[germantown rob]

I have a question about the HotTop B for you users out there.

The default program has it come on to setting 1 fairly early in the roast than it goes to 2 in 1st crack than 3. I have done my own program and have the fan come on just before 1st crack and then depending on what beans I am using increase it after 1st crack to 2 or 3.

How do you use the fan during the roast?

 

[ResIpsa]

2-3 minutes into the roast I turn the fan on 2 for 30 seconds, then turn it back off. I read over on Home-barista that at this point in the roast the beans are giving off a gases that are best cleared out and this was the way to do it.

Once into first crack I turn the fan on full bore as I cut back the heat 1) to keep the smoke out of the roast, and 2) to help in stretching the length of time between first and second crack.

 

[germantown rob]

2-3 minutes into the roast I turn the fan on 2 for 30 seconds, then turn it back off. I read over on Home-barista that at this point in the roast the beans are giving off a gases that are best cleared out and this was the way to do it.

Once into first crack I turn the fan on full bore as I cut back the heat 1) to keep the smoke out of the roast, and 2) to help in stretching the length of time between first and second crack.

I did not know about the early gasses :tu. The fan on mine comes on automatically to 3 early in the roast, I knew there had to be a reason for that.

 

[germantown rob]

Does anyone else get some noise from the drum spinning?

I started to put a drop of veg oil or canola in the front plate where the drum mounts and it takes care of the noise for 4-6 roasts which is when I take it apart for cleaning and then re-oil.

 

[ResIpsa]

Does anyone else get some noise from the drum spinning?

I started to put a drop of veg oil or canola in the front plate where the drum mounts and it takes care of the noise for 4-6 roasts which is when I take it apart for cleaning and then re-oil.

Just dealt with this last night Rob. Go here and here for a good FAQ:

http://home.surewest.net/frcn/Coffee/HOTTOPFAQ.html#22

http://www.hottopusa.com/drumalign.html

Took the drum out, couldn't find any sign of anything being scratched or out of alignment, but there did seem to be some funkiness caked on where the front of the drum spindle sits in the front bearing plate. Didn't have any oil to use, so just used a scotchpad to scrub it off, and the noise was gone.

Doesn't the oil heat up and smoke up the roast?

 

[germantown rob]

Just dealt with this last night Rob. Go here and here for a good FAQ:

http://home.surewest.net/frcn/Coffee/HOTTOPFAQ.html#22

http://www.hottopusa.com/drumalign.html

Took the drum out, couldn't find any sign of anything being scratched or out of alignment, but there did seem to be some funkiness caked on where the front of the drum spindle sits in the front bearing plate. Didn't have any oil to use, so just used a scotchpad to scrub it off, and the noise was gone.

Doesn't the oil heat up and smoke up the roast?

Nice links :tu.

I clean it with a pad and still get the sound after 1 or 2 roasts so I knew that was the spot. The amount of oil I use is minimal and the smoke point of Canola oil is 468f so it doesn't give of any. I might have to try the banging technique to see if that solves it with out the oil.