halogen beam heater
I have recently add siphon brewing as an option on my menu for single origins and am currently using the little burners to heat the water. I am familiar with the Hario beam heater but I dont feel like spending the amount of money it would take to have three of them so I have decided to build my own. I have found 400w 130v e11 halogen bulbs and as far as i know the Hario takes a 350w 100v e11 bulb. My plan in a nut shell is to put together three junction boxes with e11 sockets and switches for each box then build a case for them to all fit in. I would like to know if anyone else have undertaken such a task and has any recommendations.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Joseph Robertson on
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Hey go for it. I know they charge way too much for what it is. Personally I'd rather build one around a gas flame for economy and cool visual factor. In reality not cool at all, I think I could design a NG flame unit that could out pace a halogen bulb. My roaster runs on NG so it's not that big a deal to run some more gas line. I know most don't have a gas option and ol'e edison power is in every shop.
Just my 2 cent piece since your in the brain storming stage.
JoeR
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Ambassador for Specialty Coffee and palate reform.
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Permalink Reply by Brady on
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I'm sure it's quite doable to build a unit like this. However, I'm not sure how advisable it is to then install this home-built electrical heating device in a commercial environment.
Assuming you did things well, and according to NEC and designed in appropriate safety precautions in case of overflow, etc, your risks are probabaly minor... however your device will clearly not be UL approved, and so the local electrical inspector would NOT be amused. I'm willing to bet that your landlord would be even less amused... ours wouldn't allow us to do our own wiring during upfit, even with proper permits and inspections. Then there's the company that wrote your liability insurance policy... what happens if something strange happens and your device causes a fire?
This speaks to the "costs too much for what it is" idea. The process of having a device approved for commercial use is arduous and expensive. This is one of the reasons that commercial stuff is more expensive than seemingly-identical residential equipment. These requirements are a pain, but exist for a good reason - to keep your staff and customers safe.
This is just my 2 cents. I'm looking forward to other thoughts on this.
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Great Points Brady,
Before I did the build out and opened my shop I was a general contractor so I understand all your points your trying to make for Jason. The most important here being liability, IMHO that is.
Building and electrical inspectors do not inspect appliances so, it's a use a, your on your own or use at your own risk policy here. I know what you mean by ""costs too much for what it is""comment. But hey if it's your shop and your willing to pay the liability insurance if you burn it down or hurt some one, go for it. If you rent or lease be sure you have a real good relationship with your landlord, you just might need it. Also be aware of the "true" costs if something goes real wrong. Plan ahead for things to go wrong or things most likely to go wrong and you should be alright.
Hey Jason, I'm not trying to advise you either way, I grew up as an inventor so I'm always trying to improve on an idea. Just be aware of what Brady points out here and have fun with your ideas. It's about show casing your coffee and developing wonderful return relationships with your customers...
JoeR
Brady said:I'm sure it's quite doable to build a unit like this. However, I'm not sure how advisable it is to then install this home-built electrical heating device in a commercial environment.
Assuming you did things well, and according to NEC and designed in appropriate safety precautions in case of overflow, etc, your risks are probabaly minor... however your device will clearly not be UL approved, and so the local electrical inspector would NOT be amused. I'm willing to bet that your landlord would be even less amused... ours wouldn't allow us to do our own wiring during upfit, even with proper permits and inspections. Then there's the company that wrote your liability insurance policy... what happens if something strange happens and your device causes a fire?
This speaks to the "costs too much for what it is" idea. The process of having a device approved for commercial use is arduous and expensive. This is one of the reasons that commercial stuff is more expensive than seemingly-identical residential equipment. These requirements are a pain, but exist for a good reason - to keep your staff and customers safe.
This is just my 2 cents. I'm looking forward to other thoughts on this.
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Permalink Reply by John P on
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RE: Gas vs. Halogen - Note we are only authorized US seller of the Beam Heaters outside of Japan. (not in production (but not out of production) at this time)
Gas is faster, by far. However you always start with near boiling water, not from cold.
Halogen creates a gentler boil and a slightly more nuanced cup.
