FZ-RR 700 Baby Roaster

[kesa32]

Re: FZ-RR 700 Baby Roaster

Hi Chris , yeah lm probably worring about nothing hey
l reckon theyd be a great little roaster ......l like like the idea of this type of unit, lve shot em off an email about stainless steel ,so itll be interesting to see what they come back with hey .

Unfortunately lm just your average wage earner so the pockets are always light on

Cheers ken

[flynnaus]

Re: FZ-RR 700 Baby Roaster

I scored a manual version from Cuppacoffe last weekend because (a) there were no motorised ones left and (b) I thought a manual one would do for the last minute roast or small batch need.

I already had a Kookaburra brand butane camp stove so I set about roasting 200grams of China Hougu semi-washed. This is one bean that doesnt rate very highly for me compared to other beans in my stash and was happy to sacrifice it in the name of science.

As this was a drum seasoning roast, I didnt worry about timing. After what seemed like about 20 minutes, it still hadnt reached 2nd crack, I aborted the roast.  There was a  slight breeze and it was enough to disturb the flame which meant there wasnt enough heat delivered to the drum.

So I relocated to a more sheltered spot and did another 200grams with timer. First crack appeared after 12 mins and after 22 mins again didnt look as though it would reach second crack. Pulled this roast - it had reached about CS7.

As there wasnt much chaff being delivered, I retreated indoors and used my gas cooktop with 200 more grams of Hougu. Much better this time. First crack at 6 mins, second crack at 13 mins. I could still hear the cracks above the roar of the range hood exhaust fan.

I tried this batch about 5 hours later as an espresso and it was pleasant: the usual sweetness and subtle flavour with a hint of greenness about it. Fairly high level of acidity and very little body. (My very first roast of this bean several months ago yielded very little acid).

I can also report that the crema was not bubbly and gassy, unlike roasts based on hot air methods (popper, corretto, KKTO)

This mornings first cup was much better. . It was prepared as a latte but it was a bit of a fast pour. Sweet with what  I can only describe as a honey-like flavour, a good  length which I had not experienced from this bean before. I had another just after 9am using a finer grind and the result was even better. It still doesnt lift my appreciation of the Hougu that much but the results from the FZ-RR 700 are certainly impressive.

Some observations:
- Being the manual model, I had to turn it by hand which wasnt a problem I though. I had to turn it using the long handle as there was no traction from the short handle (lid) end. If you turn with one hand, you get short jerky motions as I couldnt tun continuously. On the final roast, I used two hands to roate and achieved a smoother turning motion. I also turned a little slower and the final roast was more even than the others. I think I will track down a small crank handle to attach to the end of the roaster handle to allow me to turn (a suggestion for the Coffee-Tech, perhaps)

- rotating by hand means you tend to the roaster base around on the burner, so you need to turn fairly gently or find a way to anchor the base so it doesnt move (or get the motorised model)

- You need a good heat source in a sheltered but well-ventilated spot (the instructions that came with the gas stove make a big deal about the carbon monoxide hazard).

- there wasnt mach chaff generated in this semi-washed bean. A small amount escaped from the end of the roaster but landed on the cooktop and was easily vacuumed away afterwards. There was a fair bit of chaff still attached to the bean and spent several minutes passing from colander and colander to remove it.

- Be careful as chaff may land in the flame and ignite. It tends to burn away quickly but still a potential hazard.

- the aroma during roasting is sensational which lends itself to indoor (with a low chaff bean) or balcony roasting (so not p*ssing off neighbours as much.

So, finally, anyone with small roasting needs should get one of these roasters - or get one anyway; the results are worth every cent.

[smiley=thumbsup.gif] [smiley=thumbsup.gif] [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[>CoffeeRoasters]

Re: FZ-RR 700 Baby Roaster

Hi Chris , yeah lm probably worring about nothing hey

You are really, but never hurts to ask the question especially when health is a concern. As someone stated before copper is extensivelly used in piping for water as well as in coffee boilers etc etc. Your not making a soup in it...it is a dry roasting process.

