You and your HotTop

[John F]

I don't do back to back unless I miss an alarm/auto dump.

And the 20 min wait feels like 3 hours.

[RobertL]

Remove the rear filter, chaff tray and bean chute cover while cooling. This will decrease the time between batches to less than ten minutes. I don't think an extra fan is necessary just let the HT fan do its thing.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

[SJM]

20 min wait would be an epic waste of time.

Are you serious?
You don't have anything else to do for 20 minutes?
I am completely amazed that that is possible.
I am never without enough things to do to fill up 20 or 40 or....however minutes are available.
There is no such thing was wasted time....

But that is beside the point.
The real point is that for me that "between roasts time" doesn't register on my personal richter scale.
It's what we call "a non issue...."

Susan

[expy98]

Well you have chickens, most don't...

[SJM]

Ah ha.....I knew I was forgetting something important 

[expy98]

There's nothing worth doing if I had to wait 20 mins in between. Oh wait... there not too many things I'd do if...

[smico]

I am obviously the most vocal advocate of Hottop automation around here. BT, ET, Scotch-Brite scour pad as filter, TC4 + HTC, Variac, multiple thermocouples on motor, electronics area, aluminum foil on the front glass, started reversed air flow ultimate HT modification...  All the way baby.  I really enjoy work on modifications itself, so I understand that my opinion should be discounted.  But I will be happy to help along if you decide to go automation route.
Cheers,
Miroslav

[expy98]

I've been wanting to do the reverse airflow and cooling bypass switch but just haven't found multiple consecutive free 20 mins to get started.  Sumbody needs to offer a kit for the lazy...

[GC7]

To keep things in one place, here is a link to my hot top insulation project. I still use this mod as well as using the insulation to replace the top filter.

http://www.greencoffeebuyingclub.com/index.php?topic=10633.0

[rgrosz78]

I don't do back to back unless I miss an alarm/auto dump.

And the 20 min wait feels like 3 hours.

This is one of the reasons I am excited about installing the TC4 + HTC. Finally I can start the roast at any temp I want, without waiting for the cool down.

[GC7]

I don't do back to back unless I miss an alarm/auto dump.

And the 20 min wait feels like 3 hours.

This is one of the reasons I am excited about installing the TC4 + HTC. Finally I can start the roast at any temp I want, without waiting for the cool down.

So the software uses the temperatures from the thermocouples and picks up the roast or preheating at that point and continues? If true that really is a nice improvement.

[smico]

This is one of the reasons I am excited about installing the TC4 + HTC. Finally I can start the roast at any temp I want, without waiting for the cool down.

Actually, there is no need for TC4 to run back to back. You just need magic button to fool HT into measuring lower temperature. Basically disconnect or short the HT thermocouple, depending on roaster type. After that HT starts new cycle.
When running back to back, you need to be careful about temperature of the drum motor as its temperature builds up. Two roasts are OK, third is a risk, and fourth would probably burn the motor. One solution is to stick additional cheap thermocouple on the motor, monitor its temperature, and start new roast when temp of the motor drops to 60 C. That way you can run as many roasts as you want. I did 10 to 15 consecutive roasts many times.

[az erik]

I run the 5 min cooling cycle with the filter out, tray mostly in and bean chute open. I've started working on a higher CFM fan in order to speed up cooling of the unit. Also did a little modding to get the smoke up and away from me.

[CincyDawg]

I run the 5 min cooling cycle with the filter out, tray mostly in and bean chute open. I've started working on a higher CFM fan in order to speed up cooling of the unit. Also did a little modding to get the smoke up and away from me.

Nice set up. What are you using to come off the Hottop and connect to the metal flex hose? I've been thinking about venting mine for roasting in the basement in the winter and it looks like you've already come up with a solution.

[az erik]

5 inch to 4 inch adapter


I should have done a better job at trimming but I'll use a gasket of some sort and screw it onto the fan housing. I also cut open the fan guard as it's not really needed and was blocking more.

Worst case all I have to buy is a new fan housing and it's back to stock. However after looking at the Huky500 I think I have a better solution which is use an external fan in pull configuration.