☕ Coffee ☕: Ingredients, Roasting, Grinding, Brewing, and Tasting

[jammin]

Since I upgraded to the plus panel the higher speed " D " is the only way I would go with the Behmor agreed. I actually run mine without the chaff tray (always have) and vacuum out the unit three to four times during the roast and roast nearly 1.5 lbs green in it. When I do that it naturally stretches out the roast and comes in much better flavored. But increasing the drum speed was a definite improvement as was not running out of time... Ever...

1.5lb batches in the behmor? i'm surprised you can finish a batch in a respectable time.. forget about the stretch...

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

I was digging through my coffee stock the other day and found a Kenyan I hadn't roasted since July so I gave it a try this week.

Wow I forgot how good it is. Like sucking on a hard candy - super sweet and great citrus acidity.

Bodhi leaf has a special through the end of today on their Harrar with code Harrar2016. That will bring it to $3.99 a lb.i got 5 pounds of it - those are ones I usually give out to friends since it's so cheap and the quality is pretty good.

 

[UndeadFred]

1.5lb batches in the behmor? i'm surprised you can finish a batch in a respectable time.. forget about the stretch...

Well, getting rid of the chaff tray does take a lot of thermal mass out of the unit and having it plugged literally directly in my electrical service panel helps. Even with the plus panel tipping the front of the unit up on a 2x4" block also helps as the way it is designed the thermocouple actually "sees" the element (which is an "IR" element, too) and because of that heats lower than it ought to. Tipping it up, especially with the higher setting makes the unit run warmer. I get out about 1.25 lbs roasted that way and it's about 23ish minutes for a typical C+ to FC roast. The roasts actually taste quite a bit better running it that way.

It might be me, but I am really sensitive to the taste of chaff, and especially burnt or roasted chaff. If I wouldn't have figured out the removing the tray and ShopVac trick I likely would have sent the unit back. But I've been running it that way for almost 4 years now.. about 8 months on the plus panel...

One of these days I'll finish my gas drum roaster (bbq) in the garage and use it 9 months a year, but the brewing hobby slowed down that project...

Fred

 

[arturo7]

If anyone has suggestions for brew temps I'm all ears.

200F +/- 2 according to SCAA

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

I can't remember if anyone mentioned it on here, but.....

This Yirga Cheffe Gedeb Asasa from Sweet Marias is absolutely amazing. I ordered 10lbs of it originally, and after a few roasts of it I decided to order another 20 lbs. This is really, really good coffee. Pomegranate, raspberry, melon, strawberry - so many different flavors as it cools and ages. https://www.sweetmarias.com/product/ethiopia-yirga-cheffe-dry-process-gedeb-asasa

 

[TrickyDick]

I can't remember if anyone mentioned it on here, but.....

This Yirga Cheffe Gedeb Asasa from Sweet Marias is absolutely amazing. I ordered 10lbs of it originally, and after a few roasts of it I decided to order another 20 lbs. This is really, really good coffee. Pomegranate, raspberry, melon, strawberry - so many different flavors as it cools and ages. https://www.sweetmarias.com/product/ethiopia-yirga-cheffe-dry-process-gedeb-asasa

Thanks! That will add to my stash. Not sure If I have tried before or not, but sounds like I haven't from your description.

TD

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

I sent some of that Yirg Gedeb Asasa to a friend of mine, and apparently he and his wife liked them...a lot.

So much so that she just bought a popper and is going to start roasting coffee. I guess I'm happy they enjoyed it enough to try making their own, but I will say I'm a little ticked because I don't have them as a customer now

 

[Schmoogdaddy]

Newbie (3 months) Behmor user here.
My question is: Is there a resource that goes a little more in depth than just the general P1-P2 for Centrals and P3 for Africans?

For example, my two favorites so far have been an El Salvador and a Panama. I preheated for 1:30, roasted at P1, increased drum speed at 4:00, cut back to P4 at 3:00 and P3 at first crack, cooled before second crack. I went to what I would call full city. Both roasts seem to give a nice acidity up front and a lingering dark chocolate finish.

I know trial and error and note taking are my best friends, but I'm just trying to know a little more before the roast if I take Origin X and alter Parameter Y in this way, I can expect Result Z.

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

Schmoog, there is some info out there but it's tough to find and not clear. Plus the power being outlined in the charts are percentages of power supplied (which provides a variable temp based on power supply at your outlet) rather than bean or chamber temp.

So, long story short, the pre programed modes aren't going to help you get consistent quality. I'm not answering your question so much as I am trying to convince you to start roasting in manual. Since you sound like you have a good idea of the roaster now I'd drop the modes and go straight manual. But that's just me.