Stainless steel does not make for great drum material. You can get various grades that are better but they are not the best heat conductors for coffee roasting and they also retain the heat making it harder to control roasts. I have roasted with stainless steel drum, its not ideal, mild steel is mostly used in commercial roasting drums as it is a much better heat conductor and gives you more control over the roast.

The manufacturer specifically used copper in this design as it gives maximum control and conduction which is absolutely necessary for this device to work as it does. You will notice that you dont need to preheat the drum at all, it starts conducting right away and also will cool down quicked enabling you to make adjustments to heat a lot easier. You need this control in such a small drum otherwise you have little control in making changes to heat during the roast stages.

I think I will track down a small crank handle to attach to the end of the roaster handle to allow me to turn (a suggestion for the Coffee-Tech, perhaps)

The gear motors can be added to all the manual versions down the track as an upgrade if you require. Great post though on results..thanks. And yes you are right...body is something that will improve over a few days..seems to be one of the benefits with a bit of age with this device. More so a benefit milk based but I have found that overextracting isnt as harsh and bitter in this device so I usually extract a bit longer and tighter if having as milk based early on.

Some observations:
- Being the manual model, I had to turn it by hand which wasnt a problem I though. I had to turn it using the long handle as there was no traction from the short handle (lid) end. If you turn with one hand, you get short jerky motions as I couldnt tun continuously. On the final roast, I used two hands to roate and achieved a smoother turning motion. I also turned a little slower and the final roast was more even than the others. I think I will track down a small crank handle to attach to the end of the roaster handle to allow me to turn (a suggestion for the Coffee-Tech, perhaps)

Thanks for the advice. The technique I was shown by the manufacturer was not to do ful rotations but spin it back and forth then pick up for a shake every minute or so. This makes it easier and you still get the agitation.

[sidewayss]

Re: FZ-RR 700 Baby Roaster

I,m in the same boat as you Ken, working to pay the bills and saving up for the baby roaster. It,s one of the reasons why i,m getting it, the affordability with the results. Will let you know when i finally get my hands on one n start roasting.

Happy roasting Ken. Go ahead and get one.

Gary

[sidewayss]

Re: FZ-RR 700 Baby Roaster

A testimonial from Ruben who has a coffee bar in Italy,


Hello Mr.Gary,

Im using the motorized FZ-RR since March and its EXTREMELY effective as an
artisan roasting device. The coffee you get is the same you can obtain from
a professional roasting machine, you just need some practice since there is
no electronics. You only need your ears, a alarm clock, and some
suggestinons from my
experience, that are:

1. Put the FZ-RR on a double stovetop layer between its base and the flame,
avoiding the direct contact with the flame.

2. Find the right flame power in order to reach the first crack in around 10
minutes, then lower the flame in order to reach the second crack in the next
5 minutes. Total time to reach the second crack must be around 15 minutes.
Most of the flavors "creates" between the 1st and the 2nd crack, it is a
very important roasting stage.

3.Ive roasted around 40 different single origins and the roasting times
fairly do not change.

4.Ive asked to a friend of mine to weld (well,it is not really a weld) 2
"wings" inside the FZ-RRs batch to increase the "mixing ability" since Ive
noticed
a tendecy for a not even roast color because the coffee beans that are
closely in contact with the batch received more energy that the others. The
result is amazing!

5.It seems that the engine last FOREVER. Let me tell you that Ive done so
far more than 700 roasting cycles of 15 mins each...it means more than 175
operating hours. I do evrey saturday 30 continuos roasting cycles for my
coffee house needs.

In a nutshell, from my direct experience the motorized FZ-RR is the ULTIMATE
home coffee roasting device, and also a very sturdy and effective
professionale device as well.

Hope this is helpful, best regards...

Rubens Gardelli


Hope this information useful. Regards, Gary

[flynnaus]

Re: FZ-RR 700 Baby Roaster

The gear motors can be added to all the manual versions down the track as an upgrade if you require.

