[chem_fun]

OK. Here's how it goes.

1) Get some green coffee beans. I live in the middle of now where, e-bay was the cheapest. I'll be honest, I LOVE to cook, but don't have the best pallet. I tried expensive beans and cheap ones, and couldn't tell a big difference. I could tell a difference when I roasted them different amounts of time. I had a guy in GA that I was getting green beans from, eBay My World - bluecloudimport I just sent him an e-mail asking if he's still selling green beans on e-bay. Think his name was George.

10# raw ROBUSTA Fair TRADE coffee BEANS 4 HOME ROASTER - eBay (item 270243499482 end time Aug-11-08 19:35:53 PDT)

2) Go to a second hand store and get a cheap air pop popcorn maker with an on off switch. OMG...I checked on e-bay and they're selling for a lot. I think I got mine for $3, and another one for about that at another garage sale. I'm sure that they're inflated on e-bay for this purpose. Here's a link to one on e-bay. The reason you want the on/off switch is because you can move one of the sire leads on the bottom and the on off switch will then only turn on the heat. You can let the beans air cool. If someone needs, and can't find info on the modification, let me know I can get pictures.

WEST BEND THE POPPERY POPCORN POPPER ~ 1500 Watts - eBay (item 320287310382 end time Aug-15-08 20:14:10 PDT)

3) have a grinder (preferably burr) and a coffee machine (preferably not a steam machine) The machines pump that have a water reservoir that you can refill while it's working are better because they heat the water to a specific temperature.

I have one like this (has e-bay gotten more expensive in the past few years? I think I got mine for 25 shipped)
NEW DeLonghi 15 BAR PUMP DRIVEN Espresso EXPRESSO Maker - eBay (item 320285432088 end time Aug-17-08 20:20:41 PDT)


I have stove top models like this too...only switched due to the fact that they're a bit messy, but apparently itallians use them all the time.

Espresso Maker - eBay (item 260271893675 end time Aug-16-08 17:45:29 PDT)

Found these recently, if I was still drinking cappuchino, I'd proabably get one.

Bialetti Mukka Express 2-cup Espresso Machine - eBay (item 120293132871 end time Aug-17-08 12:04:32 PDT)



4) put a handfull of beans in the already turned on popper. I put them in so they're just still moving around. you want the air flow. Let them roast. They'll crack (pop) twice, and then they're done. They change all different shades of colors till they turn black. Obviously you can stop when you get to the roast you prefer.

You are supposed to let them breath for 48 hours, personally I never made it that long. I always make coffee for my chemistry class when we're talking about cracking organic molecules. It's a REALY large stretch, even a different use of the word cracking, but it's a great way to make coffee in class and give the kids coffee. Like a grandparent giving kids candy and then sending them home.

More resources online abound.

Home Coffee Roasting Supplies -Sweet Maria's is a great source to start, I got one shipment of beans from them the first time, and couldn't tell a difference even though they are adamant that it's better coffee.

[thebigspendur]

The only comment I would make is 1-I wouldn't be using Robusta beans. Thats the kind of stuff the commercial coffee companies use to blend to save money. In general Robusta is considered to be pretty dreadful stuff.

There are many ways to roast beans. You can do it in the oven but you have to really watch the temp and constantly move the beans around. I used to have an air type roaster but found it got too hot and was very difficult to control the temp and the beans got too dark.

[chem_fun]

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

The only comment I would make is 1-I wouldn't be using Robusta beans. Thats the kind of stuff the commercial coffee companies use to blend to save money. In general Robusta is considered to be pretty dreadful stuff.

There are many ways to roast beans. You can do it in the oven but you have to really watch the temp and constantly move the beans around. I used to have an air type roaster but found it got too hot and was very difficult to control the temp and the beans got too dark.

I agree with the robusta comment. That's not all the guy in GA sells. I just randomly choose one of his recent auctions. I could tell that it wasn't all that good.

I roasted beans in a pot on really low heat, I'd NEVER try it in the oven. There's quite a bit of smoke and fumes. The house would smell like burnt coffee for ages.

[razorrandy]

I have been roasting coffee for 3 years now. I have done it on the stove top in cast iron, old popcorn popers, and the BBQ. I found on e bay a roasting cylinder made of stainless steel that fits my ronco rotisserie. WOW a effertless way to roast with little to no mess. Set the timmer check for how well you want the beans done and you are there.Lots of smoke so do it outside.
I too buy my beans from bluecloud, I just got 40lbs on monday. Just punch in bluecloud coffee on your serach, hit the atlanta vietnam traders on the right and it will direct you to the green coffee beans.
I have had good luck with the rubusto beans, just make sure you get the chaff off when done roasting.
Good luck roasting.

[poona]

Awesome.

I use a stove top Moka Pot and I LOVE it.

Will look into this!

[SteveS]

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

The only comment I would make is 1-I wouldn't be using Robusta beans. Thats the kind of stuff the commercial coffee companies use to blend to save money. In general Robusta is considered to be pretty dreadful stuff.

This comment is right on the money. Vietnamese robusta is famously foul and has a pronounced burnt rubber smell/taste. If you're going to spend the time to roast your own coffee, you should get good beans, which sell for $5 - $7 per pound at places like Sweet Maria's.

[razorrandy]

I like the robusta coffee and so do most people who have had it. Maybe you got a bad batch. I have had the african beans and noticed a little differance @ $9.00 a pound.
So I will stick to the robusta beans.