Hope this helps a bit. I've been dissatisfied with the amount of info behmor gives with their roaster. Instead of them providing it all, I had to research a number of different forums to find where people had logged info they found out on their own.

 

[TallDan]

Any vac pot users here? I haven't used mine (bodum) for a couple years so I pulled it out this morning and followed Intelligentsia's directions for it. Seems a bit odd to me that the brew time suggested by them for it is about 2.5 minutes, while the brew time they suggest for french press or chemex is about 5 minutes. Any thoughts as to why such a short brew time for vac pot?

 

[Schmoogdaddy]

Schmoog, there is some info out there but it's tough to find and not clear. Plus the power being outlined in the charts are percentages of power supplied (which provides a variable temp based on power supply at your outlet) rather than bean or chamber temp.

So, long story short, the pre programed modes aren't going to help you get consistent quality. I'm not answering your question so much as I am trying to convince you to start roasting in manual. Since you sound like you have a good idea of the roaster now I'd drop the modes and go straight manual. But that's just me.

Hope this helps a bit. I've been dissatisfied with the amount of info behmor gives with their roaster. Instead of them providing it all, I had to research a number of different forums to find where people had logged info they found out on their own.

Thanks for your reply. I totally agree with everything.

One thing that should not vary for me is power supply. I plug into a 20 amp. dedicated receptacle, 6 inches way from my service panel. Ambient temperature will vary in my garage, but power should be a reliable constant.

 

[jammin]

Any vac pot users here? I haven't used mine (bodum) for a couple years so I pulled it out this morning and followed Intelligentsia's directions for it. Seems a bit odd to me that the brew time suggested by them for it is about 2.5 minutes, while the brew time they suggest for french press or chemex is about 5 minutes. Any thoughts as to why such a short brew time for vac pot?

Yes. I have a Hario 3 cup and a Yama 5 cup. Brew time is fast due to the turbulence created from the steam/air bubbles and whirlpool you should perform prior to draw down

 

[estricklin]

Can anyone recommend this book?

http://www.audible.com/pd/Business/...f=a_search_c4_1_1_srTtl?qid=1459003532&sr=1-1

Just looking to learn a little more and maybe get into some roasting one day.

 

[TallDan]

Yes. I have a Hario 3 cup and a Yama 5 cup. Brew time is fast due to the turbulence created from the steam/air bubbles and whirlpool you should perform prior to draw down

I didn't do a whirlpool, and maybe didn't have enough turbulence as I had the heat very low once the water was in the top. It's fun to brew with though, I think I'll not wait so long to brew with it again.

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

One thing that should not vary for me is power supply. I plug into a 20 amp. dedicated receptacle, 6 inches way from my service panel. Ambient temperature will vary in my garage, but power should be a reliable constant.

Do you have a KillAWatt? You'll see the most variance in power in the summer when people are running their AC and the grid is strained.

Around here, my power drops most in the summer between 5:30 - 8 PM when people are getting home from work. You can be plugging in right next to the panel, but ultimately you are at the mercy of the grid unless your running a Variac.

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

I made a pot of half Harrar and half Yirg yesterday because I was low on both and had to blend. Talk about a heck of a cup. So many flavors, and a good amount of body actually - maybe more just complexity making it feel like it had more body. I'd do that again in a heartbeat.

I tend to always make Single Origin pots - I need to venture out a bit though.

 

[jammin]

Thanks for your reply. I totally agree with everything.

One thing that should not vary for me is power supply. I plug into a 20 amp. dedicated receptacle, 6 inches way from my service panel. Ambient temperature will vary in my garage, but power should be a reliable constant.

the amperage of your outlet is inconsequential in this case as the wattage of your unit does not exceed 1500.

as stated above, you are possibly (very likely) experiencing voltage drop.

to remedy this, you should connect a kill-a-watt into an appropriately sized variac. this system will allow you to precisely control line voltage to your roaster and maximize the consistency in your roasts.

here is a great variac to point in the right direction. im sure you can find better prices elsewhere. be wary of cheaply made units...
http://www.roastmasters.com/variac.html

 

[TrickyDick]

I have used the vac pot before... Until mine broke.....
Might have to invest in a variac.....

 

[Schmoogdaddy]

the amperage of your outlet is inconsequential in this case as the wattage of your unit does not exceed 1500.

as stated above, you are possibly (very likely) experiencing voltage drop.

to remedy this, you should connect a kill-a-watt into an appropriately sized variac. this system will allow you to precisely control line voltage to your roaster and maximize the consistency in your roasts.

here is a great variac to point in the right direction. im sure you can find better prices elsewhere. be wary of cheaply made units...
http://www.roastmasters.com/variac.html

Thank you for taking the time for that well thought reply, but...

