x Senior Member Joined: 29 Sep 2002 Posts: 322 Location: x Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Fri Nov 5, 2004, 10:58pm Subject: Re: New Rk Drum Setup
Hello,
My dream is to be able to measure bean temperature. I'm curious how they actually measure bean temps in a Diedrich? Anyone know?
The topic of motors for bbq grils came up a while back on the ALT.Coffee Andy went so far as to calculate what speed the motor would have to turn to stick the beans to the side of the drum. The 57 RPM motor seems to be widely accepted, I found I got a more even roast and yes now that you mention it I did need to turn the gas down just a bit.
I have snooped around on both the Buzz and RK websites and forums. I would like some recommendations as to which grill and which rotisserie motor to use, but strangely enough, there is zero info on both sites. I would think there would be some good opinions out there (case in point: Jason at the Coffee Emergency told me that he had to modify the gas valve on his grill to allow for more BTU's. I would like to avoid that if possible...).
I think the grill you choose is not all that important. I bought a used one with a new bottle for $35. I posted about this before. I believe one of the best modifications you can make is take your 2 burner grill and replace it with a single burner single burner. From my experience it is difficult if not nearly impossible to accurately adjust both burners. Try looking with a remote IR thermo and the temps are always off side to side. I tried using tick marks on the dials etc. etc. Never could come that close, sometimes off 20 degrees side to side. A replacement single burner is about $30 bucks eliminates many headaches and will give a noticably more even roast. As to more BTU's its not so much a burner issue as an orfice issue. A decent propane shop can enlarge the orfice safely to give a reasonable increase in BTU's if you are not comfortable doing it yourself.
Used grill, replacement single burner, 57RPM motor, RK or Buzz, decent thermo and you are in cheap and you are in good. You can now focus all your waking hours for the rest of you life learning the finer point of coffee roasting and die knowing you still have alot to learn
x Senior Member Joined: 29 Sep 2002 Posts: 322 Location: x Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Fri Nov 5, 2004, 11:16pm Subject: Re: New Rk Drum Setup
Hello,
As for the rotisserie, you'll want the deluxe model which has a 1 piece spit - other kits have a 2 piece spit that fastens together in the middle. The 1 piece spit should be stronger than the 2 piece, in theory.
Consider dumping the whole bbq spit rod thingy and buy a piece of 1/2" allthread, 4 nuts and 4 washers attach it through the drum and the lovejoy or whatever brand you buy will offer a 1/2' diameter coupler to attach to the rod. Overkill strong and much cheaper. I have a Buzzroaster and was a bit disapointed in the wire clamp setup used to attach the drum to the rod. I don't know how the RK handles this little bit of mechanical engineering.
Posted Sat Nov 6, 2004, 7:29am Subject: Re: New Rk Drum Setup
Tom,
Your pics are much better than the ones on the RK Drum site. Ron should use your snaps because they really show off the drum much better.
I like the idea of an alternative to the spit rod that come with kits. It's a shame to have to buy a rotisserie kit just to get a rod and dump the motor. So for the 1/2" threaded rod, are you recommending a particular type of metal (stainless, etc)? Where would someone purchase 1/2" rod in stainless or is it too pricey?
FXDXT Senior Member Joined: 14 Sep 2002 Posts: 165 Location: Sandy, OR Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: La Spaziale Vivaldi II Grinder: Cimbali Max Hybrid Vac Pot: Sunbean Drip: Vac: Royal Balance Brewer Roaster: RK Drum Roaster/Hottop
Posted Sat Nov 6, 2004, 7:43am Subject: Re: New Rk Drum Setup
The picture shows the rotisserie kit rod. I went out and bought a Weber Genesis Gold C for the sole purpose of roasting coffee and they threw in the rotisserie kit. Of course the wife had other ideas. So now I have two sets of flavor bars, One for roasting and one for BBQ.
x Senior Member Joined: 29 Sep 2002 Posts: 322 Location: x Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sat Nov 6, 2004, 10:07am Subject: Re: New Rk Drum Setup
Hello,
I like the idea of an alternative to the spit rod that come with kits. It's a shame to have to buy a rotisserie kit just to get a rod and dump the motor. So for the 1/2" threaded rod, are you recommending a particular type of metal (stainless, etc)? Where would someone purchase 1/2" rod in stainless or is it too pricey?
I used generic allthread available at most any hardware store. I believe it is galvanized. I have noticed no problems. If it bothers you I guess you could locate stainless, I don't think it is necessary for trouble or expense.
In defense of the folks that build the roasting drums I see a physical problem that would arise in shipping if a rod were sent with the drum. The rods are pretty long and would make packing and shipping more difficult
Nope, doesn't bother me at all...I was simply asking since I've read comments suggesting to avoid certain types of materials (when heated) that give off gasses that are supposed to toxic. I thought the two materials that people suggested to avoid were zinc and galvanized which is common to home-center threaded rod. I'm no expert on these materials, just asking based upon what I've read when people talk about home-built coffee roasters.
poison Senior Member Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 1,164 Location: LA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Astra Pro Grinder: Maestro Plus, Super J deal Drip: Cone filter Roaster: RK drum
Posted Sat Nov 6, 2004, 11:09am Subject: Re: New Rk Drum Setup
Gasses are one thing, but with the RK drum, the beans never touch the spit: it runs through a square steel tube inside the drum.
The drum is attached to the spit by two collars with allen head screws, very nice. I think I may drill a small indentation to where the screw grips the spit so it can catch better.
Posted Sat Nov 6, 2004, 11:36am Subject: Re: New Rk Drum Setup
I was warned by everyone at the hardware store (and a few people here) that you should not use galvanized or zinc at temps like will be in the grill. Check Here: "RK Drum Newbie". I used a 3/8 stainless steel threaded rod and 3/8 stainless steel eye bolt connected with a stainless steel connecting nut. All of the nuts and washers in my setup are stainless steel. Here is a post with a link to my setup: "Rawman's Buzzroast setup"
Rawman the Expobarbarian.. AKA the Original Jon R.
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