Rob989_69 Senior Member Joined: 19 Dec 2012 Posts: 41 Location: Rochester Expertise: Just starting
Posted Wed Dec 19, 2012, 5:24pm Subject: Help me with my Behmor. PLEASE!
Ok, brand new to roasting, I used a bread maker and heat gun for a while but being in Upstate NY I wanted to be able to be indoors, and also wanted the ability to do larger batch sizes. Behmor fit the bill perfectly, but I'm having real issues learning this machine. I've had 3 batches come out undrinkable, tasting like wet hay, everything else is just flat and tasteless, I've tried the coffee the next day, and 3 and 4 days after roasting. I'm fairly certain I'm under roasting, but I can't figure out why. I tested the outlet and I'm reading about 118 so I don't think it's power related.
I just did 2 roasts tonight, I'll give as many specifics as possible.
1st was a Mexico Altura Chiapas El Triunfo Organic, Fair Trade. 8 oz measured on a scale. I did do a 1:40 warmup. Then selected 1/2 B P1. I never heard 1st or 2nd crack, I'm having a really hard time with the Behmor in that regard, the breadmaker was open and I had no problem but in this I'm just not hearing it. The roast turned out fairly uneven and close to City/City+ I'd guess, I'm concerned this will be another wasted roast honestly.
2nd Roast was a Kenya Kia-Ora Estate AA Organic. 8 oz on the scale again. Immediately after first roast so no warmup time. This time I selected 1lb B P1 Picked up a hint of 2nd crack, let it really get rolling and hit cool at 5:30 left. After 3 minutes into the cool cycle I opened the door to bring it down quicker. This came out significantly darker, FC+ even into Vienna. I'll give both till the weekend and try them. Hopefully this turns out well.
I know the process for the 2nd roast isn't recommended by Behmor, I'm just trying to get some drinkable coffee at this point. I kept reading how much better fresh roasted coffee is than store bought, right now what I'm turning out is worse than a year old can of Folgers. I'd love to use the programs as they're intended, but maxing out the times I'm barely getting coffee that's roasted.
Rob989_69 Senior Member Joined: 19 Dec 2012 Posts: 41 Location: Rochester Expertise: Just starting
Posted Wed Dec 19, 2012, 6:51pm Subject: Re: Help me with my Behmor. PLEASE!
Ran out and grabbed a Kill-a-watt, read 117 when I plugged it in, 111.5 as soon as I started the roaster, and 108 at halfway through the cycle. That's towards the low end but is it low enough to cause the issues I'm having?
Snaxx Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2008 Posts: 115 Location: Northeast Michigan, LP Expertise: I love coffee
Grinder: KitchenAid A9 Drip: Technivorm Moccamaster Roaster: I Roast2
Posted Wed Dec 19, 2012, 9:38pm Subject: Re: Help me with my Behmor. PLEASE!
Rob989_69 Said:
Ran out and grabbed a Kill-a-watt, read 117 when I plugged it in, 111.5 as soon as I started the roaster, and 108 at halfway through the cycle. That's towards the low end but is it low enough to cause the issues I'm having?
That's not a good situation. The initial low voltage and then these major voltage drops will cause all sorts of problems with high wattage loads with yours, or most any coffee roaster. At 111, then later down to 108 volts, won't give you enough heat to efficiently roast a load. You have three or four possible issues here that may be correctable, maybe not.
117 static volts is a bit on the low side, though it should be adequate. Are you trying to roast at a time when normally a lot of neighbors may be cooking the evening meal and therefore may be drawing lots of power off the local grid? Or are you toward the end of the power line feeding your subdivision?
Is your home fairly new and up to date with the electrical installation, or is it old and needing some attention to prevent overloaded circuits? Is your roaster plugged directly into a kitchen appliance circuit which are supposed to be a 20 amp circuit, and with no other loads turned on at the time, like a toaster, microwave, refrigerator, or other high watt kitchen appliance?
Is the receptacle you're plugging into in good condition and not old and worn out? If the receptacle isn't able to maintain good contact with the plug prongs, that could cause heating at that point, and loss of available power going into the roaster. The same for the connections on the screw terminals of the receptacles. If terminations have loosened either at the screws of the receptacle or wirenut splices, anywhere in the circuit, you'll have this visible voltage drop with heavy current loads. When you get done roasting, and before running on a cool cycle, pull the roaster plug and check to see if the plug is only slightly warm or if it is very hot. If you're monitoring with a KillAWatt, you want to check the prongs of the KillAWatt.
You might consider installing a dedicated 20 amp circuit near the breaker box and use that as a reference to run your roaster. If you can improve on your voltages going to the roaster and keeping it closer to your home input voltage, it would give you some idea where any problems may be with the use of this roaster on the circuit you're trying to roast on.
