Posted Thu May 3, 2012, 11:42am Subject: Re: Nesco Professional Roaster on sale at Sears $122 shipped
Hi Jim,
I may do just that. Before the Z&D I was using a Hacked HWP (still use it on occasion) so I have some fluid bed experience and I really do believe that temperature vs time profile pretty much determines the results but I still am closer to the mechanically agitated camp. This is probably because I view fluid beds as a bit energy decadent. Still I am not ruling them out. A while back I saw an outdoor propane heater which was a tall glass cylinder with the gas flame rising in it. I was eyeing it with the idea of putting one of those augers which they sell for digging holes inside of the glass cylinder to make a giant Z&D type roaster.
In the shorter term I have been looking at some of those ceramic insulators and Ni-chrome wire which you gave me to make a new heater for the Z&D. I still have one OEM heater which you gave me. That is allowing me to procrastinate on the new heater. As soon as I have to install it I will have to put aside working on my stereo stuff and get on the new heater.
With the new heater I plan to make it ~ 800 Watts @ 120 Volts and use one of those router speed controllers from Harbor Freight to control it instead of the variable transformer which I am using now.
Phil
oldgearhead Said:
Come on Phil I think its time for you to build your own. Then you can just pick up one of these at Grainger if you have a failure. So far, mine has 11 months and 140 pounds on it.
Totally agree, I'm still baffled why those that like the vertical fluid bed design with the glass chamber don't incorporate assisted higher speed mechanical agitation? In my roaster 2 little rods completely elevate 2lbs of beans easily. Much lower airflow needed and better efficiency
oldgearhead Senior Member Joined: 25 Jan 2010 Posts: 354 Location: Go Colts! Expertise: I like coffee
Grinder: Virtuoso by Baratza Drip: Chemex,Dilongi DCM900 Roaster: 1/2K Fluid-bed
Posted Fri May 4, 2012, 11:10am Subject: Re: Nesco Professional Roaster on sale at Sears $122 shipped
The reason I decided on 100% fluid-bed is simple: Only one moving part, the blower rotor.
Efficiencey - because I recycle a percentage of the RC exit air, I can easily complete any 500 gram batch in 12 minutes. (note: in 40F ambient, I must recyle more RC air than in 70F ambient, but the times are still around 12 minutes) Average heat wattage: 1) Drying - 1000 watts for 4 minutes 2) Ramp to first crack - 1300 watts for 4 minutes. 3) Finish - 1150 watts for 4 minutes.
Posted Tue May 15, 2012, 11:19pm Subject: Re: Nesco Professional Roaster on sale at Sears $122 shipped
Tonight my roast heater expired mid roast. I think I salvaged the roast by dumping the beans into the HWP to complete. I'll know if I was successful in saving the beans in the morning when I pull a shot. I chewed one bean from the batch and I think it will be drinkable.
I have one more OEM roast heater from Oldgearhead which I'll install tomorrow. The incentive is now on to come up with the new heater design from the Nichrome wire and ceramic parts also from Oldgearhead. My Harmon Kardon Citation 5 is nearly back together again. After it is back in my system I will vow to my self: No more audio projects until the new roast heater is done.
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