Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

[greenman]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

I would be interested how this compares to others approaches

Drop temp of 150-170 depending on batch size.
Heat up with 3 elements, adjust elements depending on bean type and batch size, turn on air pulser at 5min. mark (6sec every 2mins.) I usually go gently to Mailards and then up the heat until approaching first crack and then back off heat and manually use the air pulser as required to keep the temp gradiant at the required rate until I reach roast stage I am aiming for (generally just before or on first snaps of 2C, lighter for Ethiopians to bring out the fruit/berry notes).
Roast times range from 14-19minutes.
I only use the external cooler and if batches are over 900g I scoop out half the beans and cool them in my old Corretto cooler thus cooling the entire batch within 90seconds.
After roasting I sometimes open the bean hopper gate and run the fan to clear out some of the gunk, bit messy but effective, I then vacuum the area and give Torre a wipeover ready for next time, havent cleaned outlet to cyclone yet, I empty the chaff collector after every three roasts!
My cooling tray is getting a bit of oil builup, might give it a Cafetto clean soon.

[>CoffeeRoasters]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

Interested in cleaning routines, as I have not done much!
I often open door with fan on after preheat to blow out a lot of ash and wonder if there is still more trapped inside, and if this matters.
I have not cleaned the outlet to cyclone yet but am thinking about it.
The cooling tray - should it look clean or oily?

Probably once a year you can remove the drum and vacuum out any material that has fallen down below the elements. We usually do this when someone brings one in for a service. It doesnt really matter whther you do or not but like any piece of equipment the better you maintain it the less chance there is for something to go wrong. It is very easy to remove the drum on these machines.

The outlet to the cyclone is probably worth cleaning about once or twice a year. We had a Solar that came in for a service a couple of months ago that was 2 years old with almost no cleaning and there was little build up in this pipe but keep a regular maintenance schedule so you know when you have cleaned things.

Wipe the cooling tray down with a damp cloth to clean. Avoid chemicals as you dont want any coming into contact with the coffee. Remove it and vaccum under the tray after every weeks use as there will be some build up of chaff here.

The bearings are sealed on the dront and back so there is no greasing required. Once they seize they can be replaced easily and inexpensively. We stock all the spare parts.

Other than that I would remove the electrical cover on the back of the machine (with the power off and machine unplugged only) and give it a quick vaccum every now and then.

Interesting profiles, great that the machine really lends to an individuals style as there is a lot of scope for experimentation with the controls.

I dont do much with the roast until 1st crack. I try to set it and let it climb to 1st crack with minimal interuptions to the controls. Ie work out you drop temp, number of elements on for the batch size and your airflow presets. I like 6-8 sec pulses every 2-3 minutes to1st crack but I also do roasts pulsing every minute. There are many variables to experiment with but I find the results are brilliant with the pulsing method as you minimise the forced convection up to 1st crack and can really develop the coffee beans using a non aggressive heat transfer.

It requires a bit of skill and experience with the machine to manage the 1st to 2nd crack period but basically there is a lot of momentum towards the end of 1st crack via the beans conducting heat to one another so this is where I ease back on the element number and increase the pulse intervals and duration. Helps for an even roast result and you are really balancing flavours in this part anyway so the increased airflow is not as much to the detriment of flavour development as if you had done it from the start. You want to still maintain momentum especially in bean temp to avoid a baked result. In most instances I try and keep relatively short after 1st crack if going to second crack 3-3.5mins to ensure not too much is roasted out of the beans but enough to build decent body by taking it into second crack especially if you want to enjoy the coffee with milk. Each bean needs to be judged on its merrits anyway though so no rule of thumbs here.

Oh and I usually start the in drum blower just getting onto second crack to take the edge off before dropping. Helps stop the roast in its tracks a lot quicker.

Try not to make too many changes throughout the roast, you will only make things harder for yourself and it is not really necessary anyway. Keep it simple, gradually build momentum to develop the coffee more thoroughly by ensuring moisture is removed right through the bean as this is required for a more extensive maillard reaction.

I havent had a chance to surf the site for a while so sorry for not contributing to the post before

And looking forward to hering more of your journey McCartan.

Cheers

[gerhard76]

Hi guys, where might i be able to get spare parts for my 2011 Torrefattore solar 2kg roaster? You guys service these? Im in Brisbane and need some help.

[Caffeinator]

Try Revolution roasters in Mornington Vic

[el_carnicero]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

its supernice to read your experiences.
During conversation with Mr. Ram from coffeetech, I forgot to ask about temperature bean probe, does Torre include it or not? I think it doesnt ,but with possibility to be inserted on.

[greenman]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

its supernice to read your experiences.
During conversation with Mr. Ram from coffeetech, I forgot to ask about temperature bean probe, does Torre include it or not? I think it doesnt ,but with possibility to be inserted on.

