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  • #31
    Re: Target $16 popcorn maker

    Originally posted by 0A333E192F283223342F2934460 link=1323939282/28#28 date=1326984036
    Problem is - my stater pack still hasnt arrived!
    Lux_interior doesnt have an order for one... so it will never arrive. We send everything the same day we see payment for it.

    Drop me an email (not a PM) and Ill sort it out.


    Originally posted by 242C2934283C3C3C460 link=1323939282/29#29 date=1326984999
    Heres my take on this popper
    Keep in mind that all poppers will roast differently, some are faster than others even you you buy 2 at the same time.  The most important thing is that you know whats "normal" for your popper.

    Originally posted by 242C2934283C3C3C460 link=1323939282/29#29 date=1326984999
    Peru Ceja de Selva Estate  (100g) - this time with lid on after first crack
    first crack: 5.30
    second crack: 13.01
    Thats looking like a pretty good result... the first couple might have been a little long after 1st crack but will still be drinkable.  You are certainly on the right track, make a small change each roast and record the results... in no time you will have a baseline that you can use for new beans.

    Enjoy the journey!

    Comment


    • #32
      Re: Target $16 popcorn maker

      Ive started roasting the beans from my starter pack on Friday 20 in a breville popcorn maker.
      I am as green at this as the beans!
      I saw a video where the guy agitated the p/maker holding it at an angle for the whole time, so thats what Im doing.
      Every so often I give it a quick stir with a bamboo spatula.
      I do it outside with a towel under the popper which catches most of the chaff.
      Im still developing the "ear" for the pops. On average, the roasting time has been around 6 - 6.30, except for the first which was longer due i think to being in a different location (more open) and it being quite breezy.
      I think I will start using a fan aimed at it to try and slow down the process.
      For cooling, what I do is keep two flat bottomed ceramic bowls in the fridge and after swishing between colander and sieve a few times I bring it in and pour the beans into the cold bowls and keep pouring between the two.
      Every so often I halve the amounts and swish the bowls around. I hope that makes sense!
      Now Ive got to get the whole grinding/dosing/tamping/extraction thing worked out.
      Ive just bought the dual boiler and smart grinder. Already poured quite a few down the sink, mainly using beans I already had. All of these have now gone into the green waste bin.
      Wish me luck, all you old hands!

      Comment


      • #33
        Re: Target $16 popcorn maker

        Has anyone tried using an air compessor to blow air into some of these hotter poppers to keep the temp down and the bean flow up?

        I realise they dont go down too well in the kitchen.

        Comment


        • #34
          Re: Target $16 popcorn maker

          To be honest, I havent found it to be too much of a problem.

          I tried my new method last week, and whilst the beans were perhaps slightly under roasted, I think it gives me a better (more consistent) starting point.

          Basically Im roasting to 1st crack, taking the lid off, and then continuing to roast for as long as it took to reach 1st crack.

          Next time I wont take the lid off, and well see how it goes.

          Comment


          • #35
            Re: Target $16 popcorn maker

            Looking at what has been said about the lower 900 watt popper I decided it was the way to go - rang Ballina Target who had it in stock and ducked over today to collect it and some prawns and snapper. It was 19 dollars there. First 80g roast in it was some defect peabury off the gravity table that could still be sized and sorted for average bean. I used an old fashion cheese grater for this and got what look like PB14s. First Crack was 8 min and second was just coming in about 14. I took the lid off for a while on the first crack (i turned it off for a couple of seconds at this stage and noticed a little smoke so quickly started again).

            It says not to run this machine continuously for more than five minutes and Im a little scared Im going to burn this thing out. Good results and Im thinking I should have picked up a couplse more.

            Thanks for the tip.

            Comment


            • #36
              Re: Target $16 popcorn maker

              Ive had it running for over 20, and with no adverse effects. Im not that concerned about it really. If it dies, Ill buy a new one!

              Ive not had many get as far as 8mins before 1st crack, but ambient temperature seems to make a big difference.

              Comment


              • #37
                Re: Target $16 popcorn maker

                Yeh, I think its more a case of high humidity here.. The roasts are coming more even then I was expecting: the peabury move better I suppose and allow more air among themselves.

                Comment


                • #38
                  Re: Target $16 popcorn maker

                  Bought a Target $16 popper in Hobart, also just ordered 2.5kg of Brazil Pulped Natural. Just waiting for it to arrive in the mail.

                  Any recommendations on batch sizes and what time should i be expecting 1st and 2nd crack since the popper is quite load and dont know if Id be able to hear em.

                  Cheers

                  Comment


                  • #39
                    Re: Target $16 popcorn maker

                    Originally posted by 5E5C5E4347330 link=1323939282/37#37 date=1328786240
                    Bought a Target $16 popper in Hobart, also just ordered 2.5kg of Brazil Pulped Natural. Just waiting for it to arrive in the mail.

                    Any recommendations on batch sizes and what time should i be expecting 1st and 2nd crack since the popper is quite load and dont know if Id be able to hear em.