We chose to use the Halogen because ease of use. Safety. And it looks cool. We have three on our bar and in two years I've replaced two bulbs.
The Halogen are much more difficult to build than you would think. Esp for commercial use. R&D, UL, ETL, listings, etc. start with about $50K just to get the ball rolling. Cheaper to buy... but for now...
If you have an existing gas line and no problems with open flame on your counter, then gas flame is a great alternative. It's proven, it's reliable, and who doesn't like to play with fire?
They do have specific gas set ups made for siphon. I don't think those would be as difficult to make, but just make sure you know what you're doing.
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John,
I take this post to mean "We" is you or you represent the company? Is this correct?
Thanks John,
JoeR
John P said:RE: Gas vs. Halogen - Note we are only authorized US seller of the Beam Heaters outside of Japan. (not in production (but not out of production) at this time)
Gas is faster, by far. However you always start with near boiling water, not from cold.
Halogen creates a gentler boil and a slightly more nuanced cup.
We chose to use the Halogen because ease of use. Safety. And it looks cool. We have three on our bar and in two years I've replaced two bulbs.
The Halogen are much more difficult to build than you would think. Esp for commercial use. R&D, UL, ETL, listings, etc. start with about $50K just to get the ball rolling. Cheaper to buy... but for now...
If you have an existing gas line and no problems with open flame on your counter, then gas flame is a great alternative. It's proven, it's reliable, and who doesn't like to play with fire?
They do have specific gas set ups made for siphon. I don't think those would be as difficult to make, but just make sure you know what you're doing.
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Permalink Reply by Jeff on
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I just ope the Hario version becomes available again. That said: if someone such as Joseph can figure out how to get a unit up and running safely, I'd think they would be a huge huge market. I know the Hario versions went for 429 but I would think one could easily get a grand if they're available in the US
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Permalink Reply by Dennis McQuoid on
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Hey John, do you know of a company that makes gas setups for siphon?
John P said:RE: Gas vs. Halogen - Note we are only authorized US seller of the Beam Heaters outside of Japan. (not in production (but not out of production) at this time)
Gas is faster, by far. However you always start with near boiling water, not from cold.
Halogen creates a gentler boil and a slightly more nuanced cup.
We chose to use the Halogen because ease of use. Safety. And it looks cool. We have three on our bar and in two years I've replaced two bulbs.
The Halogen are much more difficult to build than you would think. Esp for commercial use. R&D, UL, ETL, listings, etc. start with about $50K just to get the ball rolling. Cheaper to buy... but for now...
If you have an existing gas line and no problems with open flame on your counter, then gas flame is a great alternative. It's proven, it's reliable, and who doesn't like to play with fire?
They do have specific gas set ups made for siphon. I don't think those would be as difficult to make, but just make sure you know what you're doing.
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Permalink Reply by Keith Eckert on
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I would like to know this too? Also, anyone know if the Hario's will be back on the market anytime and why they ceased production? Is it a safety or quality issue?
Dennis McQuoid said:Hey John, do you know of a company that makes gas setups for siphon?
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Permalink Reply by Melanie Logan on
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I've been actually looking at beams and came across this product: http://www.avenue18.ca/Accessories/Paypal/5098%20syphon%20gas%20top... It's priced at 980 CAN, but there's not 'buy it' button on the item so I called the place. The woman who answered wasn't able to help because of the language barrier, but she put a Taiwanese fellow on the phone who gave me a good rundown of the unit. He's going to send me some installation instructions so I can see details and present it to inspectors for possible approval. He said it's not a UL approved item, but that these folks: http://www.ucccafeplaza.com/locations/index.php are using one at the Walnut, CA restaurant/cafe' with no issues. I just got off the phone with their manager and she explained the inspector wanted to see the item in action--they did and were approved with no problem. The original concern was the open flame and whether a vent hood would be necessary. Additionally, the guy at Ave. 18 said they have 3 in stock now and place orders 2x's a year. He mentioned that Hario is ready to come out with the updated beam machine and he also just placed an order for 40 of them. He didn't know what retail would be and didn't even have a price from Hario, yet on that machine.
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