|
So I took the next step on reading temps when roasting using my HG/BM. I
bought a Thermocouple (TC) probe from SM a few months ago, but didn't use it
until I got back. So today I punched a hole in the side of my BM (away from
the paddle, but good and low, so I can use it for 1/2 lb loads, as well).
So I have a simple hole to stick the TC through. No clamps or anything
fancy like that...
I had been using an infrared gun (IR) to check bean temps. This was left
over from when I was using a dog bowl, and couldn't punch a hole through the
side of the DB. So anyway, a couple of notes:
1. I was surprised by how closely the temps between the IR and the TC
really were. Most of the time, the IR was within 5 degrees of the TC. I
was really surprised by this, considering how much 'better' a bean mass temp
should be.
2. The big problem with the IR is around first crack, it gets really
erratic. It should! There's a lot of volatile chaff, smoke, and heat waves
coming off the beans. So the TC was way better right before and during 1st
crack to give me an accurate temp reading.
3. It's nice that the TC is on the entire time, slowly climbing in temp.
The IR gun gives me snapshots of the roast, the TC gives me a video...
So I'm really glad to have the TC in my BM. I'm really expecting it to make
a difference in my roasting, especially in helping me to chart temps better,
and to make sure I don't stall a roast (I'm gonna send another email about
that).
So if you're using a BM and you want to get more technical, I highly
recommend punching a TC through the side!
peace!
bill in wyo
Homeroast mailing list
Homeroasthttp://www.sweetmariascoffee.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemIdx20">http://lists.sweetmariascoffee.com/listinfo.cgi/homeroast-sweetmariascoffee.comHomeroast community pictures -upload yours!) :http://www.sweetmariascoffee.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemIdx20 |