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View Full Version : Corretto roaster, or how to start roasting for less than $100.00


tedrodgerscpa
05-25-2011, 10:59 AM
All,

I have been espousing the virtues of a Corretto roaster for quite some time, and wanted to give a little push towards an alternative roasting set up that is a bit different than the SC/CO methods widely used by the DIY community.

First and foremost, the Corretto roaster was born here, and is named after the thread where it first appeared.

http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1154442377/0

Minimum requirements:

A bread maker (available widely at thrift stores, model does not matter)
A heat gun (available at hardware stores everywhere)
A scale (analog acceptable)
A metal colander

Extras, to make the roast more “scientific”:
Digital thermometer (k-type probe)
Digital scale
Microphone stand (to hold the heat gun)
Rewiring tools
Shop Vac ( for easy clean-up)

Pics of my set-up in the next posts.

tedrodgerscpa
05-25-2011, 10:59 AM
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee123/tedrodgerscpa/IMAG0003.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee123/tedrodgerscpa/IMAG0007.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee123/tedrodgerscpa/IMAG0005.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee123/tedrodgerscpa/IMAG0008.jpg

tedrodgerscpa
05-25-2011, 11:01 AM
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee123/tedrodgerscpa/IMAG0004.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee123/tedrodgerscpa/IMAG0006.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee123/tedrodgerscpa/IMAG0009.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee123/tedrodgerscpa/IMAG0010.jpg

tedrodgerscpa
05-25-2011, 11:02 AM
A minimum set up (bread machine @ $6.00, heat gun @ $20.00, analog scale @ $5.00) will get you roasting today, and has a capacity of 1 ~ 2 lbs of beans per roast. However, you won't be able to monitor the bean temperature. Also, depending on your bread maker, the "dough cycle" may not run long enough. Finally, you will have to hold the heat gun while it does its job, which can be a long time (20 minutes)

The "advanced" set up incorporates a k-type probe thermometer (almost necessary, but I have roasted without one - cost estimated @$25.00), a digital scale for more accurate measurement (and dual purpose should you decide to diet or deal drugs - cost estimated @ $12.00) and something to hold the heat gun (I used a desktop microphone stand - cost estimated @ $13.00)

tedrodgerscpa
05-25-2011, 11:03 AM
This is what my precious looks like when she's hard at work.

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee123/tedrodgerscpa/IMAG0011.jpg

I'd be more than happy to give more pointers if anyone is interested. Home roasting is a fantastic hobby, and is pound-for-pound CHEAPER than "Gourmet" coffee. I pay about $4.00 per pound for green beans and love the variation over Charbucks.

SvilleKid
05-25-2011, 11:14 AM
An interesting method I've not seen yet. Make sense to me as a probable method!

tedrodgerscpa
05-25-2011, 11:18 AM
IMHO, it provides a more even roast & has higher capacity (1-2 lbs) than a popcorn popper or SC/CO. I have roasted in both, but YMMV.

By far, finding a popcorn popper that is correctly vented is the cheapest method. The Corretto roaster has a slightly lower entry cost than an SC/CO.

Mr B
05-25-2011, 11:28 AM
Very cool. Does the Heat gun just blow the chaff out of the machine? Do you use it in your screened porch area or is that an open deck?

kydsid
05-25-2011, 11:34 AM
Wow that looks interesting. I was just debating the popcorn popper with cooker top roaster that I believe a site sells all put together for like 200 with cooler set up (its on sale this week). I think thats what your calling a SC/CO.

With the spike in coffee prices I have gotten very interested in roasting my own.

tedrodgerscpa
05-25-2011, 11:36 AM
Very cool. Does the Heat gun just blow the chaff out of the machine? Do you use it in your screened porch area or is that an open deck?

The heat gun blows the chaff between the wall of the bread machine and the pan, with a little escaping out the top. I have seen people craft aluminum foil gaskets to prevent "chaff fountains", but I don't see the need in my set-up.

My preferred beans are either decaf or Asian, which dont have as much chaff as Mexican/South American beans

And, yes, that is my screened-in porch. I would NEVER recommend roasting inside. The smell would linger for a very long time, and the billows of smoke would set off just about any smoke alarm.

tedrodgerscpa
05-25-2011, 11:39 AM
Wow that looks interesting. I was just debating the popcorn popper with cooker top roaster that I believe a site sells all put together for like 200 with cooler set up (its on sale this week). I think thats what your calling a SC/CO.

With the spike in coffee prices I have gotten very interested in roasting my own.

That is exactly what an SC/CO roaster is (acronym for "Stir Crazy / Convection Oven)

Sadly, the price spike is affecting green beans, too... However, to a lesser extent. Besides, once you go FRESH ROAST, it is damn hard to go back.

Chris.
04-06-2014, 07:54 PM
Bump, cuz I was just watching vids of different ways to home roast. A heat gun and drill (both of which I already have) attached to some type of drum was my initial choice, but this may win me over too. at approx. 1/2 cup of beans per roast with a popcorn popper, it's really not enough.

How long do you let your beans rest between roasting and grinding/brewing?

I saw a couple tutorials say you should wait a couple days for the bloom to settle down a bit...

tedrodgerscpa
04-06-2014, 08:16 PM
It's all a matter of personal preference. I've brewed beans fresh off the cooling tray, and I've waited 3-4 days. If you are French-pressing the coffee, give it two or three days to degas. Other methods (drip, moka, etc) are a lot more forgiving.

