Do I need a KKTO?

Koffee_Kosmo · October 2011

on 1319232451:

Okay so I am a few hours away from my maiden voyage with the KKTO. Any last minute sage advice?

Have fun ;D And relax - let the roaster do all the work KK

mycuppa · October 2011

Best tip = do it when there is nobody around. It's surprising how easy you can be distracted when someone else is there ....even if they are just watching. I love talking to people and can talk your head off about all things coffee, but when I'm roasting I even hate it when my staff are nearby as they are bound to ask me questions that can distract me. Good luck Marc and well done taking a leap onto the successful KKTO platform.

Muscles · October 2011

I completed my first KKTO roast and reckon I did pretty well. I couldn't be bothered trying to figure out why the CS Roast Monitor would not detect an input HID so I proceeded manually. I'll try Roast Logger instead, at least it detected the Victor DMM. I reckon the roast went well albeit a bit slower than I'd like and I pulled them a bit earlier than I would have with the Behmor, oh and the cooler got them down to 25C in around 3mins so they are a bit lighter than usual for me. Anyway, here is the result

1kg of Nicaragua Matagalpa by way of Green Bean Coffee. Can't wait to try em out!

Brett H · October 2011

They look great Marc! Welcome to the KKTO club! Look at all those browns.... The best bit for me with these new volumes is that I can finally have a batch last long enough to drink them over a couple of weeks and enjoy their development. Great job mate... first of many!

Koffee_Kosmo · October 2011

You did a good job as a first roast What do I say in the instructions

Start with small roasts and get familiar with your roaster and work up to larger roasts You went to the deep end first up ;D Very rarely do I roast 1kg with standard TO The sweat spot is 500gr to 650gr, - & for 99% of the time I roast 700gr Welcome to the KKTO club KK

Brett H · October 2011

How small can these roasters go without the Insert? I have been too afraid to go under 500g. I use the Behmor for my 300g roasts but would prefer using the KKTO!

Koffee_Kosmo · October 2011

on 1319290325:

How small can these roasters go without the Insert? I have been too afraid to go under 500g. I use the Behmor for my 300g roasts but would prefer using the KKTO!

You can roast 100 grams "but" with care to keep an eye on the heat On the KKTO due to clearance to the side, the current agitator blade will mix 300 grams but if one puts a dog clip at the end of the blade it can roast under 300 grams KK

Muscles · October 2011

Yes KK, I know you said start smaller but I couldn't help myself. If you'd said start with 250g I would probably have started with 500g - just for the challenge. All was not lost anyway, actually far from it but I did see the value in Borat's SSR mod as thermostat turned off the element a few times unnecessarily. While I have some fine tuning to do I am already VERY glad I made the transition to the KKTO. I found I kept tripping the power board when I turned on the TO element meaning I had to run a separate extension cord to the power pack for the agitator motor so I'll have to find my heavy duty one in the garage. For those who have used the solid and the halogen TO's - Do the Halogen elements get up to temp easier than the solid elements? ie is the heat more "instant"?

Brett H · October 2011

on 1319291236:

You can roast 100 grams "but" with care to keep an eye on the heat On the KKTO due to clearance to the side, the current agitator blade will mix 300 grams but if one puts a dog clip at the end of the blade it can roast under 300 grams KK

Again great advice and great ideas, for free and and with no guarded jealousy or eye-rolling for my noobish inquiry. What a place the world would be if there were more KK's! Thanks Paul and keep us up to date on your progress Marc!

Lacehim · October 2011

on 1319291236:

You can roast 100 grams "but" with care to keep an eye on the heat On the KKTO due to clearance to the side, the current agitator blade will mix 300 grams but if one puts a dog clip at the end of the blade it can roast under 300 grams KK

I also found a few got stuck in the middle. I used a BIG bull dog clip for the middle, and a little one at the end on one side. Worked a treat, and I roasted a few batches of 100gm for my syphon. I also used the extension ring (not sure what KK calls it) at the top to add more volume and extend the roast time.

on 1319320232:

For those who have used the solid and the halogen TO's - Do the Halogen elements get up to temp easier than the solid elements? ie is the heat more "instant"?

I have both. I found roast times where very similar, but the light is a bonus. I can now roast at night too!

coffeehorse · October 2011

Comparing Tiffany (older, S/H) to Kmart Homemaker (halogen, new) Tiffany didn't switch on/off problematically Homemaker with guard on switched too much Homemaker got up to temp quicker and had a smaller dead band.

