When using a real drum roaster, i.e., one which relies on conductive heating
of the beans, is it important to use an optimized load?  Or will any load up
to the maximum capacity work well?

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My toaster oven drum was designed for 100 cc at 13 percent green fill, or
21% roasted fill. It is made from solid sheet metal and has almost zero
airflow. It roasts perfectly even, but I have not tried to go beyond 100cc.
I suppose that going over the design capacity would result in poor mixing
and less than optimum results. Under-charging would require changing the
operating parameters so that you do not roast too short or overheat the
beans.
--

David.
last Dec. I had the chance to help roast  2   3lb batches in a 25 lb
Dietrich at the local coffee shop here in Anderson SC. Craig usually does
about 10 lbs and up. The 3 lbs. roasted 7 min. faster then his usual load,
it kind of surprised him that it was ready to dump in 10 min. He was used to
17 to 20 min.
he said he never has roasted just 3 lbs. before. I got the chance to be a
bit more hands on the 2nd 3 lb batch.
JBM and PRYS. The coffee was great. the only difference is it roasted a bit
faster.
Ron
rnkyle
Home Roasting in SC

Mike stated:
..>10min versus 17to20min I'd expect a noticeable taste difference.
You know Mike you are most likely correct, I didn't have anything to compare
the small batch with. I do know that all that sampled it thought it was very
good.
I know he dumped the roast just as it turned for slightly acrid to sweet.
The same way he would have with a large batch.
Ron

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Nope, not sure.  But I thought the airflow was to remove chaff, rather than
to deliver heat.

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than
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David I remember Craig using the air to remove the chaff 2 or 3 times during
the roast.
Ron

get back over there
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Oh yeah right away Ok , lets see I'll need 10 lb of Kona, Blue Sky will do,
yeah thats the ticket 10 lb of Blue Sky in the name of science:O)
OH thats right I'm all out of Blue Sky, down to 1lb of old Capt. Cook  :O(
Mike?
rnkyle
Home Roasting in SC