Please help me build my new roaster.

[JavaB]

Re: Please help me build my new roaster.

Dozer.

Ive been playing around with the ramp/soak PID you mention.

It is FANTASTIC at controlling a Hottop.... large thermal mass in the elements

But it wouldnt work very well with the Corretto which is similar to the TO (and the Gene)....
The problem is it switches off the heaters completely..... meanwhile air is blowing through the light weight element and cooling it (quickly) and the cooler air cools the beans and stalls the roast..... result - flavour not so good :P.... after much experimentation I gave up on the idea.

The thermostat in the TO is also an on/off switch.... so wouldnt be very good either...

Farmroasts idea is excellent (but bulky and expensive as you say). Id be looking at a high powered triac controller (super high powered light dimmer).... lot smaller and cheaper - and these work excellently with the Corretto so should work fine with a TO..... (I used one with the Corretto for many months with perfect control and flavour in the cup).

If you do want to go down the PID path Id recommend a linear output PID (havent actually tried one as they are very expensive). Mal suggested this and I agree it would be a great idea. With a heater which is primarily moving hot air.....therefore heating and cooling very rapidly..... you cant really afford to turn it on and off.... but must vary it smoothly to reduce the output as required.

[facedanzr]

Re: Please help me build my new roaster.

Ive read about the PID coretto trials here on CS. I discussed this dilemma with Farmroast, and he was thinking that there are important differences between the HG and the TO. While the fan in the HG starts pulling cold air from the outside when the element is off, the TO circulates the hot air in the roaster. Im thinking that this prevents the beans from being cooled down too quickly. And of course, the thermocouple has to be moved closer to the heating element to respond faster.

Just a theory though

The triac is possible the best solution any way.

[Remy]

Re: Please help me build my new roaster.

Thanks to the generosity of a fellow CSr MatthewG,  I now have a TOSC coffee roaster.
Matt sent me his Stir Crazy base and extension ring which I have put together with my Turbo Oven, extension ring and base.  I was essentially trying to create a TOSC with the window wiper and Matt saved me a lot of time and effort, plus the SC having a built in motor, the complete unit is neater and more compact than what I could have achieved doing it myself.

I am absolutely thrilled with it,.. and did 600g of Kimel in it yesterday and 500g of Monsoon Malabar today.  Its everything I was wanting in a coffee roaster,.. compact, neat, quick and easy setup and pack up,.. plus with this unit,.. I can do my weekly supply in just one batch instead of up to half a dozen, which was the case with the popper. It also is very quiet, and bean visibility is awesome. The roast temps were easy to control as far as I can tell without a thermocouple(will get one soon),.. times for FC and SC were spot on and the roasts were very even.

Im using both extension rings because the inner smaller ring that Matt gave me is slightly shorter than the extension ring I got with the Turbo Oven and as a result, this allows a small air gap where the chaff escapes and falls between the two rings and straight down.  There doesnt seem to be any problem with heat loss due to this little gap either which is fantastic.  I love it!!!!!

Here is my new baby,.. isnt she purdy?!!

[Dennis]

Re: Please help me build my new roaster.

Congratulations Remy - I was sure youd end up with a gene! ;D

The TOSC looks great and will look forward to seeing some action pics.

[Thundergod]

Re: Please help me build my new roaster.

Nice viewing window.

[martybean]

Re: Please help me build my new roaster.

Well done Remy, we expect to see some pics of your roasting attempts with your new roaster

[Dimal]

Re: Please help me build my new roaster.

Excellent news Remy and a Top Job as well.... 8-)

No holding you back now ;D

Mal.

[farmroast]

Re: Please help me build my new roaster.

Thanks to the generosity of a fellow CSr MatthewG, I now have a TOSC coffee roaster.

Congrads Remy Nice roaster. In the US they are nicknamed SC/TO But I guess when you cross the equator they become TO/SC 8-) Hope more TO ovens become available to your part of the world. Theres lots of ways of building a roaster using one. They do a great job of applying heat and can be modified in many ways. enjoy!!!
farm

[Remy]

Re: Please help me build my new roaster.

Thanks everyone,.. I took the long way round,..but got there in the end  ;D

Thanks to the generosity of a fellow CSr MatthewG,  I now have a TOSC coffee roaster.

Congrads Remy  Nice roaster. In the US they are nicknamed SC/TO But I guess when you cross the equator they become TO/SC  8-)  Hope more TO ovens become available to your part of the world. Theres lots of ways of building a roaster using one. They do a great job of applying heat and can be modified in many ways. enjoy!!!
farm

We live down under here,..that be why   .  Same beast,.. but everytime I say SCTO,.. I spit on the computer screen.  TOSC is just easier to say without spittle.   ;D

TOs are easy to get here (cheapies from the bay of evil),.. its the SC that we dont have here...or anything even close.  I am a lucky Coffee Snob me thinks.

[Remy]

Re: Please help me build my new roaster.

While this is not quite an action shot of a roast with new roaster (dar..in my excitement I forgot to take pics except for that first pic already shown...of green Kimel in the TOSC..stirring action barely noticeable)... here are my first two roasts. Two bags of Kimel for the NSW/ACT/TAS Roast-Off (with entry number concealed   ) and 2.5bags of Monsoon Malabar.  


Very noice.... and Im itchin to do another roast.  I was always running out of roasted beans before this roaster,... but now I think I might be faced with the opposite problem if Im not careful, and end up with too much roasted beans on hand.  : ;D

[Thundergod]

Re: Please help me build my new roaster.

Your Malabar is labelled Remy.
Selling already?

[Remy]

Re: Please help me build my new roaster.

Your Malabar is labelled Remy.
Selling already?

Yeah I know,... Im so lame.  I made up labels to put on my own roasts so they look real spesh when I scoop my beans out every morning  : ;D.  Sad I know.. you caught me out.  

Pathetic as I am,..I may as well confess everything,..I only stick em on with sticky tape and under the heading of Remys Roasted Coffee,..I have typed on the lables Bean Type:, Weight: and Roast Date: three times for three roasts  :,.. then rip em off and put new ones on when space runs out.  They usually last through the two washes in between roasts if I am careful not to soak the outside of the bags in the process.

Ok.. I feel totally exposed now.  I know you all thought I was pretty cool, ..but Im not really cool at all,.............Im lame.  :-[

[Dennis]

Re: Please help me build my new roaster.

Thats not lame Remy - I think its great and shows pride in what you roast.

Its also very sensible, particularly the bean type and roast date, more from the perspective that you can reflect on the date compared with the date of consumption, so that you know where along the timeline you prefer your coffee.

And btw, that monsoon looks perfect!

[Thundergod]

Re: Please help me build my new roaster.

I label mine with bean and roast date Remy, just not as fancy as yours.
So either you are lame or Im tight. ;D

Dont let us put you off.
Were all friends here.
I agree with Dennis; it shows that you have pride in your efforts (and why shouldnt you?).

[Gavin1]

Re: Please help me build my new roaster.

Lame?!?! are you kidding?! no way!!!

The bags look amazing! very professional!