Ideas for a Roasting Trolley?

[thegoodies]

Re: Ideas for a Roasting Trolley?

Well I found an old kids study desk today which I am in the process of creating my own Roasting Station on wheels. Will post pics and building run down when I finish. Ran into a little trouble with two of the wheels, but will rectify this tomorrow. Too Dark outside and too cold.

[Thundergod]

Re: Ideas for a Roasting Trolley?

I went to an auction clearing house today that had a massive amount of cheap restaurant, cafe and hospitality equipment on offer - including a number of stainless steel work preparation benches.

Unfortunately, the average price these sold for was around the $550 mark

I was about to say the same.
I asked my son tonight about any catering trolleys he might have at worked and he warned me they go for a lot.

[thegoodies]

Re: Ideas for a Roasting Trolley?

As mentioned I found a study desk that I am converting to a Roasting station

see my post for thr progress report

http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1182422816

[-Alchemist-]

Re: Ideas for a Roasting Trolley?

Looking good there Goodies!

I went to K-Mart (Carousel Shopping Centre) today to check out the Auto-pro trolley mentioned earlier by Corretto.  Turns out that the KMart I went to had two types of Autopro trolley on offer, one at $85 (I seem to recall down from $100), and another on sale for $19! (not a misprint!) which was of a much better quality that the $88 trolley I saw on special at Supercheap earlier in the week.

The $19 version comes with two shelves (middle and bottom tier) and a 3 (maybe 4) inch deep drawer at the top (on bearing sliders no less!) with a moulded plastic top (which, despite being plastic is actually quite sturdy and could easily support a BM/HG/Stand).  The top even has a couple of round impressions incorporated in order to hold beverages while roasting (although a large cappucino cup might be a tight squeeze  )

As far as I could tell, the primary difference with the $85 trolley and the $19 one was that in addition to a slide out drawer,the $85 version also has an additional storage compartment with a lid that tilt-lifts on gas struts (nice feature but probably excessive for what I am chasing).

So I pulled the trigger - - $19 bought me very tidy, sturdy and functional little trolley.  I assembled it in about 90 minutes (could have taken considerably less if my four and two year old "helpers" were otherwise occupied ).

It was dark by the time I finished, no photos to show - will post some on the weekend if anyone is interested.

Cheers,

CQ

[thegoodies]

Re: Ideas for a Roasting Trolley?

Yes would like to see some pics

Dont forget the Bling and to Pimp it up a bit. I think it makes the roasting go faster. he he

[Corretto]

Re: Ideas for a Roasting Trolley?


Yes pics please CQ. I havent had any time to get back to Kmart to try and get that particular trolley. Damn work :-(

Maybe after work tomorrow. The $85 one did seem perfect for the job.


Belinda

[-Alchemist-]

Re: Ideas for a Roasting Trolley?

OK, here are some piccies of my new roasting station, tried and tested after two 600 gram roasts today.

Before anyone offers any advice re: storgage of my green beans (presently in zip-lock bags in the plastic storage tubs), Ive seen the error of my ways and Ill be making up some calico bags tonight to replace these (exactly how does a sewing machine work anyway?!?  :-?)


The turbo cooling bucket has been affixed with those wonders of modern day technology, half a dozen zip-ties (some minor bouncing when wheeling the trolley, but otherwise rock solid during cooling!)



Final shot showing drawer open, and most importantly the new CoffeeSnobs roast profile card affixed to the BM (Goodies, is that Blingy enuff for ya?   ;D )

Note:  havent yet tried a beer in the drink holder part of the trolley top, way too cold!!!


Overall, the trolley was rock solid - barely moved through both batches and I never even bothered to lock the wheels.

For $19, I doubt I could have even bought the metal for that, so Im stoked!

Cheers,

CQ

[Corretto]

Re: Ideas for a Roasting Trolley?


Good looking setup there CQ :-)

Where does the fan go??

[-Alchemist-]

Re: Ideas for a Roasting Trolley?

Hiya Belinda - thanks.

So far, Ive managed to get a away without a fan as I have been roasting outside with a good breeze under the verandah which has cleared the chaff pretty well.

Will definitely look to see if/where I can bolt on a pedestal fan eventually   (or I may possibly see if my cable ties can be put to further use  ;D)

Cheers,

CQ

[thegoodies]

Re: Ideas for a Roasting Trolley?

Yes looking good CQ.

The Goodies

[Dimal]

Re: Ideas for a Roasting Trolley?

Excellent adaptation CQ,

Mal.

[-Alchemist-]

Re: Ideas for a Roasting Trolley?

OK, here are some piccies of my new roasting station, tried and tested after two 600 gram roasts today.

At the risk of recycling an old link, Ive just noticed the links to my old photos have somehow been severed.... [plus, I thought Id show a couple of tweaks Ive since added (see last photos below)]

The whole shebang, green beans and all:


Cooling bucket affixed with cable ties (hasnt budged since day 1 ):


All the necessary accessories (the shiny little tin box in the drawer is to store any souvenir stones I might find  ):


I can usually get by without a pedestal fan, but this fancy contraption helps keep any stray chaff at bay  ;D:




Mod (1) My new "Roasting Central Control System" (its amazing what you can do with a power-board, a couple of S-hooks and some liquid nails!) - this now hangs of the side of the trolley, off the holes that would otherwise serve as screwdriver holders,.




Mod (2) Easy-grip clamp stabilises the base of the drilling press - the HGs going nowhere ("Safety first!")



After three months, Ive just roasted my "Payback batch" - having costed all of the coffee Ive roasted in the last three months, the savings of home roasting greeen beans (over buying pre-roasted) have exceeded the cost of the complete roasting set-up (cost of ~$200).

Who would have thought, having this much fun AND saving money  

Cheers,

-Alchemist-

[Thundergod]

Re: Ideas for a Roasting Trolley?

Very nice but my greens supply wouldnt fit on the trolly.

Where did you get the cooling bucket?

[-Alchemist-]

Re: Ideas for a Roasting Trolley?

Bunnings (~$12 from memory)

Ive figured 20 kgs will be about the trolleys limit for green bean storage (Im about 5 kgs away from that at the moment)

How many KGs of greens do you have???  

-A-

[Thundergod]

Re: Ideas for a Roasting Trolley?

I saw a bucket tonight thrown out in front of a takeaway but it didnt have a lid.
Ill need one for a good fit of my colander.

When I pick up last months Beanbay buy from Dennis it will be 91kg.

I have plans for another 2.5kg in tomorrows Beanbay.