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

[applescrap]

Got the ethiopian. The beans struck me as poquito. Couldnt wait to roast it. Gave er hell. 10 minutes, I knew some beans were under roasted, but I also knew others were approaching scorched. I had to pull it off. It seems a fairly uneven roast and as I sit here ruminating, why didnt I give it just a little more, I am wondering some ideas. The bag says city to fc, so maybe that is what the bean naturally creates? At 10 minutes other beans are much darker. Is it really fresh so maybe it has more fluid in some beans than others? Does it need a longer slower roast? Idk hope it turns out, any thoughts much appreciated.

View attachment 1476924525439.jpg

 

[passedpawn]

Wow, that's some variety there scrap. Give it a few days, grind some and see how it tastes. Looks like overall it's too light though. I've re-roasted beans before and it turned out ok.

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

I can't remember but are you using a whirly, scrap? You may want to stick to about 8oz loads and just crank it hard and quick.

 

[applescrap]

Haha, this is killing me. Tee, hee, sorry, hilarious. I finished to early and I need to crank hard and quick. Srsly though great eyes pp and for this ethopian need smaller batches as suggested harbortownbrewing.

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

I finished to early and I need to crank hard and quick.

Hey don't worry bud, we've all been there

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

I just ordered that Ethiopia Jammin suggested - really excited for that one. Also picked up some Congo which is a new one for me.

I've been selling to friends, and more and more people are buying now. It's helping reduce prices, which gets more people interested. But it's getting in the way of me roasting for myself (which bothers me, as a somewhat selfish person). I always end up selling all my good stuff before I get to try it (other than what I cup), then I'm left to drink my leftover 2 year old beans that I never liked.

I need to get my priorities back in line! Ideally though, I'm just trying to save up enough cash to upgrade my equipment in the future. At the rate I'm going, it'll take a few years.

 

[applescrap]

Anybody know what this is

View attachment 1476971296253.jpg

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

That looks like a VERY stripped down drum roaster. I don't even know that I see a heating element there though? If it has one, it would be 100% power all the time without the ability to remove heat.

If you are looking for a cheap drum roaster, you can get a used Behmor for about $200, and it would have temp control.

 

[TallDan]

Anybody know what this is

Looks to like a bare drum intended to be placed over a stove burner. Lots of better ways to roast for the same or less money.

 

[passedpawn]

I just ordered that Ethiopia Jammin suggested - really excited for that one.

I have 10# of that in my kitchen. Will be roasting a couple # this weekend.

 

[psubrewer]

Any experience in this thread with the bread machine / heat gun method? I've already got a heat gun and can pick up a BM for < 50 bucks. Seems like this method works well for larger batch sizes.

From what I've read the SC/TO struggles with larger batch sizes and I can't justify the time spent unless I'm roasting at least 1lb at a time.

 

[passedpawn]

Any experience in this thread with the bread machine / heat gun method? I've already got a heat gun and can pick up a BM for < 50 bucks. Seems like this method works well for larger batch sizes.

From what I've read the SC/TO struggles with larger batch sizes and I can't justify the time spent unless I'm roasting at least 1lb at a time.

jammin had one. He's in here daily, I'm sure he'll comment.

My SC/TO does just fine with 1# batches. In fact, it's the only size I do, and I've pushed many many batches through it. I'm not going to tell you it's better or worse than any other method, so if you're motivated to make your heat gun gadget, good luck!

 

[Aristotelian]

Any experience in this thread with the bread machine / heat gun method? I've already got a heat gun and can pick up a BM for < 50 bucks. Seems like this method works well for larger batch sizes.

From what I've read the SC/TO struggles with larger batch sizes and I can't justify the time spent unless I'm roasting at least 1lb at a time.

I have just been using a heat gun with a stainless mesh strainer or mixing bowl (can't bring myself to use a dog bowl). The bread machine is a nice idea to keep the beans moving but you really don't need it.

 

[TrickyDick]

So for the artisan users, a new version was just released that purports to have PID ability via the artisan software itself I think. Is this for real?

Have not had a chance to download it or try using it yet.

TD

 

[ba-brewer]

Any experience in this thread with the bread machine / heat gun method? I've already got a heat gun and can pick up a BM for < 50 bucks. Seems like this method works well for larger batch sizes.

From what I've read the SC/TO struggles with larger batch sizes and I can't justify the time spent unless I'm roasting at least 1lb at a time.

