Next step up roaster

[Pyment]

I have been looking at a variety of roasters. I am looking for something that improves on the Gene for me. I would like something with a bigger batch size, better cooling, better heating, and better ability to monitor bean temp. may


I have been looking into Diedrich, US Roaster, Ambex, Primo, Coffee-Tech, and the Probatino. I would appreciate comments from users of these makers.

I did find a place that sells the Coffee-Tech roasters in Hawaii. I am wondering if a member there could check out the roasters in person. 

http://www.m3coffee.com/product_p/scr-1.htm

Specific Roasters I am Looking at:
Toper TKM-SX1
Coffee-Tech - Artigiano
Diedrich HR-1, IR-3
US Roaster Corp 3K
Ambex YM2
Probatino
Primo PRI-TT-EC and PRI-T
San Franciscan Coffee Roaster  SF-6LB

I have inquiries out to roasters I haven't seen much on before such as:

Imex:
http://www.wholesale-home-supplies.com/d-p19885011-Coffee_Roasting_Machine/
http://www.wholesale-home-supplies.com/d-p19213998-Coffee_Roaster_/

MOHSEN KUWAIT ESTABLISHMENT
http://www.wholesale-home-supplies.com/d-p11233189-Coffee_Roaster_1_KG/

Oztrade Ltd
http://www.wholesale-home-supplies.com/d-p3031523-Coffee_Roaster/

[Joe]

Since it looks like you will be focused on drum roasting, I was going to recommend Pinhalense but I can't find their website anymore. If they are still in business they are very cheap including shipping.

Joe

http://roasterz.com/?q=node/1

[lalbjerg]

I have a USRC half kilo roaster.  It is a big improvement over my RK drum.  For personal use and my small customer base, it works well.  It looks like you are going to even a higher level of roaster in the 5 pound range.  My biggest issue with all of the mentioned retailers is the Quality control and customer service isn't what it should be.    I have been in conversation with owners of Dietrich, San Franciscan, Ambex, and of course USRC.  All of us have had issues with customer service.  If I had the money, I would seriously look at the Probat line.  However, I am very pleased with the design and function of my USRC.  Since it seems like a level playing field, you need to look at the design features.  I have a good friend who has a 3k USRC and loves it.  It works well for him, and he has had no problems with QC or CS.  I had no problems with mine in terms of the roaster itself.  I did have some trouble with my shipper, but that was not USRC's fault.  As far as quality of materials, it can't be beat.  As far as controlability and repeatability it is rock stable.  I have some very nice profiles worked out and they are totally repeatable.  I am roasting some awesome coffee.  I have a friend who bought one at the same time.  We discuss roasts and profiles every week.  On the learning curve we feel we are both in about 3rd grade.  It is fun to have power and flexibility in your roaster.

Les 

[Joe]

OFF TOPIC-

Hi Les!

Nice to see you at GCBC.

Joe

[lalbjerg]

Thanks  Joe.  It is the only place I could get some good Uganda Busgisu, my favorite coffee.  I have bought 30 pounds from the Club so far and am very pleased with the coffee and service.  Now that I have a commercial roaster, I am building a customer base up to ten customers.  I currently have six.  It lets me work on my roasting skills and pays for some of my coffee toys.  I am happy I joined.  This seems like a great group of folks.

Les

[Dante]

Hi! I ended up getting a Sonofresco, but only because I was not in the market yet for a bigger roaster. While looking around, I bumped into Ram Evgi who is the proprietor of a Tel Aviv based coffee hardware firm that makes cheaper commercial roasters as Coffee Tech Engineering. One of my partners visited his factory in Israel and was really impressed with the professionalism and technology of Ram's firm. My next roaster will be from him - probably the 2 kg Solar.

Edit: My bad... I didn't see your reference to Coffee Tech in your post. Ram is the direct manufacturer, so I don't know if you can get it cheaper going that route.

[Pyment]

Since it looks like you will be focused on drum roasting, I was going to recommend Pinhalense but I can't find their website anymore. If they are still in business they are very cheap including shipping.

Joe

http://roasterz.com/?q=node/1

found the website:

http://www.pinhalense.com.br/

looks like all they have is a sample roaster.

For a lot of reasons, an electric roaster might work better for me. However I really like how "nimble" the gas roasters are. So, I am torn.

