I mainly just wanted to share my story and how cool this is, since I think it's cool 
Plus, I'd be happy to get any feedback and input from more experienced poppers (I mean, roasters).
I got a Breville Crazy Popper for $5 from Gumtree and did my first two roasts yesterday.

85g of Nicaraguan green beans (69.5g out), about 30 degrees in Townsville at 11am.
My first roast must have been pretty hot because I got first crack (as far as I can tell... I'm brand new at this) at only 2:30.
I took them out at about 4:45 when it sounded like more little cracks and they were smoking a bit
Here's the result:

I then bought some John West pink salmon, cut the end off the tin for a chimney (I'd read here about getting that tin but didn't realise why until I saw the taper on the can!). I also put the popper up on a little cooling rack and pointed a small fan at the bottom.
This time (6:30pm, about 28 degrees outside, 85g in, 71g out)
I got first crack at 3:15 and let it go until 7 minutes - not long after what I thought was second crack. No smoke and slightly lighter roast. (I'd estimate the first is about CS9 and the next is CS8?)
Batch 2:

I ground and brewed the first batch this morning (20 hours after roast). I think the grind setting was too fine as it clumped, but it seemed to brew OK as my Sunbeam EM7000 showed the pressure gauge in the middle of the orange. It tasted OK to my limited palate - more interesting and a bit sour compared to the blend I've been drinking (Bounce Venezia Nouvo), and with milk it was nice and smooth. I liked it!
So we'll see how it changes over the next few days, and then how the next batch compares.
I've got over a kilo of these beans - I think I'll try them for a while and then look at getting some others and some blending - but I'd like to start small rather than stockpiling 2.5kg bags... Anyone in Townsville want to share orders?
This looks like it will be fun

Plus, I'd be happy to get any feedback and input from more experienced poppers (I mean, roasters).
I got a Breville Crazy Popper for $5 from Gumtree and did my first two roasts yesterday.

85g of Nicaraguan green beans (69.5g out), about 30 degrees in Townsville at 11am.
My first roast must have been pretty hot because I got first crack (as far as I can tell... I'm brand new at this) at only 2:30.
I took them out at about 4:45 when it sounded like more little cracks and they were smoking a bit

Here's the result:

I then bought some John West pink salmon, cut the end off the tin for a chimney (I'd read here about getting that tin but didn't realise why until I saw the taper on the can!). I also put the popper up on a little cooling rack and pointed a small fan at the bottom.
This time (6:30pm, about 28 degrees outside, 85g in, 71g out)
I got first crack at 3:15 and let it go until 7 minutes - not long after what I thought was second crack. No smoke and slightly lighter roast. (I'd estimate the first is about CS9 and the next is CS8?)
Batch 2:

I ground and brewed the first batch this morning (20 hours after roast). I think the grind setting was too fine as it clumped, but it seemed to brew OK as my Sunbeam EM7000 showed the pressure gauge in the middle of the orange. It tasted OK to my limited palate - more interesting and a bit sour compared to the blend I've been drinking (Bounce Venezia Nouvo), and with milk it was nice and smooth. I liked it!
So we'll see how it changes over the next few days, and then how the next batch compares.
I've got over a kilo of these beans - I think I'll try them for a while and then look at getting some others and some blending - but I'd like to start small rather than stockpiling 2.5kg bags... Anyone in Townsville want to share orders?
This looks like it will be fun

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