Homebrewers Association | AHA Forum
Other than Brewing => All Things Food => Topic started by: hamiltont on January 15, 2012, 04:27:06 pm
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Using a hot air popcorn popper roasting 1/3 cup at a time ending up with 4 pints. Cheers!!!
(http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k566/tjhamilton/Coffee%2001-15-2012/DSCN2761.jpg)
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How long did that take?
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My hot air popper it too fast IMO. I'm probably 5 min or less when I use it. So his quantity would certainly be less than an hour.
I use a modified bread machine and a heat gun, my average roast seems to be about a half hour and I end up with about 1.5-2lb
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How long did that take?
I roasted these beans well into the 2nd crack (Vienna Roast). I didn't really time it but it was less than 5 minutes per 1/3 cup of beans. Keeping the cover on the popper and putting the popper in the bucket helps a lot. The cover deflects the heat to the bottom of the bucket so the popper is pulling in the heated air. The beans need to vent for a day or so before they can be sealed up in the jars. Our kitchen smelled soooo amazing this morning! Here's a link where I got my start... Cheers!!! www.sweetmarias.com (http://www.sweetmarias.com)
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That's cool. I don't really drink coffee though, it's just curiosity. Although home-roasting coffee for a beer sounds like fun.
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How did the coffee taste after brewing? I've often considered trying to roast my own coffee but never tried as of yet. It's the time factor at work.
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How did the coffee taste after brewing? I've often considered trying to roast my own coffee but never tried as of yet. It's the time factor at work.
It needs to rest for a couple of days and vent gasses but it tastes really good after that. I like my coffee black & strong, but low acid, so I choose low acid beans and by roasting well into the 2nd crack I can eliminate some acid that way too. The hardest part is locating a hot air popcorn popper that will do the job. Cheers!!!
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I've roasted coffee for years and have not purchased anything but green beans for well over 6 months. Tastes great! Decide what roast you like and then run with it. I experimented for years with varying roasts and finally determined we like Vienna best. I take it to 465F and then kill the heat and cool to at least 220F with spritzes of water. Then I let it cool the rest of the way, package in a bag which allows the gases to escape and then grind when I need more java.
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I took my $15 Poplite popper apart and modified it. The beans roast and stay in the roaster while the chaff flies away. Something to do outside for sure!
(http://www.ineedcoffee.com/06/airpopper/images/000_0026c.jpg)
(http://www.ineedcoffee.com/06/airpopper/images/000_0023c.jpg)
I'm a French roast man. I take it past 2nd crack and then dump into the colander to finish and cool. Let it degass for 12 hours. Home-roasted beans are far superior to what you can find for the most part out there.
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I took my $15 Poplite popper apart and modified it. The beans roast and stay in the roaster while the chaff flies away. Something to do outside for sure!
I think I've seen your pics before. Did you mention that the 3rd can probably wasn't needed. I'm thinking about doing the same thing.
Ya, definitely an outside sport. Roasting green coffee beans does NOT smell like what they smell like after they're roasted, plus the chaff makes a huge mess. Cheers!!!
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My setup looks like I am cooking meth or something. Just roasted a few minutes ago. Probably took 45 min start to finish because it is freakin cold outside...
(http://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/377131_309860642375349_100000542476583_1229709_13590086_n.jpg)
The bread machine stirs the beans, the heat gun roasts them, the fan blows the chaff and smoke away.
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I love it!
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Just yesterday on the NPR show Splendid Table they did an interview with Tom Owen of Sweet Maria's about home-roasting coffee. 'Made me want to look for the hot air popcorn popper that I haven't used in years to see if it is the cool kind.
I'm very tempted to try this, as if I didn't have enough to do already.
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Just yesterday on the NPR show Splendid Table they did an interview with Tom Owen of Sweet Maria's about home-roasting coffee. 'Made me want to look for the hot air popcorn popper that I haven't used in years to see if it is the cool kind.
I'm very tempted to try this, as if I didn't have enough to do already.
If you do it I'd be willing to bet there's a 99% chance you won't/can't stop.... ;)
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My setup looks like I am cooking meth or something. Just roasted a few minutes ago. Probably took 45 min start to finish because it is freakin cold outside...
