Roasting with a logger

Lacehim

How many of you roast with a logger/DMM?

I tried the Victor 86B a while ago (aka CS DMM) and didn't have a lot of success.  On a recent visit to Cosmic_couples place I saw his set up in action and considered trying it again.  I've just been going by my senses and it's worked for a while, but maybe it's time to try something different.

What is out there software and hardware wise?  And more importantly what is good?  What is everyone using and are you happy with it?

cosmic_couple22

Previous to my upgrade of the SilverStreak I was running artisan with 2 probes (Bean and Environment), was good to use.  Nothing wrong with what you have though Lacehim, just needs some tweaking in the fitting and setup from what you were saying.

Intense Coffee

With the Hottop I used the CS Monitor with the compatible Victor 86B monitoring Bean Temp only. Worked well, and the CS Monitor has some programming functionality to produce customised reports etc. The Proaster came with Bean & Exhaust probes and I use Artisan because it is compatible with the pre-installed USB interface. Also works well and has in-built reporting capabilities. Bean Temp is the main temp I would want to monitor. Having a record and a saved profile to follow allows you to replicate the roast. Graham

Lacehim

At the moment I have nothing DMM/logger wise.  It's hard to tell if I should just carry on the way I'm going or buy a DMM?  I wouldn't want to spend too much because I am only running a KKTO with a roast once week at best, maybe even less.  I don't roast for friends/neighbours that much, because they are all too busy buying beans from the supermarket or live too far away.

Intense Coffee

on 1421363036:

At the moment I have nothing DMM/logger wise.

Hi Lacehim, The CS Monitor requires you to buy the specially adapted DMM via CS to be compatible with Andy's S/W. If you got a generic Victor DMM or alternative I would think you have more options price wise, (check out EvilBay etc), and you can use Artisan which is also a free product. I have a CS adapted Victor DMM I'm not using much at the moment you could try to see if you want to keep using it, but you will need to get a thermocouple. The meter had started playing up a little, but can't remember what that was, and it may have been my imagination. Anyway it may be a means of seeing if that's the way you want to keep going if you wish to try it out.  Can't really help with your roaster setup etc, as have only ever used a HT with it. Update: Actually I've just had a look and have a spare thermocouple as well you could try Graham

Dry_bean.

Morning Lacehim, I roast using a CS DMM without software, and find it invaluable for monitoring roast levels in my Coretto, temp rise and determining exactly when to stop the roast, in other words ensures a high degree of repeatability. I could roast without one, however my results would certainly be a lot more hit and miss.

Lacehim

Thanks Intense Coffee but that's what I had before, the CS Victor 86B and I just couldn't get it going well.  If I touched it mid roast it should go all haywire and have readings all over the place or nothing at all.  The software side was perfectly fine and easy to use. When I got it mind from CS it was not modified in anyway (around 4 years ago), it was just a stock Victor 86B off the shelf in a box without any CS branding.  I even ran different software to test it and it worked the same.  Maybe Cs has got new ones these days but I doubt very much that they are modified and more likely saying that to just make people stop buying a stock Victor 86B for $50 and using his "free" software which he has to pay to develop.  Anyway, getting off topic so I'll stop there! I read a few posts on DMMs and I think cosmic couple said that he suggested picking that software, then finding a compatible DMM is the best way?  So what software is out there.  I'm looking for basic graphing, temp on display, maybe 2 temps for fun?  One air, one bean? with saveable profiles.  Mac and Windows compatible too.  I won't be able to control fans or heat on my roaster. Also I have a future project (well it's been sitting in my garage for ages!  I really need some welding done) to built a roaster to go in my woodfired oven.  The DMM would really help with that to gauge air and bean temperatures in the oven so hence my reasoning with 2 probes.  Everyone keeps telling me it's inconsistent blah blah but they haven't tried it really, and I'm game for a laugh.  I've done 2 roasts with a basic setup before, and one turned out amazing, the other a disaster, but that's because I had to manually rotate the beans with a rod for 16 minutes and I ran out of beer so had to run to the fridge for a refill!  hahahahahhahaha. Suggestions?

cosmic_couple22

I have my center 309 logger you can try, compatible with Artisan (which I like and have experience with to pass on to you) would just need to get a thermocouple and set it up. You know where I live and the coffee's not to bad Chester

gavinl

Hi Lacehim I am only new into roasting, but have been using my Hottop with the data bean probe, the Victor 86B (all from Mark the Hottop distributor) and Roastlogger software. I don't have much to compare it to, but really like the setup. I use a mac and it works flawlessly ... true plug n play. The software definitely showed some interesting things regarding temperature spikes and cracks, which was handy as I only roast decaf. The end result is I now have a favourite bean, roasting profile and 400g roast size which I really like ... plus it is very easy ...actually lazy.:) These days, I just plug the Victor 86B in and work on the temperature from there, as I have very little adjustments. All the best

Lacehim

Thanks gavinl.  I think it will be useful to see temps at least.  Have to wait till I see cosmic couple and grab a lone of his. [emoji6]

bcspark

on 1427524467:

Hi Lacehim I am only new into roasting, but have been using my Hottop with the data bean probe, the Victor 86B (all from Mark the Hottop distributor) and Roastlogger software. I don't have much to compare it to, but really like the setup. I use a mac and it works flawlessly ... true plug n play. The software definitely showed some interesting things regarding temperature spikes and cracks, which was handy as I only roast decaf. The end result is I now have a favourite bean, roasting profile and 400g roast size which I really like ... plus it is very easy ...actually lazy.:) These days, I just plug the Victor 86B in and work on the temperature from there, as I have very little adjustments. All the best         

        Hi gavini I am learning to to roast on Hottop B and use data logger. Have roasted 250grm batch into second crack but would love to go to 400grm . Is there any possibility you could give me some advice as to how to reach this goal or display your roast profile with all parameters. Cheers bcspark 

bcspark

My appoligies gavini for asking a stupid question of you . Being a little senile I took a while to find your blog on this subject . Have opened same and everything I need is there , very well done,    bcspark