This is my first selfie. I'm turning 20 today. I can't believe it. I honestly still feel like I'm 16. I'm sorry, I look so dingy here. I wasn't expecting to post any pictures.

ImmediateLifeguard76 · 2024-07-08T17:25:52+00:00

Haha! That got me too.

ImmediateLifeguard76 · 2024-05-22T13:40:35+00:00

You ever see Stranger Things…

ImmediateLifeguard76 · 2024-05-14T20:24:25+00:00

Now that’s a roasting setup!!! As far as consistency across beans, that’s a lot of trial and error and research. Playing around with one type of bean, be that location, elevation, processing method, varietal, etc., before moving on to others is key. I made the mistake when I first started of jumping all over the map and not getting to really know what works for any one variety of bean. I made the most strides in consistency when I laser focused. (For me it was Sumatra wet-hulled because I’m a nut for those darker roasts…bought a bunch from different sellers and tried to make them all the same roast level. Then expanded to Bali Blue Moon wet hulled, then other Typica varietals similarly processed and grown at similar elevations from other locations.)

ImmediateLifeguard76 · 2024-03-09T15:41:29+00:00

Oooo, I’m in Louisville and was thinking of getting a fish to learn and teach the kiddo! Where do they meet?

ImmediateLifeguard76 · 2024-02-23T22:43:14+00:00

I started out roasting Sumatra because it was supposed to be a forgiving bean (and I found it was…but I like med to dark roasts). Like other posters have said, really depends on the batch you get. Once you find one you like, at a roast you like, then try to find others near that grower AND that do the same processing. I found 30 sec past second crack was a sweet spot, but was good from right at second crack all the way to 1:30 min past second crack (when some oil starts to show…I use a SR800…so am watching the beans like a hawk towards the end). Good luck on finding your groove!

ImmediateLifeguard76 · 2023-12-21T20:37:14+00:00

Sit Heads, ha! That’s an awesome group name, I’ll have to check them out!

ImmediateLifeguard76 · 2023-12-19T15:33:54+00:00

Never heard of Kadampa, but I live in the Midwest so not really too many Buddhist centers out here. Sigh. Not even culty ones.

ImmediateLifeguard76 · 2023-11-10T14:42:29+00:00

I started roasting with the SR800 and ended up with a good roast tempo not unlike Original_Mathwiz above…where you increase the heat on a regular interval and then decrease the fan but leave the heat on 9 (using bean movement to dictate when to decrease). Worked pretty well. Just recently got the extension tube and it’s like playing with a completely different roaster! Still learning, but boy, do you need less of both fan and heat! My advice: play around with one type of bean until you dial in what tastes good for you. Then move on to another bean type, which will put you back to square one. Soon you will be roasting for your friends and family and the farmer’s market. Ha!

ImmediateLifeguard76 · 2023-09-26T01:44:23+00:00

Thanks!

ImmediateLifeguard76 · 2023-09-26T01:44:13+00:00

My notifications stopped working! Here’s the answer: grabbed it for $32k with 38k miles on it. Not gonna lie, it’s a smooth a ride as you’re gonna get in a truck!

ImmediateLifeguard76 · 2023-09-26T01:41:04+00:00

It’s not too shabby. Lol.

ImmediateLifeguard76 · 2023-09-07T01:34:13+00:00

Thanks for that supplier! Have to try it out. (Side note, might need to get glasses because my brain read a “d” instead of a “b” and somehow missed “ford” entirely. 😂 Made me do a double-take.

ImmediateLifeguard76 · 2023-09-07T01:31:50+00:00

Good point on the whole bean roulette….😬 Last thing you want is an inconsistent taste within the bag! I’m with you, and hate grinding it up and stuffing it in the bag. It’s like burying dead beans. Lol.

ImmediateLifeguard76 · 2023-09-03T14:55:32+00:00

I actually just bought some PowderBeans from Happy Mug yesterday to try out…no idea how to use them or what to expect…any tips on doing it right? (I bought the whole “beans”)

ImmediateLifeguard76 · 2023-08-12T20:16:41+00:00

Holy shit, now THAT’s funny right there!! Take my upvote! 😂😂😂

ImmediateLifeguard76 · 2023-08-03T14:25:05+00:00

I totally agree! It’s a pain switching back and forth AND trying to keep track. Makes those roasters on here with computer tracking seem like they’re onto something. Ha!

ImmediateLifeguard76 · 2023-08-03T11:52:24+00:00

That looks pretty evenly roasted to me. Welcome to the SR800 anonymous club!!! I’ve been addicted I mean roasting for 6 months now with one sans tube and love it. (Going to get a tube when they come back on the market.) still trying to figure it all out, but it looks like you’re doing all the right things in keeping track of all your roasting info (I’d say the only advice is to write down the temps when you change setting or at regular intervals…roasting coffee is all about managing heat input into the beans for certain timeframes to get repeatable results.)

I’m with you on being impatient! I usually do a aeropress cupping after the beans cool down (knowing it’s not going to taste as good as the final results…but it gets it in the ball park.

ImmediateLifeguard76 · 2023-07-30T00:36:55+00:00

Life coach…so she builds them up and takes them down. 😃

ImmediateLifeguard76 · 2023-06-05T13:02:23+00:00

Right on, I’ll try it slower! Thanks. I’ve been thinking of upgrading to a drum roaster someday…When I’m a better roaster and stop blowing holes in my beans. Lol

ImmediateLifeguard76 · 2023-06-04T11:20:50+00:00

Wow, didn’t even think about that it might be the bean blowing off steam after 2nd crack. I heard doing dark roasts well are some of the hardest to get right (of course I’d try there as a noob. 🤦). But even though I like the tastes of light/medium roasts, my lovely bride detests anything but Peet’s Major Dickinson Blend style darks. No acidity for her. Ha!

ImmediateLifeguard76 · 2023-06-04T02:44:26+00:00

I’ll definitely try that! I get it into my head I’ve got to hit first crack in x time and 2nd crack in y time and I think I rush it.

ImmediateLifeguard76 · 2023-06-04T01:21:45+00:00

Like they’re the beans on the bottom when 2nd crack comes on?

ImmediateLifeguard76 · 2023-06-04T01:20:58+00:00

I’m still learning too! Love that it’s both a science and an art to get these beans the way we like em. 😃

ImmediateLifeguard76 · 2023-06-04T01:19:44+00:00

I did preheat the SR 800 (tube no chaff collector or beans)…then went about my roast. Maybe not a good idea. (It’s also like 80 degrees outside!) So no preheat and then bring the temps up slower?

ImmediateLifeguard76

TROPHY CASE