(http://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/377131_309860642375349_100000542476583_1229709_13590086_n.jpg)
The bread machine stirs the beans, the heat gun roasts them, the fan blows the chaff and smoke away.
GENIUS!!!
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Just yesterday on the NPR show Splendid Table they did an interview with Tom Owen of Sweet Maria's about home-roasting coffee. 'Made me want to look for the hot air popcorn popper that I haven't used in years to see if it is the cool kind.
I'm very tempted to try this, as if I didn't have enough to do already.
If you do it I'd be willing to bet there's a 99% chance you won't/can't stop.... ;)
Then I had better not.
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Just yesterday on the NPR show Splendid Table they did an interview with Tom Owen of Sweet Maria's about home-roasting coffee. 'Made me want to look for the hot air popcorn popper that I haven't used in years to see if it is the cool kind.
I'm very tempted to try this, as if I didn't have enough to do already.
If you do it I'd be willing to bet there's a 99% chance you won't/can't stop.... ;)
Then I had better not.
Ahhh, but now you know you'll be missing out..... ;D That's the part the hooked me. Cheers!!!
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How did the coffee taste after brewing? I've often considered trying to roast my own coffee but never tried as of yet. It's the time factor at work.
It needs to rest for a couple of days and vent gasses but it tastes really good after that. I like my coffee black & strong, but low acid, so I choose low acid beans and by roasting well into the 2nd crack I can eliminate some acid that way too. The hardest part is locating a hot air popcorn popper that will do the job. Cheers!!!
Cold brew the coffee into a concentrate, cuts the acid big time, you lose some caffine but you can drink more! a good side effect if you need to control your caffine and love coffee.
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This is my rig but we need 2# weekly. Its been going strong for 3 years now!
http://www.genecafe.com/
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I bought this RS500 a year ago and have been roasting my coffee ever since.
http://www.williamsbrewing.com/FRESH-ROAST-SR500-ROASTER-STARTER-SET-P2572C91.aspx
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Sweet what is your fav?
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I've been roasting my own beans for about a year and half. I use a 14" wok and my turkey fryer base. It works well and was pretty cheap.
You don't have a lot of control over what roast you get bet I like my coffee dark and I've never found a way to get a City roast out of my setup. Full City and darker works fine.
Sweet Maria's is great to deal with. Very good beans, lot of variety and good service.
Paul
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I think you just need to pull the beans sooner to get City. They'll continue to cook so dump them out before they get to the color you want.
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Yep euge is right dump them sooner, I use a colinder on a box fan to cool them fairly fast.
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At one time I used a spritzer bottle with water to cool. Now due to the volume I roast I drizzle water into my bread machine till the temp reaches about 220F or so.
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Yep euge is right dump them sooner, I use a colinder on a box fan to cool them fairly fast.
I didn't have any trouble getting the beans cooled off this last time. It was 3deg. F while I was roasting them. 8^)
I'm still working out the right quantity to do at one time. 8oz. works okay to get a consistent color. 16oz. is too many at one time. Less than 8oz. makes too many batches when its this cold. A dedicated roaster is on my Santa (someday) list.
I might give the water spray a try.
Thanks!
Paul
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I started roasting many years ago with a Zach and Dani's roaster(now Nestle makes it), have burned up a couple of IRoast II units and am back to popcorn poppers. I have 2 poppers, I do a batch in each one Sunday morning, after lunch, late afternoon and just after dark .That gives us enough coffee for a week.
I let my roasted beans sit on a cookie sheet from Sunday evening until Monday(sometimes Tuesday) night, then they go into a glass jar. I can't even think of drinking store bought coffee, I,m even worse about coffee than I am beer.
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Awesome! I've been using the popper method for quite a few years now. The old poppery II that I had in the States was perfect. The one I got here in Belgium is a bit too hot, so I've worked out a more manual process. I turn the machine on and off while trying to roast the beans more slowly and sometimes dump the beans to let them cool slightly. I try to hold of first crack to around 4 minutes and finish up around 7, depending on how dark I want to go. I should note that I do like a pretty dark roast.
I remember tasting the first espresso I made after my first home roast. It was an "Oh my god!" moment.
