Popcorn Popper Coffee Roasting

[floydpink]

I'm a babe in the woods when it comes to roasting, but at this point, the Freshroast plus8 was 80 bucks well spent and I have now roasted a dozen times with great success and am drinking a latte from the CCM Costa Rica hardbean as I am reading this thread and am in, uh, nirvana.

Granted, the Freshroast roasts in small batches, but that seems to be a plus for me as I enjoy watching the roast and do it every 2-3 days now.

[germantown rob]

Originally Posted by floydpink

I'm a babe in the woods when it comes to roasting, but at this point, the Freshroast plus8 was 80 bucks well spent and I have now roasted a dozen times with great success and am drinking a latte from the CCM Costa Rica hardbean as I am reading this thread and am in, uh, nirvana.

Granted, the Freshroast roasts in small batches, but that seems to be a plus for me as I enjoy watching the roast and do it every 2-3 days now.

I was under the impression you went with the i-roast. Keep putting some money aside for a big boy roaster since I get the feeling you will get into this end of the hobby and wear the freshroast out in less then a year.

I will stick to my guns and say there is no better purchased home roaster then the Hottop B. There is the Quest M3 roaster that is stirring up interest so it is also something to keep an eye on. Looking at the price of these roasters scares most people away but after wearing out a Behmor in 6 months of heavy roasting I knew I needed something that could stand the test of time, 2 years into the HT B and a few mods the thing is bullet proof and anything that can go wrong is easily replaced at home.

[floydpink]

Nah, switched to the Freshroast last minute.

Figured it would take longer, but I am already looking at Hottops...

Not scared.

[raisin]

Originally Posted by germantown rob

I will stick to my guns and say there is no better purchased home roaster then the Hottop B. Looking at the price of these roasters scares most people away but after wearing out a Behmor in 6 months of heavy roasting I knew I needed something that could stand the test of time, 2 years into the HT B and a few mods the thing is bullet proof and anything that can go wrong is easily replaced at home.

Even though my Behmor has almost lasted two years of Hard roasting, I have to agree.
That is where the cheap air-poppers have true value - such a small investment is easily tossed aside when you want/need/evolve to upgrade.

[kenstogie]

I will definatley try it also. I didn't know it was an option but will definately give it a shot. What kind of beans should I get for the first attempt?

[germantown rob]

Originally Posted by kenstogie

I will definatley try it also. I didn't know it was an option but will definately give it a shot. What kind of beans should I get for the first attempt?

It is worth a try since almost everybody has the equipment to pan roast anyway.

As for selecting beans... I think sweet maria's descriptions can help to find a flavor you like to help choose.

http://www.sweetmarias.com/prod.greencoffee.mvc.php

I would suggest for new roasters to look for beans that can handle a variety of roast levels as well. By choosing a bean that can take city+ to full city+ will let you discover the sounds and smell and colors and still have a drinkable cup. To roast a coffee that is limited to a smaller window of roasts before you even know what the level of roasts look, smell, and sound like is more likely to give a bad cup.

As for peaberry beans SM's has 4 of them right now. Peaberry is just a bean that is easier to roast in a pan but is also a tad more expensive so it may be worth picking as I suggest above for a while.

Btw I am not saying pop corn poppers can't do the trick and with simple mods like a couple of 100 foot extension cords you can play with the voltage to the heating element or to add a dimmer switch would improve what it is capable of. Every popper even the same ones will vary so some that love this method and moding will buy 6 poppers to pick the one that best fits their needs.

Roasting your own opens up the entire world of beans you can get and allows full control of the roast level. There exist roasters that will roast this way for you but it costs a pretty penny. Hell I still buy roasted beans once in a while to keep me honest about my own roasting so I don't mind paying $38 plus shipping for 2lbs.

[trogdor]

I started with the popcorn popper method, but quickly moved on. I use the heat gun/dog bowl method now. Easy, more control over the roast, very little extra equipment needed. Needs to be done outside or on the porch or something, though. I have a nice large metal dog bowl, put the beans in, put it on my gas grill with the gas on low, and then fire up the heat gun. I roast on low for ~3 and 1/2 minutes, then switch to high until done. Stir constantly with a metal spoon (wrap the handle and your hand in a towel to avoid burns). The roast can be slowed down by moving the heat gun a little farther out, and sped back up by bringing it in closer.
One tip: if you roast with the heat gun completely vertical, it will get very hot and eventually poop out. The heat gun needs to be angled so the whole body isn't directly over the bowl. If the handle of the heat gun starts heating up a lot, readjust the position. Also, get the extended warranty on the heat gun if you can. Roasting is hard on them. In my experience they tend to last a bit over a year if you roast several batches a week.

[kenstogie]

When I went shopping at Sweet marias I noticed they rate the roasting range in "city" ranges which may be confusing to some.

city=lighter roast
city+=slightly darker
Full city=dark roast

If I am missing something let me know, like where does french roast and espresso roast fit in to the scheme of things?

