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Another first roast story

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  • Another first roast story

    Well My starter pack of beans arrived on Monday , I picked up my crazy popper Wed.night and tried a small batch thursday . It looked like coffee , smelt like coffee so I put it aside for a day or so . I already had beans in the grinder or I would have tried it then . So I have tried it and guess what ? Yep , it tastes like coffee !
    I am just on my way outside to brew up another batch so Ill keep you informed . I am very exited .
    Brendan

  • #2
    Re: Another first roast story

    Well done!

    Now - Details please Brendan.

    Bean type?
    Roast times?

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Another first roast story

      I have never tried roasting at home. Seems like a lot of black magic. I am interested what prompts people to try roasting themselves, often with equipment that may be improvised.

      What is a reasonable starting kit to dip ones toes into the world of roasting?

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Another first roast story

        2onnet I started a few weeks ago as a backup for when my supplier is not available.
        For example, last week I managed to catch her just before she headed off to NZ for a competition.
        If Id not caught her in time Id be suffering withdrawal symptoms unless I had the roast my own option.

        The cheapest way in, is a popcorn popper.
        At about the same level is a stainless steel bowl, whisk for stirring and a heatgun.

        Next step up is a breadmaker and heatgun.
        You need to find a cheap used or donated breadmaker to keep your cost down.

        Hopefully you already have a fan that you will use to blow away the chaff while roasting and to quickly cool down the beans when the roast is ended.

        Theres a heap of info in other threads to give you more details.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Another first roast story

          Originally posted by 2onnet link=1163287877/0#2 date=1163468402
          I have never tried roasting at home. Seems like a lot of black magic. I am interested what prompts people to try roasting themselves, often with equipment that may be improvised.

          What is a reasonable starting kit to dip ones toes into the world of roasting?

          * freshness of the roast - always know how long since its been roasted
          * ability to make your own blends of different beans or to use Single Origin beans
          * degrees of roast - light or dark, or a mix of both etc etc
          * it tastes so good !
          * its fun !


          Belinda

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          • #6
            Re: Another first roast story

            The best comparison I know of is bread:

            A fresh loaf from the supermarket is pretty good if youre used to stale bread.
            A loaf from Bakers delight (or another baker) is great if youre used to supermarket bread
            A loaf straight out of your own oven if you know how to make bread is unbelievable - fresh as, no unknown ingredients, still warm, and YOU have done it.

            So it goes with coffee beans:

            If youre used to instant, Gloria Jeans / Starbucks will taste pretty amazing.
            If you find a great cafe with amazing coffee, you will be super impressed, especially if they are a roaster as well. If you buy coffee from them hopefully it will be quite fresh.
            If you roast your own at home, you have coffee fresher than you can buy it just about anywhere as well as the satisfaction (and novelty factor with your friends) of having roasted it yourself.

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            • #7
              Re: Another first roast story

              2onnet,

              I would suggest a popcorn popper (will not be useable for popcorn after this), soup tin (as a chimney), mesh strainer and a fan (to dump beans into when roast is done and cool down).
              Its best to roast outside as the process does create chaff and smoke.

              If you give it a go a few times and decide you like it, you can investigate some of the other options. Personally, I dont think the BBQ drum can be beaten, but there are not too many of us using this method.

              As to what prompts people to try, seems to be many reasons.
              Mine was sort of by accident. I was looking on-line for someone to ship fresh beans to me (3 years ago) and came across an article on roasting coffee in a popcorn popper. Therein followed a long journey which I am still on. Good fun too!

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Another first roast story

                My roasts go about 4 mins . When I am not using the popper , my kids are making popcorn ! Dont know why you shouldnt ? Does not sem to alter the taste of either as long as you dont use any oil or butter in the machine .
                I use a chimney but only because I have been instructed here , can someone tell me the point of the chimney ?
                Brendan

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                • #9
                  Re: Another first roast story

                  My popper has only been used for coffee but as you said Brendan it appears spotless inside and Id have no hesitation trying to make popcorn with it (without butter).

                  The volume of beans increases as it roasts, similar to popcorn.
                  Unlike popcorn, you dont want it falling out.
                  The chimney gives your popper more room to hold the expanding beans.

                  The chimney also helps with airflow (chimney effect) which I believe helps move the beans more to help with the eveness of the roast.

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                  • #10
                    Re: Another first roast story

                    Yeah , that makes sense thanks .

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Another first roast story

                      This is fun ! I have been going a couple of weeks now and the coffee still tastes good . My roasts are out to just over 5 mins for some although I tried some India Kaapi Royale robusta last night that started smoking at about 4.30 . BTW I thought robusta was only used in blends ? Any thoughts on this as I vaguely remember reading this , most of my memory is vague these days , thats why I need all this coffee !!

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