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Date: 09 Aug 2006 17:55:17
From: beeman
Subject: Newbee question
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I have never roasted coffee but I would like to start. I have read about so
many ways to go I am confused. Some help by experienced roasters would be
appreciated. TIA.
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Date: 10 Aug 2006 00:45:09
From: The Other Funk
Subject: Re: Newbee question
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Finding the keyboard operational
beeman entered:
> I have never roasted coffee but I would like to start. I have read
> about so many ways to go I am confused. Some help by experienced
> roasters would be appreciated. TIA.
My advice is:
Experiment - beans, temp, time. You will get some nasty stuff and some
really great stuff. Keep a log so you don't remake the nasty stuff.
Ask - It's very true when it comes to roasting that there are no stupid
questions.
Bob
--
--
Coffee worth staying up for - NY Times
www.moondoggiecoffee.com
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Date: 10 Aug 2006 00:34:08
From: Robert Harmon
Subject: Re: Newbee question
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I'm fairly new to roasting myself (6 plus months) & seeking help in this
group is the smartest thing you'll ever do. Work your way through the
free-flow of high grade BS & you'll find a ton of expertise on roasting &
brewing coffee. If you're very unlucky you'll even come across posts on how
to expel the byproducts from your system.
There are many forums that are a BIG help; www.homeroaster.com &
www.sweetmarias.com are probably the two most often cited. Good luck!
--
Robert (Are you experienced?) Harmon
http://tinyurl.com/pou2y
http://tinyurl.com/fkd6r
"beeman" <anon@anon.com > wrote in message
news:55841$44da59e7$c65c63ba$14300@rapidsys.com...
>I have never roasted coffee but I would like to start. I have read about so
>many ways to go I am confused. Some help by experienced roasters would be
>appreciated. TIA.
>
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Date: 09 Aug 2006 19:29:09
From: North Sullivan
Subject: Re: Newbee question
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On Wed, 9 Aug 2006 17:55:17 -0400, "beeman" <anon@anon.com > wrote:
>I have never roasted coffee but I would like to start. I have read about so
>many ways to go I am confused. Some help by experienced roasters would be
>appreciated. TIA.
>
Home roasting basics and the library at sweetmarias is a good place to
get started. Who knows where you'll end up.
http://www.sweetmarias.com/
North Sullivan
(roasting beans for pleasure and money)
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Date: 09 Aug 2006 16:24:13
From: SnTHoliday
Subject: Re: Newbee question
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beeman wrote:
> I have never roasted coffee but I would like to start. I have read about so
> many ways to go I am confused. Some help by experienced roasters would be
> appreciated. TIA.
I would suggest trying the hot air corn popper method first. If you
enjoy roasting
your own (and I'm sure you will) you can explore other methods later.
Starting
with a popper is inexpensive and easy, and helps you learn the basics.
You can
hopefully find a used popper at a nearby thrift store, or if there are
none close to
where you live try eBay.
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Date: 10 Aug 2006 12:33:49
From: Anon
Subject: Re: Newbee question
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I have seen corn poppers recommended for beginner roasters, on this AC many
times. Most of us started out with a popper and good results can be had from
them. There are 5 large thrift stores in my area, which because of my wife,
I have visited many (many) times. I have yet to see a used corn popper in
any of them and I have looked for them.
How about some advice for the Newbee on which NEW popper works best. Some of
the new ones are not suitable for coffee roasting, I don't know which.
"SnTHoliday" <sntholiday@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1155165853.868823.18140@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
>
> beeman wrote:
>> I have never roasted coffee but I would like to start. I have read about
>> so
>> many ways to go I am confused. Some help by experienced roasters would be
>> appreciated. TIA.
>
> I would suggest trying the hot air corn popper method first. If you
> enjoy roasting
> your own (and I'm sure you will) you can explore other methods later.
> Starting
> with a popper is inexpensive and easy, and helps you learn the basics.
> You can
> hopefully find a used popper at a nearby thrift store, or if there are
> none close to
> where you live try eBay.
>
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Date: 10 Aug 2006 14:55:02
From: Lloyd Parsons
Subject: Re: Newbee question
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In article <eI6dnVRSoPyPF0bZnZ2dnUVZ_rydnZ2d@giganews.com >,
"Anon" <anon@anon.com > wrote:
> I have seen corn poppers recommended for beginner roasters, on this AC many
> times. Most of us started out with a popper and good results can be had from
> them. There are 5 large thrift stores in my area, which because of my wife,
> I have visited many (many) times. I have yet to see a used corn popper in
> any of them and I have looked for them.
