Been successfully roasting green beans at home for a few years now. Just discovered my first problem - no first crack!

Following a tried and true recipe on an SR540 my beans went from green to straw to various shades of brown but the usual popcorn sounds of first crack are notably absent. Just a few beans do it. Like, 5 pops instead of hundreds. 2nd crack happens as usual.

I’m still early into my 10 lbs bag, and it didn’t happen with the first few roasts of the new bag.

Any ideas? Premature failure of the SR540? Bad beans? Stroke? Anyone else ever have this happen?

  • AMillionMonkeys@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    9 days ago

    I have the same roaster and the same issue with most beans not audibly cracking. I could always hear the cracks when I was roasting with a popcorn maker. I think it has something to do with how slowly the SR540 roasts, at least at the default temperature settings. So now I go by time and eyeball it, then make notes on the coffee and adjust the next roast.

    • StinkyFingerItchyBum@lemmy.caOPEnglish
      2·
      9 days ago

      It’s been fine for years for me. I wonder if the machine’s age is showing? Can you share your time, fan and heat settings?

      Edit: recipe is

      Fan - Heat-Time

      9-3-until straw coloured ~ 3 min

      7-5-until light brown ~ 2 mins

      4-9 until roasted to desired.

      Usually light just at the last of the first crack. 2 mins.

      7-9 mins total time depending on roasts.