Posted Fri Jul 4, 2008, 12:21am Subject: Dry process Yirg and chaff fires
I have had a problem roasting dry process Yirgacheffe. I almost always get a chaff fire. Tonight I had a little dry Yirg left so I mixed it with the last of my Ethiopian organic Lima Indonesia Process beans and gave it a go. I think it came out all right but it was exciting. I could see little flecks of burning chaff during the last part of the roast. When the roast was complete there was a pile of burning chaff in the chaff cup.
I have not had a problem with the Indonesia process Lima roasted single origin. By the way, I love that stuff. More is on the way.
Has anyone else experienced this with dry process Yirg?
Posted Sat Jul 5, 2008, 7:52am Subject: Re: Dry process Yirg and chaff fires
Hey there PJK,
I have a similar problem, however its with dry process sidamo. I believe its simply due to the processing method which leave alot more silverskin on the beans than washed coffees do.
Rainman Senior Member Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Posts: 151 Location: Tucson, Az Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Expobar Brewtus, La Pavoni... Grinder: Mazzer Kony, Rocky Vac Pot: Nope- use Bodum French press... Drip: Ornamental Krups (clock... Roaster: SC/TO, iRoast-2
Posted Sat Jul 5, 2008, 8:17am Subject: Re: Dry process Yirg and chaff fires
I had several close calls with that same bean myself in my sc/to-- a very "chaffy" bean. I think your best fix would be to ensure that the chaff is more effectively removed from the heat source. In my case that just meant cracking open the vent a little more to make sure it all escapes by way of the whirling action of the turbo oven. I use a USRoaster sample roaster now, and it has a separate chaff collector way away from the drum, and I even clean it out after every roast. I don't think there is any easy fix, unfortunately... but you certainly need to do anything you can to prevent an overt fire.. Which roaster are talking about- the Z&D's or the HWP?
Posted Sat Jul 5, 2008, 9:11am Subject: Re: Dry process Yirg and chaff fires
Sidamo has not given me any problem. I am quite fond of Sumatra and even that hasn't been a problem. This is what is puzzling about this bean. It doesn't seem to be just the amount of chaff. The chaff from the Yirg seems to be especially flammable.
I believe that if I roasted this in the HWP there would be no problem. Hearthware has the chaff collection thing down pretty well.
If I get the nerve to try this coffee again I'll use the HWP even if the batch size is much smaller.
Posted Sat Jul 5, 2008, 9:14pm Subject: Re: Dry process Yirg and chaff fires
My guess is the pectin layer and pulp that penetrates the parchment in a dry processed and ends up mixed in the chaff is more flammable than normal chaff. And some will have more than others. farm
Posted Sun Jul 6, 2008, 4:22pm Subject: Re: Dry process Yirg and chaff fires
I am thinking pretty much the same thing, but Sumatra and the Indonesian processed Lima and other dry process beans with plenty of chaff have given me no trouble. The chaff on the Yirg seems to be different.
Phil
farmroast Said:
My guess is the pectin layer and pulp that penetrates the parchment in a dry processed and ends up mixed in the chaff is more flammable than normal chaff. And some will have more than others. farm
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