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

[HarborTownBrewing]

Hi, all. Sorry for interrupting but a moderator pointed out this thread when he learned that I also roast. This is terrific. I roast 1/2 pound at a time in my stovetop Kaldi mini. I don’t use any software just my senses and a thermometer. I source my beans usually from Sweet Maria’s. I do confess that I have a FreshRoast sr700 (collecting dust) but I prefer the old fashioned way.

Anyway, back to 1st and 2nd cracks.

Awesome, and welcome to the thread!

How do you like the Kaldi? The build quality looks top notch.

 

[PeteSeattle]

Awesome, and welcome to the thread!How do you like the Kaldi? The build quality looks top notch.

Thanks! Glad to be here.
It’s actuall pretty solid. All 304 stainless, tiny footprint, and stores easily. This is the very basic hand cranked version off of Amazon. I’m used to the heat settings on my gas stove that I can roughly gauge my temps and timing of the cracks. I’ll play with timing and temps between cracks to develop some character. I do, however use a basic curve that suggests time and temps which keeps my roasts between 12-14 minutes.

Here is the roaster I have.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N2NL01K/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[passedpawn]

Thanks! Glad to be here.
It’s actuall pretty solid. All 304 stainless, tiny footprint, and stores easily. This is the very basic hand cranked version off of Amazon. I’m used to the heat settings on my gas stove that I can roughly gauge my temps and timing of the cracks. I’ll play with timing and temps between cracks to develop some character. I do, however use a basic curve that suggests time and temps which keeps my roasts between 12-14 minutes.

Here is the roaster I have.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N2NL01K/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

That thing is pretty neat. I don't have any flames here (coal grill, coal smoker, electric stove, electric brewery).

I've thought about getting a garage sale propane grill and one of those large roasting drums for it (https://www.rkdrums.com/), but my current ghetto roaster works just fine and I'm reluctant to get any deeper into it at the moment (I already have too many hobbies/passions).

 

[jammin]

@PeteSeattle - welcome! Sweet little roaster. Looks fun to roast on. I’m sure the crew would like to see some action shots.


So what’s everyone roasting this weekend? I’m gonna do another lb if SM’s Sidama Station for espresso and hopefully stretch out the drying & mailard to about 9min total with a shorter/lighter development. Not sure what I’ll roast for drip

 

[passedpawn]

@PeteSeattle - welcome! Sweet little roaster. Looks fun to roast on. I’m sure the crew would like to see some action shots.


So what’s everyone roasting this weekend? I’m gonna do another lb if SM’s Sidama Station for espresso and hopefully stretch out the drying & mailard to about 9min total with a shorter/lighter development. Not sure what I’ll roast for drip

 

[passedpawn]

Roasted 5#. With the ghetto roaster, 6 minutes @ 400F, 4 minutes @ 450. Got me to the roast I like.

 

[jammin]

^looks like a great roast. The SC/TO kit is one I’ve always wanted to try.
I bet you could drill a 1/16” hole in the bottom of the SC & sneak in a bare thermocouple hint, hint - nudge, nudge

 

[passedpawn]

^looks like a great roast. The SC/TO kit is one I’ve always wanted to try.
I bet you could drill a 1/16” hole in the bottom of the SC & sneak in a bare thermocouple hint, hint - nudge, nudge

haha, you've been nudging me forever. Maybe some day.

 

[Inkleg]

haha, you've been nudging me forever. Maybe some day.

You're lucky. He just went ahead and pushed me in the deep end.

 

[applescrap]

Awesome passedpawn. Hope the coffee is good and that sweet connection works out.

Welcome Pete, that roaster is cool and I admire anything done manually. This coffee drinking bunch got me started on the Whirley Pop.

I have 3 lb of Nicaraguan limoncello pacamara and two pounds of Nicaraguan limoncello javanica and 8 lbs of konga. The cheap Nicaraguan was excellent and they won field of the year or something in 2014. Both from the limoncello are excellent. That said by the end of the week I was suffering a little. So glad to have knoga back in the cup. I think I can define it as sweetness in the cup that I enjoy. Will probably roast more konga and go lighter. The last few roast have been a little darker, no oil, but just too much chocolate and nut flavors verse fruit flavors. Maybe I'll give some variation a try. I normally go full steam to First crack and just a little in and that creates a very nice roast with this coffee.

I think I'll go low fan and 75 percent heat for 4 minutes or so. Looking to dry them out and then really turn the heat and fan up a little for 4 minutes or more before 1c, not right before, just before, and then back off to 75 percent again with low fan. Otherwise, I'll put them on full Heat and pull them near 10 minutes 30 seconds.

 

[arturo7]

Does anybody make an espresso quality "single shot" grinder?

I have a Rancillio Rocky that I'm pretty happy with, but switching between regular and decaf isn't practical.

Just curious if there is anything on the market with a very small hopper.

