Sandbox Smart Roaster R2 400g [Review]

Great review, very informative!

The button is the safety requirement from UL

has the app changed at all?

I bought the R1 and have been quite happy with it, as I learn how to use it through trial and error, since it does not have a operators manual. But I was surprised when I wanted to access a improved recipe area mentioned when I seek settings. As the next thing the oven connection advises I must make a monthly subscription to do that. Why was this not mentioned when I ordered it. After such a price for a small oven, Im very unhappy that Im locked out of accessing a better system because theyve programmed it so i must buy a monthly upgrade. Is this the reason no operators instruction manual is supplied. I also spot no one on you tube mentions this. Plus does anyone know how to open the upgrade , since I believe I bought the oven to roast coffee. Im definitely no falling for the Con of paying the greedy stards more to use my oven to better effect. Remember, No operators manual. No instructions on use nor program. If I had known this before buying. I definitely would not have bought.

OK. I'm convinced. What home roaster would you suggest with 450 gram capacity and ability to adjust roasting and consistency.

So I liked everything for 5 1/2 months - except the VIP subscription for a monthly charge, which won't give you the details of the roast. Then it stopped working. I sent it for repair to the US shop they recommended. They advertise 1 year warranty. The shop said they repaired it and sent it back after 1 month. It's STILL not working - heating elements never turn on, just like when I sent it out to them. Sandbox in Taiwan simply told me, "Your roaster should be working" and refuse to do anything more about it, even after I sent them the video they requested. I spent $2500 on this POS. I've also spent over 5 years building a micro-roaster business that is now defunct without a roaster. It's up to you if you want to buy it, but at least you are warned!!!

Would you recommend it to me? I want to start a very small cafe, have no idea about how to roast, but want to start somewhere.

Im 63 love coffee. Been intrested in roasting just for myself. Whats a good machine that i can grow into and enjoy.

Ridiculous price.

Thank you for the detailed review. It's a really tough price point - at well over £2000 (after import tax/duties etc) it's a definite no-go for me. You can get an electric Cormorant now for around £2000 - compatible with Artisan, 600gram capacity, aesthetically pleasing imo and more control of your roasts. Sure the Cormorant is manual however a good opportunity to learn. If The Sandbox was priced at £1500 maximum it may be worth a punt for me, but at well over £2000 it's just way overpriced for what it is imo.

I love how you get to the point, unlike so many other people giving advice on coffee roasting. You actually tell me just what I need to know without all the rambling and ranting nonsense. Keep it up, my young friend, and all the best to you! 🙂

Great review. Yea this roaster is a head scratcher

Looking for 500g roaster with full conrol? Get a Kaldi Fortis model. I've been roasting on the Fortis Grande with artisan for two years. build like a tank. Lots of heat and air. Can do anything👍

thanks! will holdoff..... software and a browser based app is key.... for that reason im out....

Can it measure the bean temperature?

Nice and helpful video, I have questions, i work in small cafe like 30cup a day from a latte to cortado etc..

However, the machine make like 400gm about 15 minutes, so if i make it work for 2 hours split or at the same time it may give 2kg of coffee, it is a good for us u think?

Because 30 coffee is about 540gm "18gm" so we need like 1kg a day

Ps: I'm new at rosting and I'm planning to be more good on it but we have limt budget so we get this machine.

Keep going i like ur videos❤

I would really like a 1kg roster. I sold my hot top because the 200 gram charge was a bit small and I just found myself roasting almost daily.

Nice review. So, to be honest - should I think about the Ikawa then instead of this roaster? Because it is really pricey and does not feel like the best match with app and manual roasting…

note to ui software people: no matter how good the hardware is, users won't buy such a software dependent item. the MEs are cussing out the CEs, and with cause. maybe the CEs need to make some coffee?

YES. I use this and it needs some BIG updates. Note, you CAN re-roast a previous manual roast. It’s still annoying but it works. I still just find myself almost always using manual mode though. The presets are horrible with way too low charge temps. The BIGGEST issue is consistency in charge temps… sometimes if I set charge to 383F, by the time I see the preheat complete notification, drop the beans in, hit that ANNOYINGLY small checkbox and then wait for the temperature data to repopulate, it’s anywhere from 3-15 degrees hotter than what I set it. Usually if I preheat to 383F for example, after I drop in beans I’ll see the temp stabilize around 400F… but even then it’s just not consistent. Sandbox are you listening? You need to ALWAYS SHOW the current temp! Don’t hide it with a big pop up during charge, one of the most important moments we need to see temp… great review though!!

Thanks for your video, I have been struggling to get the results I want from the R2 although I'm pretty new to roasting. I tried your profile today and got some tipping on the roast. I'll adjust the power down, as it's likely different machine variations. Thanks for sharing it, it's a lot better looking curve than previous roasts, do you have any 200g profiles that I could work with? I Kickstarted this machine and many of the issues you noted are right on, along with my frustration at sandbox for not sharing control points on their advanced profiles because they are "intellectual property" even though I am paying for the VIP package. Thanks, would love to see some in depth profiles on the R2.

Great review! I have the Hottop B roaster. When I purchased it 5 years ago it was the best sample roaster for domestic use. Would be fascinating to see your take on the hottop series

Hi charlie, i also own the r2 but it’s 220v version. I’ll try your roast profile. Will this work in natural processes beans as well? Would you please share the 300gr batch too?

Onde consigo no Brazil?

Great video Charlie, l really enjoyed it ☕

Great presentation, I really liked the batch size, and I don't mean 400gr, but 300 in to get 250gr out, less is too small
As I said in another video, knowing bean temperature is the most important information when roasting

P.s. The R2 link at the description is for another product

I have a gene and although it’s manual I feel it’s teaching me a lot about the process before I commit to a large investment. I would love to see a review of the bullet and hottop roaster if possible.

Great objective review. I feel bad for non US people that can't get a Fresh Roast

Great video, thanks for it!

Are you aware of the Kaffelogic Nano? I thought it was comparable to the R1, but I’ve not seen anyone putting them side by side so far.

(by “comparable” I mean regarding my own goals of learning how to roast with adequate control and logging capabilities, as a first small home roasting machine.) :)

Well done, Charlie! I think you marked the pros and cons effectively where I could make a decision if I were to upgrade my R1 to and R2.

Question: I noticed you dropped a link if I were to buy it on Amazon and I noticed it’s 110v. Is the R2 in the video using 110v or was it configured to 100v?

Keep up the videos! Love the sense of humor and your honest review!

It’s 550g capacity not 400g.
Another thing to concern: what happens if the app got removed or the company stops supporting it since everything is control via the app. If this happens, will the 2700 dollars machine be a lemon?

Great review, thanks! Wanted to know how it compares to the bullet, I think I got my answer… And also “Put upable with” = tolerable 🤣

$2,700! is a big price to pay for this home roster.

Good review. Bit of a let down as I had high hopes for the R2. I was expecting something like a budget Aillio Bullet, but it seems like it's only a big brother of the R1. If so, $1500 sounds more like it...

$2700, hard pass

Overpriced and not well designed. Feels cheaply made compare to other machines at this price point or under.

Thank you for a great video. Always so helpful

It's a big risk for me as a small channel to not be wholly positive about every piece of coffee gear that comes across my table, so I'd appreciate it if you would like this video so that it isn't all downside to me giving honest reviews.

Thanks so much and I'll update this comment if Sandbox improves the app. I got some great roasts despite my issues with it 😅