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The Beaning Of Life


A journey of coffee

Roast #3 data logger

This is the first time roasting with the new Roasting Station, which is almost complete. Just need to do something with the cables and power board. As you can see below, set up in my front yard, computer, data logger, display monitor to watch temps, etc

I decided to take a risk and do a 50/50 blend with the Bolivia and El Salvador that I have, I really enjoyed both in the cup, so it will be interesting to see how this goes.

500gm before, 420gm after
Ambient air temp 18C
First Crack 10m 30s
2nd Crack 16m 30s (pulled shortly after)

Using the roast monitor software by "pcf1978" on coffeesnobs.com.au Roasting Guide for USB Data Logger (Non-Official and Experimental) I watched the display closely, and altered the heat gun temp, height, and cover over the BM to maintain a consistent temp, it worked brilliantly. This software is experimental at this time, and quite basic, but the interface and look of this app is top notch, the gauges/stats are big and clear, as is the actual temp graph, VERY easy to read, even in the sun outside. I can't wait until a few features are added to this awesome bit of software. More on this later. Check out the screen shot in this post of the software (and my roast)

Using the data logger and software for the first time, I felt much more relaxed, and just focused on the monitor watching temps rather than staring in to the BM at the beans as they swirled around.

Some observations and thoughts:

1. don't forget pedestal fan to blow away chaff and smoke
2. don't forget sunglasses, bit sunny this morning
3. build a 'hood' or 'visor' for the LCD monitor. It's visible, but could do with some shade
4. the new roasting station works brilliantly, especially the camera-tripod stand for the heat gun, I can adjust the height really quickly, and swivel the gun out of the way after roasting

I would say the roast is a CS8 or 9 on the card. It looks light, especially in the sun, but it's darker than it appears. Roast was quite even, considering it was a blend.

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Roastmonitor

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Datalogger Installation

So I monitored my first two roasts with an IR temp gun (like you use at the drag strip to check your tyre and track temps). Not entirely accurate, so I forked out for a digital multimeter with data logging capability, it hooks in to the computer and you can monitor your roast to work on some profiles. Neat.

I had to drill holes in the BM, it worked well, mounted from the under side, so allows for easy and fast pan removal at EOR (end of roast)

Results to be posted in my next entry

(download)

Roasting Station part 2

P861

I've started to put together a new roasting station. Something stable, convenient and portable.

I've reconfigured one of my metal shelving units to make this new station. It hosts an adjustable heat gun stand (ex-camera tripod) and a "floating" LCD display for monitoring roasts.

Next up will be wheels, data logger, power and maybe wind protection

2nd roast, Bolivian

Click here to download:
HGBM.pdf (68 KB)
(download)

Today I roasted my second ever batch of beans in the Corretto. I went with the Bolivia Montanas Verde, 500gm

I used a spreadsheet I found on http://coffeesnobs.com.au/ to attempt to get a roast profile happening, I was somewhat successful, but reached second crack fairly early (16 min).

Rather than tinker with the heat gun on this one, I adjusted roast temp by sliding a cover over the Corretto, on and off as required to keep a stable temp. I roasted outside in the wind, so it was tricky.

PDF attached shows the temps (current / red). First crack was 11 min, second at 16 min which is when I pulled it all and cooled it. It's not too dark, I could probably gone darker / longer.

I should also mention that since I roasted my first batch (El Salvador) it's really come up nice with a five day rest, it seems to be getting better each day I try it. It's probably at it's peak now. Impressed for my first ever roast!

Bean Cooler

(download)

So I'm about to embark on an epic coffee home roasting adventure.

I am preparing some essentials before I begin.

First up, my bean cooler device.

Yeah it's a 20L bucket with an exhaust fan inside an metal sieve on top. Apparently this will cool the beans down to room temp in around 2mins.

Made with not much more than a hacksaw blade.

Welcome to my Coffee Journey

I snagged this domain name a while back when it expired after the previous domain holder just let it go. Going through some internet archives (http://archive.org) I found it belonged to another coffee enthusiast/roaster/cafe owner who is no longer in business (as far as I know). I believe it was also a blog!

I hope to blog my experiences with anything coffee. I've not been in to coffee that long, perhaps 3 years. It was when I bought my first espresso machine and grinder, and started enjoying specialty coffee (much to my wife's dislike, she doesn't like coffee).

I should mention I'm in Perth, Western Australia

I started with a Sunbeam EM6910 espresso machine and Sunbeam EM0480 burr grinder. I still have both, although the grinder is now at work where I grind fresh for brew's at work. I've upgraded my home grinder to a Mazzer Mini manual (doser), which I just love. It seems indestructable.

The Sunbeam is a very basic machine. I did some research on http://coffeesnobs.com.au/ before buying. I wanted something affordable, just to "dip my toes in the water" and see if this was the thing for me (coffee). It's advertised as a 15bar, thermoblock machine. One of it's "strong" points is the ability to extract espresso and steam at the same time. It has pre-infusion, built in water tank, 3-way solenoid valve, cup warmer, and is programmable (dose size, etc). I picked it up for around $550. Much less than the $800'ish retail price thanks to a mate that works at an electrical good store.

I still use the Sunbeam today. Through regular maintenance, it's lasted well, it still pulls reasonable shots, but the steam is really not great (I guess it never has been). I hope to upgrade to a more powerful machine in the near future. The wife says not until she gets more diamonds. *urgh*

Moving on.... I plan to update this site with not only my own coffee journey, but also other relevant and interesting things that I find, all about coffee.

I'm on http://twitter.com/JamesMandy and http://facebook.com/jmandy

Bear with me while I get this site configured properly with appropriate styling, etc.

If you are in Perth, and you are in to coffee, or you are a cafe or roastery, feel free to contact me or contribute to my site!

Cheers, James

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