Cleaning Hottop

[Clinto]

Has anyone pulled their hottop apart to clean it?

I have had mine for about 3 or 4 years now I guess. I have on two occasions pulled the back off and just vacuumed out the chaff, as well as doing it to the front.

I have no idea of the number of roasts it has done. Maybe i have put 25 kgs through it myself. But I did lend it to a friend for about 6 months while I was away, and I think he did give it a good workout. So he probably put 25 kgs through it too.

Anyway, I thought I would give it a polish and clean on the weekend. one thing led to another and before I knew it it was stripped right back, top cover off motor off etc. and a big pile of screws. There was actually a fair amount of coffee oil build up all over the motor housing, surprisingly thick, and everywhere else behind the actual drum. The electronics werent too bad, but I was surprised about the level of build up in it. (I didnt think to take an pictures sorry)

But a quick bath in espresso machine cleaner and a hit with a green scourer brought most of it back up. The motor i spent about 5 minutes scraping off.

Also there was a fair amount of chaff in the back of the roaster all amongst the electronics. Maybe just something to look out for if you have had yours for a while. They are fairly simple to get a part. Just unplug it and get yourself a magnetic tip phillips head screwdriver and go to work. i think there is even a parts diagram somewhere on the hottop website from memory.

Clint

[GrahamK]

Re: Cleaning Hottop

I have had my Hottop for about 20 months, and have pulled it apart a number of times (6 to date), and cleaned it along the lines you describe, except I clean the motor in-situ. In between, I also clean the drum and inside the chamber thouroughly. I also use expresso machine cleaner. I find the chamber cover also gets really layered with oils etc. So I can only imagine what yours looked like after 3 years. I have done 320 Roasts (80Kg) in that time.

GrahamK

[A_M]

Re: Cleaning Hottop

I have had my Hottop for about 20 months, and have pulled it apart a number of times (6 to date), and cleaned it along the lines you describe, except I clean the motor in-situ. In between, I also clean the drum and inside the chamber thouroughly. I also use expresso machine cleaner. I find the chamber cover also gets really layered with oils etc. So I can only imagine what yours looked like after 3 years. I have done 320 Roasts (80Kg) in that time.

GrahamK

I got one that was very dirty a few years ago... Post somewhere on CS and WARNING - Cleaning solutions will remove the RED warnings on the outer drum.


A: Added a mesh filter around the dump flap and the sides in the rear section

B: After a few roasts - Remove front door and Fan filter and blow with compressed air.


I just obtained another HT and stripped and soaked for 2 days to clean the drum and assorted parts.


As teh manual says - To reduce the chance of a fire YOU MUST clean the system at regular intervals. The issue is that some beans give off more than others. And with teh earler HT the tray is small and can choke with ease.

AM

[beanflying]

Re: Cleaning Hottop

Yes to stripping and cleaning my hottop on a regular basis. Done when I think it needs to be done fully and drop the rear housing with the fan off more often and blow out the excess chaff. Cafetto and a Nylon scrubber works well for me.