Green Coffee Buying Club
Coffee Discussion boards => Hardware & Equipment => Topic started by: mcmasterp on August 25, 2014, 06:32:37 PM
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I just put together an SCTO after being advised that my ronco would probably not ever be able to do a good enough job at roasting. I'd love input from anyone. here's a link to my post:
http://paulscoffeeadventure.com/my-scto-coffee-roaster/ (http://paulscoffeeadventure.com/my-scto-coffee-roaster/)
I first tried using it as described by Peter on his site but I think I either couldn't understand what elements were on when and what temps/times he was using or mine simply works different. Either way I had to leave the bottom element on the whole time to get the beans to crack. My first batches (of 12oz) did eventually crack at 15min but thats a far cry from peters ~7min to 1c. my TO is 1500w (measured it at 1465w) so I dont know exactly what the reasons are but with both top and bottom heat I hit 1c in about 10min.
BTW I also built a cooling box like Peter and others have made to quicken cooling down to about 60sec.
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If you end up moving to the Sunpentown, you can buy the "replacement" for $65.00 which saves you the expense of the bottom portion which you don't need.
http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-10843381165166_2271_15015353 (http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-10843381165166_2271_15015353)
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If you end up moving to the Sunpentown, you can buy the "replacement" for $65.00 which saves you the expense of the bottom portion which you don't need.
[url]http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-10843381165166_2271_15015353[/url] ([url]http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-10843381165166_2271_15015353[/url])
true but the whole thing is $70 on amazon with free 2 day shipping for us prime members
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First off I like your instant action tactics!
I don't know a fraction of what Peter does about building these but I'm suspicious of your TO and its power. I've only used the Galloping Gourmet, it looks different and puts out plenty of juice.
I leave it to others who know how to solve your power issue but I've got a good feeling you are going to solve all the glitches, make a faster than average learning curve and be in a good spot soon.
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Don't buy the digital unit. The ones w/ a dial for setting temp are better.
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http://www.amazon.com/Sunpentown-SO-2000-Multi-Function-Round-Shaped-Convection/dp/B0001NYJP8/ref=pd_sim_sbs_k_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0MSF0EBXER476N2FDSVZ (http://www.amazon.com/Sunpentown-SO-2000-Multi-Function-Round-Shaped-Convection/dp/B0001NYJP8/ref=pd_sim_sbs_k_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0MSF0EBXER476N2FDSVZ)
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Don't buy the digital unit. The ones w/ a dial for setting temp are better.
If needed I plan on getting this one from amazon, it's only $66 shipped:
http://www.amazon.com/Sunpentown-SO-2000-Multi-Function-Round-Shaped-Convection/dp/B0001NYJP8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409019911&sr=8-1&keywords=Galloping+Gourmet (http://www.amazon.com/Sunpentown-SO-2000-Multi-Function-Round-Shaped-Convection/dp/B0001NYJP8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409019911&sr=8-1&keywords=Galloping+Gourmet)
But I'm really hoping to not have to buy it if I don't have to
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[url]http://www.amazon.com/Sunpentown-SO-2000-Multi-Function-Round-Shaped-Convection/dp/B0001NYJP8/ref=pd_sim_sbs_k_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0MSF0EBXER476N2FDSVZ[/url] ([url]http://www.amazon.com/Sunpentown-SO-2000-Multi-Function-Round-Shaped-Convection/dp/B0001NYJP8/ref=pd_sim_sbs_k_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0MSF0EBXER476N2FDSVZ[/url])
That's not bad. If you're snooping around on ebay, a brand that is the same thing as Galloping Gourmet, but sold under a different name is Decosonic.
I just won this one on ebay for $42 shipped;
http://www.ebay.com/itm/321495793924?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/321495793924?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649)
Some say the older turbos had better parts, but if you want to just jump in now, the Sunpentowns are cool.
Toss that NuWave in the trash.
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That's not bad. If you're snooping around on ebay, a brand that is the same thing as Galloping Gourmet, but sold under a different name is Decosonic.
I just won this one on ebay for $42 shipped;
[url]http://www.ebay.com/itm/321495793924?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649[/url] ([url]http://www.ebay.com/itm/321495793924?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649[/url])
Some say the older turbos had better parts, but if you want to just jump in now, the Sunpentowns are cool.
Toss that NuWave in the trash.
haha I should have known. what do you think of this one?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ACTION-AIRE-CONVECTION-OVEN-Model-707-/311039719854?pt=Small_Kitchen_Appliances_US&hash=item486b6979ae (http://www.ebay.com/itm/ACTION-AIRE-CONVECTION-OVEN-Model-707-/311039719854?pt=Small_Kitchen_Appliances_US&hash=item486b6979ae)
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I've never seen that brand, but the shape and controls look like a Decosonic/G.G.
Go for it.
