GENE CAFE Advice please Life Expectancy/Prob

[wingnut]

Re: GENE CAFE  Advice please Life Expectancy/



Hi Dennis

If it makes you feel better about paying 16 bux for a timer, I paid $14 for a two pack from Mitre 10 and they both failed on the first night. I binned them- didnt bother returning for a refund as it wasnt worth the petol or the hassle.

Bought a good one from Franklins for about $9 I think.

I suppose it comes down to "is it worth running all over the place to maybe save five bucks or just buy the thing now ?"

[Dennis]

Re: GENE CAFE  Advice please Life Expectancy/

lol wingnut. K-Mart is a 5 minute walk from me so that counts for something.

Back on topic - Robert, I know you wont go wrong with the gene or the service you receive from Chris. Take whatever advice Chris shares - with 150-200kg of experience I should think he is the CS expert when it comes to the gene.

Also keep in mind that your gene MAY vary slightly from one to another, so some minor adjustments in time or temp may be expected.

[robertmc]

Re: GENE CAFE  Advice please Life Expectancy/Prob

My Gene Cafe Arrived this week on Tuesday as arranged. Thanks Chris and for your advice.

I have fired it up on Wednesday( couldnt wait )  and roasted two batches to see how it goes, one batch of Brazil Daterra  and and one if Sumatran Mandheling.  I did both to early 2nd crack and today they look and smell great.  

Pulled a shot of the Brazil, and though its not as flavoursome or as strong as other coffees that Ive bought, it was still pretty good and felt wonderful to know that I had roasted the green bean.

Also did my first bean bay on wednesday and look forward to the new beans.

Im excited about this... reading the contributions here encourages me to do something that i never would have considered. Thanks

Robert

[Dennis]

Re: GENE CAFE  Advice please Life Expectancy/

Welcome to the roasting club Robert - sounds like youre having fun with your new gene.

Happy roasting!

[robertmc]

Re: GENE CAFE  Advice please Life Expectancy/Prob

[move][/move]Hi Dennis and Thanks

Actually coming to your place that afternoon made all the difference... hearing the different sounds of FC and SC there.... Monkey See Hear - Monkey Do (though Ill probably get a 3 match suspension for that)

Actually discovered that if I listen real carefully at the chaff catcher exhaust... not only an I hear the cracks fairly well .... but my left hand and hair have a very noticeable aroma after for about 24hours despite soap and water, probably not marketable as an aftershave

Would like to figure out how to hear the cracks well without this downside. Any ideas?
Robert

[TC]

Re: GENE CAFE  Advice please Life Expectancy/Prob

Persist Robert,

I can pick second crack now...even with my crap hearing

Chris

[Dennis]

Re: GENE CAFE  Advice please Life Expectancy/

I thought you might have a stethoscope handy Robert.

[robertmc]

Re: GENE CAFE  Advice please Life Expectancy/Prob

Yeah considered that Dennis, but not sure that it wont melt. But also wonder whether some electrical variation of that with a little microphone might work. Or maybe just persist as Chris suggests, which is the default action.

Robert

[LindaD]

Re: GENE CAFE  Advice please Life Expectancy/Prob

Robert,

As an owner of the GC, I can assure you that you become very familiar with the sound of FC and SC in it. There are times when, yes, the cracks are very hard to hear, but you become almost trained by ear to hear them, even over the rolling of the beans in the cylinder.

Every bean is different and conditions make the roasts change all the time.  

Thats what I love about roasting coffee. ;D

-Linda

[robertmc]

Re: GENE CAFE  Advice please Life Expectancy/Prob

I did my second lot of roasting with Gene this am.  Could hear what I thought were cracks.... actually on one batch I  thought that I got a FC and a SC  then another SC???  Perhaps just a bit keen with either of my first 2 cracks. How long does FC tend to go for?

I roasted some Sumatran Mandheling Blue Batak,  My first roast last week which I pulled at onset of what I thought was SC... was decidedly SOUR .  It seemed to take a long time to produce much gas in the 1way valve sealed bag.  I tried it after 2 days then after 5 and daily thereafter... dont like it,  even with sugar...yuk ... I guess this is the learning part of the curve. SO from what Ive read here, maybe I was too light so today tried longer. Any thoughts from experienced roasters?

Today I took smaller load of beans 2x125g and took them further... the first batch to few mins into SC and the second batch til I saw them go somewhat dark and a bit oily. Will look forward to them in few days.

Incidently tried using my stethoscope (minus plastic parts)  not any advantage over naked ear.  But Im better at hearing sounds and better at choosing when to stick my ear next to the chaff catcher. Im sure that it will improve with experience and I dont smell as much from "eau d roaster"

Also my neighbours are becoming a little nosey

Appreciate any advice
Robert (incidently... another identity change)

[robertmc]

Re: GENE CAFE  Advice please Life Expectancy/Prob

BTW thanks for your words Linda, Im sure it will improve with practice

[Dennis]

Re: GENE CAFE  Advice please Life Expectancy/

Hey Robert - stop changing your handle! Im getting confused!! ;D

I believe the Sumatran Mandheling is better darker, but not too sure about "oily". That may be a little over-roasted but if the oil retracts back into the bean should be fine. I suggest you give them a good rest before trying them.

Some beans tend to go on for quite a while during 1st crack though there should be a distinctive quiet time between 1st and 2nd, which sounds more like crumpling cellophane or breaking match sticks.

Also, try not to make too many large changes in your method - tweak it. Sounds like youre having fun though and well on the way!

[robertmc]

Re: GENE CAFE  Advice please Life Expectancy/Prob

Hi Dennis

Thanks,  last change of name... I promise ... this one is "me"

And will catch up when get my beans

Ciao
Robert

[Wushoes]

Re: GENE CAFE  Advice please Life Expectancy/

blue batak is one of the easiest beans to hear first and 2nd crack on...theyre so damn loud. Take blue batak in to rolling 2nd crack.

[robertmc]

Re: GENE CAFE  Advice please Life Expectancy/Prob

Thanks David
My second roasting on Friday, I was away from the machine doing something and I heard the First Cracks from across the room. So it was unmistakable...I wonder how I didnt hear it so easily the first time. I took it to the point where the SC were continuous so I guess Rolling SC, and it had a sheen on it, (not really oily as Dennis pointed out). So probably close to where you are suggesting (by accident). Havent tasted it yet as away in town for weekend, but look forward to trying it.
Thanks
Robert