Koffee_Kosmo · October 2011

on 1319370545:

I also found a few got stuck in the middle. I used a BIG bull dog clip for the middle, and a little one at the end on one side. Worked a treat, and I roasted a few batches of 100gm for my syphon. I also used the extension ring (not sure what KK calls it) at the top to add more volume and extend the roast time.

I think I may have helped you with that same question Lacehim a few months ago The beta testers got an adapter ring However, to keep costs down & to make a fully working roaster more affordable the Stainless Steel TO Adapter Ring is an added extra But its not needed for small batch roasting if you keep a close eye on the heat

KK

GaryatGala · October 2011

At my current savings rate, i should be an adopter for the KKTO come Christmas. Koffee Kosmo has been very kind as to send me a sample of his roasted Peru to try. I ran a blind test of Paul's batch versus my coretto roasted batch, which was Peru as well. Two lots of double shots were made on my Miss Silvia, and on each double, one was an espresso, and the other made into a flat white. Without knowing which one came from, a friend helped to label them A and B on the first round. I tasted them, noted them mentally down and he then proceeded to make the second round, just for consistency in this cupping and then tasted again. Both times label A as an espresso was better than B. Was sweeter, more flavoursome with pleasant acidity, had more body and poured nicely into the cup, more smoother and did not blond as early as label B. As flat white, both are similar, though label B was a bit more punchier, more bite, so to speak, but not much in it according to my taste buds. I declared label A the winner, and it was revealed that it was KK's beans. Overall i'm impressed, and will have no qualms adding the KKTO soon to my stable of popper, coretto, and the FZ-RR700 Baby Roaster. Upgraditis, here we go again

Looking forward to joining the KKTO mob. Gary at G

GaryatGala · October 2011

I forgot to mention another reason to get it was to roast for others. I'm the only coffee drinker in the house, so the Baby Roaster does fine in that regards, but since i've got people wanting beans from me on a regular basis, now i want to give them something better in the cup than the coretto. No matter what i do, shorter roast times, longer roast times, DMM logging all the way, uncovered, covered, insulated etc i find the taste quite acidic. As an espresso, it is brighter and acidic compared to the Baby Roaster. As a milk coffee, this acidity does put it in it's favour a bit, especially if sugar is added. I just want something that's affordable, can roast a 500 - 700gm batches and is a drum roasting principle. That's where the KKTO fits the bill for me. This waiting is going to kill me a bit, but i'll have to be patient til christmas, so in the meantime, i'll be saving up all the tips from the restaurant customers. Then after the KKTO, maybe i'll go for the Breville

Gary at G

Brett H · October 2011

on 1319687837:

I forgot to mention another reason to get it was to roast for others. I'm the only coffee drinker in the house, so the Baby Roaster does fine in that regards, but since i've got people wanting beans from me on a regular basis, now i want to give them something better in the cup than the coretto. No matter what i do, shorter roast times, longer roast times, DMM logging all the way, uncovered, covered, insulated etc i find the taste quite acidic. As an espresso, it is brighter and acidic compared to the Baby Roaster. As a milk coffee, this acidity does put it in it's favour a bit, especially if sugar is added. I just want something that's affordable, can roast a 500 - 700gm batches and is a drum roasting principle. That's where the KKTO fits the bill for me. This waiting is going to kill me a bit, but i'll have to be patient til christmas, so in the meantime, i'll be saving up all the tips from the restaurant customers. Then after the KKTO, maybe i'll go for the Breville Gary at G

The batch size of the KK and the taste were the big draw cards for me... that and I had all of the bits around the house. You won't know yourself Gary come Christmas. But surely Perth is like Townsville... Don't ya just leave he beans in the sun to roast? :rofl:

GaryatGala · October 2011

Hi there Brett. Hee hee, The north west part of this state can certainly guarantee divots and scorching of the beans together with cooking bacon n eggs on the rocks there. Down here in Perth though, the weather has been acting strange. Broke the October record for wettest month and very mild temps. Blaming it on the Queen who's bought in the British weather to CHOGM. Getting towwy now. The coffee journey is a source of sweet pain. I'm not one to steal, beg or borrow. Prefer to save up the old fashioned way. The joy of looking forward to a new toy. . . :tearhair: Gary at G

Brett H · October 2011

I can guarantee it'll be worth the wait... Like chogm... Although you probably can't wait for that to be over!