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I like a strong caffeine buzz and roasting too dark will kill that, but with the small batches I roast I have great control. I may do 6 medium roast batches and 2 very dark, oily batches and blend them. I get the nice dark taste but still have all the jolt my body needs.
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Can you "freshen up" already roasted coffee? For example, I've got some light roast in the freezer. Would a couple minutes in the popcorn popper make it better without changing it too much? Sort of thinking along the lines of frying spices to bring out their flavour. Could the same thing work for coffee?
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Can you "freshen up" already roasted coffee? For example, I've got some light roast in the freezer. Would a couple minutes in the popcorn popper make it better without changing it too much? Sort of thinking along the lines of frying spices to bring out their flavour. Could the same thing work for coffee?
Disclaimer: I have never tried it, but have read about it in various articles & forums and it's about 50/50 yes/no. The "yes" folks say it's a totally different flavor than taking it to that roast level to begin with. I'd say try a small amount and let us know how it turns out. Cheers!!!
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Just have to say, this thread is great. I've looked for years at the roasters at Williams Brewing and thought that it was just too much of an investment for something that I might not stick with.
But after reading this thread and the info at Sweet Maria's, I'm heading down to the Walgreen's at the corner to buy up a couple of their poppers (if they have them) and give this a go.
Lucky for me, I just piped an outlet on my back porch, so I've got an ideal spot to roast and let my neighbors deal with the smoke and chaff!
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Just have to say, this thread is great. I've looked for years at the roasters at Williams Brewing and thought that it was just too much of an investment for something that I might not stick with.
But after reading this thread and the info at Sweet Maria's, I'm heading down to the Walgreen's at the corner to buy up a couple of their poppers (if they have them) and give this a go.
Lucky for me, I just piped an outlet on my back porch, so I've got an ideal spot to roast and let my neighbors deal with the smoke and chaff!
Check your local Thrift Store (Goodwill) first. I wasn't so lucky but I know some have been. I picked up 2 of the poppers on eBay for ~$12 each, and be sure they are the kind where the air is circulated through the vents around the perimeter of the bottom. Those are the preferred ones. Plus 1200 watts minimum. Cheers!
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Can you "freshen up" already roasted coffee? For example, I've got some light roast in the freezer. Would a couple minutes in the popcorn popper make it better without changing it too much? Sort of thinking along the lines of frying spices to bring out their flavour. Could the same thing work for coffee?
Disclaimer: I have never tried it, but have read about it in various articles & forums and it's about 50/50 yes/no. The "yes" folks say it's a totally different flavor than taking it to that roast level to begin with. I'd say try a small amount and let us know how it turns out. Cheers!!!
I have done this. Yes it does work. I've taken totally unusable store-bought beans and a little spin in the popper to darken them up made them into something much more acceptable.
Bear in mind you can do this in a skillet on the stove or on a baking sheet in a hot oven. Already roasted beans have lost their chaff and won't smoke nearly as much unless you really scorch them.
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Just have to say, this thread is great. I've looked for years at the roasters at Williams Brewing and thought that it was just too much of an investment for something that I might not stick with.
But after reading this thread and the info at Sweet Maria's, I'm heading down to the Walgreen's at the corner to buy up a couple of their poppers (if they have them) and give this a go.
Lucky for me, I just piped an outlet on my back porch, so I've got an ideal spot to roast and let my neighbors deal with the smoke and chaff!
I bought a third popper a few months ago trying to cut down on the time I spend roasting, but halfway through the first batch it quit and never came back on. I think the 2 I use are Pop-Lite, I'll check at lunch.
I roast on my back porch. My neighbor saw my 2 poppers one day and asked what I use them for in terms of homebrewing. I made him a cup of coffee, nest thing I know he's on his back porch roasting coffee in a popcorn popper.
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next thing I know he's on his back porch roasting coffee in a popcorn popper.
The quest for the perfect cup is contagious!!! Just like the quest for the perfect beer and the quest for the perfect BBQ.
Cheers!!!!
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(http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc412/jrdunne/IMG_0632.jpg)
(http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc412/jrdunne/IMG_0631.jpg)
Here's what I found at Target today. This looks like it's the right design to me. Unless I'm mistaken.
They didn't have any in stock, so I'd have to go back but it ain't far.