 

[TallDan]

Does anybody make an espresso quality "single shot" grinder?

I have a Rancillio Rocky that I'm pretty happy with, but switching between regular and decaf isn't practical.

Just curious if there is anything on the market with a very small hopper.

I have a rocky, but keep the hopper empty. Unless you're a coffee shop that goes through a hopper in the course of a few hours I wouldn't keep any in there, as it's not going to be kept very fresh. If you keep the hopper empty, it's no harder than any other grinder to switch.

 

[jammin]

@arturo7 - do you mean single dosing espresso grinder? That’s what I do for shots. I weight out 18g of beans and add them to the grinder.

For the money, you simply can’t beat the Baratza Sette 270. It’s design allows for essentially zero retention so whatever you put in all comes out. I hear the grind quality is nearly as good as much more expensive units.
https://www.baratza.com/grinder/sette-270/

A new one on the market is the Niche Zero. Its designed specifically for single dosing looks like a great design. I’m not sure it’s officially for sale in the U.S. but I *think* you can pre order one.
https://www.nichecoffee.co.uk/gallery/

In the “Titan” class of espresso grinders the Compak K10 amazing. It uses the highly regarded 68mm conical burr set which is arguably the best you can get. I’ve owned 2 of them and for a doser style commercial grinder it works quite well @ single dosing with a little technique. I’m considering selling mine actually since I bought a Monolith Flat. They pop up used frequently though and can be had for reasonable prices. Since they are full commercial units they basically never wear out.
http://www.compak.es/en/k10-master-conic-pro-barista.php


The KafaTek Monolith. I have the 75mm flat burr model but it also comes in a 68mm conical. They are hand built in Seattle and the wait list to get one is serious point of contention.
https://www.kafatek.com

Lynn Weber also makes a single dosing espresso grinder with 75mm flat burrs. The EG-1 is the most expensive of all.
https://lynweber.com/products/eg-1/

 

[MaxStout]

Anyone have thoughts about this Secura burr grinder? It's <$40 on Amazon, and I want to step up from the cheap blade grinder I've been using. I really don't want to plunk down $200 for a grinder.

 

[brewbama]

Anyone ever try BuzzBox Coffee?

 

[jammin]

@brewbama - I have not tried them but it appears they cater to the masses/general coffee drinking population. Their features roaster is out of Washington which has very rich history of coffee & has a lot of competition in the specialty sector. Their webpage shows a small Diedrich IR roaster (shoutout to Idaho) which is promising but then they show Keurig cup....

I suspect it would be just fine if you want some fresh, whole bean coffee that is just above C grade. If you’re into specialty coffee though it would likely be a let down.

 

[JPBrewLI]

Anyone have thoughts about this Secura burr grinder? It's <$40 on Amazon, and I want to step up from the cheap blade grinder I've been using. I really don't want to plunk down $200 for a grinder.

I think the hand held ceramic burr grinders (15-40 on amazon too) provide more consistent grinds than the cheap electric ones, but either will be better than the blade one.

 

[applescrap]

Anyone have thoughts about this Secura burr grinder? It's <$40 on Amazon, and I want to step up from the cheap blade grinder I've been using. I really don't want to plunk down $200 for a grinder.

My 2c. I have not heard of that one. I think one of the main problems with cheaper grinders is static electricity. Another problem is only slight upgrade from blade in grind quality. For 100 or so the encore is hard to beat. And then a little later you can splash out the 35 for the virtuoso burr and upgrade basically to the 220 dollar virtuoso. I paid 100 on cl for a used virtuoso, very used, and its still solid. Grind quality is good, retention has come up as an issue. I like my hopper for convenience. I guess one could put a bag over it for more air control. Have been wondering about how to manage different roasts. Tips above allude to that.

Sorry back to the grinder, if the static isnt like jumping beans and it works, then it will do, im sure. Cuisnart makes one like this. Imo you will likely be more satisfied with the overall experience day in and day in and day out with any better machine. They are powerful, and easy to use. Also they make espresso grind. But sure, that burr grinder is still an upgrade. One thing I have learned from the people here is that quality is quality in food, coffee, grinders, brewers. Sure there are deals out there, but sometimes that hasnt always been the best deal for me. Sometimes i find a harbor freight tool will do other times no.

 

[arturo7]

@arturo7 - do you mean single dosing espresso...

Thanks, jams

 

[applescrap]

Gave the konga slower roast a try this mroing. Oops forgot about it so it stayed at 4 of 6 power for 11 mins or so then I upped it and then backed off, I wrote it down for your perusal. 1c was quiet, and not as vigorous as normal. Way less smoke, and a very distinct cinnamon smell towards the end i have never smelled. After 11min at 4 low fan, was pale green nearing yellow. Overall, idk know yet. I stayed on the tryer througout. Ended up pulling it at near same moment as last roast. They look the same too. I like some yellow cracks and some darker with most but I think its too dark for this yirgacheffe.

