Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Help Keep Boards Alive. Support us by going ad free today. See here: https://subscriptions.boards.ie/.
If we do not hit our goal we will be forced to close the site.

Current status: https://keepboardsalive.com/

Annual subs are best for most impact. If you are still undecided on going Ad Free - you can also donate using the Paypal Donate option. All contribution helps. Thank you.
https://www.boards.ie/group/1878-subscribers-forum

Private Group for paid up members of Boards.ie. Join the club.

Going to buy a Roaster

  • 17-10-2007 07:27AM
    #1
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,449 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    I've decided to start roasting my own. It was only a matter of time I suppose.

    I'm hoping for recommendations on a roaster and some green beans. Should I look past the iroast2? All tips and tricks will be very welcome too.

    Has anyone else considered roasting their own?


«1

Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,329 ✭✭✭Gran Hermano


    Mr. M, you are positively evil!

    I am but one click away from completing an order for an i-roast 2 from
    hasbean.co.uk. (Price is 229 euro including VAT and shipping).

    Like yourself I've toyed with the idea of purchasing my own roaster
    for almost a year now.

    My only concerns are:
    - the amount of smoke/smell that the process produces
    - how easy is it to turn the green beans into a decent espresso
    - how does one know which settings on the iroast to use for
    a particular bean/roast.

    (I suppose it's trial and error at first but I don't want to end up
    not using the roaster because the quality of my home roasted
    beans is below what I can purchase pre-roasted).

    Hopefully Reactor can provide us with an update and let us know
    how he's getting on with his.

    I've a horrid suspicion my next post here will be confirming my order !
    ;):D


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,449 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr Magnolia


    Hopefully Reactor can provide us with an update and let us know
    how he's getting on with his.

    He was around this morning. I'll drop him a mail seeking his knowledge on this thread. Hopefully he'll oblige :)

    I'm looking forward to the aroma of raosting beans in the house.
    I've a horrid suspicion my next post here will be confirming my order !
    ;):D
    :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 580 ✭✭✭kencleary


    Given how cheap you can buy green beans it makes economic sense to invest in a roaster. You'd be crazy not to! :)

    Seriously though I'd also be very interested to hear how people are getting on with roasters. If it is easy to do good roasts on a piece of kit worth just over €200 then i'd also be very interested......


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,473 ✭✭✭RE*AC*TOR


    Should I look past the iroast2?

    In that price range - no. A hot top, or genecafe drum roaster are superior roasters, but will also cost you a lot more. They also take up a lot more space. But if you have the money, the space, a higher tolerance for smoke (bigger batches = more smoke), then go for it.

    - the amount of smoke/smell that the process produces

    Enough smoke to set of my smoke alarm, opening the kitchen window and closing the kitchen door is sufficient. It doesn't leave a lingering smell though, its certainly less invasive than frying a steak.

    - how easy is it to turn the green beans into a decent espresso

    Put beans in iroast, press 3 buttons, keep an eye on roast, kill roast when desired roast is achieved. Very easy.

    - how does one know which settings on the iroast to use for a particular bean/roast.

    There are a few pre-sets, but I don't use them. They're kind of all a bit on the light side for me. I have one roast setting I saved on the machine, and I generally kill it at various stages depending on the bean. Hasbean gives roasting tips for each bean, I generally follow that. There is plenty of room for experiment with it though, different profiles etc.


    Other concerns: the fan that blows the beans and keeps them moving has on occasion stopped working mid roast, I think this was due to me overloading the unit. It hasn't happened recently, but you need to keep an eye on it, could potentially end in a fire.

    Small amounts of chaff do escape from the unit when roasting, and tend to get dispersed around my kitchen.

    Also bear in mind that the capacity of the unit is relatively small. Two 1 cup measures of beans. This is fine for me, as generally speaking two roasts a week keeps me going, and means my beans are alway fresh. But if your turnover is greater than mine, this could be a concern.

    Any other question... feel free to ask.

    PS: A stovetop roaster would be a cheaper introduction to home roasting if cost is an issue.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,329 ✭✭✭Gran Hermano


    Many thanks for the reply Reactor.



    All I have to say is:
    Your Order Has Been Processed!

    Your order has been successfully processed! Your products will arrive at their destination within 2-5 working days.

    Please notify me of updates to the products I have selected below:
    2 kg of Green Cuba Turquino Lavardo (ref: cub2)
    2 kg of Green Guatemala Finca San Francisco Tecuamburro(reftech2
    Hearthware I Roast 2 (ref IROAST2)
    Pair of Bodum Pavina Glasses 9oz (ref bpav2)





    :D:D:D:D:D:D


    Mr M, take the plunge - it feels therapeutic almost ;)


  • Advertisement
  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,449 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr Magnolia


    Yes, thanks RE*ACT*OR.
    Mr M, take the plunge - it feels therapeutic almost

    :D

    I will. Have a bit of reading to do first though.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,473 ✭✭✭RE*AC*TOR


    2 kg of Green Cuba Turquino Lavardo (ref: cub2)

    In stock ? No Good for espresso? Yes Good for filter? Yes

    I don't know if that could be problematic or not, but perhaps email Stephen Leighton at orders@hasbean.co.uk
    He's very helpful and usually responds to emails within the hour.

