Shop coffee roaster advice needed 1-2kg LPG

[Bosco_Lever]

Dylano,

Another perspective.

What is the price difference between the self import roaster, and the unit that Mark at Coffee Roasters Aust sells? Is the difference worth the risk and the large amount of time required to learn the ins and outs of your machine, and then the craft?
I have purchased products from Mark, (not a 2kg roaster though), and find him to be a wealth of knowledge. When you buy from CRA, I am positive that you will receive lots of valuable information that will save you money (and time) in the long run. He is extremely knowledgeable and willing to help.
I value my time highly, and in this case would prefer access to someone like Mark for help, which will be needed. But that is me, and your circumstances are no doubt different.

Anyway, "nothing ventured, nothing gained" is very true. If you have the tenacity, long learning curves are a lot of fun, as well as frustrating and riddled with hidden costs.

Either way, good luck with your decision, and please post some pictures of your shiny new toy; when you get a chance.

[Dylano]

Good luck Dylano- you will need it.

I get calls each week or two from roasters seeking help. Most recent was a call from a bloke who trained with me some years ago and then disappeared. I had forgotten about him.

His self-import of a less common brand of roaster bypassed the Australian importer and he saved some cash. All went belly up when he found his roaster would need a completely new gas train to meet Australian regulations for gas compliance. He called me hoping that I could supply him all the technical information on my roaster in the hope he could use it. Sadly the line was really crackly and I couldn't hear him properly! The importer quite rightly told him to purchase a foreign language phrase book.

Buying a roaster which looks good is the easy part. Getting one which roasts well is a whole lot harder. Sadly almost all noobs to commercial roasting have little understanding of the dynamics.

I agree with Vinitasse. Whilst a small electric roaster might be possible, gas will be a whole heap harder and to assume that you can put a gas roaster on a boat from somewhere on the other site of the earth, hook it up, use it and get satisfactory results is one massive call.

Chris

Chris, thank you for the advise I will talk to coffee roasters Australia and see what the price difference is
your right in saying having local support is important. Unfortunately my budget is limited ultimately I'd rather buy a good second hand roaster but there so hard to find.