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Home built, hand-cranked brick oven coffee roaster.
December 2002
Charlie Herlihy, otherwise known as Oaxaca Charlie is a regular contributor to the Sweetmaria's Homeroast list. He roasts coffee for family and friends and sells a 'bit' of it to those who appreciate fine homeroast coffee. His description of his first brick oven roaster is shown in the first few pics. He emailed more pics on January 2, 2003 with a new roaster mechanism and his effective bean cooling system.
We took a few pics of the electric motor and the bean cooling system. The Stanley "magic door" motor has all the specs for hp etc worn off the housing, too bad. It's turning at hundreds of rpms-then the gear reduction unit has the rollers turning pretty fast. The basket turns at 42 rpms. On a direct attatchment to the basket who knows what would happen... Third photo is the new machine in action. Fourth, cooling on a mexican palm frond mat (petate). Fifth, a look at the graphite bearings that go INTO the oven-tremendous temps no problem. Quiet, smooth and they show no sign of wear after 200 hrs of use. The bearings that stay outside the oven are pillow block (car alternator) bearings.
You can contact Charlie about his roaster and technique at zapcafe@yahoo.com |
 This prototype is made from old bedframe angle iron, bicycle sprockets and other junk. It was supposed to be just for fun, to see if coffee could be roasted in a brick oven, but I ended up roasting over 3 tons in 4 years before replacing it with a better constructed model with real bearings, an electric motor and belt. Stainless steel drum/basket good for many more years.  Wood fired brick bread oven with lots of extra insulation to keep temps up to coffee roasting needs. As oven cools the doorway is blocked by bricks untill another fire is needed to recharge for a few more roasts.  Charlie's new roaster in action.  Cooling on a mexican palm frond mat (petate).  A look at the graphite bearings that go INTO the oven-tremendous temps no problem. Quiet, smooth and they show no sign of wear after 200 hrs of use. The bearings that stay outside the oven are pillow block (car alternater) bearings.  Charlie's most recent pic of his incredible brick oven roaster. |
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The Homeroaster™ is dedicated to helping the coffee homeroaster explore, find, acquire, roast and brew coffee to achieve the ultimate coffee experience. If you have suggestions for articles or information concerning homeroasting, please send them to me. Great things are coming in the near future for homeroasting, and I am excited about the possibilities! Please check back soon for great homeroasting information and opportunities for coffee homeroasters!
Ed Needham |
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Quote of the day..."Money can't buy happiness, but poverty won't buy anything" Ed Needham 2002 |
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