Gonna Roast

smallBiscuit

Hi all, I like coffee, over the years I've refined the coffee I drink through the levels I'm sure you've all gone through. Starting with Instant, then ground beans, then grinding my own beans, so the next logical step to take in my search for that perfect cup, is to roast my own. So I'm looking for some advice.

I've done a bit of research and concluded that a pre-built home roasting machine is out of the question waaay to expensive. I'm going to build.
I don't fancy the popcorn machine method as it doesn't make much at a go (I average about 10 double espressos a day) and shortens the life of the machine.
Instead I think the heatgun method is better.
My plans are to mount a stationary heat gun, facing down over a colander. Put a small motor under the colander to turn it, with a stationary 'spoon' type of thingy to stir the beans as they pass.
My questions:
1. Wil this work and will it make a nice roast
2. What speed do you reckon I need this turning at
3. Cooling, it better to let the beans cool naturally (this will be done either outdoors or in the shed) or should I have something like a fan to cool once the heat is off


I also have questions on a good cheap grinder but they can wait :-)

Mr Magnolia

You'll be wasting your money on a set-up like that if you're looking for a quality roast I'm afraid. The best investment you could make is in a quality grinder now, certainly before a roaster. It's hard to better the good commercial, professional roasters.

What sort of an espresso machine are you using?

smallBiscuit

I hava a kenwood cafe chic Which make a great coffee

My grinder though is a cheap blade one I bought in powercity and is now broken (it works but the indicator lights don't, so I go on the sound as to when it's ground to the correct amount)
So, you say a better grind will be more noticeable than roasting my own? What about this one It seems to tick the recommended boxes, conical burr grinder, low rpm


I remember the first time I ground my own beans. I had a really cheap espresso machine and the same cheap grinder. I'd bought Java republic beans in Tesco's (Munkey Espresso) and I remember how good the first cup was. I saw the same beans in Superquinn last week and bought some, the result was nowhere near as good. I'd thought the reason was the beans had probably been sitting in a warehouse for month's, so the flavour had faded, hence roast my own.

The Munkey Espresso were unbelievable :eek:, I'd never had as good a coffee, an almost chocolate after-taste

donnacha

The Bodum one you have linked there is perfect for press or filter but not great for espresso.