Roasting Coffee

[plotto]

Hi guys, just my two cents worth.
I had a coffee roasting business and for home I built a roaster that would roast approx. 500gm at a time.
Was designed around the Sivetz principles.
I know home Brewers like to create they're own machines, so thought I would give some info on it.
I used a squirrel cage fan and a speed controller combined with a gas blow torch fitting.
Basically air is blown into the chamber and super heated from the gas flame which them blows the beans up into the air roasting them. The beans are roasted in the air so you don't get hot spots. And I get to a French roast in around 8-9 minutes.
Cool down is quick. Just turn off the flame and increase the air flow.

I built the thing for about $100 and it's roasted every weekend for the past 8 years.

Will stick a photo up and a sketch of the design when I get a chance.

 

[troy2000]

Pic's or it didn't happen...

 

[plotto]

Pic's or it didn't happen...

OK, here is a picture with some basic notes of what everything is.
Used mostly second hand parts. All the metal parts were made from stainless.
Have a foil vent tube I put on the top that directs all the chaff into a bucket of water.

Any questions happy to answer.

Bigger Version of Photo http://www.kegtrak.com/roaster.jpg

 

[plotto]

Also I just remembered about a roaster that I use to sell, its was the CR100.
Its basically a like the popcorn machines but a little more robust, has a chaff catcher and gets pretty damn hot.
Were/are a good product and there after sales was really good.
You can get them from the manufacture http://www.imex-hcc.com
Not sure how much they are now, but used to be around $150 USD

Just some info if anyones looking at getting serious.