It looked different. Hi heat makes the beans glossy and visually ots like you can see the high temp carmelizing, searing and giving a strong maillard reaction to the hard bean. It looks like glaze on the bean. It also creates a vigorous, loud and defined 1c. The lower temp development was just that. It was less glossy, and slower developing of carmel and maillard but still progressing along the curve. Surprisingly i think there was less consistency among color changes and bean color than with high heat. Also there is a light kiss of scorching, which I think could be due to the higher temp 2nd adjustment. The lower temp 1c was quiter, and less audible. Also way less cracks heard between beginning and where I pulled it as compared to high heat. The 1c got underway about 40 seconds after first audible crack and i pulled it a minute. Right low temp and left high temp iirc.

 

[HarborTownBrewing]

Went to a roaster while traveling. They had a Probat right in the cafe, but I was disappointed to see a couple high school kids working the register who didn't know much at all. I asked what the espresso was, eventually I got the answer "Sumatra, Colombia, and some thing else..." and it was just okay. Ordered a shot of espresso and it was a single. Everywhere I've ever gone, if you order "an espresso" you get a double. At this place I got a single.

They had a few different freshly roasted beans available but the only coffee they offered was Mocha Java. Tell me this, how can you have a freaking roaster in your lobby but the only coffee you serve is mocha Java out of a freaking pump? No press or pour over.

What a waste of a good coffee shop.

 

[jammin]

Yeah I don’t know what’s worse... the shills who sell it or the masses who prefer it

 

[BrewinHooligan]

Well I'm stopping into the local roaster about 2 miles from my house this evening to pick up my first order of green coffee from him. 3lbs of Guat, 1lb Nicaragua, and 1lb Tanzania peaberry. $35+ tax and I don't have to wait for shipping. Hoping that the quality is comparable to Sweet Maria's. His Ethiopian wasn't very berry forward so I passed on that for now.

I have a bonus at work coming in. I'm debating on buying a Behmor, but I really wanted to spend that money on a gun build. I have several bread machines laying around unused that I figure I could convert inexpensively to get away from the stovetop roasting I've been doing. I need a 1lb batch size and I need consistency

 

[passedpawn]

Well I'm stopping into the local roaster about 2 miles from my house this evening to pick up my first order of green coffee from him. 3lbs of Guat, 1lb Nicaragua, and 1lb Tanzania peaberry. $35+ tax and I don't have to wait for shipping. Hoping that the quality is comparable to Sweet Maria's. His Ethiopian wasn't very berry forward so I passed on that for now.

I have a bonus at work coming in. I'm debating on buying a Behmor, but I really wanted to spend that money on a gun build. I have several bread machines laying around unused that I figure I could convert inexpensively to get away from the stovetop roasting I've been doing. I need a 1lb batch size and I need consistency

> $10 per pound for green beans? Sounds kinda steep I think. 2 miles away is nice though.

 

[BrewinHooligan]

> $10 per pound for green beans? Sounds kinda steep I think. 2 miles away is nice though.

$7lb for green. Pretty close to what I was paying at Sweet Maria's but local. Worth a shot to see what the quality is like. If it isn't as good, I won't continue to buy there and selection is limited. For my main "house blend" they may fit the bill though.

 

[passedpawn]

$7lb for green. Pretty close to what I was paying at Sweet Maria's but local. Worth a shot to see what the quality is like. If it isn't as good, I won't continue to buy there and selection is limited. For my main "house blend" they may fit the bill though.

Ah, that's better. I misread - I thought it was a total of 3#. Man, 2 miles is great. Especially if they have revolving list of beans so you get some variation.

 

[BrewinHooligan]

This is the list they sent me, only caveat was that the Dominican wasn't available which I was ok with.

 

[Minky]

Well I'm stopping into the local roaster about 2 miles from my house this evening to pick up my first order of green coffee from him. 3lbs of Guat, 1lb Nicaragua, and 1lb Tanzania peaberry. $35+ tax and I don't have to wait for shipping. Hoping that the quality is comparable to Sweet Maria's. His Ethiopian wasn't very berry forward so I passed on that for now.

When I first started roasting coffee, I used to drive to Sweet Maria's when it was in Columbus, about 70 miles south of me. I REALLY miss that. The shipping cost now isn't too bad, but it does take awhile.

 

[ba-brewer]

sweet maria's is only about 30 miles from where I live but I pay for shipping. Depending on the day and time it can take well over an hour in stop and go traffic, the 10 bucks is worth it to me.

 

[BrewinHooligan]

5lbs of coffee has been picked up. Initial inspection is not awe inspiring. Just grabbed a small handful out of each bag and there are several flawed beans and there is considerable unevenness in bean size. The peaberry looks best of the three. May be a one and done order from them. Not really saving money, just a convenience factor and supporting local business.

Also picked up a heat gun and going to tear into one of my bread machines right now. Hoping to log a roast this evening