carsonc Senior Member Joined: 22 Sep 2012 Posts: 8 Location: gardena california Expertise: I love coffee
Grinder: bravile Drip: chemex Roaster: behmor
Posted Thu Sep 27, 2012, 10:31pm Subject: how to tell when 1st crack has started
I was roasting some jamacian blue mountain "style" beans, I got them when I bought the Behmor. I was using 10 oz of beans p3 c 1 lb on the machine. At 4 min from the end of the timer I heard 1 pop then it was quite for another min and then 2 or 3 pops then nothing for 30 sec and then it started to pop regularly and I backed off the time for 1 & 1/2 min. They came out looking ok maybe not as dark as I would have liked but ok. My question is which pop should I use as the actual start of 1 st crack. After the roast is done and the beans have cooled I put them in an airtight container, would this (being airtight) stop the beans from outgasing or whatever it is they are doing while they rest. I am very new to bean roasting. Thanks Carson
oldgearhead Senior Member Joined: 25 Jan 2010 Posts: 355 Location: Go Colts! Expertise: I like coffee
Grinder: Virtuoso by Baratza Drip: Chemex,Dilongi DCM900 Roaster: 1/2K Fluid-bed
Posted Fri Sep 28, 2012, 5:11am Subject: Re: how to tell when 1st crack has started
I've never roasted with a toaster oven, but with hot-air roasters I wait for multiple 'snaps' before reducing the input energy. After cooling I fill a quart Mason-style jar with the beans and leave the lid loose overnight, then seal it the next morning.
Posted Wed Oct 10, 2012, 4:44am Subject: Re: how to tell when 1st crack has started
I have found that with the Behmor P2 for that type of bean works best. It allows a clear gap from 1c to 2c. If they are JBM beans (Hard Beans) they don't roast quickly. P1 meshes the cracks together so it's harder to tell. P5 which is ideal for JBM I have to add time to the roast due to the temp ramp. If you are stuck on using P3 then I would consider pre heating your Behmor. Use gloves. 2min exactly will bring it to 300F.
carsonc Senior Member Joined: 22 Sep 2012 Posts: 8 Location: gardena california Expertise: I love coffee
Grinder: bravile Drip: chemex Roaster: behmor
Posted Wed Oct 10, 2012, 9:18pm Subject: Re: how to tell when 1st crack has started
burner0000 I will try the p2 and see if I can hear the different cracks
one of my problems is that I do not know what each "type" of bean is, let alone how it should be roasted.
I also have a low voltage problem, while the heaters are on in the behmor the voltage drops to 112 (fluke meter) I moved everything to the garage as it is closer to where the power comes in but it still dropped to 114.
I tried using a 20 amp variac and could get the voltage up to 120 but it was not stable and had to be adjusted too much.
I am now trying to find an old surplus "sola" constant voltage power transformer, but so far all have been to small.
Posted Thu Oct 11, 2012, 5:45am Subject: Re: how to tell when 1st crack has started
I usually do research on each green bean I buy. There’s lots of resources online that explain each origin of bean. Hard beans are grown at high altitudes and soft are grown at lower or ground level. GreenBeanery.ca has a great selection as well as a good description for each bean incl bean type and roast recommendation. Sweetmarias is also a good place to get some bean and insight.
For roasting I would do 2 things. Check your power box and see if you can locate a plug on a circuit that is not being used or turn everything off when roasting. If you can’t I would roast only 1/2lb of green on the 1lb setting. You’re still getting a good 1300W-1500W at 112V so you shouldn't have a problem doing that. 2. If you have a larger voltage output like a stove or dryer you can get step down converters that will give you consistant voltage. Just make sure your stepping it down. :)
Posted Sat Oct 13, 2012, 6:37am Subject: Re: how to tell when 1st crack has started
I ran a direct line with 10/2 wire, a 20a breaker,and a 20a duplex recptical off a 200 amp service. I run 2 behmors at the same time and mine never drops under 118v during roasting
carsonc Senior Member Joined: 22 Sep 2012 Posts: 8 Location: gardena california Expertise: I love coffee
Grinder: bravile Drip: chemex Roaster: behmor
Posted Sat Oct 13, 2012, 9:13pm Subject: Re: how to tell when 1st crack has started
I would be happy with a steady 118 v, I have found a 240 to 120 transformer that will drive 1.5 kva which is a little small but should work maybe a little hotter than should be but for the time required and constant supervision I think it will be ok. Have to find one of those odd plugs that 220 v 1 ph requires, Home depot was out of them. carson
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