worse.

Although it wasn't funny at all, your FB updates mentioned you were drinking hotel coffee at one point and I felt extra bad for you.

Speaking of chaff, the incident prompted me to take the sides off the Behmor and I was amazed at the amount of chaff inside the roaster that I removed with an air compressor.

I won't roast under the influence because with my luck, I'd end up with roasted nuts.
[Reply]