Compiling my order. What are your thoughts?

[ellboss]

Hey guys,

My name is Elliot and I am a coffee enthusiast who is looking at getting into coffee roasting.

I am from Australia but now living in Malaysia. I live in a condo but I have a spare room and access to a window to assist with ventilation.

I have emailed Mr Li and this is what I thought would be suitable for my roaster.

Huky 500T 48rpm perforated drum - $1180 
   - replace ET analog thermometer with digital probe thermometer (plan to run Phidgets/ Artisan)
IR stove (propane)
Exhaust hood
Extra MET probe
Extra tray
Extra fan
Extra funnel
Extra motor set (Motor,Box,Switch)

Any further recommendations or comments would be greatly appreciated. I look forward to contributing to this forum.

[LTB]

Welcome to you !

You planed to have the extra motor 48rpm set as a spare one ?
or you want the 72rpm to test 2 different speeds ?

Because if you only want a spare motor in case you burn it, just buy the motor, and not the entire set, you will save place et money.

If you want to switch between two different motors, get the set, it will be quicker and easier.

[ellboss]

Thank you LTB. I was going to get a spare 48rpm. Some people suggest that it might be easier starting on a solid drum, what are your thoughts?

[edtbjon]

I've used both drums, started with a solid drum for a year and now I've roasted with a perforated for some 8 months.
The solid drum may be a bit easier to start with, but it's not a dealbreaker in any way. There are now so many examples in this forum on how to roast with both setups, so it will be easy to find good startup "reciepes" for either one.
It rather comes down to your personal preference regarding taste. To me the coffee seems to become "brighter" with a more pronounced acidity with the perforated drum. The challenge (for me) is to keep at least some of these bright notes, while creating a good body to the coffee too. All of this without creating e.g sour notes, baked notes etc. Don't get me wrong here, the same challenge comes with the solid drum setup, it's just that the parameters are slightly different.
You don't mention it, but I take it you've noticed that most of us tries to control the exhaust fan speed in some way, instead of using the damper on the exhaust pipe. I guess AliExpress or something similar will provide you with e.g a TDGC 0.5 or 1.0 kVA "Variac". But even a simple lamp dimmer is better than nothing.

[LTB]

@ellboss : Can't help you with that ! I bought the 2 drums and motors but the perf was on and I started with it - and I've got very little insignifiant experience, got my Huky few days only !

@edtbjon : wich drum do the coffee "brigther with a more pronounced acidity" ? Not sure to get it

[edtbjon]

...
@edtbjon : wich drum do the coffee "brigther with a more pronounced acidity" ? Not sure to get it

Sorry, that's the perforated drum. (I have edited my post to make that clear too.)

I also strongly advice anyone with both drums to stick with one (or the other) until you feel very confident in that particular setup. Do learn the roaster and roasting before considering a switch. In my opinion, the only way to get good results from switching setups is if you come from "I can now make excellent and consistent roasts with this setup. I really do wonder how the other setup works?" That is, don't switch trying to fix a problem, because switching setups most probably will not fix the problem, rather switch to gain more experience.

[Gregr]

Excellent advice!

[ellboss]

Yes awesome advice. I really appreciate it. I think I will get both, but will learn just on one. Yes I plan to get a Variac to control exhaust fan, I will have a look TDGC 0.5 or 1.0 kVA thank you for the recommendation.

@LTB I hope you are having a blast with it. Keep me posted on your journey.

[ellboss]

Alright I think I am happy with this


Huky 500T 48rpm perforated drum - 1180 USD

All Digital Probes - BT/ET/MET

Infrared stoves (with Needle valve & Gas Pressure gauge Propane )99 USD

Exhaust hood——————————49 USD

Extra probe (MET)------------------------16 USD

Extra tray-----------------------------------16 USD

Extra fan------------------------------------48 USD

Extra funnel--------------------------------14 USD

Extra solid drum---------------------------98 USD

Extra motor set for solid drum (Motor,Box,Switch)—78USD

Shipping————————————126USD

Total = $1724

*Still need to get variac and phidgets and exhaust

[Puck059]

Ellboss have you received your roaster? What you ordered is what I think I've decided to go with since searching the forum on what others have done.  Would be interested n hearing if you'd do anything different or if you have any feedback.
Thanks