Hottop, Digital

[garglebutt]

Re: Hottop, Digital

The price quoted by the manufacter for spare filters was more than Sweet Marias but I had my spares shipped continental US to a colleague who was over there.

Some people have poopooed the lack of control of roast profiles on the HOTTOP but ultimately if you want that level of control you need a bigger more robust piece of hardware as the HOTTOP is sufficiently small that a cold draft would affect any temperature tweaking anyway as does voltage variations. Address those issues and the cost starts to climb.

I love the fact that it produces a great result for a broad range of beans with no more effort than a few button presses and sticking around in case it explodes!

[stratford]

Re: Hottop, Digital

As you say, you have to stick around....I pushed a load past second crack last night, and they did look on the verge of combustion when they dropped out and hit the oxygen....

And I cancel my previous observation of `not much smoke....

Spanish roast, anyone?

[garglebutt]

Re: Hottop, Digital

I never went more than 30 seconds into 2nd crack because the beans looked over roasted and there was a LOT of smoke. Now I go -5 to 10 seconds in depending on the bean.

I prefer to preserve more of the acidity to suit my palette.

[stratford]

Re: Hottop, Digital

I took a couple of snaps on the weekend...I am not a skilled photographer, but they are at:

http://photobucket.com/albums/y184/Stratford2005/

Cheers....

[Andy]

Re: Hottop, Digital

Hey there are great shots... looks like a pretty even roast too.

Does the drum change rotation direction on the "empty me out" cycle?

[stratford]

Re: Hottop, Digital

I dont think so.......the `screwed surface of the drum continually pushes the beans to the back....

I have been putting a lot of coffee through this thing...

[garglebutt]

Re: Hottop, Digital

There is a gate at the back of the drum enclosure which opens at the end of the roast. it is situated above the back of the cooling tray in the photo.

The stirrer in the cooling tray does reverse direction periodically which ensure all the beans get moved without bunching up too much. What the photo doesnt show is a fan under the cooling tray that blows air up through the beans, through the exit slot in the drum enclosure and out through the bean hopper if you take the cover (the shark fin handle on top) off at the end of the roast.

In one of stratfords photos you can see the beans being roasted where the beans tend to bunch up to the right. The glass gradually becomes discoloured where the beans arent touching the glass which is easily cleaned by putting it in the dishwasher. The heating element is on the opposite side of the drum.

[stratford]

Re: Hottop, Digital

Yes, the drum does reverse direction; I hadnt noticed that before...

The chaff really builds up on the right hand side of the drum enclosure...you definately need to empty it out every 4 or 5 roasts...to clean it out, you need to remove the end cover, and then remove four screws to take out the drum.

I guess the next model will have an easier cleaning system..

I am very impressed with this machine....the roasts are quite superb...

Wired, have you seen a circuit for the HT? I wouldnt mind having a look at one....

[benthx]

Re: Hottop, Digital

Hello Fellow Coffee Friends

Well this is my first post on THIS COFFEE forum.

I have considered the purchase of a Hottop Roaster and have had numerous exchanges of email with Hottop in Taiwan.

In a nutshell, prices are pretty well much set high direct from the factory. While generous discounts can be seen in the USA. They are rated for 110volts. The cost differential for manufacturing 230/240volts is minor. As there is no importer/distributor in Australia. There would be no breach of agreement between the factory and importer. Hence no conflict of interest. Customers dealing direct in this case SHOULD be entitiled to a better price.

Considering in the USA and Europe the following chain for supply works roughly like this:

Manufacturer-----importer/distributor-------retailer-----customer. During this proccess most associated costs are imvolved during EACH transition. eg freight, insurance, taxes, possible repair costs(distributor) and not to mention profit. Being factored into the final price. At the end of all of this we have OUR price we pay.

I have made Hottop aware of this web site as they were not. They have indicated that they will be monitoring this site to guage the level of interest in the Hottop.

My aim is to make them aware of the level of interest. They can then adapt how they wish to respond by way of features/improvements and price. Hopefull in OUR case we may see a better price for us all.

Cheers

Ben

[garglebutt]

Re: Hottop, Digital

From observation they are charging $100 USD more for the new model compared to what I bought last year. I dont think the new model really offers any tangible improvement so that sucks.

[stratford]

Re: Hottop, Digital

Hi Benthx,

Maybe they will send me a refund cheque! Seriously though, they are a fantastic roaster, but yes, I would agree that they are overpriced....

To clarify a previous post of mine, the drum does not reverse direction...it always rotates anticlockwise (read counterclockwise JP) as viewed from the window. As Wired correctly states, the cooling tray arm reverses direction...

Wired, I think the major improvement is on the rear drum bearing...that is what the company said, but I dont know what the original was like....

I am loving it....

Cheers.....

[Framey]

Re: Hottop, Digital

Welcome aboard benthx,

Thanks for the low down on the Hottops. I would be nice if the manufacturer went to Andy and negotiated a deal for CS members.
Im not holding my breath...


-Stephen-

[papalui]

Re: Hottop, Digital

Hi and welcome benthx,

I was interested to read your comments. I too approached the hottop company and had similar feelings to yourself about the pricing structure. Is it worth starting a poll or EOI amongst the members here. Maybe if enough were interested then a bulk purchase might ensue at a reasonable discount. Perhaps this is something that management could look into.

Cheers,

Louis

[TC]

Re: Hottop, Digital

I reckon a poll is a good idea....perhaps we could persuade them to produce a "super hottop" capable of roasting 500g batches? Id definitely be up for one....Is it time for a poll Andy?

Chris

[Andy]

Re: Hottop, Digital

A belated YES to the poll query Chris,
I see you created a poll and I agree, twas needed.

I also agree that a 500gm Hottop would be about the sweet-spot for most serious home roasters.

...how much are Wired and Stratford shoving into them now?