Things to consider before getting a sample roaster installed at home?
I am thinking about getting a professional sample roaster, either a 1-lb San Franciscan or a 1-lb Diedrich roaster, however currently living in the top level of an apartment building in California. Curious to get some inputs on what kind of obstacles (in terms of permits, ventilations, etc.) I will be facing before buying one and install it at home. Some questions that popped into my mind: Will I need to get a permit for getting a roaster like those professional roasters, even though I am not using it for commercial? In terms of ventilation, I assume I will need to remodeled my home to get the smokes straight to open air? Do I need to move out from a residential area? Any other things that I should put into consideration? Thank you all for your inputs.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mike Funk on
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If you have a patio, you can convert your roaster to propane and run it outside, like a gas bbq.
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Permalink Reply by Johnson Tanojo on
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Afraid that rains might affect or break the machine?
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Permalink Reply by Marshall Fuss on
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Depends first on your lease, which may prohibit the machine, the installation, or both. Then, whether the work requires permitting in your city (this varies). Finally, even if the installation is legal, you may be shut down, if your neighbors make nuisance complaints about the smoke and smell. Remember, your heavenly coffee aroma may be your neighbor's ungodly stench.
Frankly, I can't imagine many landlords who would be real happy about a 1-lb coffee roaster in a tenant's apartment. Is your landlord in the business?
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No You definately would not want to leave it out in the weather, without some kind of cover. There is a fellow in who has one on a cart with wheels, a bbq cover would probably be about the right size. Marshall has made some good points as well.
Johnson Tanojo said:Afraid that rains might affect or break the machine?
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Unfortunately, landlord is not in the coffee business. But yeah, maybe I should consider a toned-down version before moving to a real house? Like the Hottop and/or GeneCafe?
Trolley with wheels also an awesome idea.
Mike Funk said:No You definately would not want to leave it out in the weather, without some kind of cover. There is a fellow in who has one on a cart with wheels, a bbq cover would probably be about the right size. Marshall has made some good points as well.
Johnson Tanojo said:Afraid that rains might affect or break the machine?
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Permalink Reply by Clay Eiland on
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Permit would be almost impossible especially in CA. Marshall mentioned nuisance, and that is a likely issue you will might face. By being on the top level, you have a better shot but it depends on the wind. If it is blowing towards your neighbor next to you and his windows are open, your time as a roaster in your apartment will last about 1 roast. I started my business at my house and built a nice barn like structure (10x20 gable) on my property for a Diedrich IR7, then a Probat L12, and finally a Probat UG22. This was in a neighborhood. Never had complaining but only because of cool neighbors. Nice to be out of there. If you do install it, be able to bring it back inside. You will get rust if you don't. You might be able to get Jacob Tubing for very quick disconnect from vent pipe. Small fire is what would be most worried about and that could be dangerous. That needs to be well thought out.
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Permalink Reply by Mike McGinness on
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You won't be roasting with a HotTop indoors without adding exhaust venting either. Roasting produces smoke period. The only home roaster that is designed to be used indoors without venting is the Behmor. It has active after burner which works fairly well up until 2nd crack, then it too is swamped. If/when you do can for a 1LB class roaster highly recommned adding the USRC .5k to your list of considerations. I know a number of people who use them. I don't but do use their 3k. The Diedrich 1LB was an under powered electric and I believe no longer produced. The SF 1LB sweet looking and a performer but I believe also no longer produced, also was priced substantially higher than equally well performing USRC.
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I have SF 1 lb. Sure is sweet, I've hooked up a laptop with data logging software, It's more tempermental but we can replicate any profile that we do on it's big brother. I believe they are taking orders for another production run.
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miKe mcKoffee aka Mike McGinness said:You wonrot't be roasting with a HotTop indoors without adding exhaust venting either. Roasting produces smoke period. The only home roaster that is designed to be used indoors without venting is the Behmor. It has active after burner which works fairly well up until 2nd crack, then it too is swamped. If/when you do can for a 1LB class roaster highly recommned adding the USRC .5k to your list of considerations. I know a number of people who use them. I don't but do use their 3k. The Diedrich 1LB was an under powered electric and I believe no longer produced. The SF 1LB sweet looking and a performer but I believe also no longer produced, also was priced substantially higher than equally well performing USRC.
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Clay, any chance of your barn pics that you can share with us? Thanks.
Clay Eiland said:Permit would be almost impossible especially in CA. Marshall mentioned nuisance, and that is a likely issue you will might face. By being on the top level, you have a better shot but it depends on the wind. If it is blowing towards your neighbor next to you and his windows are open, your time as a roaster in your apartment will last about 1 roast. I started my business at my house and built a nice barn like structure (10x20 gable) on my property for a Diedrich IR7, then a Probat L12, and finally a Probat UG22. This was in a neighborhood. Never had complaining but only because of cool neighbors. Nice to be out of there. If you do install it, be able to bring it back inside. You will get rust if you don't. You might be able to get Jacob Tubing for very quick disconnect from vent pipe. Small fire is what would be most worried about and that could be dangerous. That needs to be well thought out.
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Thank you for the recommended roaster, I surely now looking at these sample roasters.
miKe mcKoffee aka Mike McGinness said:You won't be roasting with a HotTop indoors without adding exhaust venting either. Roasting produces smoke period. The only home roaster that is designed to be used indoors without venting is the Behmor. It has active after burner which works fairly well up until 2nd crack, then it too is swamped. If/when you do can for a 1LB class roaster highly recommned adding the USRC .5k to your list of considerations. I know a number of people who use them. I don't but do use their 3k. The Diedrich 1LB was an under powered electric and I believe no longer produced. The SF 1LB sweet looking and a performer but I believe also no longer produced, also was priced substantially higher than equally well performing USRC.
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