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Sample roaster - what do / did you use?

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  • Sample roaster - what do / did you use?

    Hi guys,

    Im looking into getting a sample roaster (1/2/3 barrel gas roaster) and after looking around, what Id like new is too much for me right now and finding them second hand is a hard slog, they dont tend to pop up too much.

    I understand the benefits in using a sample roaster, but its not possible for me to buy one right now so Ive got to explore other avenues.

    What are the small roasters out there currently using to roast samples, and to the big guys if youre reading this, what did you use to start out with? Any suggestions, anything to stay away from? My thoughts are towards a Gene Cafe mainly because of its ease of use, relatively low cost and ability to manipulate roast however my concerns are long times to first crack, inability to hear the roast, inaccurate temp readings and slow cool down cycle.

    Please guys, let me know your thoughts, Ive spent a long time thinking about this and have not made any progress - your thoughts, as usual are greatly appreciated.

    Many thanks,
    Matthew

  • #2
    Re: Sample roaster - what do / did you use?

    With dedicated sample roasters they seem to crop up in the US for sale on a regular basis. Roasters Exchange, Craigslist evilbay etc. In Oz you would need to get one by word of mouth s/hand.

    If you want a cheaper sample roaster then see if you can get an older model Hottop D and then hack it to give full manual element and fan control. It is actually fairly easy to do if you go down that path and will give you the most flexible package. Other choice is the overpriced Quest M3 which is already set up this way.

    Gene good price? Consistent yes but maybe not enough control for a sample roaster if you are trying to get an idea on profile to follow for larger batches?

    Dog bowl and a spoon, full control and cheap

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    • #3
      Re: Sample roaster - what do / did you use?

      Part of the process here should be defining what youre looking to use the sample roaster for. Is it to do cuppings of beans to look for taints and basic tastes? Is to to be used to develop a roasting profile for the large roaster? If the former then a popcorn popper will suffice. If the latter then you need to match the abilities of your sample roaster to those of your large roaster, with the resulting price hike that goes along with buying equipment with a higher capability.


      Java "Gothot" phile
      Toys! I must have new toys!!!

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      • #4
        Re: Sample roaster - what do / did you use?

        Hi guys,

        I should have specified sorry - Im only looking to roast samples this way to look for taints etc, not to develop roast profiles. Ive got my eyes set on what Im after down the track for developing profiles, thats the expensive one.

        Youd really use a popper? From memory FC @ ~ 3mins in my good old crazy popper, and standard roasts for upping seem to have fc @ ~8. I know its meant to be a light roast, but would the beans have the time needed to roast internally in the popper within three mins to get an idea of possible defects? Im thinking theyd taste pretty grassy.

        If anyone out there is using a popper for this Id really like to hear your thoughts.

        - Beanflying, I didnt mention, theres a year old Gene Cafe w/ large chaff box available for $400 locally, Im not thinking new. Thanks for the suggestion on the hottopd, Ill have a look into this.

        Anyone using anything we havent mentioned for cupping roasts?

        Cheers,
        Matthew

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        • #5
          Re: Sample roaster - what do / did you use?

          My modified Crazy Popper managed FC starting at 4:30 and ending at 8:00 minutes followed by SC at 11:30 minutes.

          Whats wrong with that?

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          • #6
            Re: Sample roaster - what do / did you use?

            I reckon the Behmor would be worth a look....

            Andys written up a very interesting article about this very subject in the current "Cafe Culture" magazine. Might be worth your grabbing a copy and having a read.... 8-)

            Mal.

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            • #7
              Re: Sample roaster - what do / did you use?

              Originally posted by 0A2633332F22301802352E24470 link=1289967573/3#3 date=1290076653
              Youd really use a popper? From memory first crack @ ~ 3mins in my good old crazy popper, and standard roasts for upping seem to have first crack @ ~8. I know its meant to be a light roast, but would the beans have the time needed to roast internally in the popper within three mins to get an idea of possible defects?
              Some simple mods can get a popper into the right time zone to make it adequate for your intended use it sounds like. Is it the best way to do it? No. But where dollars are concerned it is a really cheap way to do it while producing repeatable and fit for need results.


              Java "There are ways and there are ways." phile
              Toys! I must have new toys!!!

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Sample roaster - what do / did you use?

                Hi Java,

                I might have to look into this, if its an easy-ish mod it would be much better than buying something for hundreds that still wouldnt be ideal.

                The only problem with this is that Ive said to another CSer that he can have my popper, I might have to get an apology ready!

                Cheers,
                Matthew

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                • #9
                  Re: Sample roaster - what do / did you use?

                  Originally posted by 684451514D40527A60574C46250 link=1289967573/7#7 date=1290331377
                  I might have to look into this, if its an easy-ish mod it would be much better than buying something for hundreds that still wouldnt be ideal.
                  It is easy; just ask.

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                  • #10
                    Re: Sample roaster - what do / did you use?

                    Hi TG,

                    I thought Id have a look before asking, Im sure its been covered in here somewhere.

                    And probs and I will be asking!

                    Cheers,
                    Matthew

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                    • #11
                      Re: Sample roaster - what do / did you use?

                      http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1284122262

                      See Reply # 9 for more links.

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                      • #12
                        Re: Sample roaster - what do / did you use?

                        I got lucky with my popper it runs 10-12 minutes to SC in stock form with 60g and touch wood hasnt burnt out yet

                        Last cupping session I did at 7S with Redzone the 8 samples had been run to a stock profile rather than roasted to extract the best from the bean. Not sure if I like that way of sampling as I think it brought out some less than desirable traits in some of them that a better matched roast may have improved? The reasoning was they were looking for defects rather than best results in the cupping?

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