I used a heat gun and cast iron pot on a camp stove for a couple of years with great success. Even though I could of done 1lb batched I liked having a variety of coffees so I did half pound batches mostly(still do). It is only an extra 10 to 12min or so for a second half pound batch. Took about an hour to roast 2lbs of coffee. I used to buy the samplers from sweet marias so you get the coffee for about $5/lb and with a half pound batch I got a second shot at adjusting the roast if the first attempt was not quite right.

The never used a bread machine but that would be nice as you dont have to stir. I got a good year and a half out of a harbor freight heat gun before it burned up.

 

[psubrewer]

Thanks for the feedback, I like the manual stir heat gun idea. Might give that a try before purchasing a bread maker. Assuming the results would be similar.

 

[applescrap]

In that light city roast the dominate smell I can tell is apricot, I can't wait to drink it

 

[applescrap]

That looks like a VERY stripped down drum roaster. I don't even know that I see a heating element there though? If it has one, it would be 100% power all the time without the ability to remove heat.

If you are looking for a cheap drum roaster, you can get a used Behmor for about $200, and it would have temp control.

Thanks for the advice. Thats it then used behmor. Assume they are reliable and or repairable?

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

Thanks for the advice. Thats it then used behmor. Assume they are reliable and or repairable?

I think they are mostly reliable and quite repairable. I had an issue with mine but they sent me parts and instructions to fix it (no charge or proof of receipt for the warranty). The company has not done a great job at writing instructions but you figure it out with a little research (I've got a lot of notes I can share as well).

Overall it's just tough to beat the behmor FOR THE PRICE for being able to roast 12 oz or so ounces easily and alter the heat during the roast. It's not the best roaster. But it's the best $370 roaster.

 

[zippybasher]

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q81BaO-Q9Hs&feature=youtu.be[/ame]

 

[zippybasher]

Cant figure out how to imbed video^^

Whirlypop, DC Geared motor (56rpm @ 12v), 12v Battery, 6mm to 5mm coupler.

Set heat, add beans, plug in, come back 12 minutes later and dump. So nice to have it automated. Stirred for 2 batches before coming up with this. $35

 

[passedpawn]

Cant figure out how to imbed video^^

Whirlypop, DC Geared motor (56rpm @ 12v), 12v Battery, 6mm to 5mm coupler.

Set heat, add beans, plug in, come back 12 minutes later and dump. So nice to have it automated. Stirred for 2 batches before coming up with this. $35

The address MUST be www.youtube.com domain. When you select "share", it gives you one of those www.youtu.be addresses, which won't embed.

Very cool there. Get us a link to the gear motor you used please.

 

[zippybasher]

http://www.robotshop.com/en/spur-gearmotors.html

I went with this one: (Plenty of torque)
http://www.robotshop.com/en/cytron-12v-56rpm-83oz-in-spur-gearmotor.html

It has a 6mm shaft coming out and the whirly arm has a 5mm shaft. I used this to mate:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/191783052939

You can use a wallwart to power the motor as well, I just have a bunch of lipo batteries from other hobbies.

 

[ChefRex]

Very nice, that sure beats cranking!

 

[applescrap]

Thanks passedpawn reroasted it this morning. Still a little light. The light roast body was similar to water. Lots of varietal flavors, dominated by soft fruit apricot. Reroasted on medium. I have to roast a little slower in future I think for more control.

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[psubrewer]

Zippy, great build! Do you think that motor has enough torque for 1lb batches?

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

I roasted the last beans in a bag of PNG. After 2 and 3 days it really was just boring and I couldn't figure out what I screwed up. But today, day 4, wow. It's the png I knew before. That's definitely a coffee that benefits from 4 plus days of rest.

 

[jammin]

I've had this coffee several times in the past & it is extremely consistent year to year. Klatch usually always offers it year around. This stuff is a total berry bomb. I'm excited to try it again -

http://www.roastmasters.com/ethiopiaworka.html

 

[zippybasher]

Zippy, great build! Do you think that motor has enough torque for 1lb batches?

Without hesitation, I did a 1/2lb and 3/4lb batch back-to-back with no issues. the motor isn't straining at all and didn't even get warm. :rockin:

 

[estricklin]

I had thought about using a drill on my whirly after it broke, but never thought of a small DC motor! I'm so doing that!