First Crack detection
The automatic first crack detection turns your coffee roaster into a fully automatic roaster delivering higher consistency between your roasts. It registers the first crack for you and finishes the roast without any assistance.
Sections:
Warning
First crack detection is meant to be a tool for data gathering and automation. The roaster can never be left alone in automated mode and requires supervision.
Benefits
Saves you time - no need to monitor the roasting process.
Increases consistency.
Turns your ROEST into a fully automatic roaster.
Easier roasting for everyone, no roasting skills required.
If your ROEST machine does not have an FC detector, you can buy it here and easily install it on your roaster.
How to turn it ON
After receiving your ROEST, the First Crack Detection is turned OFF. Follow these steps to turn it ON:
1. Tap on the time to open the menu
2. Tap on ROAST SETTINGS
3. Tap on FIRST CRACK SETTINGS
4. Turn it ON
You will see “AUTOMATIC FC” on the main touchscreen when First Crack Detection is ON
How to turn it OFF
If you want to roast without First Crack Detector, you can turn it OFF.
1. Tap on the time to open the menu
2. Tap on ROAST SETTINGS
3. Tap on FIRST CRACK SETTINGS
4. Turn it OFF
First crack settings
When turning on First Crack Detection, the following parameters can be adjusted:
BT Threshold
This setting determines the bean temperature that must be reached for First Crack Detection to start registering single cracks. It is set at 185 degrees Celsius by default. You can adjust the temperature to your liking by tapping the number and then using the rotary knob to change the value.
Trigger count
Here you can set how many cracks are needed to register the “First Crack Event” automatically. It is set at five by default. We recommend 3-5 cracks. You can adjust the number of cracks to your liking by tapping the number and then using the rotary knob to change the value.
Watch the video below to see in detail how to set up the FCD on your roaster.
Registering a first crack event
After tapping “yellowing” or after the BT threshold has been reached, the first cracks can be registered. Once the set trigger count has been reached, the Auto Drop countdown will start.
Option 1: Main touchscreen
Option 2: Roast settings-FC settings
Screen during roasting
Event resgistered as First Crack
Total cracks registered automatically
ROEST automatically starts the auto drop based on the crack count settings
First Crack Detection is ON
Roasting graph
You can see the intensity of the first cracks, also known as crack rate.
Automatic roasting
Warning
Automated mode with or without First Crack Detection is meant to be a tool for data gathering and automation. The roaster can never be left alone in automated mode and requires supervision.
Automatic roasting with First Crack Detection (FCD)
When receiving your ROEST, the First Crack Detection is switched off. Before roasting, you must turn it ON to activate it.
ROASTING
Once the machine has reached the target temperature for the selected profile (or waiting temperature when using a Power profile):
1. Add green beans to the hopper and pull the charge handle. Make sure all the beans enter the roasting chamber.
2. When First Crack Detection is ON, beans are roasted from the start until the end without any action needed. Wait for ROEST to release the beans in the cooling tray and let the beans cool down for about 90 seconds. You can start a new roast while the beans are cooling.
You can override the Development Time countdown if you want to release the beans immediately. Tap the Development time countdown area, and the automatic drop is canceled and “DROP NOW” enabled. Tap again to release the beans.
Automatic roasting without First Crack Detection (FCD)
ROASTING
Once the machine has reached the target temperature for the selected profile (or waiting temperature when using a Power profile):
1. Add green beans to the hopper and pull the charge handle. (Make sure all the beans enter the roasting chamber).
2. When you hear cracks, you must manually register the First Crack event: Tap “Next Event: FIRST CRACK”.
Tap “NEXT EVENT” in the upper left corner of the main touchscreen until you see FIRST CRACK.
3. When the development time countdown is over, ROEST releases the beans into the cooling tray. Let the beans cool down for about 90 seconds. Collect the beans or add another round of beans and start roasting while the previous batch is cooling down.
Watch the video below with detailed steps of automatic roasting without First Crack Detector.
From auto to manual and back
When you roast in automatic mode, and you intentionally or by accident adjust a parameter (power or temperature) that turns on manual mode, you can still go back to automatic mode by going to profiles and selecting the profile you are roasting with again.
Manual roasting
Manual roasting is available for Power Profiles and Air Temperature (ET) profiles. We recommend using Power Profiles for manual mode.
Sections:
Important information
• If the air temperature is adjusted while roasting with a Power profile, the profile will turn into a manual ET profile.
• You can use automatic First Crack detection while roasting in manual mode. Even when roasting manually, it will register the First Crack and start the automatic countdown. If you want to perform a fully manual operation, turn First Crack detection off.
Manual roasting with power profile
PREHEATING
1. Select a power profile, close the drum and wait for the roaster to have reached the waiting temperature.
2. If you want ROEST to automatically register the First Crack, turn on First Crack Detection.
3. You can adjust the waiting temperature if you wish:
Adjusting the waiting temperature
ROASTING
Once the machine has reached the WAITING TEMPERATURE, you are ready to start roasting.
1. Add green beans to the hopper and pull the charge handle.
2. By adjusting the power, you will switch to the Manual PWR profile - tap on POWER and use the rotary knob to change the value.
You are currently in Manual Mode. Read about all parameters available to adjust in the article “Roasting parameters”.
When the First Crack Detection is on, ROEST automatically registers the FC - even when roasting in manual mode.
3. End the roasting process your preferred way. See the three ways how to end a roast here.
4. Collect the beans or add another round of beans and start roasting while the previous batch is cooling down.
Manual roasting with Air Temperature (ET) profile
PREHEATING
1. Complete the “BEFORE ROASTING-PREHEATING” steps to select an ET profile.
2. If you want ROEST to automatically register the First Crack, turn on First Crack Detection.
ROASTING
Once the machine reaches the targeted temperature, you are ready to roast.
1. Add green beans to the hopper and pull the charge handle. (Make sure all the beans enter the roasting chamber).
2. By adjusting the Air Temperature (ET), you will switch to the Manual ET profile - tap on AIR TEMP and use the rotary knob to change the value.
You are currently in Manual Mode. Read about all parameters available to adjust in the article “Roasting parameters”.
When the First Crack Detection is on, ROEST automatically registers the FC - even when roasting in manual mode.
3. End the roasting process your preferred way. See the three ways how to end a roast here.
4. Collect the beans or add another round of beans and start roasting while the previous batch is cooling down.
Roasting events explained
You can register three different types of events by tapping on the upper left corner of the main menu: charge, yellowing, and first crack.
• Charge
This event is automatically registered - it starts the roasting process when you pull the charge handle to drop the beans in the drum. Tap if you want to activate the roasting process without pulling the charge handle.
Top of the main touchscreen
• Yellowing
Tap if you wish to manually register the color change in the beans from green to yellow.
Top of the main touchscreen
• First Crack
The next event after yellowing is First Crack. First Crack can be registered when the bean temperature reaches the BT threshold set in the First Crack settings. The development time countdown will start when the number of cracks registered equals the amount specified in the trigger count setting.
Top of the main touchscreen
IMPORTANT: If your ROEST does not have First Crack detection, you must manually tap this button to register FC.
If you wish to add this feature to your roaster, you can buy your First Crack Detection system here and easily install it yourself.