I have never used anything other than the original iRoast. I priced some counter top drum roasters, but the alternative I keep coming back to in my head is the BBQ grill drum when it's time to replace the iRoast. There is plenty I find annoying about the iRoast like the small batch size, smoke-tube snaking out the kitchen window and loose-cap chaff blast, but as long as I pay attention, I still really like the results.