ICOFFEE N901CR Roaster’s Optional Cooling Tray Review

If you’ve just roasted 150g of coffee and your cooling tray looks overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Many roasters find that the stock or optional accessories don’t quite match real-world batch sizes—especially when dealing with denser, higher-mesh beans. The ICOFFEE N901CR is no exception. So what’s the real story with its optional cooling tray? Does it cool effectively? Is it worth the cost? Let’s break it down.

The ICOFFEE N901CR’s optional cooling tray is designed for the machine’s maximum roast capacity of 150g. In practice, batches over 120g—especially with larger or denser beans—fill the tray quickly, and 150g is a tight fit. For 120g, cooling takes around two minutes and performs well. But whether that performance justifies the high price is another matter.

What the Cooling Tray Is Designed For

The cooling tray is an optional accessory for the ICOFFEE N901CR coffee roaster. It’s engineered to handle the machine’s stated maximum roast batch: 150g of green coffee. The idea is simple—after roasting, you dump the beans onto the tray, where ambient or fan-assisted airflow helps bring them down to room temperature quickly. This rapid cooling stops the roast and locks in desired flavours.

Real-World Performance with Different Batch Sizes

In actual use, the tray accommodates 150g, but just barely. Roasters report that beans with a larger mesh or higher density fill the tray sooner. For batches around 120g, the cooling tray feels more appropriately sized. At that quantity, cooling time is approximately two minutes, and the cooling effect is effective—beans drop temperature swiftly without uneven spots. Going beyond 120g starts to strain the tray’s design.

Build Quality and Aesthetics

Despite the debate over practicality, the cooling tray’s construction is notably meticulous. Close-up views reveal careful attention to detail in the metalwork and finish. Even if you’re not sold on the utility, the build quality stands out—something that might appeal to those who value craftsmanship in their equipment. The aesthetic is clean and purposeful, though purely optional if you’re focused on function over form.

Is It Worth the Price?

One major point of contention is the cooling tray’s cost. Several users feel that the premium price doesn’t align with the value, especially given that effective DIY alternatives exist. For example, pairing a large CPU cooling fan with a mesh screen can replicate the cooling effect for just a few dollars. Even a basic household fan can cool 150g of roasted coffee relatively fast. Functionally, you don’t strictly need the ICOFFEE tray to achieve good results.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum roast capacity for the ICOFFEE N901CR cooling tray?

The cooling tray is designed for the ICOFFEE N901CR’s maximum roast batch of 150g. However, in practice, 120g is a more comfortable fit, especially for beans with larger mesh or higher density. At 150g, the tray can feel somewhat cramped.

How long does it take to cool 120g of coffee on the ICOFFEE N901CR cooling tray?

Cooling 120g of roasted coffee on the ICOFFEE N901CR’s optional cooling tray takes approximately two minutes. Users report this batch size cools effectively and evenly within that time frame.

Is the ICOFFEE N901CR cooling tray worth the price?

Many users consider the ICOFFEE N901CR cooling tray to be overpriced for its functionality. While it’s well made, DIY alternatives—like a CPU fan with a mesh screen or even a regular household fan—can cool 150g of coffee just as effectively for a fraction of the cost.

Does the cooling tray work well with dense or large-mesh coffee beans?

The cooling tray works, but users note that denser or larger-mesh beans fill the 150g-capacity tray more quickly. For such beans, 120g is a more suitable and manageable batch size, cooling fully in around two minutes.

What makes the ICOFFEE N901CR cooling tray’s build quality notable?

Despite debates over its value, the ICOFFEE N901CR cooling tray is praised for its meticulous construction. Close inspection reveals fine detailing in the metalwork and overall finish, giving it a high-quality, artisanal appearance.

Can I cool 150g of coffee effectively without the ICOFFEE cooling tray?

Yes. Many roasters successfully cool 150g batches using a simple fan or a DIY setup with a CPU fan and mesh screen. These methods can cool the coffee almost as quickly as the official tray, often at a much lower cost.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Roasters

For roasters using the ICOFFEE N901CR, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for bright floral and citrus notes, or Yirgacheffe for juicy berry and stone fruit. Both are excellent single origins to test your cooling tray’s performance. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.