Aldi heatgun heat inconsistencies?

[NewToEspresso]

I got the Aldi Taurus heatgun which was on special recently as a backup of my GMC variable temp HG. Ive had a couple of failures with the GMC which is why I thought a backup HG would be a good idea. I decided to give the Aldi HG a few roast runs to see how different it is to use a 2 setting HG versus a variable temp HG.

From my recent roasts, the low fan and low heat setting is nowhere near sufficient to bring the beans up to FC. I started by using the low setting first for a low ramp up and when it started to get too slow, I changed it to the high fan/ heat setting and raised the HG height to compensate. Monitoring it with the DMM and Roast Monitor software, I found that the high heat setting had inconsistent temps and controlling the temp was difficult especially when trying to control the rate of rise between FC and SC to about 3-4 degrees Celcius per minute. Sometimes it would be too high and as I adjusted the height to compensate, suddenly it would then drop and the rate of rise would go negative instead. Its as though there is a heat cutout within the HG which cuts power to the heating element and then switch on again. Ive never had that problem with the GMC HG. Seeing as there are quite a few Aldi HG users out there, does that happen to you as well? Ive even exchanged one HG at Aldi already thinking it might be the odd bad one.

[GregJW]

Re: Aldi heatgun heat inconsistencies?

Hmm... interesting NTE.

Ive only ever used a Taurus HG (been going well for over 12 months now - plus Ive just bought a new one as a stand-by)) so Ive got nothing to compare it to. I only ever use the high setting and just control by raising and lowering it.

I have noticed, particularly between 1st and 2nd crack, an inconsistent temp rise, which I have assumed was merely as a result of what was going on in the BM (eg endothermic reaction after 1st crack ?). During this stage of the roast, Im (like all Corretto users I would imagine) watching the temp very closely and checking/adjusting the height of the HG continually. This is the first time anyone has raised the possibility of the HG element cutting in and out.

I think TG may have used a Taurus as well as other HGs - I wonder if hes noticed a difference. Or if other Corretto users with other HGs have this temp fluctuation issue.

[NewToEspresso]

Re: Aldi heatgun heat inconsistencies?

Why Ive come to that conclusion is previously Ive only used the GMC variable temp HG and the GMC is capable of getting temps up to 500C mark but Ive only ever set it to about the 350C mark and the HG height is lower than that of the Aldi HG at the 2nd setting which is supposed to be 600C. Im not using the GMC anywhere near its max temp and therefore the heat cutout may not come into effect in the GMC but in the Taurus its at its max heat... I could be wrong about this though. Using the GMC HG, controlling the temp to rise at 3-4 degs C a minute is not that easy, but its nowhere near as hard as the Taurus HG.

[bassway]

Re: Aldi heatgun heat inconsistencies?

I havent had an issue. In fact my Tarus has been more stable (temp) than my Ryobi!?!
Maybe I got lucky?

I only have it on the high setting for about 1-2mins and thats only in getting the beans from 170-190. After that the low setting is more than enough.

I dont know how much this means as I have insulated my breadmaker, put a lid on and use the element as well. After the FC the PID pulses the heatgun (and BM element) and I can quite easily keep the ramp to 2 degrees per minute.
So I am not driving the heat gun hard at all.

I did notice that the output heat from the Tarus was higher than the Ryobi. You should be able to get to FC easy.
Maybe yours is faulty?