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That's on Sweet Maria's preferred list so it must work.
http://www.sweetmarias.com/airpop/airpopmethod.php (http://www.sweetmarias.com/airpop/airpopmethod.php)
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You guys are going to have me dissecting my air popper, aren't you?!?! (That or digging the bread machine out of storage and making sure the heat gun doesn't smell like linoleum....)
For the later steps: what sort of grinder is preferred? I've got a cheapy burr grinder, but I think the granule size may be less consistent than I get with a whirly blade. I also usually just brew drip, 'cause I'm lazy. Is there any advantage to roasting one's own coffee if one isn't doing french press?
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You guys are going to have me dissecting my air popper, aren't you?!?! (That or digging the bread machine out of storage and making sure the heat gun doesn't smell like linoleum....)
For the later steps: what sort of grinder is preferred? I've got a cheapy burr grinder, but I think the granule size may be less consistent than I get with a whirly blade. I also usually just brew drip, 'cause I'm lazy. Is there any advantage to roasting one's own coffee if one isn't doing french press?
I use a fairly inexpensive burr mill (Mr. Coffee) that I purchased from Target a while back. It seems to work okay for my needs. http://www.mrcoffee.com/Product.aspx?pid=8543 (http://www.mrcoffee.com/Product.aspx?pid=8543)
Cheers!!!
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I have this model grinder and love it.
(http://bakeryequipment.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/dsc01564.jpg)
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You guys are going to have me dissecting my air popper, aren't you?!?! (That or digging the bread machine out of storage and making sure the heat gun doesn't smell like linoleum....)
For the later steps: what sort of grinder is preferred? I've got a cheapy burr grinder, but I think the granule size may be less consistent than I get with a whirly blade. I also usually just brew drip, 'cause I'm lazy. Is there any advantage to roasting one's own coffee if one isn't doing french press?
I use a simple whirling blade grinder and run my coffee through a Mr. Coffee everyday. It is very much still worth doing, to me at least, over just dumping in Folgers. Like brewing equipment, it doesn't have to be fancy to be good.
Paul
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I have a starbuck burr grinder that was on ebay for $50. That's like a $100 off IIRC.
The MrCoffee can be adjusted to do a fine grind if you open it up and tinker with the gears.
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Even a cheap burr grinder will be better than a whirling blade. A decent grinder is the best coffee-related investment you'll make.
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Buy a good grain mill and repurpose your corona mill as a coffee grinder. That is what I did.
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Roasted my first batches last night in a snow storm while sipping a martini.
Awesome. Ground some this morning.
I jumped the thermostat today, too, so now I can get darker roasts.
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I jumped the thermostat today, too, so now I can get darker roasts.
Yes that makes quite a difference. Just be careful you don't melt it down. ;)
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No doubt.
It's frickin cold today though, so I'm not so worried right now.
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Roasted my first couple of batches today. Ordered up some Colombia Finca Buenavista from Sweet Marias and roasted it in the popcorn popper. I think I've roasted it up to about Full City. Maybe a little dark for the bean but we'll see tomorrow morning.
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I've found the suggestions made by most for the roast level don't suit my palate. Plain and simple I like a Vienna roast at 465F (IIRC)...YMMV
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Yeah, I really have no idea at this point what I'll like. This will be the first of what I'm sure are many experiments. But I ordered 4 lbs to start so I have some room to play around ;)
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Roasted my first couple of batches today. Ordered up some Colombia Finca Buenavista from Sweet Marias and roasted it in the popcorn popper. I think I've roasted it up to about Full City. Maybe a little dark for the bean but we'll see tomorrow morning.
Maybe I missed it...but what did you use to roast the beans?
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Maybe I missed it...but what did you use to roast the beans?
Nah, I didn't post what I used. I used a West Bend Air Crazy Popcorn popper. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036WS1GY/ref=oh_o02_s00_i00_details
It worked nicely.
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Maybe I missed it...but what did you use to roast the beans?
Nah, I didn't post what I used. I used a West Bend Air Crazy Popcorn popper. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036WS1GY/ref=oh_o02_s00_i00_details
It worked nicely.
That's affordable for sure.
Thanks!
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Maybe I missed it...but what did you use to roast the beans?