    Also I assume you correctly ordered the 9oz Bodum Pavina glasses - these are not the espresso sized ones (don't seem to do them anymore).


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,329 ✭✭✭Gran Hermano


    Thanks again Reactor, I just noticed it only shows the stock status on the
    cupping page. I took your advice and mailed Stephen.

    Based on your experience with hasbean, is there an alternative you would
    suggest ? (I'm looking for something similar to most Cuban coffee - sweet,
    strong and full bodied with chocolate undertones - mainly for espresso).

    I ordered the larger Pavina as I want them for latte/cappuccinos.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,473 ✭✭✭RE*AC*TOR


    I don't know enough of the range to give a decent recommendation, and even if I did, some of the beans I have they no longer stock.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 185 ✭✭billyblanks


    Gran Hermano...


    Maybe look at ordering some of their cheaper beans, Its going to be a while before you get the hang of roasting and it would be a shame to learn on good quality beans.

    If you are based in dublin I could sort you out with some green which would be perfect for learning on...


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,329 ✭✭✭Gran Hermano


    Gran Hermano...


    Maybe look at ordering some of their cheaper beans, Its going to be a while before you get the hang of roasting and it would be a shame to learn on good quality beans.

    If you are based in dublin I could sort you out with some green which would be perfect for learning on...

    Billyblanks,

    Many thanks for your kind offer. I have however ordered 5kg of green
    beans. I spoke to Stephen in hasbean.co.uk regarding the stock of Cuban
    beans (it turns out the has them in stock but hadn't updated the status
    on the website) and I also added 1kg of cheap espresso blend to use
    whilst getting used to the roasting process.

    Can you provide details of anyone in Dublin/Ireland who sells green beans as
    an alternative to shipping in from hasbean.co.uk? I've a feeling the 5kg
    will keep me going for a while but a list of alternatives for future orders
    would be useful.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,449 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr Magnolia


    Green bean providers in Ireland would be great. Stick a link or an address in one of the stickies for future reference if ye do find any :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 185 ✭✭billyblanks


    6Kg of beans will keep you going for a while anyway....

    I dont't think there is anybody in Ireland selling green, well not for a good price anyway. I contacted a few roasters before but they were looking for silly money....

    There is a site in England running a greens club, they buy bulk green a couple tims a year for trade prices €2-€3 pe KG plus shipping. you will end up with a couple of KG of 7/8 ddifferent coffees for very little money... but it is not available to Ireland...yet. could be something to look into in the future.

    Best of luck with the roasting....It really is great fun.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 580 ✭✭✭kencleary


    Well if enough of us get roasters maybe starting our own green bean club might be something worth considering!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 185 ✭✭billyblanks


    get the roaster yet?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,329 ✭✭✭Gran Hermano


    Mine arrived Monday afternoon - only ordered it on the previous Thursday.
    I'm very happy with service from hasbean.co.uk

    Iroast2 is smaller than I had pictured it - it's smaller than my grinder or
    Gaggia and fits no problem on the counter top.


    I've roasted two batches of Cuban and a batch of Guatemalan so far.
    As Reactor mentioned smell is not that bad - the worst was a dark roast of
    Cuban but once the extractor fan is on it's fine and it's no worse than
    cooking a steak as mentioned. I've noticed that you do really need to let the beans sit for a day or more to de-gas, but even with my first steps in
    roasting I must say the results are great and the crema and espresso
    is to die for!

    I'm looking forward to swapping notes with any fellow roasters on here
    about beans and roasting profiles/temp curves as I'm sure I've a lot to
    learn.

    Take the plunge Mr M ;)


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,449 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr Magnolia


    Take the plunge Mr M ;)

    fcukers :D

    Date Ordered: Thursday 25 October, 2007

    Products
    1 x 2 kg of Green Colombian Quebradon Relationship
    1 x Hearthware I Roast 2 (ref IROAST2)


    Thanks again all! My collection of equipment is getting bigger..


    Looking forward to sharing some advice and tips with you all.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,449 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr Magnolia


    The Iroast2 arrived today

    Couple of questions...

    OK, so I've roasted a batch of Colombian and the beans are now cooling. Do you let them rest in the machine for the 24hrs or do you generally transfer them to an airtight container?

    RE*ACT*OR wrote:
    There are a few pre-sets, but I don't use them. They're kind of all a bit on the light side for me. I have one roast setting I saved on the machine, and I generally kill it at various stages depending on the bean. Hasbean gives roasting tips for each bean, I generally follow that. There is plenty of room for experiment with it though, different profiles etc.

    Have you found any settings that you'd recommend? I used the Preset1 to try it out, but am going to experiment as you pointed out it is on the light side. I'll have a look at the has bean recommendations.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,329 ✭✭✭Gran Hermano


    Congrats on the new arrival.

