Chaff removal post roast

#1: Post by **Marcelnl** » June 14th, 2023, 12:31 pm

My cyclone is working, but I just got a natural Ethiopean Yirgacheffe Adado that has loads of chaff after roasting.

A long time ago I saw some boxes folks used, connect a vacuum cleaner on one side, hustle the beans vigorously and suck the chaff off...
I plan making something similar but rather than to tinker it together from scratch I'd like to hear if there are any ideas for such a device (batch size 400g)

#2: Post by **caffeinatedjen** » June 14th, 2023, 12:53 pm

I just take my behmor basket outside and shake which gets most of the chaff off. I also used to dump it back and forth between two mesh colanders outside so it could blow off.

#3: Post by **Capuchin Monk** » June 14th, 2023, 3:38 pm

Try hairdryer or electric fan gently blowing air while pouring the beans into another container about a foot (+- 30 cm) apart. Do that 2 - 3 times or until no visible chaff fly out. It will create some stray chaff so do it outside or in an area where it can be cleaned easily.

June 14th, 2023, 3:53 pm

yeah I've been doing that in my shed, but the amount of chaff is so large it looked like a snowstorm...I'll do that outside next time for sure

#5: Post by **Capuchin Monk** » June 14th, 2023, 4:56 pm

Marcelnl wrote:but the amount of chaff is so large it looked like a snowstorm...

I've made a post about Yirga-chaff-y recently. But the flavor outweighs the cleaning "bill".

June 14th, 2023, 5:06 pm

LOL, the flavors of this one are sure worth that little mess! Winey, Blueberry as if it has been through hours of anaerobic fermenting...

#7: Post by **rmongiovi** » June 15th, 2023, 2:35 am

Google "winnowing." It doesn't need anything elaborate. As mentioned, using a fan beats relying on a helpful breeze.

June 15th, 2023, 6:27 am

HAH new word to me, I knew the technique, yet I'm looking for something that leaves a little less mess....Yirgachaffe is really a great name

#9: Post by **Capuchin Monk** » June 15th, 2023, 7:19 am

Marcelnl wrote:yet I'm looking for something that leaves a little less mess....

Perhaps this contraption can help...

#10: Post by **Capuchin Monk** » June 15th, 2023, 7:48 am

They do sell a modern scaled down version.