IMAWriter Senior Member Joined: 4 Jul 2002 Posts: 5,464 Location: Brentwood, TN Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Nothing at the moment Grinder: Vario-W,Preciso-Esatto/KyM... Vac Pot: Adcraft SS, Yama 8 cup Drip: Brazen.Chemex, Hario, Clever... Roaster: Behmor 1600, CO/UFO combo
Posted Wed Dec 19, 2012, 9:47pm Subject: Re: Help me with my Behmor. PLEASE!
Rob989_69 Said:
Ran out and grabbed a Kill-a-watt, read 117 when I plugged it in, 111.5 as soon as I started the roaster, and 108 at halfway through the cycle. That's towards the low end but is it low enough to cause the issues I'm having?
Unfortunately, the low voltage is most likely your problem. Any roaster works best at 118-121, etc...the Behmor being no different. Perhaps try a different outlet. I'm lucky that I'm usually 121, except during the hottest summer months. During usage, my volts drop down to 116-117. I would suggest when you see 118, go for 8oz by weight, P1/A. DO NOT leave the roaster. Best case scenario would be to hear 1st crack (which you SHOULD, the roaster is pretty quiet) with about 3 minutes remaining, give or take 30 seconds.
Rob989_69 Senior Member Joined: 19 Dec 2012 Posts: 41 Location: Rochester Expertise: Just starting
Posted Thu Dec 20, 2012, 5:59am Subject: Re: Help me with my Behmor. PLEASE!
Thanks for the replies. I was a bit concerned that was the issue. I'll try and answer your questions Snaxx.
My home was built in the 50's and the electric throughout was created sometime around 550 BC. The circuit is in my garage, there is a fridge on it. Other than that it could be connected to my neighbors basement for all I know. (Yeah.... It's that bad.)
The receptacle is older but not in "bad" condition, not worn out at all. I could try replacing that to see if it makes a difference. It is nice and tight. I'll check it's temperature the next time I roast.
You make installing a circuit sound so easy, you don't perhaps live in the upstate NY area and work for free do you? Just kidding. I would consider that as a last ditch, only because that's well beyond my knowledge and I'd only succeed in making my wife a widow. Which... Now that I think about it, she might prefer to me spending my nights roasting coffee instead of with her...
Anyway, thanks again for the info. I basically came to the same conclusions. Either it's my power (likely) or the roaster (not so much)
As a band aid would a variac help out? I've limited understanding of just how that works. I know that you can set a specific voltage and it'll maintain it but if I have already low voltage will it work if I set it higher? Say 120?
Posted Thu Dec 20, 2012, 6:38am Subject: Re: Help me with my Behmor. PLEASE!
Another Idea is to plug your Behmor into the 120V plug on top of the stove if you have it. Without the stove on you will have a solid 120V and the range hood to vent the smoke. Def buy a kill-a-watt. :)
Posted Thu Dec 20, 2012, 7:42am Subject: Re: Help me with my Behmor. PLEASE!
Look around for another 220V outlet. If there is one you can get a transformer or voltage converter to convert to 120V/15A or 20A. If it's all a no go then your best bet is to trick the Behmor with the 1lb setting. This will not void your warrenty unless your roasting more than 10sec past 2C. Also as long as you keep it clean after every 3-5 roasts with some simple green then it will last a very long time. Parts are all replacable once things start to go years down the road. If you buy a Kill-A-Watt you will be able to check outlets for better voltage also.
Rob989_69 Senior Member Joined: 19 Dec 2012 Posts: 41 Location: Rochester Expertise: Just starting
Posted Thu Dec 20, 2012, 7:54am Subject: Re: Help me with my Behmor. PLEASE!
I'll check, I don't have any more 220 outlets I know that for sure. I'll try the 1lb setting tonight and see if that makes any difference.
So the Variac, would that be a good solution? I mean generally I don't need to do more the 1/2lb so tricking isn't an issue for the most part. However, there are instances where I need to do a full lb. If I get a Variac could I get the power increase needed to roast "normally"
And finally, if a variac would work, any recommendations? From what I've read 15-20amp is recommended. I'd prefer to spend less than $200 but could strech a bit for something good. I'm at work so can't check ebay now but I'm assuming that may be my best bet.
Rob989_69 Senior Member Joined: 19 Dec 2012 Posts: 41 Location: Rochester Expertise: Just starting
Posted Thu Dec 20, 2012, 7:55am Subject: Re: Help me with my Behmor. PLEASE!
Oh, and I did get a Kill-a-Watt last night which is how I tested the outlet I'm currently using. I'll check throughout the house but one outlet I tried in the kitchen was reading 118.5 with nothing plugged in.
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