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To build a drum or not to build a drum
jkoll42
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Posted on 12/31/2024 3:10 PM
So... it's the winter, all my big house projects are done, I haven't built a new roaster in like 12 years...you know where this is headed.

Currently have been roasting in a propane fired essentially direct flame 1k take on the HG/BM concept. Some minor modifications over the years but it's been a workhorse and turned out really good consistent roasts. I've made probably 6 iterations of various designs from air to hg/bm style to the ill fated bubbling fluidized bed experiment but have never made a drum.

My questions is, are there any of you out there that have roasted or sampled coffee from both something similar to a hg/bm style and a drum and found the drum roast to be superior? I'm all for new projects and after 12 years wouldn't mind starting one but at the same time I'm not all about pointless new projects that aren't going to make a decent improvement in the taste of my shots.

Side note: It would still be about a 1k roaster - this would not be a situation of looking to increase capacity holding any motivation. Strictly improved flavors.

Happy New Year all!

-Jon
-Jon
Honey badger 1k, Bunn LPG-2E, Technivorm, Cimbali Max Hybrid, ECM Synchronika w/ Flow Control
 
oldgrumpus
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Posted on 12/31/2024 6:20 PM
I can't really answer your basic question, but for me, there was a certain charm or attraction that a drum has. I'm glad I did it, but it was a labor of love. It's a serious commitment. So many things to learn, think through, engineer, plan purchase test, make mistakes, redo, spend money, spend more money, yada yada. If I had to do it again... I WOULD MOST DEFINITELY. The more you put into it energy-wise, the more you'll be satisfied. If taste is you only motivation, I'd go simpler and less time consuming. May just buy something.
Clever Coffee Dripper
Grinder: Macap M4
Roaster: Completed drum roaster project photos shown here:
Photos https://goo.gl/ph...Da6K4wfqw5
Videos https://www.youtu...Bd1NrdpSUH
Build thread https://homeroast...post_38189
 
allenb
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Posted on 01/07/2025 5:52 PM
So, the question is, paraphrased, is there potentially a better cup to be had roasting in a properly built drum roaster versus a hg/bm? I've roasted in machines that were quite similar in function to the hg/bm and lots of years in drums in various styles.
With lots of roasts in those two formats and fluidbed, I can't say that I've seen much of a difference in the cup when roasts in each of them were done with similar profiles.
I agree with all of the points made by oldgrumpus. One thing I'll mention in favor of drum roasters with drum to bean as primary heat transfer mode is that they, more than most other modes of roasting, tend to naturally follow a descending RoR curve with very little fiddling with controls. I generally make no more than 3 or 4 power level tweaks during the course of most roasts and really appreciate not having to hover over the RoR display and controls in order to keep it from running amok.
1/2 lb and 1 lb drum, Siemens Sirocco fluidbed, presspot, chemex, cajun biggin brewer from the backwoods of Louisiana
 
renatoa
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Posted on 01/08/2025 3:26 AM
To not confuse a "drum roaster" with a cylinder basket made from mesh (expanded tin), woven wire, or even 1-2 mm perforated tin.
 
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