Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

[Dr_Jon]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

I got a chance to try out some of the RK Toraja this morning (good excuse to keep awake after a night shift ;D) and even just on 2 days post roast all the character is there - some earthiness, almost spice, and some lingering acidity. Slightly gassy pour, but easily managed with a tight grind. It is good as an espresso, but very intense, and is simply superb with milk.

More roasting for me tomorrow when I can think straight, but as far as Im concerned it definitely lives up to the hype. If anyone gets a chance to play with one, grab it with both hands, as Im sure Greenman would agree!

[greenman]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

I got a chance to try out some of the RK Toraja this morning (good excuse to keep awake after a night shift ;D) and even just on 2 days post roast all the character is there - some earthiness, almost spice, and some lingering acidity. Slightly gassy pour, but easily managed with a tight grind. It is good as an espresso, but very intense, and is simply superb with milk.

More roasting for me tomorrow when I can think straight, but as far as Im concerned it definitely lives up to the hype. If anyone gets a chance to play with one, grab it with both hands, as Im sure Greenman would agree!

After reading your earlier post Jon it gave me the courage to go for a larger batch-- I have just completed a 1.2kg Kenya/Rante Toraja roast, it was so much easier to control than the smaller batches and roast monitor times were more as I expected, the outer cooler handled the 1kg roasted with aplomb, I only ran the in-drum cooler for 30 seconds to get rid of chaff and smoke
I just ran a few of my earler efforts through the grinder and some great aromas were present so things are lookin good
I will be eagerly awaiting further reports

[cuppacoffee]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

Torre still means tower

The word is Torrefatorre, not torre.  Selecting one part of any word, from any language, then thinking it reasonable to extrapolate the meaning to have some relation to the original word is folly.

For example, the word, "behemoth" means, "great beast".  It has no relationship to the word, "be", is said to be feminine, despite the inclusion of, "he", and in literature, bears no resemblance to a moth.

The translation I have provided is correct and should suffice.

So please, lets let it rest!

Having said that though, the window on the front is quite large, and so you can really see what is going on with the beans. I havent yet had to use the trier for this reason.

Nice review Jon and glad to hear the roaster is living up to expectations.

May I suggest that you do use the trier for a number of reasons.  Looking through the sight glass, or sticking your nose over the flue, will not provide you with anywhere near the same experience as drawing a sample from the drum.  

The colour of the beans will appear different behind the glass than in the trier; you will be able to inspect the development of the beans from the sample taken (difficult to do when theyre tumbling about), and, you will learn to recognise particular aromas from the samples taken, that arent otherwise identified from the smoke carried out of the roaster.

And finally, you may like me, inadvertently drop a bean from the trier and have it wedge between sandal strap and instep.  Despite doing so you may be so intent on the quickly appproaching end of the roast not to notice, until of course the shape of a coffee bean is branded into your instep.

I do still love my trier.

[Yelta]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

Selecting one part of any word, from any language, then thinking it reasonable to extrapolate the meaning to have some relation to the original word is folly.

Lighten up old son.

So please, lets let it rest!

Why? its all in good fun, provided a bit of levity at the expense of no one. :

wedge between sandal strap and instep.Despite doing so you may be so intent on the quickly appproaching end of the roast not to notice, until of course the shape of a coffee bean is branded into your instep.

If you were working for me, at this point we would be having a serious discussion re safe work practices and inappropriate foot wear.

[Dr_Jon]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

After reading your earlier post Jon it gave me the courage to go for a larger batch-- I have just completed a 1.2kg Kenya/Rante Toraja roast, it was so much easier to control than the smaller batches and roast monitor times were more as I expected, the outer cooler handled the 1kg roasted with aplomb, I only ran the in-drum cooler for 30 seconds to get rid of chaff and smoke

Agree wholeheartedly GM - Ive certainly found 1kg + batches easiest at this point in my development Im sure after more practise Ill get a handle on smaller batches though.

This morning the Peru Ceja de Salva got enjoyed - again fantastic results; hope youre enjoying yours too!

May I suggest that you do use the trier for a number of reasons.Looking through the sight glass, or sticking your nose over the flue, will not provide you with anywhere near the same experience as drawing a sample from the drum.

The colour of the beans will appear different behind the glass than in the trier; you will be able to inspect the development of the beans from the sample taken (difficult to do when theyre tumbling about), and, you will learn to recognise particular aromas from the samples taken, that arent otherwise identified from the smoke carried out of the roaster.

Thanks for the advice Den - appreciated and understood. Something I should have thought of myself, and probably would have gotten around to at some stage, but I think I was too pleased with myself for actually being able to do a roast in the first place ;D This is why we rely on more experienced minds; Im a bit like a 2yo going look Ma, I can walk! ;D

I was hoping to roast some Mexican Typica today, but its pissing down with rain and really humid, so Im a bit worried about the beans absorbing too much moisture too quickly... am I being paranoid?

