I-Roast 2 program question

[justintime]

I have been using a pop corn roaster for 2 years. 1st year stock, 2nd year modified to adjust the temp.
I finally broke down and ordered the I roast 2, Since Im in the US, I got one for $179 + 4lb of green beans. 8 - 1/2lb samples. Including shipping. I found out that Hearthware will not let the dealers discount the machine.

I have to say I really like this machine, nothing to get out and put away and a breeze to clean. Just start and watch. Although more noisy than a pop corn maker, until the speed kicks down during the 3rd phase.

My question is concerning the roast times and batch sizes. I have been roasting just 60gr batches to get a feel and develop my program. I have it dialed in now at 2 min @ 325, 2 min @ 375 and 1 min 45 sec @ 450. Now I want to do bigger batches. 60gr last me about 5 days.

Has anyone moved up in batch size and determined a time calculation? In other words instead of trial and error again, is there a rule of thumb to increase the times on each cycle to get say a 100gr or 150gr batch to come out close to the 60gr batch.

[sdg]

Re: I-Roast 2 program question

Ha! Ill bet anything you like its not going to be that simple!

First off, if it works like a popper then it ought to run hotter with more beans in, and your roast is already very fast. I think what you are suggesting is to stretch your current profile timewise so as to get the "same" result with larger batches. But this doesnt make sense -- your roast result will depend on your temperature gradient, so stretching the times will be a different roast.

On the other hand, the iR2 is supposed to be programmable with respect to temperature. Mine isnt (which is to say, I can program it, but itll make next to no difference to the result), so one very tempting suggestion would be to just try a larger batch and see what happens [smiley=evil.gif]
If it works as it "should" then you should get much the same result in the same time :

Or you could work on extending your 5 min 60g roasts; give yourself a bit more wiggle-room, then try more beans.

[justintime]

Re: I-Roast 2 program question

simone:
I also thought that my times are short compared to what I have read. I also figured as you, larger batches would be faster. I will take your advice and play some more. I will try stretching the lower temp out to get to approx 8 min.

thanks

[justintime]

Re: I-Roast 2 program question

It seems no matter what I do I cant get the temp past 6 min before the beans are too dark.
Today I tried a 60gr batch of robusto. I set the temp to 325 F at 10 min. After 8 min the temp on the machine read 350F which is always supposed to read lower than actual temp. The speed never did drop to a lower speed. I let it run until 8 min by then the beans were were too dark already starting to caramelize.
Do you think the machine is bad or is this normal?
I called Iroast today but they were already closed.

[sdg]

Re: I-Roast 2 program question

Poor beans! Your iR2 sounds like mine. Which I dont use any more for exactly this reason.

You now get to google. "iroast runs too hot", "iroast resistor mod", "iroast calibration" etc etc etc.

Some good links from when I was looking into this:

http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums/cof.../315866?Page=2
http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1176777753
http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums/cof...meroast/118101

I would presume doing any of this will void your warranty. Didnt you say your machine was almost new? Id be on Hearthwares doorstep demanding an explanation -- this is hardly a new problem, after all. Id love to hear what they have to say!

NB> Just in case you do start playing with the calibration resistor, note that it (or whatever you replace it with) must be a firm fit in its connectors -- if it isnt the machine can just stop dead in the middle of the roast -- not good!

[justintime]

Re: I-Roast 2 program question

Simone:
thanks for the post and links. I emailed I roast and will call them Monday. Its less than 1 month old. If they dont help I will do the resistor mod and post back with what ever I find.
thank you

[justintime]

Re: I-Roast 2 program question

Do you think I would be better off making the resistor mod or sending it back for a replacement that might have the same problem?

[hazbean]

Re: I-Roast 2 program question

I would advise doing the resistor mod. The behaviour you have is pretty typical,
so its quite likely any replacement you get will be no better.

However, having now done it a couple of times (simones second link
above), I would strongly recommend that you procure some of the
connectors first (see first link above for pictures and part number), take
the original out, leave it as is, and try different resistors in another
connector. That way you can avoid warranty problems, as you can
just put the original back in. Actually, as its a calibration resistor, and there
is on record an email from someone in Hearthware suggesting changing it,
its arguable that the mod voids the warranty anyway.

I know a source in Aus for the connectors, but you should find
something closer to home.

You will need to try different resistors. For that reason, I bought a variable
resistor  (linear 2k2 IIRC, been working in Singapore all weekend so dont
have it at hand to check) to try different settings before hard wiring. You
will need to run measurements like mine to check different settings, so
thermocouple installation is essential. I posted a pic of how to insert one
easily from the bottom (if you havent figured it out already).

Different resistor values work better for different machines and conditions.
I have seen reports of 1k2 through to 3k. 1k7 to 2k2 seem to be the most
typical though.

Lets know how it goes.

[sdg]

Re: I-Roast 2 program question

This is all excellent advice -- especially the bit about getting the right connectors before you start modding! (which I didnt, hence the warning above)

Re return vs mod -- Im afraid I was thinking more along "strategic" lines -- the more returns Hearthware get, the more likely they are to "get the message". Tho its been years, and they dont seem to have got any message yet -- except perhaps that if they put out something that nearly works, all those too clever for their own good coffeesnobs & geeks will set about improving it free-gratis! Who needs R&D? ;D

Guess it comes down to how much hassle it would be to exchange it, then still maybe have to mod the next one anyway :-/

BTW, Hazbean, do you happen to remember where you got those XHP-3 connectors? Tried Jaycar, but no joy.

[Dimal]

Re: I-Roast 2 program question

Heres one location for them Simone.....

Mal.

[sdg]

Re: I-Roast 2 program question

Thanks Mal

Google isnt my friend anymore...?

-- oh, there it is, further down the page. CE109. Sniff :-[

[justintime]

Re: I-Roast 2 program question

I have a connector and today Im going to do the mod.
If you have a RC store close those black 3 prong connectors they use on servos will work. They look a little different. More skinny and taller but the spacing is right and the fit.

[hazbean]

Re: I-Roast 2 program question

"...especially the bit about getting the right connectors before you start modding! (which I didnt, hence the warning above)"

Well yes -- thats how I figured out the advice

Thanks Mal, you found a different source. I could dig up the details
of mine in a day or two when I get home if needed.

justintime, take care with different connectors, check that they are a
really tight fit, and that the contacts line up, I had problems with
substitutes until I found the real thing.

[justintime]

Re: I-Roast 2 program question

thanks I will but that is my job I am an electronics engineer all day long.
I appreciate the help guys. I read all the links I could find although most are about the Iroast not the Iroast 2.
The Iroast has a different program setup according to Sweet Marias "In the early version of the roaster it alternated throughout the roast. In later versions - the fan speed alternates with the different stages of the roast only." In mine it comes on full speed and only goes down at the last stage. I will report back tomorrow.
thanks again

[Dimal]

Re: I-Roast 2 program question

Thanks Mal, you found a different source. I could dig up the details
of mine in a day or two when I  get home if needed.

Going back a few years when I was into R/C Aircraft, I used to get a lot of bits & pieces from the company above and thought it was worth a look...

Mal.