Hottop tipping/scorching

[chokkidog]

I think you've identified the problem, Brendogs.

Looking forward to hearing how the mod goes!

[niuginigold]

Hi Brendogs, I have been roasting on a HottopB for about 18 months. I generally load the beans around 75dg but have experimented up to 130dg to try and shorten roast time. Usually roast between 200-250gms and have always had very even roasts.

[brendogs]

Ok! So I've managed to get myself a strip of stainless steel which I folded into fins. I decided for my first attempt at this I would replicate the current miniature stock fins and not go with full length fins or anything like that. The fins are 25mm high off the barrel and have done a great job. The beans are spending much more time in the air rather than sitting on the drum base. I did hear a few beans getting jammed somewhere so I may have to manipulate some of the fins so they don't squash beans against anything.

So what were the results like? Great question!

I did an identical roast with 200g of Tanzania Machare Estate which in the previous roast had 100% signs of tipping and scorching. They cupped like crap and had a completely carbon aftertaste. Horrid!
This roast seems to have almost no tipping, I did spot one tipped bean but no others. The roast ran away from me in sections so I will cup it tomorrow afternoon and see how they compare but for my first go I was extremely proud of my little modification.

I will consider doubling the amount of fins and adding more on the opposite sides of the current fins.

All in all, can't be happier for my first roast on Prototype v1.

Have a look at the image below, you can see that I also added a little bend to scoop coffee off the glass face which worked fairly well. I took a video as well so I'll try upload that tomorrow.

[topshot]

Which model Hottop do you have?