1.25 kg Halogen Roaster

[Javaphile]

Re: 1.25 kg Halogen Roaster

[split] [link=http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1218979308/40#40][splithere][/link][splithere_end]

Lets keep this OT folks. If you want to discuss bags then please post in the above link.


Java "Cleaning up" phile

[ajay]

Re: 1.25 kg Halogen Roaster

Thanks Mal, thats fine.

[Dimal]

Re: 1.25 kg Halogen Roaster

Hi Mal,

I have just posted some information about the bag clips in a revived thread here:

http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1218979308/0#31

(I would be grateful if an admin could move the bag related postings in this thread to there also).

cheers
AJ

I think its OK to leave as is AJ 8-).... Youve provided the link to the other thread so interested CSers can shoot off over to that one if they want to follow up with you....

Nice, simple, effective setup there mate.... Well done.... [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Mal.

[ajay]

Re: 1.25 kg Halogen Roaster

Great roast "ajay".... [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Out of interest, where did you buy those Bag Clips? Looks like a great idea..... 8-)


Mal.

Hi Mal,

I have just posted some information about the bag clips in a revived thread here:

http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1218979308/0#31

(I would be grateful if an admin could move the bag related postings in this thread to there also).

cheers
AJ

[ajay]

Re: 1.25 kg Halogen Roaster

Dumb question... where does the chaff go without the air flow of a heatgun?

Ah, chaff. I am glad you asked!

I cut some perforations in the bowl and most of the chaff falls through and makes little piles in the cavity below. What remains is blown out by the cooling fan.

I am thinking about apply some suction below to eliminate the issue altogether, but it really isnt a problem.

cheers
AJ

[ajay]

Re: 1.25 kg Halogen Roaster

Excellent looking roast AJ.

Im surprised that the paddle stirs that large volume of beans so well, I would have expected a very patchy roast.

Hi and thanks Andy, as others have mentioned I modified the existing paddles. After playing around with a few variables like temperature, lamp height and air flow, I found that the most effective way to get a more even roast was by improving bean agitation and circulation.

As you can see from the photo below, I have increased the paddle size threefold and it is now double ended whereas the original is single ended. Also, I use a sleeve to raise one paddle a couple of centimeters on the spindle so it moves the beans on top.
cheers
AJ

[ajay]

Re: 1.25 kg Halogen Roaster

How will the halogen floodlight stand up to the greater heat generated?

The halogens seem to be holding up nicely after about 6 months of weekly roasts. I will probably need to replace the stock reflector with some sheet aluminium before too long, though.

cheers
AJ

[ajay]

Re: 1.25 kg Halogen Roaster

Folks,

Thanks for your interest and praise (keep it coming!). What I have done with this machine is expand on an idea that I already knew was workable. It has taken a bit of mucking around and fine tuning to get it to a stage that I am happy with.

Hows the taste?

I am very happy with the results in the cup. I stuck with the halogen radiant heat because I found it improved the taste and consistency of my roasts.

are you using the CS datalogger software and USB DMM to monitor your profiles? Are you able to post up a profile?

My dmm is RS232 only. I used to record my roasts on the shed pc, but as things became predictable, I felt like it was a pointless exercise. Oh and something funny happened with my readings, too. It used to be that I always hit first crack at 204, then it dropped to 184. Maybe the thermoprobe needs replacement. Anyway, the short answer is no. Currently my temperature readings serve a purpose in that they tell me when I am about to hit first crack and assure me that I have a slow, steady increase after that, but they wouldnt give you meaningful comparative data. If that changes I will certainly post a profile. THe new software looks like it shows rate of change, which is attractive.

cheers
AJ

[A_M]

Re: 1.25 kg Halogen Roaster

But yeah, best $30 ive ever spent.

And never to be repeated... I think $42 is teh min now..

[WSullivan]

Re: 1.25 kg Halogen Roaster

They make a massive difference mal, i couldnt believe the difference in taste, only problem being, some beans, in particular the Indo Mandheling i currently have, de-gasses like there is no tomorrow, so you have to make sure your one way valve works effectively, ive noticed on some of my Di Bella bags that i re-use that the valves are very tight and occasionally the bag gets to a near popping stage before some of the gas is allowed to escape, this can result in a slight CO2ey tasting shot for the first couple after the bag is opened......

But yeah, best $30 ive ever spent......with the exception of my first kilo of espresso WOW (the single reason im a Coffeesnob ;D, it got me hooked in the very beginning)

[Dimal]

Re: 1.25 kg Halogen Roaster

i personally use my bags about 5 times, heat sealing them slightly lower each time, then when its time to crack, i just carefully cut off the sealed bit and it leaves me plenty of room for another seal or 4 before tossing the bag, my 200ml heat sealer cost $30 delivered. ITS AWESOME!

Yep,

I do the same Warren (except I get 8-10 uses from each bag )...

Thought it might be a useful thing to know for those people who dont own an Impulse Sealer. I imagine it would be quite effective to be honest - Seal via the Zip-Lock and then fold over and apply the Bag Sealer.... Should work OK..... :-?

Mal.

[WSullivan]

Re: 1.25 kg Halogen Roaster

I also like the bag clips.............perfect for the purpose  

This is the one thing in the photos that i didnt like the look of :-[, i would be worried about early spoiling if the clips are all that is stopping the oxygen from getting in :-? i personally use my bags about 5 times, heat sealing them slightly lower each time, then when its time to crack, i just carefully cut off the sealed bit and it leaves me plenty of room for another seal or 4 before tossing the bag, my 200ml heat sealer cost $30 delivered. ITS AWESOME!

PS Everything else i love!!!! Great little invention there!!! 1.25Kgs 8-)

[Mono]

Re: 1.25 kg Halogen Roaster

The original paddles were not giving me enough agitation for large bean volumes, so I experimented in enlarging them by folding some sheet brass around them. As this worked nicely, paddle development has gone no further.

AJ actually mentions in post #1 that he has modified his paddles with some folded brass sheet to increase agitation.

Steve.

I also like the bag clips.............perfect for the purpose

[Dimal]

Re: 1.25 kg Halogen Roaster

Great roast "ajay".... [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Out of interest, where did you buy those Bag Clips? Looks like a great idea..... 8-)

Im surprised that the paddle stirs that large volume of beans so well

Looks like a modified Breville "Big Loaf" BM Andy. These things have dual paddles and manage to move the beans around really well. Also, it looks as though "ajay" has increased the size of the paddles on his machine unless of course, Breville did this on later models of the BM....

Mal.

[Andy]

Re: 1.25 kg Halogen Roaster

Excellent looking roast AJ.

Im surprised that the paddle stirs that large volume of beans so well, I would have expected a very patchy roast.

Dumb question... where does the chaff go without the air flow of a heatgun?