Big TICK for the Kambrook Popcorn Factory popper

[grendel]

Re: Big TICK for the Kambrook Popcorn Factory popp

Ahhhhh

Great setup - and you have given me the best damn idea.

I do most of my roasting outside - we have a garage and I just sit out front with the popper on the ground and a power board with the popper and fan plugged in.

BUT

I have a bench about the size of yours - on castors! I can set myself up with a mobile roasting stand - even fitting my cooling setup permanently to the bench! Just roll the whole setup outside (chaff blows to the garden).

I can even rig some baskets underneath to hold my bean bags.

Come on weekend, where are you now? Its off to bunnings heaven for me big ears!


Thank you Nanu for the inspiration!

[marcstolk]

Re: Big TICK for the Kambrook Popcorn Factory popp

That is indeed a clever setup.. and has given me some ideas :-)

Thanks for the pics nunu... awesome!!...

I see you have a nice supply of green beans :-) All stocked up

[marcstolk]

Re: Big TICK for the Kambrook Popcorn Factory popp

OK, done my first few batches...

Having an issue with the roast length...

following this will be posts of all 3 different roast types with the Samatran.

Ive done the Brazil, Indian Nuggets and PNG. Same roast times...

All 3 were approx 80-90 grams.

In general, first crack is at 2:30mins and 2nd at 3:30 - 4 mins.

I proceeded to do a 150g roast with the chimney inserted and the roast time were still the above times. Is there anything Im doing wrong???

I stir the beans for most of the roast time as the beans are just not agitating enough for an even roast - or so I think anyway... hints?

[marcstolk]

Re: Big TICK for the Kambrook Popcorn Factory popp

Medium Dark

[marcstolk]

Re: Big TICK for the Kambrook Popcorn Factory popp

Dark

[Lovey]

Re: Big TICK for the Kambrook Popcorn Factory popp

Gday Marc,
try the 80g batch with the chimney attached and see how that goes. If the roast times are still too short, your popper might be suffering from Aldi-itis

[marcstolk]

Re: Big TICK for the Kambrook Popcorn Factory popp

Thanks - Ill try that. Sounds like the B&D Popper is different to Grendels although they look the same. I bought it brand new last week.

[nunu]

Re: Big TICK for the Kambrook Popcorn Factory popp

Even same brand poppers vary in both capacity and roast times.

Chimneys will extend roast times with the same batch size, but only slightly.

Chimneys also allow for bigger batches. Bigger batches, however, shorten roast times.

Your best bet would be to use bigger batches when its cooler, or want bigger batches, and slightly smaller batches when its warmer. I typically use 125g batches most of the time.

Another mod you can do to the popper is to isolate heating elements and fan. This way you can ease off on the heat to extend roast times, and completely cut off the heat and use fan only to help cool the beans.

[marcstolk]

Re: Big TICK for the Kambrook Popcorn Factory popp

Well, my popper died after 2 days (approx 10 roasts) - The fan completely dislodged itself I think... I sense it may have been a fault from the beginning... so my wife is taking it back to Kmart today and get it replaced. Ive cleaned it up so it doesnt look like it was used for coffee roasting.

I think the short roast times reflect the week fan... I did manage to get a 6 min roast time out of 70gms of Sumatran... with the chimney...

Having said all this, it has been a great experience. I tasted the Sumatran about 30 hrs after and its quite nice... Butterscotch with hints of chocolate. Im sure those flavours and aromas with enhance over a few more days. Very impressed.

[grendel]

Re: Big TICK for the Kambrook Popcorn Factory popp

Sad! 2 Days is not great - Ive just passed the 25th roast mark.

[marcstolk]

Re: Big TICK for the Kambrook Popcorn Factory popp

Grendel,

In your popper, is the Fan speed quite promimant?? Does the beans get agitated quite easily?

I found I needed to keep stirring them for over 60 secs with a 100g batch...

O/\/T : Did you watch the West Coast and Swans Match? (Possible stirring of the pot here hehehe)

[Lovey]

Re: Big TICK for the Kambrook Popcorn Factory popp

Well, my popper died after 2 days (approx 10 roasts) - The fan completely dislodged itself I think... I sense it may have been a fault from the beginning... so my wife is taking it back to Kmart today and get it replaced. Ive cleaned it up so it doesnt look like it was used for coffee roasting.

Maybe you could exchange it for a bread maker and a heat gun

[marcstolk]

Re: Big TICK for the Kambrook Popcorn Factory popp

Yeh, I mentioned this option to my Wife but ironicly we actually want to buy a bread maker to make bread... perhaps well buy 2 :-)

Aldi have a 2000w Heat gun for $19.95 this week... I might buy it wit the future option in mind :-)

[nunu]

Re: Big TICK for the Kambrook Popcorn Factory popp

Sad! 2 Days is not great - Ive just passed the 25th roast mark.

Both of mine have gone on for about a year now. Pretty good longevity for a popper.

[grendel]

Re: Big TICK for the Kambrook Popcorn Factory popp

THe fan seems to be able to lift a standard scoop of beans with ease - if I add two scoops I have to stir though.