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damn ebay I didn't notice the shipping cost. $46 to get that one in 7 days or $66 to get the sunpentown in 2 days. hmmm???? I do like to get on with things. lol. Which would you run out of a burning building with?
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ebay simply says 7 days in case it takes that long. Look at where the item ships from, take a guess at how long it takes to ship from there. It may just be 3 days, but it'll also depend on how quickly the seller boxes it/ships it.
What's the hurry? You have plenty of coffee roasted up don't you?
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What's the hurry? You have plenty of coffee roasted up don't you?
Well that depends on how the stuff I did in the SCTO turns out lol. I've thrown a lot of failed roasts away during my learning curve. most of it baked.
But your right I bought it. we'll see how long it takes
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My opinions ....
You don't need the switch on the SC heater. It has a thermal cutout so at most it helps on the startup and has no impact at roasting temps. I've done it doth ways - no significant diff.
6" off the TO is likely too much space. It's pretty common to use a springform pan ring (~2.5 inches high) on the GG.
Try preheating for a couple minutes, then continue at full power till 1st crack, at least till you are convinced you can get to 1C handily.
1465W should be enough, tho' I've always used the 1450W Galloping Gourmet. You can't afford to blow out all that hot air - make the system reasonably tight.
I believe the sweet spot on my GG based SC/TO is 350 grams of greens. ~12.5 oz. Too much and you get a too-slow roast, too little and you get a fast uneven roast.
Seems like you addressed most of these and still - no joy !
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My opinions ....
You don't need the switch on the SC heater. It has a thermal cutout so at most it helps on the startup and has no impact at roasting temps. I've done it doth ways - no significant diff.
Unless you're one of those that likes to hold the beans at a given temp below where that thermal cutout is.
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Based on the advise of others my plan was to only use the SC heater to preheat. I did some more modding tonight. Here's some pics. I added the 1" spacer strip and replaced my temporary switch with a cleaner toggle switch. I also drilled out the shaft and replaced it with a hanger bolt and wing nut.
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Unless you're one of those that likes to hold the beans at a given temp below where that thermal cutout is.
A fair rebuttal, do you actually do that Peter ? Does anyone ? Based on what I read of popcorn, the cutout is likely ~450F,and non too accurate. I'ts mostly to prevent oil from scorching at ~500F while getting the popcorn hot enough (400+F). So you'd be doing a rest out around cty+ or vienna, exothermic territory. That doesn't sound smart to me, but 'm willing to learn.
You'd think that 1KW SC heater would really help in the "boost" phase, but in my experience it seems fairly inefficient compared to the GG's ~1200/1400W heater w/ convention. I've never measured, but I expect the SC heater actually cuts out before 1C, - when the GG's hot breath heats the 'pan', not beans to ~450F. I will measure this and report next time.
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Peter - it looks like you use those dual SC+TOs pretty hard, yet report no failures after the hanger-bolt hack. My experience is that the SC works for a while with the aluminum foil or copper end-cap trick, but eventually the threads fail. Then it lasts for a much longer time w/ the hanger-bolt & washer trick. But eventually even that fails, and the top of the shaft melts & deforms.
I push 3x 350gram batches (occasionally a 4th batch) thru the SC+TO, every 10days/2-weeks. I'd roast weekly if time allowed. I'd imagine that your are seeing heavier duty and therefore SC problems earlier - not so ?
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Since the nu wave didn't seem to be able to handle the roasting I tried a 350g batch with the SC heat on till first crack. It certainly helped get to crack but seemed to pan fry the beans a bit to much to quote another user. I think peter is right that it's best as a preheater. Maybe one could leave it on for the first minute to help bring the thermal mass of the beans up a little quicker but I'm far from an expert who should be listened to... yet. Lol
Also my gg clone TO is scheduled for delivery today, so hopefully I'll have good news to report and be able to roast some more beans tonight. I just got a shipment of Colombian beans from peter the other day and I'm itching to try them
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I found another TO on cl for $40. It's 45min and a toll away but I'm probably gonna buy it tomorrow. Not sure if I'll use it, save it, or offer it here at cost. Do you think anyone would want it? Not sure how much shipping would cost
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What temp setting do you use on your gg? Does it matter? Since we're basically controlling it ourselves do you just turn it either all the way up or all the way down?
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So hows she working now? Id assume you got the new TO by now. I'm still messing with my SC/TO to get it working just perfect, then I have another one to do those mods to as well.
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So hows she working now? Id assume you got the new TO by now. I'm still messing with my SC/TO to get it working just perfect, then I have another one to do those mods to as well.
It's great. The to works perfectly. The shaft melted pretty quickly so I replaced it with a tall socket with a bolt jb welded into it with a washer to keep beans from falling down into machine to much. I can roast a delicious batch in under 10min with 12.4oz of beans. I also drilled a hole in the side for a BBQ thermometer which is very nice.
Got any pics of yours? What issues have you had? I think others here will attest to the fact that I had them all lol