>
> How about some advice for the Newbee on which NEW popper works best. Some of
> the new ones are not suitable for coffee roasting, I don't know which.
IMO, there are two entry level commercial roasters worth looking at, and
one slightly more expensive with more control.
FreshRoast +8 is really a glorified corn popper with a chaff collector
and timer. Quick and easy to use, it is pretty popular. One downside
is the small amount it will roast. 64 grams (about 2.25 oz) is all it
holds. Costs around $70 or so.
Zach & Dani's is a different breed. Combining both hot air and hot
surface with an augur, it does a good job on all roast levels, imo. And
an excellent job in the lighter roasts. It does 4 oz of darker roasts,
and 5 oz. of lighter roasts. Available this week for $99, usually
around $159.
Good reviews of both of these are on coffeegeek.com and sweetmarias.com
and other sites.
I have both and love each. I use the FreshRoast for my darker roastings
as the small size isn't an issue for that, and the Zach & Dani's for the
bulk of my roasting. I have done very dark roasts in the Zach & Dani's,
but it does take a lot longer because of the methods used, with
excellent results.
I wouldn't hesitate recommending either one.
The iRoast2 is available for around $189 and is probably the most
versatile of the entry level jobs. I have no direct experience with
this one, but reviews are good at the same places.
Read in coffeegeek's roasting forum for more information
Lloyd
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Date: 09 Aug 2006 22:21:47
From: I->Ian
Subject: Re: Newbee question
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On Wed, 9 Aug 2006 17:55:17 -0400, "beeman" <anon@anon.com > wrote:
>I have never roasted coffee but I would like to start. I have read about so
>many ways to go I am confused. Some help by experienced roasters would be
>appreciated. TIA.
>
There are 3 major factors.
Cost
Convenience
Noise
Additionally, flavor is somewhat affected by the roast method.
If you fill in what you're looking for, you may get some useful
responses.
If you think you are confused now, just hang out here for a while!
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Date: 09 Aug 2006 19:18:42
From: Mike Hartigan
Subject: Re: Newbee question
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In article <kpnkd2du5hi207rl90be8kkdjile6bbr2v@4ax.com >,
someone@nowhere.com says...
> On Wed, 9 Aug 2006 17:55:17 -0400, "beeman" <anon@anon.com> wrote:
>
> >I have never roasted coffee but I would like to start. I have read about so
> >many ways to go I am confused. Some help by experienced roasters would be
> >appreciated. TIA.
> >
>
> There are 3 major factors.
> Cost
The difference between home roasted and commercially roasted beans
can be pretty dramatic. Expect to save $5-$10 or more per lb for
beans compared to the more traditional sources. And it's fresher
than what's available to most people. The equipment should pay for
itself after 10 or 20 lbs. After that, it's a bonus. But that's
merely icing on the cake, IMO. I'd do it even if it cost more.
> Convenience
That shouldn't be a consideration when dealing with something that
is, essentially, a hobby. Store bought chocolate chip cookies are
easier than homemade. As is store bought beer. But, among those
who've tried it, few will argue that it's not worth the effort to
make your own.
> Noise
I do it in the garage. Neither noise nor smoke is a problem.
> Additionally, flavor is somewhat affected by the roast method.
I've not done any A/B comparisons, so I won't comment on the method.
Suffice it to say that virtually any method you settle in on will
give you the *potential* to brew the best damn cup-o-joe you've ever
had. I've burned a few batches - they were tossed immediately out of
the roaster. Not counting those, it's a rare few that weren't as
good as what I could have bought locally - occasionally better, and
every once in a while, a LOT better. It took lots of experimenting,
but even in the early days, the coffee I was roasting was pretty damn
good. The freshness of a roast can't truly be appreciated until
you've experienced it. With home roasting, every brew is fresh.
> If you fill in what you're looking for, you may get some useful
> responses.
>
> If you think you are confused now, just hang out here for a while!
Indeed!
--
-Mike
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Date: 09 Aug 2006 18:19:01
From: Ed Needham
Subject: Re: Newbee question
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I think you could get a wide assortment of ideas from the homeroaster pages
on my site...
http://www.homeroaster.com
--
*********************
Ed Needham
"to absurdity and beyond!"
ed at homeroaster dot com
(include [FRIEND] in subject line to get through my SPAM filters)
*********************
"beeman" <anon@anon.com > wrote in message
news:55841$44da59e7$c65c63ba$14300@rapidsys.com...
>I have never roasted coffee but I would like to start. I have read about so
>many ways to go I am confused. Some help by experienced roasters would be
>appreciated. TIA.
>
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