[Joe Sr.]

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.

[hamiltont]

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. 

[Joe Sr.]

No doubt.

It's frickin cold today though, so I'm not so worried right now.

[tygo]

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.

[MDixon]

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

[tygo]

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 

[bluesman]

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?

[tygo]

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.

[bluesman]

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!

[Joe Sr.]

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. 

[tygo]

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.

[euge]

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.

[tygo]

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.

[corkybstewart]

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.

[boulderbrewer]

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!