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| jsfarq |
Posted on 12/03/2009 12:57 PM
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 Newbie  Posts: 16 Joined: December 02, 2009 |
Hi, another Jim joined (sigh) and it is me. I have been roasting on and off for 6 years, really enjoy it, but had a pretty rough travel schedule previously. The roaster would sit (FreshRoast), I would come home from a long trip, think about roasting, drink a beer, and hey, you know the rest- the roaster sat. I am between jobs (as are many!) and have renewed my regular buying green beans and roasting 2-3 times a week. I love to experiment, I am a software and hardware hacker at heart, so the home-built roaster is pictured in a dream-balloon above my head with me looking at it saying, "Hmmmmm...." I like bolder coffees, ones that take a FullCity+, about 10 sec into 2nd crack. I think my roaster is too fast. I have been exploring the posibility of acquiring a Behmor, and also experimenting with lighter roasts, short of 2nd crack, exploring some of the more interesting flavors out there. In my past roasting attempts, if I ever stopped B4 2nd crack, I never waited long enough for flavors to develop. Next day I was grinding 'n brewing, and getting an unroasted, grassy taste. Now I know why, and I need to wait, right? "All good things come to those who wait," or was it "he who hesitates it lost?" Ah, forget it, lets have some fun! Thanks for listening, Jim Farquharson Arlington Heights, IL |
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| John Despres |
Posted on 12/03/2009 4:50 PM
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 Administrator  Posts: 2222 Joined: January 09, 2008 |
Hi, Jim. Ah, a Fresh Roast... That was my first roaster before the Gene Cafe. Glad to have another mid-wester here - West Michigan, myself. Patience, patience... John Respect the bean.
John Despres Fresh Roast 8, Gene Cafe, JYTT 1k, Quest M3, Mazzer Mini, Technivorm, various size presses and many more brewers. |
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| jsfarq |
Posted on 12/09/2009 8:26 AM
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Newbie Posts: 16 Joined: December 02, 2009 |
John, All these years, and I feel I am just beginning. So finally studying the science of it all, and realize that much of my quality problem has to do with the short time to 1st crack that the FreshRoast gives you. Can't afford a new roaster yet, so I'm experimenting with resting beans at various stages, and considering a variac to slow the roast. Is there any advice you can give on slowing the roast 'til I can get me hands on a Gene or Behmor? Jim |
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| seedlings |
Posted on 12/09/2009 9:36 AM
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 1 1/2 Pounder  Posts: 4226 Joined: June 27, 2007 |
Jim, can you use less beans in a FR to extend roast times like I can in a popper? Fewer beans will provide less resistance to the hot air escaping. And, since you're on a budget, there's always the $20 heat gun, $5 stainless steel bowl and $2 wooden spoon. Great results, large batch, fantastic price. OR, upgrade to a $3 thrift store breadmaker and save some muscle. CHAD Roaster: CoffeeAir II 2# DIY air roaster
Grinder: Vintage Grindmaster 500 Brewers: Vintage Cory DCU DCL, Aeropress, Press, Osaka Titanium pourover |
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| bvwelch |
Posted on 12/09/2009 12:21 PM
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 1 1/2 Pounder Posts: 1064 Joined: December 27, 2007 |
Quote jsfarq wrote: Is there any advice you can give on slowing the roast 'til I can get me hands on a Gene or Behmor? I read about a two-step process that may help you: 1st step is a 'drying step': Start your roast as normal, but turn off the machine after just a couple of minutes-- whenever you estimate the beans to be around 300 F. You might see yellowish tint to the beans. Wait a few minutes, with the machine off. Don't stir, just let the greens sit in the roaster. Now, step 2: do your normal roast, but you are starting with beans that have already dried somewhat. -bill |
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| John Despres |
Posted on 12/09/2009 1:20 PM
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Administrator Posts: 2222 Joined: January 09, 2008 |
Jim, Check here for notes on how to make your roaster run hotter and conversely, run slower - It's a Sweet Maria's page, but the directions are from the creator of the Fresh Roast 8. http://www.sweetm...st_fan_adj I hope this helps. John Respect the bean.
