RK Drum - 4lb (2 kilo)

[fatboy_1999]

So a few weeks ago, the voice in my head says "With the $AU being better than the $US, perhaps buying an RK drum from the states is a possibility.

Since there were no dissenting opinions, I went ahead and contacted them regarding a price for postage. When the estimate came back at what I thought was a reasonable amount, I went ahead and ordered it.

I ordered on the 16th November and the drum arrived on 7th December. Pretty good coming from the USA I thought.

So off to hardware store today. Unfortunately, my existing rotisserie rod was a tiny bit too big for the new drum, so I got one today that fit. Hooked it all up and did a 1.5kg roast of Peru Ceja de Selva to ease into things.

Went pretty well. I think I will need to pay more attention around first crack now as the increased bean mass could get away from me a bit quicker I think.

I also need 2 bean coolers as the roasted output is too big for one. I had to bring out my old one until I get my act together and build a second white tub/extractor fan version.

All in all though, first roast was a success.

Some pictures:

[Mischa]

Re: RK Drum - 4lb (2 kilo)

nice! how much was shipping?

[Andy]

Re: RK Drum - 4lb (2 kilo)

Wow, it looks huge against ol faithful.
Good stuff!

increased bean mass

Yep, you will chase your tail for a while as everything you learnt on the original roaster will be different on this one. Like learning to walk again but you will get up to speed pretty quick.

Dont be scared to roast longer. If you double the roast volume and add enough heat to roast in the same time you might find the beans tip or scortch. A few minutes longer overall might yield a better result in the cup.

Enjoy the journey!

[fatboy_1999]

Re: RK Drum - 4lb (2 kilo)

nice! how much was shipping?

Approx. US$80

[Beanz.]

Re: RK Drum - 4lb (2 kilo)

Stumpled on this today, it is aimed at the BBQ & camping market. It does not have a hinged side plate like the RK to release the beans but it is lower cost and Australian made. Some simple mods could be made to adapt it as required. It is made of stainless and the hole size looks to be acceptable for most beans

[dabbler]

Re: RK Drum - 4lb (2 kilo)

Stumpled on this today, it is aimed at the BBQ & camping market. It does not have a hinged side plate like the RK to release the beans but it is lower cost and Australian made. Some simple mods could be made to adapt it as required. It is made of stainless and the hole size looks to be acceptable for most beans

When I was shopping for a new BBQ last year I also found this product. Because,  well, everyone like to accessorize dont they !? I recalled it when this thread started but couldnt find it again because I didnt purchase for various reasons.

Whats more interesting to home roasters, is this company also sell adaptor rings for kettle BBQs that increase the internal volume substantially as well as providing mounts for the rotisserie.

[Beanz.]

Re: RK Drum - 4lb (2 kilo)

adaptor rings for kettle BBQs

The adaptor ring sounds interesting but I cannot find them on the web site maybe the range has been dropped ?
The drum looks like a good entry to BBQ style roasting. They also have a motor and mounting shaft available for the drum. Easy mods would be "Paddles" internally to move the beans around and a handle on the removable end but that should be quite easy to do

[trentski]

Re: RK Drum - 4lb (2 kilo)

The link should be OK as they dont compete with any of the sponsors, the BBQ in the pic is just for show, the ring sitting on the BBQ and motor etc is whats for sale
http://www.joesbbqs.com.au/weber-charcoal-kettle-rotisserie-p-1307.html

[fatboy_1999]

Re: RK Drum - 4lb (2 kilo)

It doesnt look like it has anything on the inside of the drum.

It would need to have something added to deflect/agitate the beans during roasting.

Id also want to measure the holes. They look quite large to me.

Certainly worth a look though. How much was it selling for?

Brett.

[Beanz.]

Re: RK Drum - 4lb (2 kilo)

It would need to have something added to deflect/agitate the beans during roasting.

I totally agree and noted that in my comments below but it would be very easy to mount something internally & no drilling required other than in the paddles which is good as drilling stainless can be an issue. The holes seem OK, maybe smaller beans need to be checked, I think the majority of the beans I have used would be ok
At $82 it is worth having a play

Trentski indicates it is ok to post the link so here we go.

http://www.auspit.com/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=2

In the the larger drum it would be harder to control the temperature as it is longer but I guess it depends on the set up you have, the shorter one looks better suited. The instructions advise not to go over 8.8Kg on the spitbar!!!! Clearly not the coffee rating

The Spitmount Kit would be a quick mounting solution but I guess changing the motor would be necessary to optimise the rotation speed

Anyway I thought it would be of interest to a few people, I might need to grab one and have a play !

[dabbler]

Re: RK Drum - 4lb (2 kilo)

If you start with a drum without vanes/agitator, Ive always fancied the idea of making up a removable bracket or brackets to fit internally and mount the vanes on bracket rather than modify the drum itself. Something like square cage inside a round one.

Working on a flat, square or box  bracket on a workbench would probably be easier than working on the inside of a drum intended to roll and rotate, and definitely easier to modify vane shape, size and position.

Ive always liked the idea of reversable mods.

[Beanz.]

Re: RK Drum - 4lb (2 kilo)

It would need to have something added to deflect/agitate the beans during roasting.

Hi Brett I would be interested in your thoughts on how many paddles you would consider optimum. I am wondering if 2 paddles running along the length of the drum opposite each other would be enough or if 3 or 4 evenly spaced around the drum would mix the beans better.  Maybe the Behmor sytle paddles would offer better mixing? It is a bit hard to judge without any previous experience with this type of drum or BBQ roasting. It seems from the photos that RK seem to have four in the 6lb drum but I cannot see any indication of how many in the 4lb

Id also want to measure the holes. They look quite large to me.

I tried a small qty of Yemen Mocha Ismaili and Ethiopian Harrar Longberry beans which are the smallest I had and they did not fall through the holes. I was told the hole size and if my memory is correct the holes are 4.2mm +/- Broken beans may be a different story.

In reading previous posts it seems wiper motors are used to drive the drum, do they tend to run at a suitable rpm or do they need a gear box ? BBQ motors appear to be too slow

[fatboy_1999]

Re: RK Drum - 4lb (2 kilo)

I have 4 straight ones in both drums. The RK is built so there are no places for the beans to get caught. All roasts thus far have emptied out clean. Very impressed by that. The older drum did hang on to a small number and needed a clean out every now and then. As for a motor, yes the windscreen wiper motor runs at a far higher RPM than the BBQ rotisserie motors. I believ mine is from a Ford Escort and just needs 12V power and I am good. I have heard of others getting a motor for the back wiper and it oscillates rather than spins one continuous way, so you certainly dont want one of them.

[Beanz.]

Re: RK Drum - 4lb (2 kilo)

Thanks for the feedback that saves messing around trying different options

[alan3016]

Re: RK Drum - 4lb (2 kilo)

Hi Brett,
I am considering the RK 4lb drum.

Are you still happy with the drum and have you been able to do a 2kg roast sucessfully?

Did you think about the combo kits RK offer?

Do you measure bean mass temperature, or only the air temp in BBQ?


Thanks
Alan