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?
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.
Wow, it only takes 9 minutes to roast your own beans!?
Yes. Small batches in this model. 2x per week per person for a 2 cup a day habit.
Definitely gotta try it.
The control knob on mine has gotten really sketchy so I don’t adjust anything during the roast anymore - I just run it at heat 8 until I feel like dumping the beans. My times are similar to your: from 7 minutes up to 10 for some beans.