Its not included with roaster at factory but Mark at Coffeeroasters Australia drills the hole in bolt on door to drum where DMM can be inserted

[el_carnicero]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

Its not included with roaster at factory but Mark at Coffeeroasters Australia drills the hole in bolt on door to drum where DMM can be inserted

this proves how important is to have a great postsale support at your back. great guys.

here at my place there is nothing
cheap vietnamese preground robusta rulezzzzzzzzz >

[McCartan]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

Gradually getting a bit more confident with the new roaster. A bit daunting for the first few roasts and unsure when to drop elements, introduce air pulser etc. Have been doing roasts of varying sizes from 600gms to 1.5Kg. They are far from perfect but gradually improving. As Mark said, there are so many variables with this machine it really lends itself to lots of different profiles. Just have to find the "perfect" one for each bean.
Really enjoying learning but would really struggle without great CoffeeSnobs support/advice/information.
Cheers everyone

[el_carnicero]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

here at my place there is nothing
cheap vietnamese preground robusta rulezzzzzzzzz

...and have an idea and wish to change something on that field, as all as I need in my search for coffee gral of exellence might be almost enough for a small microrastery and coffee spot.
From that point regarding Torre, the way could be splitted in two different ways: Solar to be more adequate for a coffee shop and Torre for a personal fight for excellence.

Assuming using Solar and Torre, both in optimal way with high quality beans what would be PROS and CONS?

First that comes to mind is Solar as programmable doesnt require serving and presence in 100% of time,but excluding completely a manual control, something might be lost in process optimization.

Comments?

[greenman]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

Assuming using Solar and Torre, both in optimal way with high quality beans what would be PROS and CONS?

First that comes to mind is Solar as programmable doesnt require serving and presence in 100% of time,but excluding completely a manual control, something might be lost in process optimization.

Comments?

The Solar is ideal for a busy shop situation as it is set and forget, whereas the Torre is a hands-on roasting experience with much greater control over the whole roast process, if the budget goes that far maybe one of each--Solar for the shop and Torre for home when you have more time to devote to hands-on roasting. The beauty of Torre is that I can roast from 200g up to 2kg which is great for roasting sample batches of beans

[beabeabeaner]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

With the Torre you will gain an education which will be of benefit if you move up to a bigger roaster - you will have learned more by interacting with the roast. That could turn out valuable on a bigger machine which will likely be manual as well (although gas-fired).

[el_carnicero]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

many thx, guys.
Now, Im fully eyes open.

In case of picking Torre, I count on your help in learning process and developing profiles.

[beanbean]

Dear Wine of the Bean,
Is there anyway I can contact you via email? You seem very experienced with the Solar roaster and I could use some advice/tips. I have just purchased a Solar roaster and have been roasting 500gm batches and experiencing exactly what you wrote word for word, very fast acceleration between 1st and 2nd crack. Unfortunately I read this post after those few attempts. Looking forward to hear from you. My email beanbeansolar@gmail.com

[Robert_Bedwell]

After about 5 years going through 2 Hottops and a Quest I knew it was time to bite the bullet and get a commercial grade roaster. After months of research and leaning towards a US Roaster Corp Gas Sample Roaster I shifted gears when I stumbled upon the electric Torrefartorre. There was not a lot of information in the U.S. about them but the more I read about them the more I was attracted to this roaster. Several weeks ago I found this thread on the Torrefartore and must have read all five pages several times. I decided I would drop Trevor, aka Greenman, a note since he has had his for a couple of years. I just want to thank everyone for the marvelous information that you provided via these posts. Trevor responded immediately with details about the roaster that have been extremely helpful to me. He has been most gracious and quick to provide any information that I have requested. So, I definitely want to tip my hat to Trevor for his kindness and generosity. My red Torrefartore is on the way and I should have it in about a week. I will definitely share my experiences with it.

With kindest regards,
Bob

[CoffeeNet]

How do I get in touch with Chris?

[chokkidog]

Hi CoffeeNet and welcome to CS!

Chris who? I could take a punt and guess ........ Chris @ Talk Coffee?

As you can see from his member details next to the posts he makes, Talk Coffee is a site sponsor.

At the bottom of each page is a list of some sponsors, if you click on the sponsor name, in this case Talk Coffee,
you can navigate yourself to their (his) website where contact details can be found.

[CoffeeNet]

Thanks for the kind welcome.

Welcome "Latte thanks".... [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Pretty sure that Chris of Talk Coffee sells these so would be my first port of call for info....

Mal.

Hey Chokkidog,

Thanks for the warm welcome. You guessed right about my wanting to reach out to Chris @ Talk Coffee. I appreciate the guidance. I'm looking forward to joining the ranks here at CS.