Behmor (2000AB+) Thermocouple modification Service
The Problem & Our Solution
The Behmor 2000AB is a bit of a black box (pun intended as AB stands for All Black) in that there is no way out of the box to know the temperature of your beans. For serious chocolate makers, this limitation can affect the consistency and quality of your roasts.
All is not lost though. We worked out how to introduce a rigid thermocouple into the drum. It is not all that hard to do and we show you in Modifying your Behmor.
However, for those who prefer professional installation, we offer this service to you with the following options.
Your Modification Options
We highly recommend you purchase the thermometer and thermocouple from us as we have verified they fit and work with the modification.
Option 1 (Recommended)
Option 2
*The Behmor 2000AB must be purchased independently of the modification
Option 3
- Send in your Behmor** (any model can be modified)
- Purchase Behmor Modification WITH Thermometer and Type K thermocouple.
Option 4
- Send in your Behmor** (any model can be modified)
- Purchase Behmor Modification WITHOUT Thermometer and Type K thermocouple.
**Cost of shipping to us is included in the price for the 48 contiguous USA states. If you live somewhere else there will be an additional fee. Feel free to Contact Us beforehand to get a quote.
What's Included in The Modification
We will:
- Drill a hole through the left panels of the Behmor 2000AB
- Drill a hole through the center of shaft of the roasting drum
- If you order a Thermocouple, it will come bent into the shape needed to work properly with your Behmor
Shipping Instructions - Sending in your Behmor
- The roaster MUST be double boxed with at least 1.5" of padding around the inner box
- We will be in contact with you to verify the size and weight of the box
- We will send you a FedEx shipping label to ship the roaster to us
- You will need to arrange to drop off the roaster at a suitable FedEx location
- Please allow 7-10 days from time of receipt for the modification to take place and shipped back out to you.
DISCLAIMER AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
- This modification will void your warranty through Behmor
- This modification will not affect how the Behmor 2000AB operates AT ALL
- You acknowledge and agree not to leave the roaster unattended for any reason while roasting
- You understand this modification will ONLY work with 2 lb minimum of cocoa and is not suitable for accurate temperature readings when roasting 1 lb of coffee
- By purchasing this modification, you assume all responsibility for any damage that may occur to the roaster as a result of the modification
- Our warranty covers only the parts we provide (thermometer and thermocouple, if purchased) for 60 days from installation
- The Behmor, either purchased from us or supplied by the customer, is not returnable or refundable except in the case of carrier shipping damage.
- Our business General Liability carrier has been informed that Chocolate Alchemy is both performing the thermometer addition upgrade on existing products and offering instructions for end use customers to perform their own upgrades if they so choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why do I need to know the temperature of my beans?
A: Temperature is one of the most critical factors in developing the flavor profile of your cocoa beans. By monitoring the actual bean temperature, you gain much better control over the roasting process, resulting in more consistent and higher quality chocolate.
Q: How does the thermometer connect to the Behmor?
A: The 1/8” Type K thermocouple probe is inserted through the drilled holes and extends into the drum, where it can directly measure bean temperature. The thermometer does not connect to the electronics of the Behmor in any way.
Q: Will this modification affect my Behmor's performance?
A: No, this modification will not affect the operation of your Behmor in any way. All functions will continue to work exactly as they did before the modification.
Q: Why does this only work with a minimum of 2 lb of cocoa?
A: For accurate temperature readings, the thermocouple needs to be consistently in contact with the beans. With smaller amounts (less than 2 lb), there's insufficient bean mass to maintain consistent contact with the thermocouple, resulting in inaccurate or fluctuating readings.
Q: Can I install this modification myself?
A: While it is possible to perform this modification yourself (and we provide guides for DIY enthusiasts), we strongly recommend our professional installation service to ensure proper placement and function of the thermocouple.
Q: What type of thermometer is included?
A: We include a digital thermometer with a Type K thermocouple probe. The thermometer displays temperatures in both Fahrenheit and Celsius.
Q: How long does the modification process take?
A: Once we receive your roaster, the modification itself takes 3-4 business days depending on our workload and employee schedules. We then ship it back to you, with total turnaround time typically being 7-10 days depending on your location.
Q: What happens if something goes wrong with the modification?
A: We stand behind our work. If there are any issues with our modification within 90 days of installation, please contact us immediately. While we cannot be responsible for the Behmor itself (since the warranty is voided), we will address any problems related to our modification work or components.
Q: Can I remove the thermocouple if needed?
A: Yes, the thermocouple can be removed from the roaster if necessary, though the drilled holes will remain. Removal will not affect the operation of the roaster. The thermocouple must be removed to remove the drum and beans from the roaster.
Q: Can I use a flexible thermocouple wire?
A: No. NO. More than not recommending this, we say DO NOT DO THIS!!!. In tests the flexible wire caught on the rotating drum and caused the drum to jam on occasion. We found a 1/8” ungrounded rigid thermocouple provided the best results.
Q: How accurate is the temperature reading?
A: The thermocouple provides temperature readings accurate to within ±1°F (±0.5°C) when properly installed and used with our recommended minimum 2 lb load of cocoa beans.
Q:Can I purchase just the Thermometer and Thermocouple from you?
A: No. In an effort to keep costs down we recommend you purchase them directly from Dywer Omega:
Thermometer
Thermocouple
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