Muscles · October 2011

Yesterday I roasted 500g of the Geisha from Bean Green, 1st crack at 11:30 and pulled at 15:30 before 2nd crack. I couldn't resist trying it today and am impressed already. Will try it again in a few days. I also roasted some of the Colombian SW Decaf for the wife today, another 500g batch in the KKTO and it looks awesome. 1st crack at 11:05 and I dumped when 2nd came at 15:50. Think I'll be trying my first ever decaf... Oh, both of the two above batches were with a halogen TO. I know I wasn't doing the 1kg like my first roast but it did seem easier to get up to temp and to control the heat between 1st and 2nd cracks with teh halogen. I love my KKTO! ;D

coffeehorse · October 2011

Should the mods just delete all the replies on this topic, make it a sticky, and edit the original post content to 'Yes.'?

GaryatGala · October 2011

on 1319949733:

Should the mods just delete all the replies on this topic, make it a sticky, and edit the original post content to 'Yes.'?

In my defense, i have not yet acquired the KKTO, so i was making enquiries about this roaster. I have 3 other roasters in my stable, so i did ask myself the question, "Do I Need A KKTO?" With the help of these wonderful people on this forum, they helped me to decide, and that is Yes! I do need a KKTO. Not just because of another roaster in the ever growing stable, but for the search of a better cup. Why delete these replies? We spent a good part of our time putting words and thoughts together to support and help each other in this community. Gary at G

Koffee_Kosmo · October 2011

Excellent news fellow roasters I am very pleased that everyone is getting good results from the KKTO design It has been a great success with many happy users around the world I still answer several emails per day helping someone out with a DIY problem Most of you may know that I have 20+ design variations to the theme I have been entertaining the idea of a new model that is not a kit Recently I have combined all the best aspects of the many design variations and put them down to paper Next step is to get a cost to produce and if all the stars align I may proceed I need to seek advice on -- at what price point it will break the camels back KK

Brett H · October 2011

on 1319957353:

Excellent news fellow roasters I am very pleased that everyone is getting good results from the KKTO design It has been a great success with many happy users around the world I still answer several emails per day helping someone out with a DIY problem Most of you may know that I have 20+ design variations to the theme I have been entertaining the idea of a new model that is not a kit Recently I have combined all the best aspects of the many design variations and put them down to paper Next step is to get a cost to produce and if all the stars align I may proceed I need to seek advice on -- at what price point it will break the camels back KK

Wow. Very exciting times indeed! What batch size would the new model run to?

Koffee_Kosmo · October 2011

on 1319976308:

Wow. Very exciting times indeed! What batch size would the new model run to?

Same as now But with greater heat stability & retention control Isn't 700 grams enough with the possibility of 1 Kg

To roast a greater weight I need to have the TO specially made for me & that will involve a minimum order of 1000 units Plus extra costs to have it made with a plug and play profile control Anybody with large deep pockets or an electronic guru care to help out ;D KK

Brett H · October 2011

on 1319977847:

Same as now But with greater heat stability & retention control Isn't 700 grams enough with the possibility of 1 Kg To roast a greater weight I need to have the TO specially made for me & that will involve a minimum order of 1000 units Plus extra costs to have it made with a plug and play profile control Anybody with large deep pockets or an electronic guru care to help out ;D KK

I'm thinking a theme and variation: a cement truck with a jet engine aimed at it. Roast capacity of 1.5 tons and ultimate bragging rights... What could possibly go wrong?

Kelsey · October 2011

Well you'd need to get the agitation blades right.

Lacehim · October 2011

Borat where did you get the braided probe from? That might have been my issue... I might revisit the whole DMM thing again.

WotB · October 2011

Unless it was arranged. Then you're not allowed to see, smell or hear until it's too late.

Brett H · November 2011

on 1320061555:

Unless it was arranged. Then you're not allowed to see, smell or hear until it's too late.

:rofl: Gold!

Muscles · January 2012

A question for all you KKTO owners and I am sure it's probably been asked before: how do you clean the TO lid? Will mild soapy water cut it or should I use some of the E61 cleaning powder that Matt ever so kindly gave me with my cup order? I want to write a review on it and need to take some pics but I want the KKTO looking it's best and it'd be handy to see what's going on inside again

Koffee_Kosmo · January 2012

on 1326104275:

A question for all you KKTO owners and I am sure it's probably been asked before: how do you clean the TO lid? Will mild soapy water cut it or should I use some of the E61 cleaning powder that Matt ever so kindly gave me with my cup order? I want to write a review on it and need to take some pics but I want the KKTO looking it's best and it'd be handy to see what's going on inside again

Use rinsing water with care I use back-flush powder and a partially wet not scratch scourer sponge Take care not to squeeze water in the TO electronics Rub gently on the glass keeping the TO at a downward angle as a precaution Wipe off access with a wet cloth several times and rinsing off soap/chemical from cloth as needed until gleaming If you have a steady hand you can rinse under a slow running tap again keeping the TO at a downward angle then finish off with a cloth KK

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