I have found that some of the instructions for Artisan can be somewhat difficult to follow. Using it is easy, but getting it to communicate with the B-2K+ can be a challenge at times. The only way to tell if you have it setup properly is to test it by connecting your Hottop B-2K+ to your computer. I have created this document to help you understand how to get Artisan running and connected to your Hottop.


 And always remember:

*              NEVER LEAVE THE ROASTER UNATTENDED WHILE IT IS IN OPERATION                * 

THAT MEANS STAY RIGHT THERE, AT THE ROASTER,

WATCHING THE CONTROLS AND MONITORING THE COFFEE ITSELF FOR THE ENTIRE ROAST

regardless as to what model Hottop you own!


    At this point, I assume that you have installed Artisan for your operating system as per the Artisan website's instructions. Very basically, it goes something like this:

  • Go to the Artisan website and click on the "Install Now" link.
  • Download the version of Artisan appropriate for your operating system (it is 100% free)
  • Follow the Installation instructions.
  • Then follow the Setup procedure for your operating system for the Hottop.

     Once you think you have that done, plug the USB cable into the Hottop and into the computer. 

Start Artisan and click the large "ON" button on the screen in the Artisan interface.  


Notes:
  • The Hottop must be plugged into an outlet.
  • Artisan in "Off" mode means Artisan is displayed on your computer, but the "ON" button in Artisan is visible (in other words, Artisan is off)
  • Artisan in "ON" mode means the "ON" button in Artisan has been clicked and now is labeled "Stop." 
  • To activate USB "CONTROL MODE" in Artisan, first RIGHT-CLICK on the timer display in Artisan and then LEFT-CLICK on the Artisan "CONTROL" button. 


CAUTION

The Hottop owner or user accepts full

responsibility when using any third-party software.


Here are the basic states of operation:
HOTTOPARTISANSTATE OF ACTIVITY in ARTISAN
OffOffNo Function
OnOffNo Function
RoastingOffNo Function
OffONHottop Temperatures displayed in Artisan
OnONHottop Temperatures displayed in Artisan
RoastingONHottop Temperatures displayed in Artisan
RoastingON + STARTHottop Temperatures displayed in Artisan and real-time graphing active
ROASTING *1ON+CONTROLHottop Display turns blue, USB icon displayed on Hottop LCD, Artisan controls Hottop

*1   Note that in Artisan, the Hottop's control panel only turns blue and displays the USB connection icon when Artisan is in "Control Mode." To enter that mode you need to RIGHT-CLICK on the LCD timer displayed in Artisan and then left-click the "CONTROL" button in Artisan. Only then does the Hottop display turn blue.  This mode should be considered for use only by experienced users.


TROUBLESHOOT PROBLEMS

     If none of that seems to be working, the most likely error is that the correct COM PORT has not been selected. Here is what I would recommend doing:

  1. Check the selected port and general setup in Artisan 
  2. Write the port down on a notepad and set it aside
  3. Change the port to any other port available in that window.
  4. Close Artisan
  5. Restart Artisan 
  6. Click the "ON" button in the Artisan interface. If the temperatures are not displayed in Artisan go back to step 3 with any other which has not not been tried.
  7. Once they have all been tried switch back to the original port setting. 
     If all that doesn't work my next thought would be to save your past roast files, take some screen shots of the pages for an easy way to recover your current settings, then uninstall Artisan, download a fresh copy and reinstall. 
     If none of that worked, the Artisan support people can help you with that. Begin by going to their Discussions Page. Do a search there for something like, "Artisan, [your OS] and Hottop."   
     If the above information doesn't solve your problem, the only solutions I can think of would be to try another computer. If desperation sets in contact us for instructions on sending us your control panel and let us plug it into one of our roasters to verify it is working. If the USB port on the control panel has been damaged be aware that it is not repairable (at least to say, we have never carried replacement parts for it nor attempted to repair one).

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1* Refer to the Artisan operating instructions for more information on this or any other more or function in Artisan.


CAUTION

The Hottop owner or user accepts full

responsibility when using any third-party software.