Home roasted coffee beans...

[itallushrt]

It doesn't get any fresher or better than roasting them yourself.

Thought you guys might like to see my high dollar bean roaster :smile:, some pre-roasted green beans, and the same beans, a Costa Rican herbazu, roasted to a full city roast.

TASTY!

Roaster...

green (fresh) beans...

roasted vs. green comparison...

Finished product after approximately 9 minutes in the roaster!!

 

[theribdoctor]

how did you figure out a popper would make a good roaster?

 

[JgButler]

Nice to see that you have discovered the world of fluid bed roasting. :thumbsup:These Popperies work great. I have been using the same one to roast with since 2004 when I was introduced to the world of home roasting. I will give you a little secret that makes it an even better process.

If you will pick you up a glass chimney, like used on oil lamps, to use instead of that plastic top that goes with the popper it will help tremendously. That top will eventually melt. The chimney will help to expel the chaff better plus by restricting the flow a bit you will have a stronger air flow and will will roll the beans better. Another bonus is that you can see the roast as it is progressing better. It also helps to keep the roast from taking for ever in the cooler months, if you are roasting outdoors which I presume you are because of the chaff, by holding the heat in the chamber better. Here is a link to Lehmans and the chimneys they sell. You can find them other places also. Just measure the opening in your popper and them grab a chimney with the right size base. Believe me you will be glad that you did!

I've got a Behmor that I use when it gets really cold out but other than that it's the Poppery.

 

[kravnh]

I've got a Behmor that I use when it gets really cold out but other than that it's the Poppery.

I would like to discuss the Behmor with you. I have a Behmor and a iRoast 2. I like the Behmor because of the capacity, but I think I get a better roast from the iRoast 2. Do you have any problems with the Behmor, or have you figured out any tricks or techniques to get the roast profiles you want? I usually roast Columbian, Mexican organic, and Sumatran beans. I try to stay no darker than FC+ with the Mexi and Sumatran, but Columbian can go all the way to French roast. I just can get that dark with the Behmor....

 

[itallushrt]

Nice to see that you have discovered the world of fluid bed roasting. :thumbsup:These Popperies work great. I have been using the same one to roast with since 2004 when I was introduced to the world of home roasting. I will give you a little secret that makes it an even better process.

If you will pick you up a glass chimney, like used on oil lamps, to use instead of that plastic top that goes with the popper it will help tremendously. That top will eventually melt. The chimney will help to expel the chaff better plus by restricting the flow a bit you will have a stronger air flow and will will roll the beans better. Another bonus is that you can see the roast as it is progressing better. It also helps to keep the roast from taking for ever in the cooler months, if you are roasting outdoors which I presume you are because of the chaff, by holding the heat in the chamber better. Here is a link to Lehmans and the chimneys they sell. You can find them other places also. Just measure the opening in your popper and them grab a chimney with the right size base. Believe me you will be glad that you did!

I've got a Behmor that I use when it gets really cold out but other than that it's the Poppery.

Thanks for the tip about the glass cover. I've been roasting with my poppery for going on 2 years now and the stock lid has had it. Unfortunately your link failed (the site is there just not that exact product) so I'll have to do a bit of research on sizes, etc.

So far I've been happy enough with my poppery that I haven't upgraded to an iRoast.

As for rolling the beans what I do is give them a good stir once with a wooden chopstick at about the halfway mark to first crack. Then another good one at what I guess at the halfway mark to second crack.

Do you get your beans at sweetmarias?

 

[rabbgp]

I love the idea of roasting your own. But don't have a clue where to start and where to get the beans, etc. How about a little guidance?

 

[itallushrt]

I love the idea of roasting your own. But don't have a clue where to start and where to get the beans, etc. How about a little guidance?

It is very easy and surprisingly economical. A friend of mine in Wisconsin turned me on to it and pointed me to this tutorial. Like most things I found it to be a bit of educating yourself through reading mixed with a bit of trial and error through doing.

The biggest gotcha that I have found personally is cooling the beans once you've reached your desired roast level. For me I use a large fan blasting them once I pull them out of the popper. Also, ROAST OUTSIDE! Roasting creates a lot of really foul smelling smoke.

Actually looks like they have updated their instructions a bit. Probably for the better...

http://www.sweetmarias.com/instructions.php

http://www.sweetmarias.com/roasting-VisualGuideV2.php

One thing I can tell you is that once you identify the beans that you like and learn how to roast them properly you will be blown away by the flavor (a lot like cigar smoking!). It is leaps and bounds better than any commercially available coffee I have ever had.

 

[itallushrt]

how did you figure out a popper would make a good roaster?

I take absolutely zero credit for that...it was shown to me by others.

I purchased my popper on ebay for 10$.

 

[rabbgp]

It is very easy and surprisingly economical. A friend of mine in Wisconsin turned me on to it and pointed me to this tutorial. Like most things I found it to be a bit of educating yourself through reading mixed with a bit of trial and error through doing.

The biggest gotcha that I have found personally is cooling the beans once you've reached your desired roast level. For me I use a large fan blasting them once I pull them out of the popper. Also, ROAST OUTSIDE! Roasting creates a lot of really foul smelling smoke.

Actually looks like they have updated their instructions a bit. Probably for the better...

http://www.sweetmarias.com/instructions.php

http://www.sweetmarias.com/roasting-VisualGuideV2.php

One thing I can tell you is that once you identify the beans that you like and learn how to roast them properly you will be blown away by the flavor (a lot like cigar smoking!). It is leaps and bounds better than any commercially available coffee I have ever had.

Thanks. Now if I can just figure out how to grow/roll my own cigars and distill my own Jack Daniels I'll be set!

 

[Slow Burn]

that's so funny! i would have thought you would need some fancy expensive roaster....

how or should i say where do you get your beans from?

 

[texas_stang]

I have been using an iroast 2 for a few years.:thumbsup:

 

[Wink]

I was considering this for a while then I went and bought a single roast brewer...... keurig. I know fresh roasted has a better brew guess I was going more for convenience. Nothing like a cup of joe and uh.......haven't found a favorite stick for the morning cup. Help me out.

 

[rabbgp]

Placed my order for a sampler pack from Sweet Maria's this weekend. Just got back from Goodwill with my $4.99 popcorn, popper/bean roaster. Now I need to buy a good grinder. Any suggestions?

 

[TreeFrog Frank]

I need to chat it up with a guy at our Farmer's Market, around here. He has just started selling some home-roasted beans. He has Mexican (something), Ethopian Harrar, and another dark roast... just forgot what it was. I picked up a half pound of Harrar on Friday. Look forward to grinding and brewing some. I should talk to him about what process, equipment he uses for roasting.

 

[rabbgp]

Well I have been home roasting like crazy, Freaking love it. Learned it was def better to roast out on the patio and not worry about the chaf and smoke. Have already got two orders from sweet maria's and just placed another from Paradise coffee. (Shipping from Paradise Coffee is $3.00 vs $8.99 from Sweet Maria's!)

Can't wait for some cool Fall evenings on the patio smoking a great cigar and drinking some home roasted coffee!

Love it!

 

[x man]

Thanks for the tip about the glass cover. I've been roasting with my poppery for going on 2 years now and the stock lid has had it. Unfortunately your link failed (the site is there just not that exact product) so I'll have to do a bit of research on sizes, etc.

So far I've been happy enough with my poppery that I haven't upgraded to an iRoast.

As for rolling the beans what I do is give them a good stir once with a wooden chopstick at about the halfway mark to first crack. Then another good one at what I guess at the halfway mark to second crack.

Do you get your beans at sweetmarias?

Funny, i use the chop stick too, love my poppery.