Nah, I didn't post what I used. I used a West Bend Air Crazy Popcorn popper. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036WS1GY/ref=oh_o02_s00_i00_details
It worked nicely.
Did it roast fine out of the box? I cut the thermostat out of mine, but I was roasting in a snow storm and below freezing temps.
This weekend, in mid-40s, it roasts to first crack in just under 5 minutes, which is much improved.
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Yeah, it worked fine out of the box. I did it indoors though. First crack only took about three minutes. After my first pot of it this morning I definitely need a darker roast on it. It's good, and the character of the coffee really comes through, but for my tastes it's too light.
I think I'll roast another batch to a darker level tonight and blend it with some of the lighter stuff.
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Indoors? :-[
Hopefully not in the house! I get a lot of smoke from mine and have never needed to bypass the thermostat. First crack in about 2-2.5 minutes.
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Yeah, I did it indoors. There was some smoke but not too bad. Didn't set off any alarms or anything and my wife didn't complain which is a good indicator. But since I'm going to be roasting darker I might move the operation out to the garage for the next batch.
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Indoors? :-[
Hopefully not in the house! I get a lot of smoke from mine and have never needed to bypass the thermostat. First crack in about 2-2.5 minutes.
When I want darker I just leave the popper on longer-I promise you it will get your coffee as dark as you want it. I had something distract me for a couple of minutes last month so I put the popper down. When I came back there was thick black smoke pouring out and the beans looked like tiny charcoal beads.
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Sounds like we got ya, I hope you enjoy the coffee that you roasted. Roasting consistantly with a popper takes alot of effort. good one ya!
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Sounds like we got ya, I hope you enjoy the coffee that you roasted. Roasting consistantly with a popper takes alot of effort. good one ya!
It's okay but for my tastes the roast needs to be darker. I'm going to run another batch through today and roast it a little longer.
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Sounds like we got ya, I hope you enjoy the coffee that you roasted. Roasting consistantly with a popper takes alot of effort. good one ya!
It's okay but for my tastes the roast needs to be darker. I'm going to run another batch through today and roast it a little longer.
Be sure to let the roasted beans rest for a couple of days before brewing too. A brown paper sack works pretty good for that. Cheers!!!
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an open bowl works well also. I can't wait to be discussing roasting profiles for my Kona, Just after the first crack, the half way between the first and second crack, just my opinion, Cool to roast your own
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I don't go a few days, I go a few hours on a cookie sheet to cool and then place in one of the bags which allows CO2 to escape until ready to grind which will be a day or two to a week.
(http://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/283020_220269054686389_100001098893821_569233_4607122_n.jpg)
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That coffee looks delicious. And I'm jealous of your stove.
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That coffee looks delicious. And I'm jealous of your stove.
+ 1 on both sentiments.
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I may roast coffee using a $15 converted bread machine and a heat gun, but I cook on a 6 burner 36" dual fuel Bertazzoni ;)
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I attempted to roast outside tonight. The ambient temp out there is around 38F. Roasted it for 25 minutes and I may have missed it, but I don't think I even heard first crack. The coffee was fairly dark but I did not get the results I was looking for.
Moved the operation back inside again and roasted another batch. About 4.5 minutes until first crack and went to 6 minutes total. This was much closer to what I was looking for. Nice dark roast, much more even. I think I can live with the small amount of smoke from indoor roasting, at least during the winter.
I was definitely under-roasting with my first few batches.
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What were the beans like? real oily past 2nd crack, slight oil in between cracks, no oil just past first crack!
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Well, I didn't hear any cracks. At the end they were pretty dark but no oil.
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I do find it takes longer outside with colder ambient temps. By the time I reach 465F the smoke is pretty dense so I could never roast inside. Get a thermo/thermocouple and measure the temp, then you won't have to listen. First is about 400F, second about 440F.
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Yeah, I can still smell it this morning. I need an alternative solution. My garage outlets are not conveniently located for the purpose but I guess my next attempt will be to run a short extension cord to the roaster.
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This is my thermo
http://www.sweetmarias.com/sweetmarias/coffee-roasters/roasting-supplies/digital-thermometer-with-thermocouple.html
I clip it so it will be in the beans measuring the outer bean temp. In my setup when it hits 465F I have the perfect Vienna roast and I then begin to cool.