[germantown rob]

Originally Posted by kenstogie

When I went shopping at Sweet marias I noticed they rate the roasting range in "city" ranges which may be confusing to some.

city=lighter roast
city+=slightly darker
Full city=dark roast

If I am missing something let me know, like where does french roast and espresso roast fit in to the scheme of things?

Roast levels and pics

What do you like to drink now? Even if you like Charbucks french roast I won't think any less of you, but as you can see when looking to choose some beans there are many to choose from.

[OLS]

I agree with Rob on this one, if roasting your own coffee succesfully is all down to
hearing certain audible clues, you don't need an air popper fan covering up the clues.
I have never roasted my own coffee, but I DO KNOW that air poppers are not even good
at popping corn. A whole lot of popcorn that salt won't stick to. It might be fun for a few
raosts, but I would think if you have a goal, and a goal by the way that is not necessary
to enjoy the final product, coffee, I would save my money for that goal and wait it out to
get something purpose-built.

Originally Posted by OLS

I agree with Rob on this one, if roasting your own coffee succesfully is all down to
hearing certain audible clues, you don't need an air popper fan covering up the clues.
I have never roasted my own coffee, but I DO KNOW that air poppers are not even good
at popping corn. A whole lot of popcorn that salt won't stick to. It might be fun for a few
raosts, but I would think if you have a goal, and a goal by the way that is not necessary
to enjoy the final product, coffee, I would save my money for that goal and wait it out to
get something purpose-built.

popcorn poppers do an outstanding job at roasting coffee, so good that some never move on to something else.

[germantown rob]

Originally Posted by Resipsa

popcorn poppers do an outstanding job at roasting coffee, so good that some never move on to something else.

Vic, are you saying an unmodded popcorn popper can roast with an experienced user as well as a Hottop or any machine that gives full control over profile.

[kenstogie]

I must admit. Sometimes I like Charbucks but sometimes I also think it tastes burnt. So far the best coffee i have had has been through a press.

That was a great link Rob!

[germantown rob]

Originally Posted by kenstogie

I must admit. Sometimes I like Charbucks but sometimes I also think it tastes burnt. So far the best coffee i have had has been through a press.

That was a great link Rob!

Take a look at some Kenya's, not my favorite but they work well in a french press and are a hard bean that can take a lot of heat, most Kenya beans don't like to get to 2nd crack.

Costa rica is another good choice for FP and usually can handle more levels of roast

Sumatra is a bean that can usually go from city to vienna so may be a good starting point.

[kenstogie]

Whether they do or they don't, I have one now so I'm gonna use it and find out!

[kenstogie]

http://www.amazon.com/Wabash-Valley-.../dp/B00004SU35
23.56 quite reasonable.
THere seems to be many options. If you can keep the beans moving and constant steady temp you are in good shape I am guessing.

[germantown rob]

Originally Posted by Swampper

Cost: $ 0.00, friend didn't want it...
Added a smoker thermometer - $ 20.00

Use on stove top. Add about 8 oz of beans at around 400 degrees,
Usually get first crack around 5 minutes, turn off heat, get second crack, and
dump in to screen colander at about 6 or 7 minutes.

Originally Posted by kenstogie

http://www.amazon.com/Wabash-Valley-.../dp/B00004SU35
23.56 quite reasonable.
THere seems to be many options. If you can keep the beans moving and constant steady temp you are in good shape I am guessing.

These are great and swamper gives a profile as well . Sweet Maria's has these with clear lids for $35 and talks about the SS versions they no longer sell.

Stove top popper

Swamper, I suggest also using a timer and after finding where first crack starts try cutting the heat before it starts. Trying to get 3-5 minutes from start of 1st c to the end of roast (whether this is city of vienna) will give some desirable results.

There are many ways with your setup to profile the roast, if you like I would gladly share my opinions on how to.

[floydpink]

Please do Rob. Anything you can share will benefit us new roasters.

BTW, where the heck has Moo disappeared to? These threads have been very helpful to read, but are missing some sort of comedy that only Moo can provide.

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by floydpink

... where the heck has Moo disappeared to?

D'uh? Have a crowd of bicycle riders over for the weekend. Was drinking the last of the CR Taz while out back roasting 2-lbs of Aricha27 in the BBQ grill and, simultaneously, another pound of Santos in the SCCO. The rare home double-roast!

I love the theater popper roaster; all it lacks is a variable thermostat, chaff extractor, auto-cool cycle, fuses, viewing window and a couple of motors. Nice going, Swampps.

[raisin]

Originally Posted by kenstogie

http://www.amazon.com/Wabash-Valley-.../dp/B00004SU35
23.56 quite reasonable.
THere seems to be many options. If you can keep the beans moving and constant steady temp you are in good shape I am guessing.

Hmmm, reading all those reviews makes me want to buy it for the popcorn... lol