Used Hottop KN-8828D

[mhoy]

I've read a number of the forum posts on the Hottop and I look forward to learning the nuances of the machine.

Picked this up over the weekend thanks to Craigslist and it seems to be in good shape. Missing the chrome heat grill guard but otherwise in great shape with 3 extra filters plus an extra of the one under the stainless grill on the top. The build quality of these things seems very nice.



Last night I ran my first batch 8 oz batch and it seems to have gone well. This was with 18 minutes on the timer bumped at the end a couple of times and dumped when I thought it looked dark enough. Our morning espresso and latte taste just fine.



I also have a iRoast2, but it's batch size always seemed a bit small for me and as a beginner at roasting I always had a hard time hearing the cracks over the fan noise. The quietness of the Hottop is appreciated!! The small motor sound and the rattle of the beans is quite enjoyable. I really like the built-in cooling tray and window to watch what is happening. I guess comparing them isn't exactly fair given the cost differences, but I think I've found the roaster for me.

Mark

[Randy G.]

Congrats on your acquisition.

While the "D" doesn't supply much in the way of modifying the roast there are a few things you can do to play with it.

- if you don't have the manual it is available for download at the Hottop USA website
- the batch size makes a difference. For repeatable results a scale is highly recommended.
- varying the batch size can change the results. While I have roasted as little as 114 grams in my "B". the recommended batch size is 225 to about 275 or so. I regularly roast 300-310 grams, but that much in the B will lengthen the roast too far.
- adding the beans later in the cycle (after the roaster tells you to do so) can help shorten the roast a bit. Try adding them when the roaster reaches about 225-250 F.
- the "D" can be upgraded to the "B" which gives you virtually full manual control over the roast.
- finally, as you did in that photo, be sure to be fully clothed when taking pictures of the roaster!

[mhoy]

Congrats on your acquisition.

Thanks, your site helped me make this decision. I too am an engineer but I think I'll leave off fiddling with the Hottop for a while longer. Upgrading of the main board and user interface may come in time, but for now it's time to just finish off some of my coffee projects and enjoy the results.

- finally, as you did in that photo, be sure to be fully clothed when taking pictures of the roaster!

I haven't made this mistake (yet).

Mark

[Spresso_Bean]

your site helped me make this decision.

I agree with that, and bought a Hottop myself along with a permanent 120mm fan filter which should be on its way soon. Your digital Hottop looks to be in really great (almost new) condition. Nice new addition to your setup.