It looks like it's been a while since anyone posted on this subject. I've decided to chuck my Chinese sourced flatbed roaster for a SC/TO build.
A few problems to overcome:
1) I live in a 220v country, 110v appliances like a StirCrazy and most of the TO brands are not available here. What I've done is try to find the equivalent. For example, a Baumann popcorn maker instead of a StirCrazy. And a locally manufactured turbo oven, 220v, 1400 watts.
2) The Baumann stirs at approximately 5-8 RPM. In drum discussion, the RPM is usually much higher. Is 5-8 RPM sufficient, or is there a published mod to make the rotation faster?
3) The stirrer on the Bauman looks thin and rather inadequate. Is there consensus on a mod to get greater stirring action/agitation?
4) I usually use temperature to tell me when I've achieved the desired roast (usually City or Full City) To do that, I take the lid off my flatbed roaster and use a combo of 'quick-read' thermometer, and recently an infrared thermometer) to get the bean temperature. Is there a preferred mod to build in a thermocouple type of temperature probe(this is what I use for meat smoking)? Or some other recommendations, short of removing the TO to take bean temp.
5) Finally, cooling. I now use a colander and a fan to cool beans, and it takes a long time and is messy. I'm thinking of using a shopvac rigged to suck air through a colandar or steamer tray. Any comments or notes?
Thanks, I know there are experts, I hope you can point me in the right direction to start.