Coffee Roaster Advice

[bmcglynn]

I finally have an opportunity to roast in a shared kitchen space. I will be able to use the commercial fan to send up the exhaust, but the question I have, before I purchase a "new" roaster, is the external chaff collector. The space I will be renting from doesn't have that much room. So, I need a roaster sized between 3.5kg to 6kg without an exterior silo. The new roasters this size all have this attachment, right? Let me know what roasters fit this scenario; if any.

 

[chast]

Most 3kg and smaller do not have the external collectors but it does depend on who is building it I assume you are talking an electric roaster to use the overhead fan. Gas connections need to be vented from the machine to the out side. Overhead vents / fans are not for the exhaust venting of the roaster. If you have an electric version you can use those fans.

 

[bmcglynn]

It will be gas. The proper venting is already in place. I'm assuming 5kg only have external chaff collector these days? I've found the new 3kg don't have attached chaff collectors.

 

[chast]

Usually 5 and up have the attachments. I have a 3KG and I keep the rear of the unit 3' from the wall in case I need to work on it. I have a US Roaster so the vent is on the left side of the machine and the way I have my venting makes the total width 5.5'

 

[bmcglynn]

How much do those cost new, or did you get it used? You can send me a private message if you prefer.

 

[chast]

They are around 10K give or take options. I paid just under that in 2008. He sometimes a trade ins that he refurbishes. Great roaster! real work horse for its size.

 

[Redswing]

The roaster I have is the San Fransiscan 6lb roaster. The chaff is collected in the cylinder in the back of the roaster. Is that called a cyclone? An external chaff collector? It has an access door that you open to vac out all the chaff after roasting. It measures 4' front to back, ~16" side to side.

 

[chast]

That is what it is. Their SF-25 has the after burner in back. They build some nice roasters. Just leave enough space around the roaster in case you need to take something apart. I put mine on Total Lock casters, which means it cannot move whatsoever. Makes lfe so much easier when I need to do something, like move!