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Time to buy a roaster.

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  • Time to buy a roaster.

    Okay, I have the espresso machine, I have the grinder and the tamper is on the way. What I dont have is a roaster, a situation which must be remedied. Problem? Ignorance. Ive never even seen a home roaster, but after spending a bit of time on this site, I really reaaaaallllyyy, want one. I do not, however want a piece of crap that Ill need to upgrade in 3 months after I discover that Ive bought a piece of junk. You people strike me as slightly obsessive compulsive in all things coffee. My kind of people! So please help me, Jedi Knights of the coffee realm, I seek your guidance towards roasting perfection. Well actually Id just like a decent mid range machine and would love to here your thoughts.

    I humbly await your guidance, Bart. 8-)

  • #2
    Re: Time to buy a roaster.

    What sort of budget do you have to play with?
    Do you want a dedicated coffee roasting machine as such, or are you happy to tinker with other appliances that will do a similar job?
    Have a look down the left column if you want a dedicated roaster, the site sponsors will look after you and guide you down the right path.
    Otherwise, theres a lot of other options you can choose in relation to tinkering.

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    • #3
      Re: Time to buy a roaster.

      Not real big on tinkering if I an avoid it. So a dedicated machine sounds like the go, as for budget???? who knows? Ive been known to be slightly impulsive. Im going to check sponsors sights as we speak!

      Cheers, Bart.

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      • #4
        Re: Time to buy a roaster.

        Hi Bart,

        I guess an important consideration is,
        how much are you going to roast at a time, and per week?

        Since you seem to be blessed with a budget that makes things interesting.
        As I understand it,
        some of the dedicated roasters are relatively easy for beginner home roasting, and some like the hottop drum roaster, while being an excellent roaster, really need some experience to get the best out of them.
        Some will only do modest batch sizes, and this can be problem if you are going through several hundred grams a week, others will be able to do bigger batch sizes, sometimes more than you night need at a time.

        From point of view of blending, it is often best to roast separately and post blend due to the various different origin beans not always being compatible for optimum roast, so in that case a couple of smaller sized batches would be good.
        Personally, when I looked at what was available, and the cost, I couldnt ever justify buying a dedicated unit, but the costs have improved significantly in our favour more recently.

        So suggest consider you current and likely future needs as far as batch sizes go, and how easy is it to use?

        Anyway, you wont regret the home roasting, and with a bit of practice you will surprise yourself (pleasantly).

        Regards
        Bullitt

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        • #5
          Re: Time to buy a roaster.

          As i said in the other post, give the heatgun and bowl a try. No tinkering, good quantity of beans per roast, great price of admission.

          My next preference would be to get a BBQ drum made up and use that in a hooded BBQ if you have one.

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          • #6
            Re: Time to buy a roaster.

            Bart- IMHO The thing Ive longed for in the whole process toward the perfect espresso is hands on connection with the variables.
            Sounds weird I spose- it did to me when I went out and bought a fully automatic saeco incanto; I thought absloute perfection could be found in the puch of a button.
            Since becoming a member here :-? I have come to realise that that is not true- ever.
            When it comes to machines you actually want to work- to adjsut the grind- to dose the PF to your desired level at the time- to tamp, to begin and stop the shot at your absolute discretion. These things I -as yet cannot do.
            Until then- the thing that I can adjust is the roast!
            A stainless steel collander, a wooden spoon and a heatgun.
            Youll get a good roast first off- and it will only get better.
            The nuances is what true coffee snobbery is all about- As far as Im concerned.
            ITs these nuances you must carress-
            and so padawahn-
            THe purchase of an auto roaster, you must avoid.
            These are not the machines youre looking for.
            A true Jedi must live in tune with the force- the ancient craft that cannot be mastered by the push of a button. ;D

            Happy manual roasting- youll never look back.
            RH

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            • #7
              Re: Time to buy a roaster.

              MMMMM The force is strong in this one!

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              • #8
                Re: Time to buy a roaster.

                So Rayzurhed,  a gun of heat, a collander of steel and a spoon of wood say you I must have.
                MMMM these things  posess  already do I, rudimentary at best, but seems it to me that great is your wisdom. Therefore roasting in this method try I will.   ( At least until I can get my hands on a hottop, which sounds like the ducks guts to me!).

                Thanks for the input guys its all invaluable, keep it coming.
                Bart.

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