Here is what I find for electric roasters:

USRC sample roaster 0.5kg
USRC 3KG
Renegade 3kg
Neoroast a fluid bed air roaster  http://www.neuhaus-neotec.de/index.php?hid=55&id=185 (Awaiting quote. If it is $16K, not likely.)
Discaf TN-2
Roure E1-A
Samiac GE 3 KG
Toper TKM-SX 1
Oztrade 2kg "we don't do USA"
Artigiano coffee roaster 2.5 kg
Diedrich HR1

[Pyment]

I have a USRC half kilo roaster.  It is a big improvement over my RK drum.  For personal use and my small customer base, it works well.  It looks like you are going to even a higher level of roaster in the 5 pound range.  My biggest issue with all of the mentioned retailers is the Quality control and customer service isn't what it should be.    I have been in conversation with owners of Dietrich, San Franciscan, Ambex, and of course USRC.  All of us have had issues with customer service.  If I had the money, I would seriously look at the Probat line.  However, I am very pleased with the design and function of my USRC.  Since it seems like a level playing field, you need to look at the design features.  I have a good friend who has a 3k USRC and loves it.  It works well for him, and he has had no problems with QC or CS.  I had no problems with mine in terms of the roaster itself.  I did have some trouble with my shipper, but that was not USRC's fault.  As far as quality of materials, it can't be beat.  As far as controlability and repeatability it is rock stable.  I have some very nice profiles worked out and they are totally repeatable.  I am roasting some awesome coffee.  I have a friend who bought one at the same time.  We discuss roasts and profiles every week.  On the learning curve we feel we are both in about 3rd grade.  It is fun to have power and flexibility in your roaster.

Les 

Tell me more about using it. Is it available as an electric model?

[Pyment]

I received info regarding the Neoroast.

It looks as if it is a programmable air roaster. I am supposed to be getting a quote soon.

[BoldJava]

I received info regarding the Neoroast.

It looks as if it is a programmable air roaster. I am supposed to be getting a quote soon.

I believe that Woody and I saw that one and they were talking $16,000. It has a catalytic converter and you couldn't smell it roasting.  Didn't require venting.  I will come to your place for the first cupping.

B|Java

[crholliday]

Is this still for hobby roasting or are you going to try to make money with the roaster?

[thejavaman]

I have inquiries out to roasters I haven't seen much on before such as:

Imex:
http://www.wholesale-home-supplies.com/d-p19885011-Coffee_Roasting_Machine/
http://www.wholesale-home-supplies.com/d-p19213998-Coffee_Roaster_/

I have had a great relationship with Imex and my Digirosto is still going strong after more than a year of abuse.  That said, I am in the process of looking for a new roaster with a bigger batch size now too.  If I had to do it all over again, I would probably have bought a more "conventional" type roaster with a bigger batch size right from the get-go.  That's not a knock on the Digi, because I couldn't be happier with it, I just wish I would have bit the bullet and bought a roaster right from the start that allowed room for more growth....

[lalbjerg]

Payment asked, "Tell me more about using it. Is it available as an electric model?"  The smaller USRC is not available in an electric model.  You can check their website out.  It has gas control and fan control.  The program is in your head, just the way I like it on this small of a roaster (1 pound).  I added a timer and a notebook.  I have developed about 5 profiles that work very well based on time, temperature, fan speed, and gas pressure.  It has a very nice Watlow temp. probe in the bean mass, so you can accurately monitor the profile.  Beyond these basics, I think I would be writing a roasting manual.  In summery. it is a very repeatable roaster, and very easy to use.  It has a lot of flexibility, and produced awesome coffee.  I couldn't ask for much more.  For home use, and my small group of people who I give or sell coffee to it has plenty of capacity.  I roast half pound and one pound roasts.  Having roasted on a 5K roaster and a 12K as well as a 24K, once you move up to dealing with that much bean mass, you may be better off with some type of electronic profile controls.  However the 12k I worked with didn't have any more control than the one pound roaster I now have, and I was able to do a good job as well.

Les

[Pyment]

I am thinking of going pro in about 5 years when I hope to retire. It will be a hobby/business at that point. I am undecided at present as to whether I will do it in Monroe or "up nort at de cabin".

I have done 2-3 roasts on a Diedrich 3K and want to acquire some transferrable skills. The neoroaster is mainly for comparison and because it looked cool.

I am leaning to the roasters that have minimal installation costs. That would mean 2kg or less, electric (unless I can connect it to a grill sized tank).

However the bigger roasters aren't that much more than the small. So I am looking at those also.

Les, how do you have your roaster connected to gas?

Pyment ? Pyment blends honey and red or white grapes. Pyment made with white grape juice is sometimes called "white mead."

[lalbjerg]

Pyment,
I have it hooked up to a standard BBQ propane tank.  Very simple to hook up and with the efficient burner, the 6 pound tank lasts a long time!  Very portable.  I was actually looking at taking it half way between my house and a friends house in the back of the truck and using his portable generator for the electrical needs and doing some roasts in the back of the pickup.  It would be easy to do.  The roaster weighs about 70 pounds.  He will be int he area next week, so he is coming over.  If you want to see a picture of my first roast with the roaster sitting on my contractors saw, you can view it at www.thortamper.com/usrc.html.

Les

Les