I used to roast by ear alone, but a string of bad batches made me rethink everything.
I used to roast coffee only by listening for cracks and watching the color. It felt more hands-on and natural to me. After several bad batches, I tried using a thermometer. I found my temperatures were all over the place, leading to uneven roasts. Now I see the value in measuring, but I wonder if it takes away from the art. Do you rely on your senses or use tools like thermometers?