    I've roasted about a half dozen batches over the last week and
    have either used preset 2 as I believe it's darker than preset 1.

    Sweet Maria's seems to have a wealth of info on the Iroast2
    and I'm using it as a starting point for trying to figure out my
    own profiles for the beans I have.

    Another page on Sweet Maria's I found useful.

    I tend to dump the freshly roasted beans into a metal colander for
    an hour after the cool-down cycle finishes before I transfer them to
    an airtight glass jar (similar to these).

    Like yourself I'm interested in how others who've more experience
    roasting operate.


    PS: Couple more pages with suggested profiles here and here.
    Just select the beans and then view the notes on the profile suggested.

    PPS: I know I found this handy for converting from Fahrenheit to Celsius.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,449 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr Magnolia


    Thanks Gran Hermano. I'll have a good read. Need to purchase a couple of those jars too, the tupperware just doesn't do it for me :)


  • Advertisement
  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,449 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr Magnolia


    Had to peg the first lot of home-roasted into the bin due to a technical over-sight during roasting (I hadn't read the instructions properly :o)

    The second lot was roasted at Preset2, beans were dark roasted as described. Superb coffee, really enjoyed it. I must actually stick a clip in the 'coffee porn' thread this evening.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 99 ✭✭banaco73


    that's it you lot are driving me mad:mad:

    you all have me so Jealous

    I think i will be placing an order for an i roast as soon as the funds allow


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,449 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr Magnolia


    Look after the pennies and you'll be there in no time banaco. It's worth it, I should have listened to RE*ACT*OR sooner really. I'll be starting to play with the settings next week.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,329 ✭✭✭Gran Hermano


    "[SIZE=-1]The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it." ;)
    Oscar Wilde
    [/SIZE]


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,329 ✭✭✭Gran Hermano


    Some more suggested profiles here. Seems settings/results vary from one
    iroast2 to another, but I'm going to try a couple of these tonight.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,329 ✭✭✭Gran Hermano


    Well I've tried a couple of the roasting profiles from the thread I linked to
    in my previous post and my initial impression is that the profile below matches
    what I'm used to better than either of the two presets or any I've tried so
    far.

    3 minutes -> 160 degrees
    2 minutes -> 186 degrees
    2 minutes -> 198 degrees
    3 minutes -> 210 degrees
    5 minutes -> 218 degrees

    With my iRoast2 I felt that the presets were only roasting the beans
    about half as dark as the roasted beans I'd purchased in the past -
    but I do have a tendency to like a dark roast, almost French Roast.
    The profile above has given the beans a nice dark colour (not quiet
    as dark as M&D's Cuban roast to those familar with it). There was also
    a nice clean break between first and second cracks as it's a more gradual
    roast over the full 15 minutes.

    As always the truth of the pudding is in the tasting, so it'll be tomorrow
    eve before I give them a grind and brew. I'd recommend giving the above
    profile a shot, at worst you'll waste 140g of beans.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,449 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr Magnolia


    Look forward to the report Gran Hermano. I'll probably those settings a run at the weekend. Let me know what you think.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,329 ✭✭✭Gran Hermano


    Look forward to the report Gran Hermano. I'll probably those settings a run at the weekend. Let me know what you think.

    I let the beans sit for a day and I’m delighted with my results.

    Taste and crema is much better than either the included presets or the other
    profiles I’d found online. I’ll mention again that opinions and results will differ
    according to the bean type, your particular roast and individual taste/roast
    preferences. The Cuban beans I tried seem to have benefited from the
    longer/more gradual roast. I was tempted to hit the cool-down button whilst I
    still had 1-2 minutes remaining but I’m now glad I didn’t.

    I’ll be using this profile as a basis for future roasts and am interested to hear
    what others think of it if they try it.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,449 Mod ✭✭✭✭Mr Magnolia


    I was tempted to hit the cool-down button whilst I still had 1-2 minutes remaining but I’m now glad I didn’t.

    I was actually thinking I may do that if they start to get very dark while roasting when I read you time-lines. I'll resist the urge so.
    I’ll be using this profile as a basis for future roasts and am interested to hear
    what others think of it if they try it.

    I'll put a batch on Friday or Saturday and let you know. It's a Columbian bean I'm on at the moment, I'm really enjoying it roasted at preset2 so I'm looking forward to trying your settings.

    I'm not generally into the French Roast taste, so I'll only roast 150g, I usually put 2 loads on consecutively.


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,329 ✭✭✭Gran Hermano


    I roasted 140g for the trial batches, so 150g should result in a lighter roast.
    For your first trial I'd resist ending the cycle too early, it's not as dark as a
    French Roast - I'd say it's between Full City+ and Light French.
    (Nowhere near as dark as M&D's Cuban roast). Whilst the duration is longer
    than any of the presets the temperatures are lower, it gives the beans a
    more gradual ramp-up to first crack.


Advertisement