Thinking about taking the self roasting plunge

[KaiserKrebs]

Can any self -roasters recommend a good " Starter bean " from sweet Maria's or other source? Debating whether to attempt roasting my own beans...curious to taste the results.

I realise it's a matter of personal tastes as to the type of coffee, but like full bodied coffees without too much acidity, looking for something new without trying to get too exotic. Probably do a medium to dark roast, but don't want to blow too much dough if I screw it up.

Thanks for any feedback...

 

[benvh]

What type of roaster/roasting method are you planning on trying?

 

[WhosYerBob]

Sweet Maria's has excellent espresso blends for as little as $5.00 per pound. I'd try one of those first, find my bearings and go from there. Good luck!

 

[wedwards]

If you have a rotisserie on your bbq, you could try this - ebay #120506911088.

My dad can make this sort of stuff, so I am going to get him to make me something similar, to my specifications, but if you are handy in this regard you could knock something up quite easily (make sure it has the fins inside so the beans are always moving evenly, and a door at the end so you can rotate it to the top and open/check the state of the roast). Good thing about this unit, is its a very small outlay compared to the commercial roasting machines ($70 as opposed to $300).

Im in Australia, so cant help with supply of beans unfortunately.

 

[KaiserKrebs]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I am planning on using a whirly type popcorn popper on the BBQ side burner, as I have a spare popper that has never been used. What might be the typical batch size of beans? I believe the popper has a 4 QT. capacity

 

[nealf]

You could pick up a sampler pack:

http://www.sweetmarias.com/prod.greencoffee.mvc.php#samplers

 

[Jasonian]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I am planning on using a whirly type popcorn popper on the BBQ side burner, as I have a spare popper that has never been used. What might be the typical batch size of beans? I believe the popper has a 4 QT. capacity

I would start with a half pound batch.

If it handles it well, maybe move up to a pound.

The larger the batch size in comparison to the same sized burner (and zero air movement, in this case) the more difficult it will be to control the roast profile.

 

[Swat]

I read your thread title and was going to come to your rescue and say...."Don't roast yourself, you have so much to live for. Think of all the DE's you have yet to try" But now that I see this is only about roasting coffee, I say, "Carry on"

 

[bman40]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I am planning on using a whirly type popcorn popper on the BBQ side burner, as I have a spare popper that has never been used. What might be the typical batch size of beans? I believe the popper has a 4 QT. capacity

what type of popper? what does the base say for watts?

Minimum wattage should be 1200, but the holy grail of the Poppery I is 1500 - you should try and find one of these to get some very good popper roasts.

A Poppery II is 1200 watts is decent and can work, but its a bit weak.

check out sweet marias home roaster page.

I think a Brazil is a good starter bean, or Colombian. Both are fairly clean flavours, and give a nice product from a popper.

Good luck.

Barry

 

[Jasonian]

He said he's using a whirly type popper on the BBQ side burner.

 

[chainfire]

He said he's using a whirly type popper on the BBQ side burner.

I almost thought about doing this myself, but am afraid you wouldn't have enough control of the heat and too many inconsistencies would lead to burnt/bad roasting?

 

[thunderball]

Aw...I thought this thread was going to be about jumping into volcanoes. Ah well...as you were.

 

[KaiserKrebs]

Aw...I thought this thread was going to be about jumping into volcanoes. Ah well...as you were.

" I was born to love volcanoes...I seen em' on PBS"

 

[netsurfr]

Step away from the fire. It will burn you. Your wallet will never be the same. Just about any of the beans from Sweet Maria's will do fine. They will certainly generate better coffee than you have ever tasted given the correct roasting parameters and grinding.