I'm using two disposable aluminum pans right now to cull and weigh my beans for roasting, but with use they're starting to tear at the edges and are worse for wear. They're about 9" x 13" and I like having two that weight the same so I can tare one and then weigh the beans in the other.

I'm looking to upgrade my pans and was wondering if anyone else found something that works well... baking pans, cookie sheets, cupping trays? I remember reading an article, I think by Simon of 4-Arts, that using the color blue in the tray helps find the defects as it's a complementary color... same reason was given for using blue cupping pans for evaluating the roasted coffees (which are more brown). Anyone find any great blue pans that won't break the bank? I tried just lining the pan with my blue microfiber cloth, but all the beans stuck to the cloth and it was a mess. I should probably just buy a couple more pans since they lasted a while already and are the perfect size to fit under my roaster, but if anyone has some great tips, pass them along.

I've been using tweezers to cull my beans, my fingers are too fat to pick up the defects without moving all the beans around. I also use a UV / Blacklight flashlight to look for mold and find that beyond mold it really helps highlight defects, sort of like turning up the contrast or inverting an image, it's easier to find some of the defects this way. My daughter used to help me cull the beans, but I think she lost interest. She was very good at finding defects.

Final question, any good use for the defects? I used to save them in a collection but have lately been throwing them out. Any great craft or composting ideas? I wouldn't want to run greens through a grinder for the garden, maybe a green bean hat or necklace? Since they're defects, though, they can be pretty ugly and probably not ideal for crafts.

Thanks for the feedback, Jim. Most of what I cull has black marks from insect damage, shells, and pieces, and of course the quakers post-roast, but I probably over-cull with misshapen beans. The ones with the silverskin still on do look odd, but I leave them be. Sticks and rocks, of course have got to go, but I've been lucky not to get too many (or find a rock with the grinder yet).

As for the UV lights, now they have UV LED lights so it's a lot easier, but I haven't seen much information clearing up what to cull from the UV lights.