[Wine_of_the_Bean]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

If the Torrefattore is anything like the Solar, roasting anything less than 1kg is problematic, the roast accelerating very quickly from pre-first crack to second crack.

The Solar happily roasts at full capacity with a greater leeway from first to second crack.

Moral: Roast bigger batches for more controllability.

[greenman]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

If the Torrefattore is anything like the Solar, roasting anything less than 1kg is problematic, the roast accelerating very quickly from pre-first crack to second crack.

The Solar happily roasts at full capacity with a greater leeway from first to second crack.

Moral: Roast bigger batches for more controllability.

I have to agree, when I did the 1.2kg batch I was able to control roast as the probe was giving accurate readings for the roast monitor, all I had to do then was control the heat by switching elements on or off as required! Im confident enough now that I have unplugged the Corretto and placed on shelf as a reserve :-X

[Wine_of_the_Bean]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

As a rule, I roast no less than 1250g, which will give me around 1kg finished.

Any less and it goes out of control too quickly.

[>CoffeeRoasters]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

Ive done demos of 200g and 300g roasts very easily on the Torrefattore. It does take a bit more skill in determining temp adjustments but easy to do with the control over the three elements for speed of heat ramp. Much much easier than in a 2kg gas roaster. There are a couple of users who I trained on the forumn that I did it with so I am sure they can verify. Once you understand the control elements on the machine it is very easy to roast at smaller batches.

Whilst looking similar it is a completely different roaster to the Solar. The Solar is semi automated and designed to have much less user input. It handles elements such as air application for the user. The Torrefattore is a manual roaster so was designed for user control, you cant leave it like you can the Solar but then has the advantage off user control offer heating and air application during the roast.

Nice stoush on the word Torrefattore...all I will say is that I was told it is used in Italy to describe a coffee roaster or person who roasts. The owner of Coffee Tech is fluent in Italian and spends a lot of time consulting in that market and told me that was the meaning while I was over there.

Cheers...

[greenman]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

Ive done demos of 200g and 300g roasts very easily on the Torrefattore. It does take a bit more skill in determining temp adjustments but easy to do with the control over the three elements for speed of heat ramp. Much much easier than in a 2kg gas roaster. There are a couple of users who I trained on the forumn that I did it with so I am sure they can verify. Once you understand the control elements on the machine it is very easy to roast at smaller batches..

My smaller roasts turned out fine, it was more the readings from the thermocouple that threw me off, the visuals and sound steered me through 3 successful 300g roasts, with the larger loads the thermocouple was in the beanmass and gave accurate readings for me follow with roast monitor!
Have been enjoying Torre roasted beans the last couple of days and I am very pleased with the results so far--Corretto is sitting forlornly on the shelf :-X

[borat123]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

Id love to have one of these roasters but struggle to justify the price for home use, when I can already get great results up to 1kg with the KKTO....

[Yelta]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

Id love to have one of these roasters but struggle to justify the price for home use, when I can already get great results up to 1kg with the KKTO....

Same here Borat, would love a Torrefattore it would be a very nice toy, but I simply cant justify that sort of outlay when my Coretto does an excellent job, Ive been roasting 625 grams a week for approx 12 months and have yet to have a roast Im dissatisfied with, and nope Im not easily pleased, in fact just the opposite.

[TC]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

Same here Borat, would love a Torrefattore it would be a very nice toy, but I simply cant justify that sort of outlay when my Coretto does an excellent job, Ive been roasting 625 grams a week for approx 12 months and have yet to have a roast Im dissatisfied with, and nope Im not easily pleased, in fact just the opposite

I think the Coretto, Gene, KKTO and other domestic roasters are great solutions and more importantly, a whole heap of fun. These do give terrific results in domestic situations, but are not in my opinion the basis of any level of commercial venture.

What you cant really do is compare these with commercial roasters in their level of control or repeatability. The commercial gear is priced accordingly...

Chris

[Dimal]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

What you cant really do is compare these with commercial roasters in their level of control or repeatability. The commercial gear is priced accordingly...

I dont think anyones trying to do that Chris. Id love a Torrefattore too and just for home-roasting with no thought of ever going commercial but the pennies arent available. Its the perfect home-roaster for the CSer who can afford it though and I think thats all that is being intimated....

Mal.

[Yelta]

Re: Solar Autoroast and Torrefattore 2kg discussion thread

What you cant really do is compare these with commercial roasters in their level of control or repeatability. The commercial gear is priced accordingly...

I dont think anyones trying to do that Chris. Id love a Torrefattore too and just for home-roasting with no thought of ever going commercial but the pennies arent available. Its the perfect home-roaster for the CSer who can afford it though and I think thats all that is being intimated....

Mal.

Im in the same camp as you Mal, would love to own one, cant afford one and have no commercial aspirations,
They certainly do look like the ultimate home roaster.