Quoddy Senior Member Joined: 17 Mar 2008 Posts: 29 Location: NY/VT Border Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Andreja Premium Grinder: Macap M4 - Stepless w/Doser... Drip: Bodum French Press Roaster: HotTop B
Posted Fri Jul 4, 2008, 6:26am Subject: Hot Top: Should I "Downgrade" to a "B"
I've developed a problem with the control panel in my Hot Top "P". Michael has offered to send a replacement panel and I've thought that I might switch to a "B" panel. Since I bought the HT from Sweet Maria's there would be no refund of the $200 difference. I find that I don't use all the auto features on the "P" and would really like more controllability during the roast cycle, i.e., stretching the time between FC and SC. OK, Hot Top specialists, what do I do? Do I eat the $200 and go to the "B" or stay with the "P". Need some quick advice.
"There is no such thing as strong coffee, only weak people"
I looked at both models a year ago and decided I liked the control the B model gives. Have been using it happily ever since. I roast outside and the P model would not work for me with all the variables in play.
Posted Sun Jul 6, 2008, 12:33am Subject: Re: Hot Top: Should I "Downgrade" to a "B"
Is the main board exactly same between the "P" and the "B" models ?
In ohter words, to go from a "P" model to "B", do you just need the B-panel (the part "KN-8828B Programmable Control Panel" shown here) or the B-panel+main board (the part "KN-8828B Upgrade Kit" shown here) ?
Mlee Senior Member Joined: 24 Feb 2006 Posts: 53 Location: Beaufort sc Expertise: I love coffee
Grinder: Solis Maestro/ Rocky Drip: Presto Scandanavian Roaster: CO/SC/ Hottop
Posted Sun Jul 6, 2008, 4:35pm Subject: Re: Hot Top: Should I "Downgrade" to a "B"
c8_h10_n4_o2 Said:
Is the main board exactly same between the "P" and the "B" models ?
In ohter words, to go from a "P" model to "B", do you just need the B-panel (the part "KN-8828B Programmable Control Panel" shown here) or the B-panel+main board (the part "KN-8828B Upgrade Kit" shown here) ?
Hollywood Senior Member Joined: 6 Jul 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Los Angeles Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: La Pavoni Grinder: Solis Drip: Chemex Roaster: Hot Top
Posted Mon Jul 7, 2008, 8:15am Subject: Re: Hot Top: Should I "Downgrade" to a "B"
I use the old, lowtech board on my Hot Top, and actually enjoy the mostly manual process. Just set it up to the maximum roast time, and then watch and listen. No problem.
Quoddy Senior Member Joined: 17 Mar 2008 Posts: 29 Location: NY/VT Border Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Andreja Premium Grinder: Macap M4 - Stepless w/Doser... Drip: Bodum French Press Roaster: HotTop B
Posted Thu Jul 10, 2008, 2:17pm Subject: Re: Hot Top: Should I "Downgrade" to a "B"
I got quick response from Michael when I decided to buy a "B" and get a replacement "P". The "B: panel should be here tomorrow and other than just plugging it in I'm told that I should line fuse it first. Michael already sent the instructions and is sending along the line fuse, too. It should be quite simple, even for an electrical novice like myself. I was really surprised at how easily the HotTop panel unplugs and can be replaced.
Update 07/13: I've now done a couple of roasts with the "B" and love the total control it gives. I toyed with one roast stretching the time between FC and SC to three times what it used to do on auto.
"There is no such thing as strong coffee, only weak people"
mhoy Senior Member Joined: 4 Feb 2008 Posts: 139 Location: Sunnyvale, CA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 Grinder: KA Proline Roaster: HotTop KN-8828D
Posted Thu Jul 31, 2008, 4:13pm Subject: Re: Hot Top: Should I "Downgrade" to a "B"
Hollywood Said:
I use the old, lowtech board on my Hot Top, and actually enjoy the mostly manual process. Just set it up to the maximum roast time, and then watch and listen. No problem.
I should have had my B today,UPS screwed me...................there was two boxes that left S/M on Monday,one with the B and sum greens and a box of sum other goodies,I got the goodies and wont get the B till Monday....................Iam PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPDDDD!! off!!
Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post
Forum Rules: No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards. No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum. No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum. Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards. Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics. Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies. Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies. Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts. Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.
= No New Posts since last visit 