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<blockquote data-quote="HMBgal" data-source="post: 754901" data-attributes="member: 13260"><p>Well aren't you sweet?! Yes, I do roast with a popcorn popper, but not the air popcorn popper because while it works, it's not what it was designed for and it just doesn't roast enough for me, nor can you control the roast as much. I like to roast a pound or so at a time. Sweet Maria's sells (website) a Victorio popcorn popper that I use. I roast to what it called City Roast plus. Dark, but not lots of oils on the surface. Sweet Maria's has a good visual picture at the top of their landing page to give you an idea about that. You have to stand there and stir for 10 minutes or so (I stir and read). Yes, there's smoke but my kitchen has a window close to the stove and a I turn on the fan over my stove. I've never set off the smoke alarm, which is pretty touchy. I roast my decaf first because there's no chaff (this tasteless, lightweight stuff that comes off beans as they roast), and while those are cooling in a colander, I roast my regular beans. There's chaff off of those, but you toss the beans between a couple bowls and the chaff blows away into your garden. But yes, your house will smell of coffee for the the day. My family doesn't mind it. If you get said popcorn popper at Sweet Maria's, they will throw in a few pounds of free beans, which is nice. Lots of videos on their website to get you started, too. You can get started roasting for about $65-75USD. I live about 30 miles away from them and if I drive over to pick up my supplies, there's no shipping costs. But, I hate crossing the bridge and paying toll, so I just have stuff shipped.</p><p></p><p>I pretty much use only my espresso machine and make a few lattes a day for myself. I roast a pound or so (3 cups) of decaf and a pound or so of regular every 8-10 days. And yes, I have the Rocket Appartamento espresso machine, which is on the mid-to pricey side. You really do get what you pay for. I like a good thick froth and I want to pull my shots and foam at the same time, so I have what they call a heat exchanger machine. Those are more spendy and speedy. You could get away with a lower priced machine that you pull your shot first, then the machine recovers a little so you can steam. When I retired, I got a couple double paychecks and paid about $1,700 USD for it. Shipping was free and they threw in a $100 gift certificate. Before that, I had a Nuova Simonelli Oscar, which I had overhauled and gave to my daughter. I bought that machine over 10 years ago and it's been a workhorse.</p><p></p><p>You'll need a decent grinder too. If the grind isn't right, ain't nothing going to go right. I have the Rocky Rancilio grinder, maybe $375 or so?), which is a mid-to lower priced, but it's a good quality one. They also make a nice little starter espresso machine. I get my machinery (grinder, espresso machines) from Seattle Coffee Gear. They have a good warranty, which I have had to use once.</p><p></p><p>It's fun, I love roasting for gifts for family and to bring as hostess gifts (as long as they have coffee grinders). And it's easy to get sucked into upgraditis. But, good equipment lasts a long time and buying lattes at Starbucks and Peet's is super expensive, too. So, hey. It's cheaper than buying fancy clothes and shoes, and I always tease by husband saying it keeps me out of bars. Snort.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="HMBgal, post: 754901, member: 13260"] Well aren't you sweet?! Yes, I do roast with a popcorn popper, but not the air popcorn popper because while it works, it's not what it was designed for and it just doesn't roast enough for me, nor can you control the roast as much. I like to roast a pound or so at a time. Sweet Maria's sells (website) a Victorio popcorn popper that I use. I roast to what it called City Roast plus. Dark, but not lots of oils on the surface. Sweet Maria's has a good visual picture at the top of their landing page to give you an idea about that. You have to stand there and stir for 10 minutes or so (I stir and read). Yes, there's smoke but my kitchen has a window close to the stove and a I turn on the fan over my stove. I've never set off the smoke alarm, which is pretty touchy. I roast my decaf first because there's no chaff (this tasteless, lightweight stuff that comes off beans as they roast), and while those are cooling in a colander, I roast my regular beans. There's chaff off of those, but you toss the beans between a couple bowls and the chaff blows away into your garden. But yes, your house will smell of coffee for the the day. My family doesn't mind it. If you get said popcorn popper at Sweet Maria's, they will throw in a few pounds of free beans, which is nice. Lots of videos on their website to get you started, too. You can get started roasting for about $65-75USD. I live about 30 miles away from them and if I drive over to pick up my supplies, there's no shipping costs. But, I hate crossing the bridge and paying toll, so I just have stuff shipped. I pretty much use only my espresso machine and make a few lattes a day for myself. I roast a pound or so (3 cups) of decaf and a pound or so of regular every 8-10 days. And yes, I have the Rocket Appartamento espresso machine, which is on the mid-to pricey side. You really do get what you pay for. I like a good thick froth and I want to pull my shots and foam at the same time, so I have what they call a heat exchanger machine. Those are more spendy and speedy. You could get away with a lower priced machine that you pull your shot first, then the machine recovers a little so you can steam. When I retired, I got a couple double paychecks and paid about $1,700 USD for it. Shipping was free and they threw in a $100 gift certificate. Before that, I had a Nuova Simonelli Oscar, which I had overhauled and gave to my daughter. I bought that machine over 10 years ago and it's been a workhorse. You'll need a decent grinder too. If the grind isn't right, ain't nothing going to go right. I have the Rocky Rancilio grinder, maybe $375 or so?), which is a mid-to lower priced, but it's a good quality one. They also make a nice little starter espresso machine. I get my machinery (grinder, espresso machines) from Seattle Coffee Gear. They have a good warranty, which I have had to use once. It's fun, I love roasting for gifts for family and to bring as hostess gifts (as long as they have coffee grinders). And it's easy to get sucked into upgraditis. But, good equipment lasts a long time and buying lattes at Starbucks and Peet's is super expensive, too. So, hey. It's cheaper than buying fancy clothes and shoes, and I always tease by husband saying it keeps me out of bars. Snort. [/QUOTE]
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