Coffee-Home Roasting (the other green bean)

[Too Tall]

This roaster is slow. This took 25 mins. This morning I had my first home roasted using French press. Not bad :).

what was the total roast time? for 1/2 lb in my roaster i'm usually around 12-13 mins.

those beans look nice, a little darker than i would go for most things but that's personal preference. over roasted is better than under roasted unless you really like a green tasting cup...

[Too Tall]

You were right, of course, the first roast(s) were under cooked.
Here is a correct'ish Citi Roast. Now I "get it". Once the first crack was underway it was like fireworks and ALOT of smoke.
I'll wait until this eve. and do a taste test.
roast1.jpg

[Jimmybagadonuts]

Nice.

Once you get into first crack, back the temp down a decent amount. The beans become endothermic at first crack and will essentially continue roasting with lower heat. By turning down the heat, you stretch out the roast a bit and can dial in the roast level.

[Too Tall]

Great clue. These were a bit over roasted for my taste. Good to know. I'm keeping very good notes on exactly what I'm doing.
I need to improve my venting a bit, once it starts smoking it's a bit overwhelming!

Nice.

Once you get into first crack, back the temp down a decent amount. The beans become endothermic at first crack and will essentially continue roasting with lower heat. By turning down the heat, you stretch out the roast a bit and can dial in the roast level.

[Cookietruck]

yeah those beans are oily, so you probably went all the way through second crack and then some. sometimes first crack isn't very noticeable...
i pretty much roast everything right up to where second crack is about to begin or maybe 30 seconds into second crack.
i pull espresso though, so i like to get the bright character.

[Too Tall]

yeah those beans are oily, so you probably went all the way through second crack and then some. sometimes first crack isn't very noticeable...
i pretty much roast everything right up to where second crack is about to begin or maybe 30 seconds into second crack.
i pull espresso though, so i like to get the bright character.

More good info. I will put this in my Italian mocha pot.

[Too Tall]

Ta Da. I talked with the roaster maker and he made a great suggestion and we are a go. Roast time is down to 20 mins. and much better control of temps. This batch looks perfect. Jimmy thanks for the clue, I cranked the heat down as soon as I heard first crack. Look good? I'll brew some tonight, it's hard to wait.
Tom Kellogg, don't worry I never tug on Superman's cape.
beans1.jpg

[VertigoCycles]

Ta Da. I talked with the roaster maker and he made a great suggestion and we are a go. Roast time is down to 20 mins. and much better control of temps. This batch looks perfect. Jimmy thanks for the clue, I cranked the heat down as soon as I heard first crack. Look good? I'll brew some tonight, it's hard to wait.
Tom Kellogg, don't worry I never tug on Superman's cape.
beans1.jpg

that looks pretty good to me! I usually dump mine at the first hint of second crack. Roast times are usually ~25 min but I do it outside always (smoke) and the roast time swings by a minute or two depending on external temps. Have fun with it. The best part is getting to experiment to see what you prefer and discovering how your process tweaks influence the flavor.

Does your roaster have a way of separating the chaff? Have you had a chaff fire yet?

[Jimmybagadonuts]

Looks great. Welcome to the club. There is no going back now !!

[Too Tall]

Looks great. Welcome to the club. There is no going back now !!

I made a bean cooler that removes about 85% of the chaff during the stirring.
Chaff fire? Yikes. I've been brushing the machine out carefully each time.

You are roasting for espresso so I think my times will generally be less. We do French press and Italian Mocha pot only.

[Cookietruck]

those beans look good.

also, there are no rules that espresso has to have dark roasted beans.

[Too Tall]

those beans look good.

also, there are no rules that espresso has to have dark roasted beans.

Thank you thank you. I could not wait longer than last eve. and brewed a cup which was quite decent but obviously needed to sit for 24 hrs. This morning it was heaven, maybe I got lucky.
Tomorrow, I'm going to throw caution to the wind and roast 1 lb of the same beans and try to replicate the roast. Mrs. Too Tall wants me to upgrade ventilation...oy ve.

This is where I got the beans: Leverhead Coffees - Home

[rwsaunders]

I'm not a bean roasting guru but I read once that you are supposed to allow the beans to offgas CO2 for 24 hours after roasting. Perhaps that's why your second cup tasted better than your first cup. Anyway, keep this epic adventure going as it's been fun to follow.

[Too Tall]

RW that's right. We tried the roast only 6 hrs. after and it was bitter. After 24 hrs. the beans were lovely.

I'm starting to feel better about this. Today I roasted 2 lbs of Columbian and for the first time pulled them when the beans began cracking on their own with no additional heat. Marking the time I roasted a second batch 1 min. further and began to see some serious City++ action and smoke!

Both look good, this is a pic. of the lighter roast >>

coffee1.jpg

[LarryA]

Nice job Josh!

[Too Tall]

Thanks maaaaaan :)

Two days ago I finished up the Columbian beans and went for it. Roasted 1.5 lbs in one shot to 29 min. before I heard the right sounds and smells.

FWIIW The beans are good to use in 24 hrs. but honestly maybe it is my imagination that they are alot better after three days.

These columbian beans are so good I've ordered 10 lbs more.

[Too Tall]

aaaaaaand I had my first fire. Got distracted talking to Mrs. TT and heard FIVE smoke alarms go off!!! Good to know that our hardwired smoke alarms are functioning I suppose. Thank goodness for high wrist silicon mitts. Everything is ok, no damage. The beans actually look really good...ouch.

Well, one more pound of coffee in the bin. I'm learning.

[rwsaunders]

I showed my better half your setup and she said that the Queen is not only a Queen but she is a Saint as well. Keep roasting for the fan club!

[Too Tall]

I showed my better half your setup and she said that the Queen is not only a Queen but she is a Saint as well. Keep roasting for the fan club!

No kidding. I'm a handful.

[defspace]

Have any of you guys ever messed around with roasting in your oven?

Roasting my own beans sounds right up my alley, but I'd rather not buy any more junk.