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

[Schmoogdaddy]

So I waited 5 days for my beans to ship across the country and quickly got a lb. of Nicaragua into the Behmor as soon as I got them. I started out in Auto, but eventually switched over to P5. Around the 6 minute mark it all shut down and I had err2. There's no saving that batch, right? Dammit. I'm going to let it cool for an hour and load up a lb. of Panama. I guess I will have to leave it in Auto for the whole roast. Anyone else experience err2? Any remedies?

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

Err2 comes because your internal temp got too high. Keep an eye on it by pressing the B button and keep it below 315 degrees.

 

[ChefRex]

I also wouldn't roast a pound at a time in a Behmor, 1/2 at a time, still learning so no need to listen to me.

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

Also start in manual p5 from the beginning. They have it configured so auto p1 doesn't always give you 100 percent power. Don't know why.

Anyways if your roasting with p5 but start getting up around 305, consider pressing p4 to give it 75% heat and slow your heat from getting out of control (and leading to err2)

 

[applescrap]

In general do you want to roast as hot and fast as possible or slowly? I think someone said hot till you start getting to first crack and then slow down to have some control there. The light roast mellowed after a few days in good way. I do like it. Interestingly the coffee is translucent and very light in body.

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

Apple that there is a difficult question to answer.

A hard bean like a Guat can handle high heat through 1c. A softer less dense bean like an Ethiopian will require less heat up to 1c.

I like to modulate my heat source but it depends on what your using.

I'd suggest this book. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/mobil...d=Google_&sourceId=PLGoP4747&k_clickid=3x4747

 

[Schmoogdaddy]

Err2 comes because your internal temp got too high. Keep an eye on it by pressing the B button and keep it below 315 degrees.

I've never seen 315 in print before, so thanks for that. It's been mentioned before in this thread that the Behmor instructions are a bit disappointing/vague. I mostly like the machine just fine, though.

I'm about to charge the drum with some El Salvador. I will go manual the whole way with this roast.

 

[ChefRex]

Apple that there is a difficult question to answer.

A hard bean like a Guat can handle high heat through 1c. A softer less dense bean like an Ethiopian will require less heat up to 1c.

I like to modulate my heat source but it depends on what your using.

I'd suggest this book. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/mobil...d=Google_&sourceId=PLGoP4747&k_clickid=3x4747

Ordered, I will hold you responsible if I am disappointed

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

Schmoog I don't think there's a fast rule fit the err2 temp. I got it around 315 once but I've also been around 322 before without getting it. I try to never let me roasts get above 310 at any time though.

 

[Schmoogdaddy]

Schmoog I don't think there's a fast rule fit the err2 temp. I got it around 315 once but I've also been around 322 before without getting it. I try to never let me roasts get above 310 at any time though.

Noted. I believe the machine is looking for a quick rise in temperature as if there was a fire and the heaters need to be shut off.

My full last full manual roast went just fine. I saw 316 at one point, but it was a slower rise in temp this time.

An hour has passed since my last roast, so I'm going to roast some Honduras now.

It's a shame I lost the batch of Nicaragua. The description sounded like something I would have really enjoyed.

 

[passedpawn]

It's a shame I lost the batch of Nicaragua. The description sounded like something I would have really enjoyed.

Why'd you toss it? You could have just roasted it some more.

 

[jammin]

Why'd you toss it? You could have just roasted it some more.

I've never understood the "suffer through the it" movement. The rule of 10k makes sense to me & the more coffee's you experience the more understanding you get. I try my best to limit & be selective in my purchases, but I know full well that roasting more is the key to experiancing a better cup.

 

[passedpawn]

I've never understood the "suffer through the it" movement. The rule of 10k makes sense to me & the more coffee's you experience the more understanding you get. I try my best to limit & be selective in my purchases, but I know full well that roasting more is the key to experiancing a better cup.

I completely agree with the "suffer through it" comment (e.g., infected beers get dumped immediately). However, I assumed that the beans could be re-roasted a bit more and used without any suffering. Have you done this and had issues?

Rule of 10k?

 

[jammin]

^oh it's just reference to the whole 10k hours to become a master at something. Basically the more experience you get the better.