John Despres Fresh Roast 8, Gene Cafe, JYTT 1k, Quest M3, Mazzer Mini, Technivorm, various size presses and many more brewers. |
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| seedlings |
Posted on 12/09/2009 1:38 PM
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1 1/2 Pounder Posts: 4226 Joined: June 27, 2007 |
Great link, John! Exactly what Jim needed. CHAD Roaster: CoffeeAir II 2# DIY air roaster
Grinder: Vintage Grindmaster 500 Brewers: Vintage Cory DCU DCL, Aeropress, Press, Osaka Titanium pourover |
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| jsfarq |
Posted on 12/09/2009 8:51 PM
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Newbie Posts: 16 Joined: December 02, 2009 |
Thanks for the advice Chad, Bill & John. I checked out that link, and there's some good info. Experimenting to be done- yea! I found another write-up on using a variac: http://www.ineedcoffee.com/03/variac/ I will try some of the hints you guys gave and from the SM's page. The heat gun is like what I shrink heat-shrink tubing with? Thanks a ton! Jim |
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| mldavis2 |
Posted on 12/18/2009 9:57 AM
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Newbie Posts: 23 Joined: December 17, 2009 |
New member on this forum. Home roasting about a year now. Wife doesn't drink coffee so I don't go through a lot of beans. I have about 20 in my "library" which I rotate according to my mood and tastes. Looking to add a Behmor next year. No particular interest in spending thousands to get into espresso because I always seem to want to do things 'right.' Very pleased with the iRoast2. The batch size is perfect for my consumption and I like the program ability. Grinder is also quite adequate for my Clever dripper which I love and use more than the Aeropress or French press. I'm in SW Missouri. If there are any home roasters around, I'd sure like to hear from you....maybe swap some beans and expand our libraries? I love home roast!
iRoast2 Capresso Infinity CCD, French press, Aeropress, TechniVorm |
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| JohannT |
Posted on 12/21/2009 4:04 AM
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Newbie Posts: 1 Joined: December 15, 2009 |
Hi there. I am from sunny Cape Town in South Africa. I have been home roasting for more than a year. My wife and her family did some roasting many years ago (pan method). I started to use a popcorn roaster initially last year, but found they did not last. I then switched over to the heat-gun/ dog bowl method and have been doing it since. We drink a lot of coffee at home (I roast about 500-700g per week). I try of roast a variety but prefer the better Ethiopian/Kenya/Colombian coffees. |
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| John Despres |
Posted on 12/21/2009 6:24 AM
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Administrator Posts: 2222 Joined: January 09, 2008 |
Welcome, Johann. Glad to met you. Poke around and keep us up to date on your roasting adventures. John Respect the bean.
John Despres Fresh Roast 8, Gene Cafe, JYTT 1k, Quest M3, Mazzer Mini, Technivorm, various size presses and many more brewers. |
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| gene |
Posted on 12/21/2009 8:20 AM
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 1/2 Pounder  Posts: 224 Joined: February 02, 2009 |
Ha ha...ML sounds like my kind of guy. First, wants to do things 'right'. Then he has a press and Aeropress. Great! I have been checking into espresso lately. Not sure I want to indulge. Very expensive route. May wait until son gets back from Iraq this Summer to see how much he influences me. He says he does love his espresso over there. Can't seem to convince Judy this is crucial to our coffee future. She loves the press in AM and the Aeropress at night for decaf. I'm searching for answers wanting to do things 'right'. gene |
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| mainestratman |
Posted on 12/26/2009 4:36 PM
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Newbie Posts: 38 Joined: December 26, 2009 |
Hi all... been home roasting for just slightly over 24 hours. Christmas morning, I found a large burlap sack blazoned with "EL SALVADOR" in large, friendly letters under the christmas tree for me. Inside were wrapped packages containing a new experiment, which is quickly turning into an obsession. Green coffee beans and a ton of information on home roasting. Sign me up. A few hours later, we had our old, completely unmodified, hot air popcorn popper loaded up with coffee beans. A bit of trial and error and some interesting precipitation of chaff, we ground and started tasting our fresh-roasted coffee. We did learn that it might not be a good idea to roast and test *too* many batches as once. That wide awake at 3am thing was a little too much for us. :-) Family members are already "placing orders"... and the ability to roast roughly 60 grams a pop is just not fast enough. Bring on the home made roaster! Yayy! Thanks to everyone who has already helped us out... we've been crawling this forum extensively since yesterday. Looking forward to learning more and more... |
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| mldavis2 |
Posted on 12/27/2009 7:14 AM
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Newbie Posts: 23 Joined: December 17, 2009 |
Wow! Nothing like jumping off the dock to learn to swim. Good luck. Don't forget to let 'em rest a few days to mature the roast.