Yes, I think that would be a worthwhile addition.

spin it back and forth then pick up for a shake every minute or so

I will try that first - sounds easier. I take it that it would be a bout a half turn spin either way. I did give it a shake every minute.

Thanks.

[>CoffeeRoasters]

Re: FZ-RR 700 Baby Roaster

Yeh about half turns back and forward holding the end of the long handle with your fiingers. Almost like a flicking motion, like clicking your fingers is how I can best describe it

[winemaker01]

Re: FZ-RR 700 Baby Roaster

How much did people pay for this device, ie the motorized version?

[cksyd]

Re: FZ-RR 700 Baby Roaster

380 introductory price

[flynnaus]

Re: FZ-RR 700 Baby Roaster

....200grams of China Hougu semi-washed. This is one bean that doesnt rate very highly for me compared to other beans in my stash

I had another just after 9am using a finer grind and the result was even better. It still doesnt lift my appreciation of the Hougu that much but the results from the FZ-RR 700 are certainly impressive.

I have had reason to re-evaluate this bean. The coffee I made this morning was sensational. As Mark suggested, it worked well with a tighter grind.

This bean now reminds of MTC: sweet with strong toffee (not coffee) characteristics. Very pleasant indeed and Ill add another thumbs up for this roaster.

[smiley=thumbsup.gif] [smiley=thumbsup.gif] [smiley=thumbsup.gif] [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Im looking forward to trying other beans that havent worked that well for me in the past and, more importantly, ones that have, using other roasters.

[beanflying]

Re: FZ-RR 700 Baby Roaster

Just touching on the chemical thing briefly it is common with Copper cookware to actually coat the cooking surface with Tin to prevent chemical/heat related reactions with foods while in use. In the case of this roaster fairly likely that due to the build up of coffee oils on the cooking surface after a few roasts that there is little to no interaction with the copper other than heat transfer in a similar manner to the Tin coating.

Cool toy too  8-)

When acidic foods are cooked in unlined copper cookware, or in lined cookware where the lining has worn through, toxic amounts of copper can leech into the foods being cooked.[2]. This effect is exacerbated if the copper has corroded, creating reactive salts.[3] Many countries and states prohibit or restrict the sale of unlined copper cookware

[A_M]

Re: FZ-RR 700 Baby Roaster

Just touching on the chemical thing briefly it is common with Copper cookware to actually coat the cooking surface with Tin to prevent chemical/heat related reactions with foods while in use. In the case of this roaster fairly likely that due to the build up of coffee oils on the cooking surface after a few roasts that there is little to no interaction with the copper other than heat transfer in a similar manner to the Tin coating.

Cool toy too  8-)

When acidic foods are cooked in unlined copper cookware, or in lined cookware where the lining has worn through, toxic amounts of copper can leech into the foods being cooked.[2]. This effect is exacerbated if the copper has corroded, creating reactive salts.[3] Many countries and states prohibit or restrict the sale of unlined copper cookware

Could the same be said for Ally ?  A couple of bake runs with crappy beans etc  

I was at a place where many fear to end up or go the; other weekend...  Some great urns that I could collect and swap out with the $25 roaster  

My gut feel was that I could, once again upset some or many if I proceeded... Bugger... There were some great urns that would have made a great roasting vessel  8-)

Once again restricted by belief systems  :

[rival81]

Re: FZ-RR 700 Baby Roaster

I dont really understand this thing. How does all the chaff and smoke escape?

[Koffee_Kosmo]

Re: FZ-RR 700 Baby Roaster

I dont really understand this thing. How does all the chaff and smoke escape?

I believe there is a smoke escape hole however the chaff stays inside with the beans

KK

[Bosco_Lever]

Re: FZ-RR 700 Baby Roaster

Chaff remains in the vessel.
Smoke exits via 3 holes in the handle. This handle fits into place into one end of the roaster (opp end to motor). Basically it is an enclosed system with no airflow.
Check out the video in the early pages of this thread.