Re-roasting beans yields pretty bad results & as cheap as they are; I say roast some new ones!

 

[applescrap]

As a tangential thought consider this; in a forum filled with such talented Cooks, beer makers, charcuteries, and coffee roasters, conversations of this nature will always come up. This clip is hard for me to remember, because often times I'll get to a place where I get very narrow in my thinking. For example, my green chili, I think is how it should be made and the watery mess my friend makes is incorrect. But he doesn't eat it in a bowl with a tortilla like I do, he uses it to smother things. That being said there are a million different ways to make chilli just as good and its hard to remember that. So i offer this. I posted this once before, I think passedPawn helped embed it. There are many translations I've seen of this discussion. The point being if you're in a good mood you might enjoy a cup of Folgers.

Watch "Tea Time with Jet Li" on YouTube

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7Rg0j1YD0w[/ame]

 

[passedpawn]

^^ great clip. My dad loved his folgers instant coffee crystals. And it's true, I drank coffee with him and enjoyed the cup.

However, most gas station coffee is horrible, I don't care what mood you were in when you bought it, that mood will be foul when cup leaves your lips!

 

[BrewinBromanite]

That was deep, scrapple. I guess that's why, when I have a fridge full of delicious fresh IPA's and a mich ultra sitting in there, the mich ultra would never sound good to me. But out golfing in TX summer heat, about 30 ice cold mich ultra or any cold BMC are the greatest thing on earth.

 

[jammin]

That was deep, scrapple. I guess that's why, when I have a fridge full of delicious fresh IPA's and a mich ultra sitting in there, the mich ultra would never sound good to me. But out golfing in TX summer heat, about 30 ice cold mich ultra or any cold BMC are the greatest thing on earth.

Truth!

 

[Schmoogdaddy]

Why'd you toss it? You could have just roasted it some more.

I didn't toss it. I thought I once read that an interrupted roast is ruined. However, this morning I picked out most of the burnt beans and re-roasted it. I've already made a cup with it and can say that it is probably not as good as if I hadn't had my err2 and re-roast, but I think it is decent at the least. In the end, it was a good learning experience.

 

[passedpawn]

I didn't toss it. I thought I once read that an interrupted roast is ruined. However, this morning I picked out most of the burnt beans and re-roasted it. I've already made a cup with it and can say that it is probably not as good as if I hadn't had my err2 and re-roast, but I think it is decent at the least. In the end, it was a good learning experience.

Maybe I misunderstood, but didn't you under-roast using your Behmor? How did you have burnt beans in there?

 

[Schmoogdaddy]

Maybe I misunderstood, but didn't you under-roast using your Behmor? How did you have burnt beans in there?

I didn't provide much information. I started my roast in Auto, but when the heaters cycled off the first time, I went to P5. By not paying attention to the temp well enough, it went to err2 somewhere around the 8:00 to go mark. When the err2 occurred, if I remember correctly, the drum stopped AND the fans stopped...not a cooling cycle, but a complete shutdown. I figure the beans that were against the drum and facing the now shutdown, but still very hot heaters were exposed to all that heat and began to burn. I even heard a few first cracks. The result of that "roast" was a lot of yellow beans, some greenish, some brown and a few burnt. That's when I tossed them in a container and assumed they were a loss. After I saw your suggestion to re-roast is when I picked out the burnt beans and gave it a go. I'm not at 10,000 hours yet, but this was a lesson for me in paying full attention to the roast.

 

[TallDan]

My first couple manual roasts ended in err2's as well. I gave up on manual for a while before trying it again. The programs aren't great, but are better than burnt beans and interrupted roasts.

After getting the routine down, I mostly know when to adjust heat to keep it where I want on manual, but honestly, the difference between the manual roasts and the programs is not huge if the program is used correctly and stopped at the right point. I'd suggest sticking with the programs until you get the hang of stopping when you get the roast you want.

