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Permalink Reply by Jason Shipley on October 31, 2011 at 8:36am

Automation on an IR roaster is an oxymoron because IR burners don't change output fast enough, by the time the gas valve has changes and there is any change in btu output too much time has past and the situation is different. Careful manipulation of airflow nets a good result but for consistency a good roaster has to be at the helm.

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Permalink Reply by james eric needham on November 7, 2011 at 1:37pm

ok here is a non automated IR-7 how does this look?

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Permalink Reply by Benjamin Phillips on November 7, 2011 at 8:26pm

is this roaster in kennewick wa?

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Permalink Reply by james eric needham on November 8, 2011 at 6:13am

Benjamin,

Yes it is, you are familiar with it?

Eric

Benjamin Phillips said:

is this roaster in kennewick wa?

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Permalink Reply by james eric needham on November 10, 2011 at 8:47am

How about this IR-3 with afterburner? afterburner is not a requirement but may be a plus if installed at home or close proximity.

 

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Permalink Reply by Mike McGinness on November 10, 2011 at 9:21am

What is the intended use of the roaster? Your bio says you're a pilot and home barista. Strictly personal roasting, roasting for friends and family, starting a roasting business?

 

BTW, I disagree about automation control systems being an oxymoron. Attempting to use automation without first knowing your roaster's capabilities and the capabilities of the automation sure is a fools adventure.

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Permalink Reply by james eric needham on November 10, 2011 at 9:34am

Mike,

As my passion has grown, I have refurbished used and sold a number of machines this last year.

I am hoping to start a micro roasting company, with a emphasis on bringing a high quality roast to our area, to include education on coffee and machinery and some local barista events

Eric

 

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Permalink Reply by Mike McGinness on November 10, 2011 at 10:05am

Worthy goals. That said if I understand correctly you've never roasted coffee at all. It's easy to turn beans brown, it's a lifetime Journey learning to make beans sing. I'd suggest getting a high quality smaller 1/2lb capacity home roaster first like the Quest M3 or go for the gusto and get a USRC .5k. It will take hundreds to thousands of roasts to really get good at it IF you have a good aptitude and the patience to learn! Neither would be a waste if/when your capacity needs increase, continued use for sample and profile development roasting. You could start with a 3k but you'll burn through a LOT more greens learning :) Yes you can roast smaller batches, but it's much more difficult to learn to control batches way below roaster capacity. But you can do it. And if done from the git go not too bad except when then going for larger capacity batches everthing changes, and changes big time! Yet just a different learning curve I suppose.

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Permalink Reply by james eric needham on November 10, 2011 at 10:35am

Mike,

Thanks for the input, points well taken. I do have a friend who just got back from Iraq. he has been roasting on hottop, and is getting a 'tricked out M3 tomorrow. he is produced some excellent roasts is very passionate about it. he will be roasting and teaching me as well. I have the most to learn but my friend has at least some experience.

Eric

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