Suggestions for a decent drum

[nunu]

found a decent drum!

Well, its finished!

Found a cylindrical stainless steel bowl (Best description I can give, as its not a canister), drilled a hole in the bottom for the shaft. Drilled it slightly smaller, then hammered the shaft through to make a square hole. Drilled four small holes for the prongs, to secure it to the shaft. Drilled some holes for a number of 1/4" bolts and nuts to act as agitators. Drilled a bunch of 4mm holes to make the drum slightly perforated.

The cap is simply the lid to a stainless steel pedal bin. Drilled the hole for the shaft the same as above. Instead of drilling the holes for the prongs, I used the prongs to secure the lid to the drum. The thumbscrew is easily accessible, and doesnt get too hot. To dump the beans, I remove the spit from the motor, loosen the thumbscrew for the lid, and slide the lid off. Beans are dumped into the colander for cooling.

Ive done one small roast (300g) and it works a treat. A bit of unevenness in the roast, but I was still fiddling with heat control.

[robusto]

Re: Suggestions for a decent drum

A perforated drum rotating over a gas burner will give you quicker roasts than a solid one which tends to bake beans instead.

There is no way youll be able to force-feed super-hot air through a solid drum like commercial roasters or even pop corn poppers do, given the equipment at your disposal.

Robusto

[nunu]

Re: Suggestions for a decent drum

Kitchen wouldnt look too kindly on me taking equipment to use for a coffee roaster. While I may be surrounded by stainless steel all day, it doesnt necessarily mean that it is available for use :P

Gonna have a snoop around today and see what catches my fancy. Perforated may be the go, but Im still thinking that commercial roasters dont use perforated drums, so why would I.

Ill keep you posted.

[Framey]

Re: Suggestions for a decent drum

nunu,

One of the first things I thought of using for a drum was some chimney flue pipe. Not sure if your local wood heater place has any short sections?

Youre a chef yeah? Lots of stainless containers to be found in kitchens. Asparagus steamer? Ive spent hours wandering around kitchenware shops. I did have a 3ltr stainless container (think wine cooler) and a stainless bowl that fitted on top nicely.

If youre going with a perforated drum perhaps a drum made up of wire mesh over a subframe...

Im not 100% sure but I think square (perhaps octagonal) roasting drums would help eliminate the need for vanes? Maybe?

Best of luck with your journey.

[Dimal]

Re: Suggestions for a decent drum

Hi nunu,

Australia Post were selling a perforated s/s waste paper bin which looked to be the ideal size for a Drum Roaster. Easy to use with pop-rivets, etc as the holes are already there

Mal.

[nunu]

Re: Suggestions for a decent drum

I just wanted to be different re: vanes :P

I have no issues with putting vanes in, but I kinda wanted to keep it as simple as possible, without the use of lots of extra parts.

Another idea I had for agitating beans is the liberal use of bolts screwed into the drum to disrupt the smooth movement of beans.

Still thinking of what to use for a drum, Id like to try and stay away from large canned food tins if possible. Time to go snooping around the local junk stores. Havent been to Eastwood in a while, and theres about 4 or so in a one block area.

[robusto]

Re: Suggestions for a decent drum

The vanes can be daunting, but not really, if you have some basic tools: power drill, hacksaw, pop-riveter.

I used a scrap length of L-section aluminium, which I cut into three pieces, and riveted each into the drum.

Many hardware or specialist aluminium suppliers sell the L-section, about 25 ml x 25 ml, and it will only cost a couple of dollars.

Use a hacksaw or any power saw to cut the vanes to fit the length of the drum.

Attach each vane with a couple of pop rivets, or, If you dont have a pop riveter, very small bolts.

Hope this helps, Nunu.
Robusto

[nunu]

Hey guys, Ie decided to get a bit creative and build a bigger roaster. Im currently making a drum roaster, using a portable gas burner as a heat source. I have a rotisserie kit (motor, shaft, etc.), but Im tossing around what to use as a drum.

I was thinking about how to get around putting vanes inside the drum. I had an idea of "denting" the drum to agitate the beans. I was also thinking of offsetting the drum on the shaft, creating a similar action to the GeneCafe.

Any suggestions?

Ill post some pics probably tomorrow of the current state of the soon-to-be roaster.