I love home roast!
iRoast2 Capresso Infinity CCD, French press, Aeropress, TechniVorm |
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| mainestratman |
Posted on 12/27/2009 8:41 AM
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Newbie Posts: 38 Joined: December 26, 2009 |
Still working on the "mish mash" leftovers we had from a couple days ago... definitely a lot smoother and less acidic. I guess what I learned about arterial blood gas testing in college is true... pH follows CO2. :-) Jon |
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| Rocketcoffee |
Posted on 01/01/2010 7:06 AM
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Newbie Posts: 1 Joined: December 18, 2009 |
I owned a coffeehouse in Rochester, New York with beans roasted by a local microroaster from 1998 - 2004 - Now many years later, living in Jacksonville, Florida I really miss the fresh roast taste. There is a small roaster down in St Augustine, but it's a drive so I stumbled across this forum and it has rekindled my interest in roasting  |
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| John Despres |
Posted on 01/01/2010 8:12 AM
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Administrator Posts: 2222 Joined: January 09, 2008 |
Welcome, RC! Anything you want to know, we'll share. Do you have any specific roasting methods in mind yet? John Respect the bean.
John Despres Fresh Roast 8, Gene Cafe, JYTT 1k, Quest M3, Mazzer Mini, Technivorm, various size presses and many more brewers. |
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| milknmycoffee |
Posted on 01/18/2010 7:10 PM
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1/4 Pounder  Posts: 143 Joined: December 26, 2009 |
I just started roasting in December. I use a modified West Bend I Poppery with a thermometer, separated, fan and heating, and thermostat disabled (all courtesy of my techie husband). I just got a Variac so the fun continues.... I brew using a Moka pot (grew up using them). I confess to grinding with a cheapo blade grinder....for now. I got great roasting advice on the forum on Sweet Marie's. Literally went from roasting super bright slightly grassy to excellent coffee in one roast after getting some feedback on the forum. Now my roasts are pure heaven (well to me at least....) I got interested in home roasting after getting tired of Charbucks style coffee. I grew up in NYC and got spoiled having access to so many different choices of imported Italian and Central American coffees (there not any great local roasters there in the 70'-80's as I recall). I like City-City + level roasts on average since I normally drink caf? au lait. I occasionally do Full City for any espresso style drinks. I like the lighter roasts because I enjoy tasting all the nuanced flavors of each type of coffee. My favorite regions....do I have to pick one? So far everyone in my family loves the chocolaty Nicaragua SHG Maragogipe (Santa Isabel COE) from Coffee Bean Corral. My tie-in favorite is the Costa Rica Don Mayo "La Ponderosa" Bourbon (Sweet Maria's) Other favorites are the Nicaragua Mama Mina Microlot (SW), Sumatra Takengon Classic (SW's), Kenya AA Nyeri Tambaya (SW), and Guatemala Antigua - Pastoral (CFC)....but the list keeps growing. I love to alternate among the regions.....start out with a Central American....and follow up later on with an Ethiopian. My husband and I live in southern Indiana on 112 acres with horses and one dog. Look forward to lots of informative reading. I love the 'what's in your roaster/cup' threads. The Bean Swap looks like a great idea..something I might participate in some time (love the blind swaps). |
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| John Despres |
Posted on 01/18/2010 7:25 PM
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Administrator Posts: 2222 Joined: January 09, 2008 |
Welcome, milknmycoffee! It's great to meet you. We have fun here, so I hope you'll join in and enjoy the site. How many horses? John Respect the bean.
John Despres Fresh Roast 8, Gene Cafe, JYTT 1k, Quest M3, Mazzer Mini, Technivorm, various size presses and many more brewers. |
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| milknmycoffee |
Posted on 01/18/2010 7:40 PM
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1/4 Pounder Posts: 143 Joined: December 26, 2009 |
Thanks for the warm welcome. We have three Arabian horses. Only one is ridden regularly (the 6 year old) though since the others are both retired. They are all hopelessly spoiled and family to us. We hauled them out from California when we moved here. Any other horse people here? |
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| John Despres |
Posted on 01/18/2010 7:56 PM
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Administrator Posts: 2222 Joined: January 09, 2008 |
I grew up with horses - My first pony (Shetland) was named Flash. Padre was the Palomino, Molly and Dan were Quarter horses. Those days are long gone, but a great memory. Molly later became my horse when I was big enough to reach the stirrups on my own.
