What are you roasting today?

[Mr B]

Originally Posted by Chainsaw13

Thanks Mark, I'm reading right now about how much to roast each batch. Next time I'm going it increase the bean weight and see how it performs. The videos on SM's talk about just under half a cup, which is what my weights were at. But everything I'm reading says use 2/3 to 3/4 cup, or up to 4oz.

Temps are still low here, in the mid 30's to low 40's. Even with the propane heater going in the garage, it still doesn't get that warm. Guess I should do something about all those gaps in the walls.

Here's what I do:
Before starting the Air Popper, put in in a box that is just a few inches larger in diameter than the popper. The height of the box should come up to just under the throat of the popper. Start your regular roast cycle. once you notice that the roaster does not seem to be getting any hotter (or as hot as you want) plug in another popper and have it blowing into the box that the first popper is in. This additional hot air will increase the temp very nicely.
Without this, my poppers during the winter time, can barley get the beans to first crack.

Here is my roast cycle:
Start the first popper. Let it run for 6-8 minutes. Plug in the additional popper and get it up to first crack. Once first crack gets going I unplug the second popper and let first crack ride for a minute or two.
Then I plug back in the second popper and bring it up to whatever level I want it to finish at.

The second popper can just be any ol style popper. I use an easy to find, cheap one that has the vent at the bottom. All you are using it for is extra hot air.