Forum > Pre Purchase

Looking to Upgrade Have No Clue What to Add

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edtbjon:
Again to chime in with Susan... :)
The Huky is very much a "kit" roaster, which works when ordering a "standard" kit.
I can of course put together an order list for you, but that have been done maybe lots and lots of times already. Look in the "Pre-Purchase" subforum (where you placed this thread) and read up.
Now, if you are looking at the Huky for learning how a gas roaster works, most larger roasters typically uses solid drums.  ;)
As pointed out before, some sort of fan controller is good, as the built in damper is too crude for fine contol.
Most of us hooks up the roaster to a laptop and views/logs the roasts with Artisan coffee roasting software, which needs some kind of interface between the ThermoCouplers and the computer. The Center 30X (many versions available) is available from Mr Li, while many of us are more into the Phidget 1048. Or why not go for a Arduino/TC4 solution, to which you later can add functionality as you choose.

The main thing though is to learn the roaster and roasting. That will take some time and give you the experience from which you will most probably find directions to what to modify, if you want to modify anything at all. Personally, I don't mind the fully manual style of roasting, even though I'm building a cyclone exhaust system at the moment. Now, I'm close to 3 years with my Huky and I'm still learning from every new bean I roast.
The reason for me going on about "duplicate", is that unless I can duplicate, I do not have good enough control so that I can tweak my roast to whatever I want to. This is the basis for any roasting on any coffee roaster, so it's nothing Huky-specific.

Brewzologist:
Braden;

I'm a long time Behmor user who recently switched to the Huky and went through a similar investigation of the pro/con of Quest, Hottop and Huky.  I decided on the Huky because I think it gives the most potential for controlling the roast.  But that's a subjective statement since I never got to use the other roasters.

That said, you need to realize the Huky is likely more of a kit/DIY project than those roasters.  If you aren't willing to take the time to set up, customize and calibrate it you will not be happy.  I also strongly believe you should have a dedicated cart/space due to the design of the roaster; you won't want to be moving/taking it apart every roasting session.  I knew these limitations going in and I'm happy with my choice.

I suggest you spend a few hours on this forum doing a LOT of reading so you know what you're getting into before taking the plunge.  There is certainly something to be said for having a more out-of-the-box and self-contained roaster that doesn't need gas.

Steve

P.S.  I am a bit OCD, but for example see the list of things I did before doing any roasts at all with the Huky.  (Arguably some tasks will/may be needed with the Hottop/Quest too.)

1- Made a cap for the damperless T-pipe I ordered with the Huky.
2- Built a custom cart with chaff collector and an outdoor exhaust solution
3- Integrated a DC fan via an Arduino/Artisan for better airflow control, and then calibrated the airflow using an anemometer.
4- Replaced stock gas gauge on IR stove with lower pressure gauge for more control over gas flow.
5- Installed a variable pressure gas regulator because I didn't like the way the stock one connected to tanks here in the U.S.
6- Set-up and calibrated the thermocouples with the phidget
7- Worked through grounding/ground loop issues that surface with multiple electronics.
8- Read lots of books/sources on the craft of roasting/Artisan since the Huky won't guide you at all on creating successful initial roasts.

Wayneg1:
Some very good advice posted above for you to ponder Braden.  I started with an iRoast and moved to a Hottop. I upgraded the Hottop when they came out with their latest control panel that integrated with Artisan.  Personally, I never liked the way the Hottop roasted, the profiles were too hard to dial in and the support for the machine was not to my liking.  I sold it and bought a Huky.  In comparison, I am extremely satisfied with the Huky but, it has quite a learning curve. If you're willing to do the research and put in the effort you will be happy with a Huky.  I have no idea about the Quest, so can't help you there.  Good luck with your decision

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