The B-2K+ is a remarkably flexible coffee roaster, but at first glance is can seem a bit mysterious as to how such a simple control panel can give the user complete control over the roast. This article contains an exercise which will allow you to learn the controls more easily before committing to an actual roast.


    Before you even begin, please read through the owner's manual concerning the safety warnings as well as the entire section of the use of the B-2K. For now, skip the section on "Getting the Most From Your B-2K." After the following exercise is completed, that section will make a lot more sense!

  • Start a roast and set the "target time" and the "target temperature" to their maximum values. Refer to "Modifying Roast Parameters" at the bottom of page 17-18 in the manual.
  • Start a roast
  • When the "Add Beans" signal sounds, DO NOT ADD BEANS!
  • Allow the roaster to achieve a temperature of about 300F, then use both the fan speed control and the heating element power controls (See "Control Functions" page 15) to adjust the roaster in order to maintain a temperature of about 300F.

 

     To select available parameters to adjust, repeatedly press the "SELECT" button to cycle through items. When the Fan Speed display is highlighted you can use the up and down chevrons to raise or lower the fan speed. Then press "SELECT" repeatedly until the Heating Element display is highlighted and once again use the chevrons to raise or lower the heating element power. 

     It will take a bit of practice, but soon it will become quite automatic for you to make these changes. Once you feel comfortable finding the item to adjust and adjusting it, repeat this exercise a few times until you can held the temperature at about one level. You will likely never need to hold a steady temperature in an actual roast. In reality, that is something you want to avoid. But this exercise will give you a good idea as to making adjustments to achieve a good roast profile.

And, please, always remember:


  * NEVER LEAVE THE ROASTER UNATTENDED WHILE IN OPERATION *