I-Coffee roasting experiences

[sorrentina]

Re: I-Coffee roasting experiences

Ok- we can rule that out.

I did another test roast last night- I was extra careful in placing the chaff catcher and had no stoppages. I found that if you turn the agitator/spindle when you set the pot in place you can feel when it seats perfectly. When seated perfectly the roaster sounds smooth and quiet in operation- an indication that it isnt seated correctly would be if you can see the pot move a little as the motor runs- or if the motor sounds a little strained...

It could be that if it isnt seated perfectly it starts- but then stops when a bean jams and forces the roast pan to move a little.

This is only a theory- I know Wayne for instance was very careful in his pot placement but still encountered the problem- I will need to continue testing before I can be sure of anything. Also when a stoppage occurs the lights do blink- suggesting the issue could be electronic- however I think this is caused by the switch flicking on/off- resetting/terminating the timer.

If I can ask those that experienced this issue to take the extra care with pot placement and see if it helps.

Another thing: if you are roasting and have a stoppage- quickly open the roaster- pull out the pan and toss the beans a little to stop the ones on the bottom scorching. Replace the pan, jiggle into place and restart the roaster.

I need to do more tests- the only problem is I have too many roasted beans now! I will have to start selling them...

[samhighley]

Re: I-Coffee roasting experiences

I need to do more tests- the only problem is I have too many roasted beans now! I will have to start selling them...

Which is the reason I havent used mine since the weekend. A surplus of beans following my testing last weekend.

[trentski]

Re: I-Coffee roasting experiences

I have too many roasted beans now! I will have to start selling them... Wink

If you flood the market with all your iCoffee roasted beans you coul dput people like Andy out of business :-/

[Korax]

Re: I-Coffee roasting experiences

I have been experiencing the same issues with cutouts. Actually jumped on here to see if anyone else was having the same problem.

Wasnt a problem for the first ~8-10 roasts, doing a roast about twice a week.
The last 6 or so roasts since then it is stopping atleast 1-3 times each time.
First cut out is normally around 3-5min mark

I have not done any preheating

One thing that I will look in to more is the chaff catcher looks to not go all the way home easily after a roast - eg. half of it sits on top of the plate, the other side goes down the few mm.
Could it be as simple as the metal in the chaff catch expanding as it gets hot, which moves it up?
When it is cold its a tight fit but it seems to go home easier

[soviet]

Re: I-Coffee roasting experiences

The roast I did this morning did the usual reset but strangely enought stopped just after the first crack. I am wondering if anyone has taken the switch out and made it permanently active. That would then take out the pan reset theory.

[sorrentina]

Re: I-Coffee roasting experiences

I am still waiting for a reply from Korea. If I dont hear from them soon I start to get mad...

I did more testing on Waynes unit. First roast was fine- second roast stopped- when I reset it I turned off the power and then back on- then the roast finished without another stop- no problems at all.

Still not at all sure if it is the catcher or an electronic issue. Sincere apologies to everyone who has had this issue.

[Korax]

Re: I-Coffee roasting experiences

Bypassed the catcher switch and still cut. Definitely does not look to be the issue - assuming everyone is having the same problem

[oldbeamer2]

Re: I-Coffee roasting experiences

If I may make a suggestion, if youre having issues can you see if there is ANYTHING coming in between the heating plate and the pot?

I was having cutout issues and found very little bits of foreign matter ion the heating plate. I now clear the plate more regularly and havent had an issue since. Dont know that was the issue or not, its just another data point though.

I think the failure mode for this is that if the contact between the plate and the put isnt good the plate overheats and the device cuts out. A bit like a CPU with a badly fitted heatsink.

[trentski]

Re: I-Coffee roasting experiences

Could it be as simple as the metal in the chaff catch expanding as it gets hot, which moves it up?

I wait until it has cooled down before I remove the chaff collecter as it gets stuck when hot.

[Woopee]

Re: I-Coffee roasting experiences

Hi oldbeamer2,

I cleaned the heating plate after every roast. Brushed and vacuumed the thing and I still had stoppages.


Cheers.

[Korax]

Re: I-Coffee roasting experiences

With mine I noticed that sometimes when roasting it starts to get a bit more noisy, as if the motor is straining - anyone else have this?. This doesnt seem to happen before it cuts out though the two seemed completely independent. I believe the motor straining is actually from the base of the motor being pushed up against the circuit board.
I put a plastic washer as spacers where the circuit board gets attached to help prevent this
This image might help explain - i41.tinypic.com/2uei8ar.png
Well just did a roast without a cut out or any extra noise. Of cause not cutting off could be a coincidence at this stage - it was mainly to stop the motor strain. It is the first roast I have done without it cutting out since it started to do it ~12 roasts
Something putting pressure on the circuit board cant be good though

[samhighley]

Re: I-Coffee roasting experiences


Heres another video that I shot, showing the odd behaviour of the lights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqK5fBhGuO0

This makes me lean towards a circuitboard issue.

[argus]

Re: I-Coffee roasting experiences

Ive only had mine stop mid roast once (touch wood) so am watching this thread with interest. I have been roasting this afternoon and did notice that change in motor tone people are talking about.

...... I believe the motor straining is actually from the base of the motor being pushed up against the circuit board.
I put a plastic washer as spacers where the circuit board gets attached to help prevent this
This image might help explain -http://i41.tinypic.com/2uei8ar.png Well just did a roast without a cut out or any extra noise.......

Korax, if you happen to have it apart again for any reason some photos would be appreciated.

[jaybee]

Re: I-Coffee roasting experiences

I do hope that this can be resolved quickly - mine has never missed a beat, and it would be great if it turns out to be nothing more than a set of extra washers (sounds like a grinder shim issue!).

Its actually testimony to how nice a machine this is that everyone is trying to fix the issue rather than simply post them back from whence it came!

[sorrentina]

Re: I-Coffee roasting experiences

OK Korax accessed the place where he put the washers by removing the 4 screws in the base of the unit (underneath the rubber feet). I had a look inside- from what I can see I do not think the motor actually pushes onto the circuit board- it seems to me to be too rigidly mounted and with enough clearance. I placed silicon spacers (actually stiff seals) on the three posts that hold the circuit board. This lowered it another 3mm +/-. I ran a roast and it progressed well to that peachy color.. I was happy- I thought it had worked...

... then it stopped . I removed the pan (tossing the beans)- turned the machine off at the power- back on and restart. Roast went all the way through, no more stops, and is super looking.

Unfortunately it doesnt seem that Koraxs theory is the answer? I was really hoping the issue was as simple as an assembler forgetting to include 3 washers...

I will be placing some international calls later today if I dont get an email before sun up...