Respect the bean.
John Despres Fresh Roast 8, Gene Cafe, JYTT 1k, Quest M3, Mazzer Mini, Technivorm, various size presses and many more brewers. |
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| milknmycoffee |
Posted on 01/18/2010 8:19 PM
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1/4 Pounder Posts: 143 Joined: December 26, 2009 |
Do you have any horses now? Any desire to? Sounds fun growing up with your own ponies and horses. My mom grew up riding quarter horses (she lived in California). She did a lot of cutting and reining as a teenager. I have ridden a few quarter horses...always a nice change after riding a hot blood like an Arabian ;) I remember a few Shetland ponies from summer camp as a kid. They always seemed to have only have one or two riders that they liked..and the rest of us they just tolerated. I always found the horses less choosy: they either liked being ridden or didn't ha ha! I grew up riding in NYC so I rode mainly rent and lesson horses...later on graduating to exercising other people's horses. I mainly rode English: hunt eq and dressage. The only western I have done is when trail riding. When my sister and I were still I diapers, my mom used to rent a horse from Prospect park stable. She would ride out to the park solo (being an experienced rider they let her out alone) and meet my dad with us in the stroller. She would take turns leading us on the horse. Later on, we graduated to lessons. I alwayss wanted horses but did not get my own until I was in my late 20's. You must have had some fun childhood adventures! |
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| mojoe01 |
Posted on 01/18/2010 8:48 PM
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Newbie Posts: 5 Joined: January 18, 2010 |
Hello. My name is Ron and I have been roasting for over 6 years now. I'm originally from Michigan, but I currently reside in Winter Garden, Florida. I recently have found a renewed interest in roasting after taking an 18 month break from the craft. I am an Electrical Engineer, and I work for a major entertainment venue in Lake Buena Vista, FL. My roasting gear includes a modified hot air popper with thermocouple temperature measurement and variable fan speed and heat. The setup works great, but requires continuous attention during the roast cycle, which I have taken as long as 22 minutes. I also use a modified BBQ grill with a homemade SS drum and variable speed DC stepper motor. This setup uses 2 burners and dual thermocouple sensors, and has browned up to 2LB at a time. Also, a very manual piece of equipment. Right now I am modifying an original "The Poppery" hot air popper to run with multiple programmable PID ramp/soak profiles using a touchscreen PC running custom Windows software and an Omega CNi16 Ethernet temperature controller. My goal is to create an easy-to-use 1/2LB hot air roaster with repeatable results that requires minimal interaction during the roast. I don't have a favorite single origin... I enjoy them all. Occasionally I tinker with creating blends. A while back I was having fun making "black and tan" blends. Thank you for allowing me to participate in this site. |
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| John Despres |
Posted on 01/19/2010 6:32 AM
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Administrator Posts: 2222 Joined: January 09, 2008 |
Reaching the stirrup...
John Despres attached the following image:
Respect the bean.
John Despres Fresh Roast 8, Gene Cafe, JYTT 1k, Quest M3, Mazzer Mini, Technivorm, various size presses and many more brewers. |
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| John Despres |
Posted on 01/19/2010 6:40 AM
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Administrator Posts: 2222 Joined: January 09, 2008 |
Made it... Nah, I don't need to have horses again but I do look back on great memories. I go riding every now and then, but for the most part it's behind me. So much new stuff to do like really learn how to roast coffee. My biggest joy is my 8-year-old son and there's enough to do in life now without adding more or repeating. But then we lived in the country when I was a kid. Now I live in a small 4 square house in the city. Ah, the horse days of youth! FUN!
John Despres attached the following image:
Edited by John Despres on 01/19/2010 6:47 AM Respect the bean.
John Despres Fresh Roast 8, Gene Cafe, JYTT 1k, Quest M3, Mazzer Mini, Technivorm, various size presses and many more brewers. |
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