Impressions of the ROEST L200 Ultra: Denis Sabou Puts It to the Test
Home roaster and active ROEST community member Denis Sabou shares his first hands-on experience with the new ROEST L200 Ultra. From the innovative Counterflow Mode to the built-in drum pressure sensor, Denis explores how the Ultra compares to the L100 Plus and why it’s already changing his roasting workflow.
Getting Started: The First Roast
I’ve been roasting with ROEST machines since early 2022, as a home roaster, starting with the S100 and as I got better at roasting I moved to the L100 Plus. So when the ROEST L200 Ultra arrived, I was both curious and a bit skeptical. The older models were already great, refined through years of updates. But after just a few sessions, I realized the Ultra is on another level.
My first test roast was a 100g batch of Colombian Gesha Buenos Aires (washed). I ran it on one of the fast profiles to see how it performed. The roast finished in about 4.5 minutes using Counterflow Mode, and the results were impressive: clean, defect-free, and incredibly aromatic. The flavor was more vibrant than what I typically get from the same beans on the L100 Plus.
Since then, I’ve been roasting mostly 50g and 100g batches, and the Ultra has nailed every one of them.
What Stands Out
Efficiency and Power
This machine is seriously efficient. Roast charts show that peak inlet temperatures are about 70°C lower than my L100 Plus for similar fast roasts. Even more impressive, using the same 242V power grid and exhaust setup at home, the Ultra only pulls about 45% power, compared to the 80% I used before.
It’s delivering better results while using less energy, which is a big win.
Counterflow Mode
One of the coolest new features. In this mode, the drum spins backward, pushing hot air directly into the beans. The result is extremely even heat transfer and consistent development. This is probably why the Colombian Gesha came out so clean and tasty
Built-In Pressure Sensor
The new digital pressure sensor inside the drum measures roasting chamber pressure in real time. I used to experiment with DIY pressure meters like some folks in the ROEST Discord community, but having it built in changes everything.
Monitoring drum pressure helps in a few ways:
It makes it easier to match roast profiles between machines.
You can quickly spot airflow issues, like a clogged exhaust or buildup, by noticing changes in pressure readings.
It gives you another data point for consistency and control.
Connectivity and Interface
The new 5G WiFi card makes setup effortless, no apps or workarounds needed. Just select your WiFi network, enter the password, and you’re online.
The colored touchscreen also feels like a big step up. The fresh interface is intuitive, fast, and easy to navigate, whether you’re adjusting profiles or checking roast data.
There are probably plenty of upgrades under the hood that I haven’t explored yet, but honestly, I’m too busy enjoying the results. You can tell the ROEST team invested a lot in both the hardware and the web portal. It’s great to see a company continually refining its machines instead of relying on old designs.
Wrapping Up
After a few weeks with the ROEST L200 Ultra, I can confidently say it’s made my roasting workflow smoother and my coffee tastier. The combination of efficiency, precision, and power makes it a real upgrade from previous models.
Next up, I’ll be testing some 50 g batches of Ethiopian beans to see how it performs with lighter roasts.
If you’re into small-batch roasting or want a machine that keeps up with your curiosity, the L200 Ultra is definitely worth a look.
Note: These are my early impressions after a few weeks of testing. I’ll share more updates as I continue roasting.
Pictured: Lance Hedrick (left) and Denis Sabou (right) filming a cupping session.
Join the Conversation
Have questions about the L200 Ultra or roasting with ROEST? Join the Discord group to share experiences and tips with other roasters.
Discover More
Read about Denis’s journey from home roasting to community building:
From Home Roasting to Building Community: Denis Sabou
Or learn more about how ROEST sample roasters can help you refine your craft:
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