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I attempted to roast outside tonight. The ambient temp out there is around 38F. Roasted it for 25 minutes and I may have missed it, but I don't think I even heard first crack. The coffee was fairly dark but I did not get the results I was looking for.
Moved the operation back inside again and roasted another batch. About 4.5 minutes until first crack and went to 6 minutes total. This was much closer to what I was looking for. Nice dark roast, much more even. I think I can live with the small amount of smoke from indoor roasting, at least during the winter.
I was definitely under-roasting with my first few batches.
When it's cold out I put the hot air popper in a ~3 gallon bucket (the kind you can get from the walmart bakery) and leave the popper top/deflector on so the air is redirected back down to the bottom of the bucket so it recirculates the hot air. Works like a champ.
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Finally located this excellent chart again.
George Steinert's Degree of Roast/Temperature chart:
Degree of Roast Temp
Green Unroasted 75
Starting to pale 270
Early yellow 327
Yellow-Tan 345
Light Brown 370
Brown 393
1st Crack Begins 401
1st Crack Under Way 415
City Roast 426
City+ 435
Full City 446
Full City+ 454
Vienna (Light French) 465
Full French 474
Fully Carbonized 486
Immanent Fire 497
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When it's cold out I put the hot air popper in a ~3 gallon bucket (the kind you can get from the walmart bakery) and leave the popper top/deflector on so the air is redirected back down to the bottom of the bucket so it recirculates the hot air. Works like a champ.
Hmm, that's a great idea. I'm going to give that a try. Thanks! It would probably work just as well with a homer bucket, right? Presuming the cord will reach.
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Hmm, that's a great idea. I'm going to give that a try. Thanks! It would probably work just as well with a homer bucket, right? Presuming the cord will reach.
Homer bucket would just mean your coffee would have more of an orange tint :)
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When it's cold out I put the hot air popper in a ~3 gallon bucket (the kind you can get from the walmart bakery) and leave the popper top/deflector on so the air is redirected back down to the bottom of the bucket so it recirculates the hot air. Works like a champ.
Hmm, that's a great idea. I'm going to give that a try. Thanks! It would probably work just as well with a homer bucket, right? Presuming the cord will reach.
Or a cardboard box or cooler or what ever. Just so the hot air is redirected to the bottom so it recirculates. Cheers!!!
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I considered the bucket thing, but haven't tried it.
Since I took out the thermostat in my popper, I can roast out doors just fine in freezing temps.
This past weekend it took me between 4 and 5 minutes to get to first crack. Snow was on the ground, but not falling.
I roasted for 7 minutes total and that was between 30 sec and 1 minute past the end of first crack.
The coffee this morning was deeelicious.
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I have 15lbs of unroasted sitting on my front step at home waiting for me today. I ran out of beans last week. :)
The Foldgers this morning was not really deliceeous. :-\
Paul
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I have 15lbs of unroasted sitting on my front step at home waiting for me today. I ran out of beans last week. :)
The Foldgers this morning was not really deliceeous. :-\
Paul
Folgers? FOLGERS? Oh man I truly feel for ya. To be honest I would have gone without. YUK! :o
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I have 15lbs of unroasted sitting on my front step at home waiting for me today.
How much do you roast at a time? How long until the green coffee beans start getting stale, or do they?
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I have not found green beans to go bad, some state to use in a year, I just haven't found it to be necessary. I'm probably roasting 1 - 1.5 lb at a time. One of these days I'll weigh it to make sure. I probably could roast 2X whatever amount I currently roast. What I roast always fills a 1/2 sheet cookie sheet (as seen in the earlier photo).
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I have 15lbs of unroasted sitting on my front step at home waiting for me today.
How much do you roast at a time? How long until the green coffee beans start getting stale, or do they?
In a popcorn popper I can roast about 1/3 cup of green beans at a time. As the beans roast they almost double in size. Cheers!!!
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I have 15lbs of unroasted sitting on my front step at home waiting for me today.
How much do you roast at a time? How long until the green coffee beans start getting stale, or do they?
Sorry for the slow response.
