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My first crack at roasting with a popcorn popper
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Popper timing is different for every popper and every day of the year.
Because they draw in a lot of air they very susceptible to ambient temperature so a day with a 5 degree higher temperature will result in faster roasts. Add to that the fact that the exact same brand of popper side by side will roast differently and you learn quickly that don't get too hung-up on the timing... it is what it is!
Try 80g in the popper, which is about to the top of the "shark fins", it is often about the right amount.
As for the cracks, your description seems about right for second crack, on that fast a roast first crack and second crack can overlap.
First crack sounds like popcorn
Second crack sounds like cellophane rustling.
Take lots of notes what works and what doesn't, try and only change one thing at a time and pretty soon you will all over it.
Enjoy the roasting journey.
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Hi guys,
I'm very new to roasting but i bean* having a ball haha
Anyways, all the research i seem to be doing i feel like my roasts are happening too fast. for example I am roasting a Rwanda in a popcorn machine, 50g at a time.
at 1 minute beans are yellowing an some snapping
2 min beans have gone through yellow to brown
2.30 first crack is under way
2.35 nearing end first crack
2.45 fully finished first crack
then by 3.30 second crack
3.40 second crack is ending
but i am getting some more cracking at 4.30, could this be the second crack? and i am not hearing correct? i do feel the differences between 2.30 and 3,.30 are significantly different though....
they are definatly dead and oily at over 5 mins.
thanks heaps
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Re: My first crack at roasting with a popcorn popper
Those beans look good, I have the same popper I found its not powerful enough to move the beans around when tilted.
Ive upgraded to a breadmaker/heat gun setup, I can now roast 500 grams at a time, 80 grams with a popper was becoming a PIA
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Re: My first crack at roasting with a popcorn popper
Thats a little odd, my first roast was this weekend, with exactly the same popper, around the same roasting times and a similarly slightly overdone beans
I did two batches one after the other, second batch slightly more beans which seemed to take less time to get to the second crack, perhaps because the machine was already pretty warm.
Will try the tilt for my next roast, and take the beans out at the second crack, which I could hear quite well on mine, once Id learned what to listen for!
Now, Ive a lot of reading to do before my next attempt

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Re: My first crack at roasting with a popcorn popper
Hmm. Must try that next time.
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Re: My first crack at roasting with a popcorn popper
When I was roasting with a Popper, I found it easier to hear the Cracks if I stood back from the Popper a metre or two. The fan noise subsides a little but the Cracks seem to penetrate through enough to be more easily heard....Originally posted by 7063727072797E7F110 link=1314095253/9#9 date=1314786423Ill admit to having great difficulty hearing the 2nd crack. The machines make a lot of noise which drown it out.
Mal.
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Re: My first crack at roasting with a popcorn popper
Just finished my 2nd session of roasting with a popper. First time round it took about 4-5 mins total. This time it was similar to Bansaiboy. 5 mins to 1st crack then 8 mins for 2nd crack. Colour and aroma seem right.
Ill admit to having great difficulty hearing the 2nd crack. The machines make a lot of noise which drown it out. I can also recommend tilting the machine. The beans spin like crazy when you keep the machine flat but the angle lets them tumble and circulate well.
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Re: My first crack at roasting with a popcorn popper
Hi bonsaiboy
I just made a coffee with the beans I roasted last week, slightly over roasted but it tasted pretty good.
Ill roast with the popper on an angle next time, like you suggest tumbling rather than spinning should give a more even roast.
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Re: My first crack at roasting with a popcorn popper
Hi Dolmar
I roast with a cheap $12 popper. I found that my times were only about 4 mins in total at first, but as the popper has aged the times have lengthened. Its as if the heating element has broken in and is weaker than it was brand new. Now my times for about 100g are about 5-6 mins to first crack and second about 8-9 mins, depending on the weather.
So maybe the times will get longer as your popper ages like mine did.
Also, if you havent already, place a small 20mm thick piece of wood under one side of the the popper so it sits at a slight angle. I find that it helps with the circulation of the beans as they roast. Rather than the beans just spinning around, they have more of a tumbling action and it helps give slightly more even roasts (and possibly slightly longer roasting times).
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Re: My first crack at roasting with a popcorn popper
shapeshifter, Thanks for the advice, my next roast will be better, besides its good fun practicing.
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Re: My first crack at roasting with a popcorn popper
dolmar you might find, or should find that you wont need less time, with more beans it will take more time to get to the stage youve got too. The timings you originally put up are about right for an unmodified popper, you might be able to extend it a little depending on temperature, but with more beans you definitely shouldnt get to burnt stage in 5 minutes (fingers crossed)
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Re: My first crack at roasting with a popcorn popper
More beans less time , thanksDefinitely too oily, roasted too long. They might taste a little burnt Id say.
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Re: My first crack at roasting with a popcorn popper
1/4 of a cup was probably too little, if the middle section is the same as all the other poppers you need around 80-100 grams.
Definitely too oily, roasted too long. They might taste a little burnt Id say.
Keep at it, youll get there
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Re: My first crack at roasting with a popcorn popper
Hi, Yes its the blower type with vents on the side walls of the roasting chamber, Target sell them.
That photo has two batches of beans I roasted, the oily beans were roasted a little longer (maybe too long)
I still need lots of practice
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