Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

[sidewayss]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

So far happy with the coretto.....

But knowing myself, i cant help but drool over this roaster and the stories that go with it.

I suppose this will have to be my next upgrade.

Cost price is how much?

Gary at G.

[pikininicoffee]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

Smoke is not too bad. The Nepal was really pumping though! It adds to the theatre - Ive decided a flue through the roof would mean missing half the  fun. Temporary as it looks, I like my current arrangement.
You can see my roastery is small and would quickly fill up so you could inhale the caffeine. Funny, I never thought of smoking my coffee before!
You will need some sort of conduit. The smoke can be a liittle funky.
I was worried about the neighbours as we are chalk and cheese (BTW Im the cheese). Has turned out OK, there is always some sort of breeze blowing on our hill. And a few beans for  curious neighbours can mean alot.
Joel, stop worrying and go for it!

Haha, I guess smoking it is quicker than drinking it... Ill leave that one to you

Thanks so much for the encouragement, Im just going to get amongst it. Totally hear you on the peace offerings, just hope my neighbours are into finely roasted coffee.

Im thinking a simple ducting flue to above the roofline, well see how that goes. Will provide pictures too

Thanks again for all the help.

[beabeabeaner]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

Smoke is not too bad. The Nepal was really pumping though! It adds to the theatre - Ive decided a flue through the roof would mean missing half the fun. Temporary as it looks, I like my current arrangement.
You can see my roastery is small and would quickly fill up so you could inhale the caffeine. Funny, I never thought of smoking my coffee before!
You will need some sort of conduit. The smoke can be a liittle funky.
I was worried about the neighbours as we are chalk and cheese (BTW Im the cheese). Has turned out OK, there is always some sort of breeze blowing on our hill. And a few beans for curious neighbours can mean alot.
Joel, stop worrying and go for it!

[greenman]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

Imagine a decent cook-up with marinated stuff on the BBQ.

Its not excessive, unless youre in a confined space.  My newest neighbours were concerned at first, they thought something was on fire, but I reassured them I was roasting coffee.  They no longer notice.

It really depends on how "difficult" your neighbours are.

I dont get as much smoke from Torre as I did from my Corretto, having the flu up near the roof line helps dissipate smoke quite efficiently, I usually try and roast when there is a decent breeze blowing so as not to upset neighbours. 4.30am is a great roasting time--neighbours are in bed, its cool and peaceful--just a man and his roaster total serenity!!

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

Imagine a decent cook-up with marinated stuff on the BBQ.

Its not excessive, unless youre in a confined space. My newest neighbours were concerned at first, they thought something was on fire, but I reassured them I was roasting coffee. They no longer notice.

It really depends on how "difficult" your neighbours are.

[pikininicoffee]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

So much smoke spewed out doing the Nepal plantec, I took a 300g peace offering over to my neighbour (who hant noticed a thing - but now probably will!!)

How much smoke are we talking here? Like "Call the EPA!!" type levels? or more like "Oh, the neighbours are having a BBQ" type levels?

Im just about to get a 2kg Solar roaster by coffee tech and start roasting at home, not sure how to solve the smoke issue.

[beabeabeaner]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

more...

[beabeabeaner]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

Getting closer.....
After waiting weeks for Ikea trolley not happy with quality....surprising?!
Rummaged up a very old hospital trolley, much better. Few repairs and it lives again!
Liking the temporary flue arrangement.
So much smoke spewed out doing the Nepal plantec, I took a 300g peace offering over to my neighbour (who hant noticed a thing - but now probably will!!)
Roastery shot....

[Dr_Jon]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

Its really interesting hearing how others are roasting - all grist to the mill of knowledge!

Ive found that I tend to let the roaster warm up to around 180C at drop, get to yellow around 5-6mins, rolling 1st Crack at about 11-12, and most roasts are pulled at 17mins or so at the start of 2nd Crack snaps. Most times I start with the roaster set between 220 and 250C, but then will drop back to 220-230 after yellowing; higher initial temps for hard beans, and a softer profile for softer beans. All cooling done externally.

Ive found that with my USB monitor Im really able to keep the roasts ticking over well and slowly cruise through 1st / into 2nd by using the full air cooling judiciously, and switching elements off, rather than actually adjusting the roaster set temps. Ive found for me its been the best results with 3-5C / Min temp rises, particularly around the critical times of sugar development to 1st Crack, adn then from 1st to 2nd time.

GM, and other Torre owners, Id be interested to hear what you do

[greenman]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

There  are 3 elements in this monster, each 1000W. They are controlled by 2 switches marked 2k (the elements on each side) and 1k (bottom element). By using these you can control how quickly you will achieve the adjustable thermostat target temp.
The other control is the airbed which can be operated independently, usually for a number of seconds(Mark suggests 6) every minute or 2.
Then you can choose between cooling in or out of the drum, or a bit of both. The cooling was my main concern with this roaster. So far, so good!

After reaching 1C I have been turning off the air pulser, keeping the heat up but running the drum fan full on as a fluid bed style finish, the bean temp drops back to 2c-3c per minute until I reach the finish of the roast, results have been very pleasing so far--there are so many variables to play with and still a lot to learn but I am having a great time learning how to use this great little roaster

[Dimal]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

Ahhh.... :

Thank you very much bbb. Makes a lot more sense now.... 8-)

Mal.

[beabeabeaner]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

There are 3 elements in this monster, each 1000W. They are controlled by 2 switches marked 2k (the elements on each side) and 1k (bottom element). By using these you can control how quickly you will achieve the adjustable thermostat target temp.
The other control is the airbed which can be operated independently, usually for a number of seconds(Mark suggests 6) every minute or 2.
Then you can choose between cooling in or out of the drum, or a bit of both. The cooling was my main concern with this roaster. So far, so good!

[Dimal]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

This time I went from 3k to 2k after 5min and then 1k at FC

What does this mean? :-? For those of us who dont own one of these but still interested in reading about your roasting experiences....

Mal.

[beabeabeaner]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

Photo a bit lighter than actual....

Nice looking roast bbb, did you run the fan from 1C to 2C??

Nope - just the air bed automation at those settings. Do you run continuous (in drum cooling") after FC, with the elements still on?

Had another crack with 1kg Sulawesi. Drop at 150. This time I went from 3k to 2k after 5min and then 1k at FC. From here the DMM profile was similar(nice even rise ~3/min) but the enviro sensor actually dropped steadily. After about 5 min the DMM temp started to plateau then fall(at 212) but the colour looked right (lovin the sampler) so I went to cool without hearing SC. CS8/9. Looks OK to me!

I wonder if I should have stopped the airbed after the ET started to fall or added an element at that point.

Do you sometimes struggle to hear SC?

BTW, my carefully placed temp probe was quickly adjusted to a different angle the moment I first turned the drum on!

[greenman]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

Photo a bit lighter than actual....

Nice looking roast bbb, did you run the fan from 1C to 2C??