I usually roast 2 - 8oz. batches every two weeks. 15lbs will last me about 30 weeks. If stored properly (cool, dry and away from direct sun light) dried beans will last a very long time. I've never had any go bad on me.
Paul
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I run my beans to 330f for a good five minutes and roast at 446 for 4 minutes, and then 3 minutes at 465, and finish at 482 to just second crack or just before, when the smoke just starts.
Oddly enough I use my popper to heat my roaster during the winter, seems it doesn't start until the internals are at 68.
We go through at least 1# a week, so most beans are gone in less than 5 months, but green beans kept in a cool dry plase should last more than a year. IMO.
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Do you have a calibrated thermometer?
Second crack is around 440-445, not 480, but I do agree the smoke really starts to go around second crack.
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I rely on the thermometer on my roaster, gene cafe.
I think crack depends on the process rather than the temperature, but we are roasting in a differernt way. An apples to oranges roasting method.
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Nah, I didn't post what I used. I used a West Bend Air Crazy Popcorn popper. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036WS1GY/ref=oh_o02_s00_i00_details
It worked nicely.
I bought that model yesterday and tried it out. It was terrible. It did not have enough force with the air to move the beans at all. The outside ones starting burning in less than a minute and the inside never got hot. What wattage is yours. The one I got was only 1040 watts.
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Nah, I didn't post what I used. I used a West Bend Air Crazy Popcorn popper. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036WS1GY/ref=oh_o02_s00_i00_details
It worked nicely.
I bought that model yesterday and tried it out. It was terrible. It did not have enough force with the air to move the beans at all. The outside ones starting burning in less than a minute and the inside never got hot. What wattage is yours. The one I got was only 1040 watts.
I don't know off the top of my head but I think there's only one model like that so it's probably the same. I get pretty good bean movement. I'm using just under half a cup of green beans per batch.
My first couple batches, when I wasn't roasting long enough I did notice that the roast was a little uneven. The last couple batches that I roasted longer came out pretty even.
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Check out Sweet Maria's for a long thread about this popper. It's what I use and I'm getting good results, but I've only been at it for about a month.
Some of the suggestions are to stir the beans with a chop stick to keep them moving until they dry out. When they're green, they don't spin so much. Once they're brown they move better.
Another suggestion, which I've been following, is to shake the popper to move the beans around as they dry out. I'm doing this and getting a much more even roast. It also helps knock more chaff off the beans.
Some people have put a glass chimney on the popper instead of the plastic hood so that they can shake it better. I haven't done that. Yet.
Also, you'll get voltage drop if you're using a long extension cord or maybe a circuit with a lot of other appliances pulling juice. Apparently these poppers are pretty sensitive to that.
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Another suggestion, which I've been following, is to shake the popper to move the beans around as they dry out. I'm doing this and getting a much more even roast. It also helps knock more chaff off the beans
I roast out on my windy back porch most of the time and use the gentle shake method. This keeps the beans moving and as you say helps blow the chaff away. And some beans produce chaff like a spring blizzard.
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That's exactly how I do it. Out on the back porch and let the wind take the chaff.
The neighbors haven't complained yet.
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I was moving e beans with a wooden spoon. Some of the beans just go stuck in the vent holes. I was only using a 1/3 of a cup and i wasn't getting any movement. I'll have to try the shaking method.
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They don't move much at first with mine, either. I think they're too heavy until they dry out a bit.
If you don't agitate them as they're drying, you can get a very uneven roast.
Don't give up. I've been drinking some damn good coffee the past couple weeks.
Now I have to expand my bean selection. It would be nice if I could get some locally here in Chicago.
There's a local coffee roaster and the owner's kid goes to the same school as my eldest. I might try shaking him down, but then he'll know I don't buy his coffee...
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I rely on the thermometer on my roaster, gene cafe.
I think crack depends on the process rather than the temperature, but we are roasting in a differernt way. An apples to oranges roasting method.
I see, your roaster is probably measuring the temp of the roaster rather than emerged in the beans. I can certainly see that being much hotter than the bean temp.
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Roasted another 3 quarts of beans today along with smoking a turkey & a few brats. As they all "rested" in the kitchen I can't explain how unbelievable it smelled with all 3 of the aromas melding together. It was amazing! Cheers!!!