 

[jammin]

My Vario-W is on the fritz unfortunately and delivering shorts doses. When set to 18 grams, the grinder is only dosing about 8 grams. I just sent an email to Kyle @ Baratza explaining the issue & look forward to hearing what he can do for me. I requested a quote on upgrading to the new Forté BG and Im sure ill bite no matter the offer. It's way to shiny and cool for me to pass up. My only concern is that my OG machined burrs from Ditting might not swap over and that I'd lose grind quality. The new Forte comes with steel burrs but I have a hunch that i got lucky catching Baratza when they were having Ditting machine burrs for them before they we set up to make their own

Alternatively their new conical burred, timed dosing machine looks quite nice as well. I don't have a lot of experience with these newer conical burr sets but I've heard they quite impressive. I might have to ask Kyle how they stack and do some snooping around before I make my final decision....


Here is a glamour shot of the Forté BG I want -

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

I took 3 lbs of coffee, my chemex, grinder, and scale on a mini get-away with family to make coffee for everyone. Always a lot of work, but a lot of fun. My sister in law couldn't believe how good the coffee was and wanted to buy some right away.

It's always fun to watch people's reactions when they try good, fresh coffee for the first time.

Anyways, Baratza sent me the burr holder that broke, for free, and I was able to replace it in about 35 seconds. I guess there is a 1% failure rate of this happening, for one reason or another. Looking forward to getting consistently fine grinds again!

 

[jammin]

^great to hear.

As update to my Vario-W, kyle actually responded to me on the 4th of July persuaded me to trouble shoot my grinder. He talked me out of spending extra money and assured me the grind quality of my VW would not be improved by the newer models and I should trouble shoot mine with their help. A simple recalibration is all it took & im back on track

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

^great to hear.

As update to my Vario-W, kyle actually responded to me on the 4th of July persuaded me to trouble shoot my grinder. He talked me out of spending extra money and assured me the grind quality of my VW would not be improved by the newer models and I should trouble shoot mine with their help. A simple recalibration is all it took & im back on track

I'm sorry to hear haha. I was getting geeked about the Sette until I figured out my issue was an easy fix. Guess we'll just have to find something else to buy!

 

[corkybstewart]

I didn't provide much information. I started my roast in Auto, but when the heaters cycled off the first time, I went to P5. By not paying attention to the temp well enough, it went to err2 somewhere around the 8:00 to go mark. When the err2 occurred, if I remember correctly, the drum stopped AND the fans stopped...not a cooling cycle, but a complete shutdown.

This is exactly what my Behmor does now all the time, but every once in a while it'll make it to 6 minutes left. I have to let the machine and beans cool completely for a couple of hours and then I start over with the slightly roasted beans. After 2 or 3 tries, my beans are roasted. I've given up on my Behmor and am looking for a new roaster but nothing appeals to me. I liked the Behmor because I could roast 2 batches on Sunday and have enough coffee for 2 weeks. I'm thinking of a 2 pound drum and a gas grill, anybody have any comments or suggestions.

 

[passedpawn]

This is exactly what my Behmor does now all the time, but every once in a while it'll make it to 6 minutes left. I have to let the machine and beans cool completely for a couple of hours and then I start over with the slightly roasted beans. After 2 or 3 tries, my beans are roasted. I've given up on my Behmor and am looking for a new roaster but nothing appeals to me. I liked the Behmor because I could roast 2 batches on Sunday and have enough coffee for 2 weeks. I'm thinking of a 2 pound drum and a gas grill, anybody have any comments or suggestions.

I looked at that option for quite a while. Might have done it, but I only cook over charcoal, and I wasn't sure it would work, or that I'd end up with the charcoal flavor in my beans

I found some guy that made them in many sizes, with and without motors. Pretty sweet. It was online, but I just searched my bookmarks and it wasn't there.

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

This is exactly what my Behmor does now all the time, but every once in a while it'll make it to 6 minutes left. I have to let the machine and beans cool completely for a couple of hours and then I start over with the slightly roasted beans. After 2 or 3 tries, my beans are roasted. I've given up on my Behmor and am looking for a new roaster but nothing appeals to me. I liked the Behmor because I could roast 2 batches on Sunday and have enough coffee for 2 weeks. I'm thinking of a 2 pound drum and a gas grill, anybody have any comments or suggestions.

Have you tried larger batch sizes? Or roasting in manual if you have the Plus panel? Its just getting too hot.

 

[applescrap]

Cool thing to do. Whatroasts did you give them that they liked Harbor Town? Just curious