Anyone roast coffee beans at home?

[Wags]

I've got an old air popper. Sounds like something to try. Any hints? How do you know when they're done? Color?

[earache]

Wags wrote:
I've got an old air popper. Sounds like something to try. Any hints? How do you know when they're done? Color?

Some poppers don't get hot enough, so you have to modify them to take off the safety limits. If I remember right, there was a particular model that worked really well, I think it might be the one that Tofer has. Sweet Maria's has some great info about roasting here: http://www.sweetmarias.com/library/roast-coffee/

[freeradical]

earache wrote:
[quote=Wags]
I've got an old air popper. Sounds like something to try. Any hints? How do you know when they're done? Color?

Some poppers don't get hot enough, so you have to modify them to take off the safety limits. If I remember right, there was a particular model that worked really well, I think it might be the one that Tofer has. Sweet Maria's has some great info about roasting here: http://www.sweetmarias.com/library/roast-coffee/
I'd be very careful. This advice sounds like a great way to start a fire.

Popper roasts too fast - Each popper can run differently - and some can especially at first run very hot. A simple fix is to use an extension cord between the popper and the wall outlet - since this will reduce the voltage slightly and make the popper run slower.

[earache]

Roasting is inherently dangerous. There is always risk of fire, especially with drum roasters. You should always roast where it's safe (outside or in a fireplace) and never leave your roast unattended. Do your research and know the risks.

[decocritter]

Pam - that roaster has a lot of negative reviews about fires and malfunctions. I was looking at the iRoast500.

I am nixing the popcorn popper to gain in safety. But I have read to never, for a moment leave any roaster and to be prepared for fire. The other reason is burnt beans.

I have read a lot about household current affecting the way these even small roasters functions.

Is the coffee project a good place to buy from?

I think with care roasting coffee is no more dangerous than frying chicken. Everyone used to roast their own beans.

[Pam]

Funny, I've never heard anything bad about them. I wore out my first one and bought another. Going on 7 years total. I wonder if people over filled them, didn't monitor them, or tried to jack them up.

[Tofer]

decocritter wrote:
I am nixing the popcorn popper to gain in safety. But I have read to never, for a moment leave any roaster and to be prepared for fire. The other reason is burnt beans.

I hear this a lot, but the popper really only takes 5 minutes, so it's not really that hard to stand close by for the whole cycle. You know the roast is done by the sound, sight, and smell; depending on how dark I feel like, I generally go until the second crack and then just watch it until it gets to the color I'm looking for.

[decocritter]

Amazon reviews, Pam. As well as coffee forums. But it is good to hear your experience. I was a little nervous about the "danger involved" in home roasting.