I've also started with popper (mod) and it don't last like 20-30 cycle. I would say the fan motor is the main issue for both of my mod popper.

This post has been edited by kuluuluk: Jul 25 2016, 03:12 PM

Hi kuluuluk,

Can share your coffee roasting journey so far? Equipment, beans, etc.

Hi Coffee Lovers,

I am currently doing a survey here for coffee consumption. I plan to do some market validation here.
It will be very kind of you to help me out in this endeavor - Google Form

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc...759402425463000

Criteria:

1) You love and drink coffee
2) You are from Klang Valley

A most heartfelt thank you for helping out.

Thanks again~

First roasting using popcorn popper. Started with no mod to the popper and found out there's auto cut off once temp reach 250c during roasting .So google around and found mods. Basically temp, fan control, remove plastic body and how to bypass the auto cut off component. Oh and also lengthen the shaft for more beans and small tunnel for smoke and chaff to go out the window.
My conclusion : Super quick roasting process (mine took 3 minutes to full city). Hard to hear the first crack because of
the loud noise from the fan. The parts wear and tear too fast unless you redesign everything....

Second roasting using cast iron wok. Could not get even roast and wide gap inconsistency.
My conclusion : Very hard to control the temp, labor intense dangerous as shrapnel flying during crack.

Current roasting using oven. Got the 250c and with Rotisserrie, peanut roasting cage, electronic temp. Mod the cage to get better and even roasting. Can roast 300 to 700g in 1 go.
My conclusion : got very good results but the roasting time is a bit longer like 20 min to full city (depensing on beans).
Hard work when separating the chaff. Do not use the oven for other purposes as you don't want to add additional flavor to your beans.

Hopes this helps

kuluuluk

Fantastic info! Much much thanks!!

My Lazada-bought RH-288/"Sokany" popcorn popper seems to hit the required temperature pretty easily.... too easily if you ask me. What I've been trying is doing a 15 sec on/15 sec off cycle at the start to properly dry out the beans and lengthen the roast; last time took 4 minutes before left it running for about 1 minute 30 sec (total time 5:30) to bring the batch of 110+gm Brazil Yellow Bourbon to something resembling City+. Letting this batch rest & will try it out tomorrow.

Looking at cutting a glass jar to extend a chimney to cater for more beans... maybe 150g?

For some reason never considered the oven! Maybe thinking of keeping it at 250c and above is too unnerving!... nothing I bake takes those temperatures before turning into a lump of coal!! But 20 min to FC for 700g is amazing! No issues on too long a roast? Heard you can get an off-taste if too long ("baked" or something).

I was thinking of exploring a heatgun for larger batches. Maybe a heatgun with your modded peanut roasting cage might be an idea......

Have you considered a carboard tube with an appropriate filter (mosquito netting maybe?) attached to a vacuum cleaner? With some variable venting you can control the vacuum strength to avoid lifting the beans and just suck up the chaff.

Keep sharing!!

Well, oven works for me and nope there's no off-taste as the cage keeps rotating and only during the last minute you can turn up the heat to 250c. I just like simplicity.... btw there's alot of mods on oven too... like extra heating element and rotation speed control... to get better results

If you really want fast big batch, try to look for those halogen oven with abit of mod, you are good to go

Personal 2cents :- Popper, i would recon you to separate out both the heating element and fan and both with variable controller. This way it's easier to control the temp and the fan speed.

This post has been edited by kuluuluk: Jul 26 2016, 03:05 PM

5.30 sounds way too short! If you break the bean in half, are you getting even color from inside to outside? Interested to know the taste. I'm going to suspect some grassy/herbal notes or peanutty
Anyways, depending on your popper capacity, you might have to reduce the batch size, or add a dimmer + stir with a wooden spoon in the early drying phase when beans are heaviest to extend the time a little. Aim for 8-9mins at least

ymeng85 thanks for the tips! Dimmer is on order. I finished the batch a couple of days ago so can't check, but I did detect some peanutty taste.... thought it was the beans!

Since the dimmer will take some time to arrive, will attempt this weekend to shut the popper off & on in shorter cycles to achieve a lower heat level. I'd rather not reduce the batch size as I already have to do 3 batches to feed my family's "addiction" for the week!

finally after dreaming for over a yr! I got my HG-one. used but seasoned

I actually roasted in batches of 60grams when I started on the popper. 3 rounds to get me a decent 150g
Then I started to roast for friends and there's where my limit broke, so I got me a gene cafe

I'm thinking of letting go of it soon. While it's seen a few hundred roasts, its still going strong. Let me know if you even want to take things up a notch

You know how these things go.... perpetual state of upgrades But as usual, the factor regulating the rate of upgrades will be the financial one.....Gene Cafe class won't be for a while, methinks.

Speaking of which, doesn't Gene Cafe only make 110v models?

Nope, mine is a 220V model. Got it direct from China

how much izzit? and it seems it auto remove the chaff too?

Hey Oscar owners!!

i have something for you. If you are looking for Nouva Simonelli bottomless PF c/w 21G double basket, i have a brand new unit for sale at only RM170nett. PM me if you are interested first come first serve, C.O.D only in KL/PJ. Postage is available but you pay for it and i will pack it nicely for you. Pic as attached.

Cheers and have a fantastic caffeinated weekend ahead!!

For you home roasters check out this website for Green beans!! seems quite affordable.

http://bero-coffee-singapore.myshopify.com

I picked it up for RM2800. Going to let go at RM1800

Nice. Already have one but seems to have a fitting issue. Have to push it a further 1/4 turn otherwise will have leaks and spritzing
If you have a Oscar IMS basket, that maybe I'm interested in

Taobao or tmall? Seller info to share?

Good find. I also realized that Cloud Catcher sells green coffee beans although not as cheap and at much bigger quantities (5kg)

https://shop.cloudcatcher.asia/collections/green-coffee

same here, i mean looking for Oscar IMS basket ....