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Roasted another 3 quarts of beans today along with smoking a turkey & a few brats. As they all "rested" in the kitchen I can't explain how unbelievable it smelled with all 3 of the aromas melding together. It was amazing! Cheers!!!
I've actually come to detest the smell of resting coffee beans. i don't know why, but over the past 6 months it's gotten worse and worse. I still love the coffee, but not the smell of fresh roasted beans.
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Roasted another 3 quarts of beans today along with smoking a turkey & a few brats. As they all "rested" in the kitchen I can't explain how unbelievable it smelled with all 3 of the aromas melding together. It was amazing! Cheers!!!
I've actually come to detest the smell of resting coffee beans. i don't know why, but over the past 6 months it's gotten worse and worse. I still love the coffee, but not the smell of fresh roasted beans.
Oh man, that's most unfortunate... What do you think caused such an affliction? Cheers!!!
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Roasted another 3 quarts of beans today along with smoking a turkey & a few brats. As they all "rested" in the kitchen I can't explain how unbelievable it smelled with all 3 of the aromas melding together. It was amazing! Cheers!!!
I've actually come to detest the smell of resting coffee beans. i don't know why, but over the past 6 months it's gotten worse and worse. I still love the coffee, but not the smell of fresh roasted beans.
I have no idea, but I just leave them in the garage for about 24 hours now and then put them in a sealed mason jar. It's no big deal, I still can't imagine not having fresh roasted coffee. I even grind and vacuum seal enough for vacation if I'll be staying at a place with a coffee maker like a rental cottage or family member's house.
Oh man, that's most unfortunate... What do you think caused such an affliction? Cheers!!!
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Roasted another 3 quarts of beans today along with smoking a turkey & a few brats. As they all "rested" in the kitchen I can't explain how unbelievable it smelled with all 3 of the aromas melding together. It was amazing! Cheers!!!
I've actually come to detest the smell of resting coffee beans. i don't know why, but over the past 6 months it's gotten worse and worse. I still love the coffee, but not the smell of fresh roasted beans.
Oh man, that's most unfortunate... What do you think caused such an affliction? Cheers!!!
I can understand that. The smoke is quite pungent when you're sitting in the cloud roasting the beans. I also don't really like that level of aroma but once I start cooling and the smoke clears I'm back loving the smell.
Paul
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For those of you considering roasting your own coffee Menards currently has the Air Crazy Popcorn Popper on sale for $9.99 after and $8.00 rebate. That's a heck of a deal! It's 1040 Watts which isn't the most desirable (1200-1400 Watts) but a reviewer on AMAZON says he uses this popper successfully. Go to page 8 on the Menards link below for more details. Cheers!!!
http://menards.inserts2online.com/pageLarge.jsp?pageNumber=1&showFlash=true&fullScreen=true (http://menards.inserts2online.com/pageLarge.jsp?pageNumber=1&showFlash=true&fullScreen=true)
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For those of you considering roasting your own coffee Menards currently has the Air Crazy Popcorn Popper on sale for $9.99 after and $8.00 rebate. That's a heck of a deal! It's 1040 Watts which isn't the most desirable (1200-1400 Watts) but a reviewer on AMAZON says he uses this popper successfully. Go to page 8 on the Menards link below for more details. Cheers!!!
http://menards.inserts2online.com/pageLarge.jsp?pageNumber=1&showFlash=true&fullScreen=true (http://menards.inserts2online.com/pageLarge.jsp?pageNumber=1&showFlash=true&fullScreen=true)
This is one I just bought. I'm not sold on it yet. It doesn't have much air volume to move the beans around but someone mentioned using chopsticks to get them moving so they don't burn. Also, shaking might work.
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I rely on the thermometer on my roaster, gene cafe.
I think crack depends on the process rather than the temperature, but we are roasting in a differernt way. An apples to oranges roasting method.
I see, your roaster is probably measuring the temp of the roaster rather than emerged in the beans. I can certainly see that being much hotter than the bean temp.
It is measuring the heat at the front part of the chamber, to describe it it is like a hair dryer from hell. the glass of the chamber holds alot of heat so I think the beans get the actual heat but more of a wash of heat rather than the constant of a oven or the like. Like brewing beer it(time and temp) depends on the process.