Mark Onks

Hey Shane!

Tomorrow is the big day! Grand opening at our 1st farmer's market - final health inspection at 8:30 AM and we will be completely licensed through the city and state as roasters! Deb and I have been working around the clock getting everything ready, Thank you again for all of your help and advice along the way! We will be taking a bunch of pics tomorrow as we will be roasting on site, but am attaching a pic of the roasting setup for you to see. We will touch base with you after the next couple days of markets and let you know how it went. Still have another 30 lbs to roast...and about a million minor last minute things!  Thanks Again for helping us get here!

Hank and Deb

Las Vegas Coffee and Roasting Co.

I've only been roasting coffee since June of this year (09). I needed to get a larger roaster, seems like every week I roast more and more. I did alot research and just did not want to pull the trigger on a $3500.00 plus roaster.

I contacted Shane and talked to him about a drum. I ended up ordering the 4# roaster, bought a new grill and did the sheet metal mods. Shipping was fast and correct. The drum is built to last a lifetime, the only thing that I should have done different was to get the 6# drum for $90.00 more. (Shane should have talked me into getting the 6# roaster.) LOL

It was simple to set up and get it going. I've more than maxed it out a couple of times, beans came out great.  You can see the mods i've made to the grill and the simple bean cooler I built on Shane's web site.

Bottom line is that the drum is top notch, works great and is well worth the money! Shane is also a great guy to talk to and will treat you right.

Dale

My search for "larger quantity, more control" has ended. The smallish popper batches were getting bothersome. I tried HG/DB, but the gun I had did not move enough air and my roasts were flat. But, the quantity was nice.

Given the investment in a better gun, this would be a great method. But I
went for the RK drum.  It arrived today. I quickly cleaned, prepped and rushed to the gas grill 
to "burn" some UGH! My old Charbroil 3 RPM motor is pretty clunky, but I couldn't wait. I did order Ron's motor, but it is not ready to ship. I roasted 4 test batches of 150 gr. each; Ethiopian Harrar FC+, Java Estate Prince FC+, Guatemala Huehuetanango FC+ and SM Donkey V. I wanted the
Harrar at FC, but just wasn't quick enough getting the drum off and  emptied!
Practice! Practice!
 
 I am very happy with the roast control. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to hear the cracks. Not a problem!! Now to let the coffee rest & taste!! My stash has been diminished by the simple capacity of the drum!! The drum is a work of industrial art! It is truly a pleasure to use!
 
 Cheers,
 Geary

This is a note to let you know I have been having great success with my drum.  Thanks for the effort you put into its design and construction. 

Hi Ron
 I couldn't be more pleased with my drum. I finally got it set up last
 weekend and have only run 5 roasts through it, but I'm already quite
 pleased. You have a great product. Thought I'd send you a picture. you're
 welcome to put it on your website. I went with the brinkmann 45k btu grill
 from walmart. Great grill. It will hold a temp steady with very little
 adjustment. I haven't needed to roast in cold temperatures yet, but I'm
 sure it has the power. I keep it at 500 with the three burners at med-low
 in ~50 degree ambient temps
 -Chris
 in Arlington, VA