I-Coffee roasting experiences

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

Re: I-Coffee roasting experiences

Cheers Jack. No sign of oil on either roast. My problem I suspect is working out when 1st crack has stopped. Might be easier when I do it inside (there was a fair bit of breeze yesterday and other noise). Will get a new battery for torch too so I can see inside the roaster a bit more clearly.
BOSW.

[sorrentina]

Re: I-Coffee roasting experiences

if you have no visible oil spotting- I would say neither roast would be over-done. First crack tends to fade out slowly- there is usually a gap of 2 to 5 minutes and then the first snaps of second crack can be heard. This is my favorite point to terminate a roast. Definitely use a torch or lamp and expect the beans to actually by one roast level lower than they appear to be.

Also if you ever remove a bean too early- you can put it back in and restart and finish the roast.

Happy roasting!

[trentski]

Re: I-Coffee roasting experiences

250g roasted for 19 minutes should be OK, my roasts tends to take longer than that.

I would give the Peru another try it has a pretty loud crack so is easier to hear, you will also see the beans would have expanded so you cant see the top of the stirrer, thats about the end of first crack.

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

Re: I-Coffee roasting experiences

250g roasted for 19 minutes should be OK, my roasts tends to take longer than that.

I would give the Peru another try it has a pretty loud crack so is easier to hear, you will also see the beans would have expanded so you cant see the top of the stirrer, thats about the end of first crack.

Thanks Trentski. Will certainly give it an another go (as I quite like these ones when I get them brown from Andy). The beans over top of stirrer make me think I missed the end of 1st crack.....will pay closer visual attention when I get some more beans. Looking forward to trying what I roasted anyway.

Cheers

[Mariner]

Re: I-Coffee roasting experiences

Thanks Trentski. Will certainly give it an another go (as I quite like these ones when I get them brown from Andy). The beans over top of stirrer make me think I missed the end of 1st crack.....will pay closer visual attention when I get some more beans. Looking forward to trying what I roasted anyway.

Hi Barry,
I am pretty new to this as well, but I have found (as those who know more than me advised me on this post) that by looking at the colour of the beans it isnt as critical about hearing the cracks. Of course I try to listen for them - as part of the learning process - but colour is always my fall back and it hasnt failed me yet.

Enjoy your roasting mate.
Regards, Frank (Mariner).

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

Re: I-Coffee roasting experiences

... I have found (as those who know more than me advised me on this post) that by looking at the colour of the beans it isnt as critical about hearing the cracks. Of course I try to listen for them - as part of the learning process - but colour is always my fall back and it hasnt failed me yet.

Thanks Frank. Sounds like good advice. I probably didnt help myself by starting outside in variable light. Hopefully wont be doing too many outside as winter approaches here (though the chill will be handy for cooling the beans I suspect).
Cheers
BOSW

[Mariner]

Re: I-Coffee roasting experiences

Hi All,
My first iCoffee post roast blend was done - Columbian & Peru Wilds. Both CS9 and both 50:50......... Very nice but, being the caffeine addict that I am it was started (250g) at day 3 and finished by day 5.5.

It was really improving - cant really give notes on it except to say that it was delicious and definitely getting smoother?..... needed a little something else though. Roasting your own is really fun but, unlike other interests and hobbys one may have, roasting is spurred on by not only enjoyment but also the wonderful caffeine addiction - reward at the end of the process.

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

Re: I-Coffee roasting experiences

Well, had another go this morning (roaster in kitchen, cooling outside). 150g of Panama Casa Ruiz that came in sample bag.

1st crack start 11.15
1st crack finish 13.35 (maybe a touch earlier)
Pulled 14.45 2nd crack definitely starting just as I was pulling it.
Photo attached. No idea what roast level to aim for with this bean, but seemed to work ok.

[DavidW1960]

Re: I-Coffee roasting experiences

They look really nice Barry.

[lupus]

Re: I-Coffee roasting experiences

Sitting not so patiently waiting for my set up to arrive. Was hoping to get t before the Easter break, but that was not to be.

However, while waiting, I might as well try to get my set up ready. Trentski, I like the sieves you are using with the bean cooler. What is the diameter of the sieve? Might as well try to pick some up before next weekend.

Also, coffee storage post roast. Straight into the bags with a one way valve after cooling? Or allow to sette first?

Finally, I know Sorrentinacoffee provides some starting greens, but any suggestions as to good Beans to start with. I am yet to have as refined a palate as some of the CS here, but I am partial to a coffee with strong chocolate and nutty notes.

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

Re: I-Coffee roasting experiences

Thanks to David for his kind reflection on my beans.

However, while waiting, I might as well try to get my set up ready. Trentski, I like the sieves you are using with the bean cooler. What is the diameter of the sieve? Might as well try to pick some up before next weekend

Hi Lupus,
If its any use to you, the diameter of the cooling fan section is 13.2cm (inside rim to inside rim) or 15.5cm (outside rim to outside rim), and the whole unit is approximately 16.6 cm square.
Cheers
BOSW

[sorrentina]

Re: I-Coffee roasting experiences

Sorry the roaster didnt make it in time for the Easter weekend- it will arrive on tuesday I expect.

"Also, coffee storage post roast. Straight into the bags with a one way valve after cooling? Or allow to sette first?"

I use glass jars- I much prefer them to the bags. I let the beans sit for half an hour usually before jarring them... The bags never seem to be really airtight (to me)- and Id rather clean a jar than a bag. I (mostly) use smallish jars- so that I get to open a new one every few days. This way my other beans continue to rest and mature undisturbed... You get a nice hiss and pop when you crack them open (if the lids are good)- and the smell of the coffee at that point is the pinnacle of bean sniffing experiences...  8-)

[lupus]

Re: I-Coffee roasting experiences

BOSW,
Thanks for the measurements. Will probably use the outer to outer rim measurement so te seve can sit comfortably over the fan. But this means I can go shopping this weekend.

Sorentinacoffee,
No worries re delivery. I should have placed the order earlier, but my funds only cleared early in the week.

With regards to storage in a glass at, I assume you are using airtight jars? Does the pat rats degassing create any issues? Or s it a matter of using larger jars where the gas created will not create pressure issues in the jar?

[sorrentina]

Re: I-Coffee roasting experiences

pat rats?

Are you suggesting the glass jars might break? I use small and large and never though of it. No problems with either size.

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

Re: I-Coffee roasting experiences

Does the pat rats degassing create any issues?

Come on Lupus, put us out of suspense......what are the pat rats (a bunch of Pat Rafter revivalists?)?

I hadnt considered using sealed jars because I was led to believe that the freshly roasted beans need to de-gas (and that this is the point of the one-way valve). What Im currently doing is putting the roasted beans in a sandwich bag / freezer bag and putting this bag (open) inside a ziplocked bag with 1-way valve. Then just chuck the sandwich bag (which cost a few cents each) when finished. Got the idea on this site....shouldnt be hard to find the thread that discusses it.