Small batches on the Gene Cafe

[Sarion]

Hi everyone,

Has anyone ever tried to roast small batches on the Gene? I've done a few 250 gram batches now, but I would like to reduce that a bit. Perhaps 150 grams or so would be ideal for me. And for blends, I can imagine making even smaller batches.

Any tips? I could just try but it would be a shame to waste all of your encyclopedic knowledge!

[TheBreeze]

100-120 gms works jus fine

[Sarion]

Great! And do I adjust the time and/or temperature? Or does it not matter how much beans you put in?

[JulieJayne]

Strangely enough I find that a smaller batch takes longer to roast. I normally roast 300g, takes about 15 mins. If I do 200g it can run 16/17 mins. But that could just be that they are different beans.

[Steve]

I think this is a lot to do with the airflow more beans = less airflow.

[Sarion]

Thanks guys. I tried 2 roasts of 150 grams. The first I set at 235 degrees. After 15 minutes I upped to 240, and started cooling 5 minutes later (Ethiopian Golocha). Then a batch of Java Blawan for 17:30 at 240 degrees. Just started 2nd crack at that point.

Those were only a few my first handful of roasts so far. Not sure about how times/temps should change with batch sizes or different bean types. But the Java was the first roast I didn`t have to manually adjust, so I feel I`m making progress!