Chris.
04-06-2014, 08:55 PM
k. During the week, I brew 3/4 a pot of drip in the morning and take my 20oz press to work for an afternoon cup. I really need to get my hands on a 'cheap' ($50-$75) grinder that can give me consistent grinds in the coarse range. I don't care about making espresso(yet), so the majority of grinders out there aren't for me :(

tedrodgerscpa
04-07-2014, 02:25 PM
"Cheap" and "consistent" are mutually exclusive. You can either have cheap OR consistent.

With that said, given that you are doing either press or drip, a cuisinart or other general appliance manufacturer would make a machine that is adequate. Find a good price on any burr grinder, given those parameters. The moment you want to get more fancy, you'll need to throw $150~$200 at it for starters.

galaga
04-07-2014, 02:38 PM
"Cheap" and "consistent" are mutually exclusive. You can either have cheap OR consistent.

With that said, given that you are doing either press or drip, a cuisinart or other general appliance manufacturer would make a machine that is adequate. Find a good price on any burr grinder, given those parameters. The moment you want to get more fancy, you'll need to throw $150~$200 at it for starters.

I see you never met any of my old girlfriends.......:D

Hey Ted, long time no see. Looks like a neat set-up. Missed this the first time around. You should see Mike's new drum roaster set up. Maybe he would put it into another thread.


ps You still hold the record Bud.
;s

tedrodgerscpa
04-07-2014, 03:58 PM
I see you never met any of my old girlfriends.......:D

Hey Ted, long time no see. Looks like a neat set-up. Missed this the first time around. You should see Mike's new drum roaster set up. Maybe he would put it into another thread.


ps You still hold the record Bud.
;s


A record I hold PROUDLY!!!

I met some guys at a herf last year, and pnoon said "This is the guy who holds the record!"

They looked at me with sincere reverence.

It's good to be the king!

tedrodgerscpa
04-07-2014, 04:00 PM
By the way, drum roasters are really sexy.

Had a buddy offer me an old gas grill which I really wanted to convert into a drum roaster. Wish I had taken him up on it. Roasting 3 pounds at a time? No problem!

galaga
04-07-2014, 04:24 PM
He showed me a picture last Thursday. A converted toaster oven. Looked pretty cool. I'll talk to him about maybe posting something, Your Highness.

Chris.
04-07-2014, 05:09 PM
LOL!

Thanks for the tips ted. There's a fella from up north on youtube who recommended a krups and a cruisinart and showed a nice little sharpening mod to make them even better. I may go for one of them. Part of me wants to save money and buy a Skerton, but I've read too many bad things about its coarse consistency and bushings wearing out around the shaft...

I've also contemplated making a drum roaster out of a couple big ass colanders and some sort of fire element. Shouldn't too difficult since I have the means to weld something together.

tedrodgerscpa
04-07-2014, 06:04 PM
LOL!

Thanks for the tips ted. There's a fella from up north on youtube who recommended a krups and a cruisinart and showed a nice little sharpening mod to make them even better. I may go for one of them. Part of me wants to save money and buy a Skerton, but I've read too many bad things about its coarse consistency and bushings wearing out around the shaft...

I've also contemplated making a drum roaster out of a couple big ass colanders and some sort of fire element. Shouldn't too difficult since I have the means to weld something together.

A skerton sounds like a great idea until you crank that M.F. about 10,000 times, and then you hate it.

I have a vintage hand grinder that I hate with a passion. It makes a great grind, but I hate it.

My guess is krups or cuisinart will get the job done. Just expect to upgrade should you want to dabble in espresso / turkish / pour-over. Hell, anything listed as a 'burr grinder' on buy.com, w00t, groupon, living social, whatever should do the job. That way you're not blowing your budget.

A 'decent' grinder will run about $175 to start, and the sky is the limit. If you're gonna go cheap now, might as well go really cheap. Just my :2

tedrodgerscpa
04-07-2014, 06:06 PM
He showed me a picture last Thursday. A converted toaster oven. Looked pretty cool. I'll talk to him about maybe posting something, Your Highness.

Sounds just like a Behmor! I love DIY.

Sr Mike
04-13-2014, 01:08 PM
Thanks Rick,

I started a thread on my roaster to not distract from Ted's.

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?p=1952204#post1952204

Chris.
04-13-2014, 03:18 PM
A skerton sounds like a great idea until you crank that M.F. about 10,000 times, and then you hate it.

I have a vintage hand grinder that I hate with a passion. It makes a great grind, but I hate it.

My guess is krups or cuisinart will get the job done. Just expect to upgrade should you want to dabble in espresso / turkish / pour-over. Hell, anything listed as a 'burr grinder' on buy.com, w00t, groupon, living social, whatever should do the job. That way you're not blowing your budget.

A 'decent' grinder will run about $175 to start, and the sky is the limit. If you're gonna go cheap now, might as well go really cheap. Just my :2

Ted I ordered a Skerton. Going to replace the crank with a hex nut and use a drill on a slow setting to grind the beans. This should keep the center burr more centered during coarse grinding for my French press. If it still has issues I'll buy the bearing upgrade from orphan espresso. This grinder is apparently awesome for all types of grinds. It's only downfall is that it's manual. A drill or electric screwdriver should fix that. Lol