Been successfully roasting green beans at home for a few years now. Just discovered my first problem - no first crack!

Following a tried and true recipe on an SR540 my beans went from green to straw to various shades of brown but the usual popcorn sounds of first crack are notably absent. Just a few beans do it. Like, 5 pops instead of hundreds. 2nd crack happens as usual.

I’m still early into my 10 lbs bag, and it didn’t happen with the first few roasts of the new bag.

Any ideas? Premature failure of the SR540? Bad beans? Stroke? Anyone else ever have this happen?

  • zogrewaste_@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    4·
    3 days ago

    I have a home-modified air popper that I use to roast coffee and I don’t get first crack if I put too much coffee in, turns out that the limit of my machine is about a quarter pound at a time, otherwise, I don’t get enough agitation for a fast, even roast. Maybe try reducing the amount of coffee you’re roasting?

    Another thing that can cause an issue for me is too long of an extension cord. I’m right about at what the limit of my machine can handle and the slight drop in current caused by the long cord is enough to lower the air temperature about 20 degrees.

    • CCMan1701A@startrek.website
      1·
      3 days ago

      I have the popper, which is basically what you have, and they recommend only putting in up to 80g. I do around 70g a roast.

    • StinkyFingerItchyBum@lemmy.caOPEnglish
      2·
      3 days ago

      I appreciate the comment. What is weird is I’m doing the same thing for YEARS, and just now its doing this. No extention cord so that’s not it. Also the coffee amount is correct for the machine and I ensure the bed has constant agitation for even roasting.