I mention the 20 amp. receptacle, because it is properly connected with #12 wire, only a total of 18", at that and is the only load on that circuit. Residential receptacles can often be only 15 amp. and connected with #14 wire and can be very far from the panel with other loads operating on the same circuit. I also have never seen my voltage below 120 volts, even at peak demand. With that, I don't give power supply a second thought.

I am getting more into manual roasting as you suggest. I need to learn to be more diligent in note taking so if I nail the perfect roast I can replicate it next time.

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

Schmoog, still, it's only as good as the power coming off the grid. Hook up a kill a watt and you will find this out right away.

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

I found a used Gaggia Classic - anyone have any opinions on purchasing used Espresso machines? Anything in particular I would be looking for upon seeing it? Wear and tear or anything?

All I know as of now is the seller says it's in "excellent working condition" and was recently de-scaled.

 

[TallDan]

I found a used Gaggia Classic - anyone have any opinions on purchasing used Espresso machines? Anything in particular I would be looking for upon seeing it? Wear and tear or anything?

All I know as of now is the seller says it's in "excellent working condition" and was recently de-scaled.

I purchased my Silvia used and have no complaints. No matter what the seller says about condition, personally, I would plan to break down and clean as much as possible. (I'm guessing that I didn't need to tell you that.) Fortunately, that means just some minimal disassembly and cleaning of the grouphead and steam wand on a machine like the Silvia, take a look and see what can be done on the Gaggia classic.

 

[JonW]

I've owned a few Gaggia's over the years. They're pretty reliable machines, easy to work on and easy to get parts for. They're a great "starter" machine.

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

I've owned a few Gaggia's over the years. They're pretty reliable machines, easy to work on and easy to get parts for. They're a great "starter" machine.

Do you see anything typically go wrong with them, or anything I should watch out for?

I'm new to espresso and don't know what to look for when buying something...especially used.

I'm between the Gaggia and the Silvia. Looks like the Gaggia is a little more affordable.

 

[JonW]

Do you see anything typically go wrong with them, or anything I should watch out for?

I'm new to espresso and don't know what to look for when buying something...especially used.

I'm between the Gaggia and the Silvia. Looks like the Gaggia is a little more affordable.

No, I wouldn't say there's anything typical that goes wrong with them. They are very reliable. I had scale issues on one that I wasn't de-scaling well, so I ended up having to remove the boiler and do a more in-depth de-scaling. Even that was pretty simple though. There are so few moving parts on these things that keeping it descaled is the biggest issue and then I'd say replacement of the hoses like the fresh-water take up hose. Easy to do stuff. Even if you ever had to replace the pump or 3 way valve, that is quick and easy too. Most of those parts only start going out when you haven't been descaling.

I've never used a Silvia, but I know they're good machines too. At these level machines though, they're going to be pretty comparable in performance.

Here's a good comparison of the two: [ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viY84ZSaZnQ[/ame]

 

[passedpawn]

No, I wouldn't say there's anything typical that goes wrong with them. They are very reliable. I had scale issues on one that I wasn't de-scaling well, so I ended up having to remove the boiler and do a more in-depth de-scaling. Even that was pretty simple though. There are so few moving parts on these things that keeping it descaled is the biggest issue and then I'd say replacement of the hoses like the fresh-water take up hose. Easy to do stuff. Even if you ever had to replace the pump or 3 way valve, that is quick and easy too. Most of those parts only start going out when you haven't been descaling.

I've never used a Silvia, but I know they're good machines too. At these level machines though, they're going to be pretty comparable in performance.

Here's a good comparison of the two: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viY84ZSaZnQ

What do you use for descaling? I know vinegar works, but I'm worried about leaving any of that flavor in the pot. Blech.

I just descaled my dripper this morning. I use Dezcal powder. I don't have a scale issue, so I'm not sure how effective it is. I also wonder if scale is ever an issue when you have a whole-house water softener.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0028S5N6I/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[JonW]

I use citric acid for descaling and Cafiza for cleaning the group head.

 

[TrickyDick]

I have a whole home softener. I only brew coffee with R.O. water (and sometimes I treat it with minerals like I do for beer, but mostly I don't).
I will say that I do NOT and never have had a scale issue with any coffee machine. The Behmor has the heating chamber up top plainly visible so if I was getting scale I would be able to see it. I have none.

TD

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

Here's a good comparison of the two:

Thanks for sharing - I think I had seen that a while back but had forgotten about it. Any video with Morgan is worth watching

I'm waiting on a reply back about the used one I found; he has it in a package deal with Breville Smart Grinder, but I think he's overpriced, having the package at $450. I just found on Whole Latte Love's site where you can get a refurbished Gaggia Classic for $299 (although they are currently out of stock).

 

[TrickyDick]

And the rabbit hole just gets deeper and deeper.....


TD