                    Cheers
                    Hi and welcome to Coffeesnobs mompt,

                    Most people use 80 to 100 gms.  Sometimes it depends on bean size as well as technique. Not too much as you need the beans to move inside the popper. Youll need to stir them with a wooden spoon (try the handle end - although I used a chop stick) until they start moving of their own accord. Dont worry about the noise. You should hear first crack easily and probably second too but you may chicken out early first time.

                    There are lots  of posts and threads on roasts and home roasting boards. Start with this one:
                    http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1174699442

                    You can also search this forum and website with the search link above (top right) . Theres a thread on that too!

                    Consider wearing gardening gloves and think about where your smoke detectors are placed.
                    And have fun.

                    Comment


                    • #40
                      Re: Target $16 popcorn maker

                      Originally posted by 6D4049404B7214250 link=1323939282/31#31 date=1327148655
                      holding it at an angle for the whole time, so thats what Im doing.
                      Have you tried without angling / agitating? I use an out of the box stock standard Breville Crazy Popper, 120g of green beans and do not agitate the popper at all. Just make sure you switch the popper on 10 seconds or so before you pour the beans in and then when you pour the beans in do it gradually (another 10 seconds) so they start churning right away.
                      I use a beer can with the top and bottom removed (and the beer removed as well...) a chimney.

                      For small batches the popper is great. Better results are achieved in the behmor, although here I roast 500gm batches.

                      Comment


                      • #41
                        Re: Target $16 popcorn maker

                        just did my 1st 2 roasts tonight using the same method as bjorncyz. Open top and stirring with a wooden spoon till 1st crack then top on and letting the air mix the beans till 2nd.

                        1st batch:
                        100g brazilian pulped
                        1st crack at 5.25
                        2nd crack at 13.05
                        took me about 2 minutes till i can cool them down to touch warm.

                        2nd batch:
                        100g brazilian pulped
                        1st crack at 4.10 much much earlier dont know why
                        2nd crack at 12.20
                        same cooling time

                        both batches looked identical at CS9/10 with a 5-6 bad beans which i hand picked out.

                        dont know how to store them so i put them in a glass container with the lid slightly ajar to let them breathe.

                        Will let you know how they taste in 2-3 days.

                        Comment


                        • #42
                          Re: Target $16 popcorn maker

                          So yeh, just to report on my 1st 2 roasts. I ended up just dumping them in the same seal-able container. The result 3 days later was surprisingly amazing. Although I have nothing to compare it to in terms of home roasting, Id say that its far better than any supermarket beans Ive tried. So overall Im pleased.
                          Since then, Ive done quite a few more roasts. Have a bit of a system happening and the last few times I got consistent 1st crack at 4-4.30 and 2nd at 10-11. Ive been doing batches of 3x100g and all consistent 1st and 2nd crack. Again Ive been mixing them together after roast and sealing them off once they are at room temperature. Please let me know if there is any fault in doing so.
                          Finally, one tip to those roasting on poppers, i find it very useful to run the popper for a decent 1-2 minutes to make sure its not doing a cold start. This ensures that the 1st roasts behaves similarly to 2nd and 3rd roasts which are roasting on an already warmed up popper.

                          feel free to correct me on anything that would improve the roast.

                          cheers,
                          Mompt

                          Comment


                          • #43
                            Re: Target $16 popcorn maker

                            I purchased a Black and Decker BP100 and just received my starter pack. Tried about 60g and angled the popper.
                            Stated off with the Peru..
                            1st crack was at 3 mins and 2nd at 6 but let it go until 7 mins for the dark roast. Turned it off and smoke came up. Good tip about the smoke detectors.
                            Used a small fan to cool down to warm and rested them.

                            Made a brew..latte about 6 hours later cause I cant wait 3 days.

                            Absolutely amazing

                            The B&D is a 1200w and wondering whether an 800w would be better?
                            Im thrilled with the result sofar and my 2nd roast was trying the Brazil. Will have to wait to try them out but the color is even and similar to the first batch.

                            Sofar so good.
                            Never thought Id get into the roasting - Im hooked and its only bean my 2nd roast.

                            Cheers

                            Comment


                            • #44
                              Re: Target $16 popcorn maker

                              Just bought the the target $16 ($19 - 15% = $16.15) popper. Cant wait to try some roasting. ;D

                              Comment


                              • #45
                                Re: Target $16 popcorn maker

                                As a n00b roaster I have tried 2 types of green beans in the starter pack, Peru and Brazil which were very nice.

                                Id really like to try all the varieties to determine which one or two I like the best, but in order to do this , it appears that I would have to order 2.5 kg of each bean type, which is discouraging.

                                2.5kg is a lot of cups of coffee to get through if a) I find that I dont particularly like it, or most likely .. B) I liked a previously tried bean better .. yet having to drink the less preferred variety to not waste it.

                                Being able to try the different beans is a reasonable call imho, and Id be surprised if Im the only person to mention that purchasing 2.5 kilos of one bean without having previously tried it.. a bit too risky..

                                Has the idea of CS helping out n00bs by putting together a Sample Pack say 100 - 250g of each variety to sample them been suggested before?

                                What do you think of this idea?

                                Cheers

                                Comment

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