4LB RK Drums Do-It-Yourself Kit (5LB Max)
$836.00 – $1,247.00
The 4 lb RK DIY Kit is perfect for Coffee Enthusiasts that Enjoy Building Things and want to Roast at Home. The DIY Kit includes all the custom-made and difficult-to-find parts to build a roaster. You’ll need to make a trip to your local hardware store to get the remaining items to build your Roaster. Then, you’ll be able to make the freshest, best-tasting coffee you’ve ever tasted!
Description
Do you enjoy the creativity of building your own system? Or, are you looking to save a little money? Then, the RK DIY Kit is the kit for you. It has all the custom-made and difficult-to-find parts included, but not the general hardware that you can find at your local hardware store. If you don’t feel comfortable picking out things at the hardware store and sourcing your own common parts (electrical(2), switches(2), rotisseries(3)), then we recommend opting for the Everything Kit, as it contains everything you need.
RK Drum Features
The RK Drum is perfect for roasting coffee, peanuts, cacao and grains. Depending on what you are planning on roasting, you can choose a solid drum, a 1/16″ mesh or the standard 3/16″ mesh. The standard 3/16″ mesh is recommended for coffee, peanuts, cacao and other large beans. A solid drum or 1/16″ mesh is recommended for grains. We recommend the 4 lb RK Drum for roasting 1/4 lb – 4 lbs coffee.
Drum Construction and Materials
The RK Drum is made of 100% food-grade 304 stainless steel (16 gauge). It has all welded construction with all TIG welded joints, and no riveted joints. It has an easy-open latched door, which provides for easy and fast loading and unloading. It is built to last a lifetime with reasonable care.
Benefits
- Lifetime Warranty on the RK Drum
- 2 Times the Capacity of the Largest Home Roasters Available
- No Built-in Electronics to Become Defective Like Other Roasters
** Not Included in the DIY Kit **
- Rotisserie Rod, Brackets, Collars(3)
- Power Switch(2), if desired
- Power Cord and Extension Wiring(2)
- Thermometers (Why you need a separate thermometer)
- You will need a Grill(5) or other Heat Source for your RK Drum. It is not included in the kit.
- You will need some method of cooling your beans. A Cooling System(6) is not included in the kit.
- Sheet Metal Modifications(7) (optional)
Shipping Information
This product is generally built and shipped within 1 week, however expect up to 2 weeks for delivery as supply levels sometimes vary. The Everything Kit ships in 3 packages. Email slewis@rkdrums.com for shipping costs outside the continental USA.
What's Included?
4 LB RK Drum Features
- Drum Weight: 7 lbs
- Dimensions: 8″ by 12″
- Mesh Hole Size: Solid, 1/16″, 3/16″
RK Motor Features
- Commercial / 26 RPM(1)
- Standard 110V or International 220V Motors available
- Aluminum Base Plate and Motor Mount
Other DIY Kit Components
- All Bolts and Hardware to Mount Kit to Grill
- Rod/Motor Coupler
** Not Included in the DIY Kit **
- Rotisserie Rod, Brackets, Collars(3)
- Power Switch(2), if desired
- Power Cord and Extension Wiring(2)
- Thermometers (Why you need a separate thermometer)
- You will need a Grill(5) or other Heat Source for your RK Drum. It is not included in the kit.
- You will need some method of cooling your beans. A Cooling System(6) is not included in the kit.
- Sheet Metal Modifications(7) (optional)
Assembly
After you purchase your RK Drum, RK DIY Kit or RK Everything Kit, you will need a grill to provide the heat for roasting. Because grill manufacturers update their models every year, it is impossible to confidently recommend a brand that will work with the RK Drum.
Instead, we provide you with the grill requirements for you to confirm. There are requirements for the inner dimensions, in order to accomodate fitting the RK Drum inside, as well as BTU requirements, in order to ensure the grill can produce enough heat to roast your coffee. You will also want a grill that has rotisserie cutouts. The cutouts are necessary for the rod that supports the RK Drum as it rotates. For the specific requirements for the size RK Drum you are purchasing, read our Grill Selection Guide
Once you’ve purchased your grill and received your RK Drum, RK DIY Kit or RK Everything Kit, you will need to assemble your roasting setup. Don’t worry; it’s not as difficult as it seems, and we provide detailed instructions and always are available via phone to assist.
You can find all the Assembly Instructions here. Topics covered are:
- Choosing a Grill
- Rotisserie Selection
- Grill Setup
- Materials Setup
- Rotisserie & Drum Setup
- Motor, Base Plate & Motor Mount Setup
- Heat Protection Apparel
- Electrical & Switch Wiring
- Thermometer Installation
- Sheet Metal & Efficiency Mods
- Test Firing & First Run
Roasting
When it comes to roasting coffee, RK Drums boasts the most extensive instructions anywhere, as well as phone access to friendly and expert help. RK Drums helps all customers with setup and roasting instruction, assistance debugging problems with the roast, and business advice and considerations for the aspiring business roaster.
Whether you learn better by video, how-to guides, or a combination of the two, we’ve got you covered.
Watch Shane as he teaches how to roast, talks about what to expect at every stage of the roast, and demonstrates techniques for loading and unloading the RK Drum. Topics covered are:
- Handling the RK Drum
- Preheat the RK Drum
- Loading the RK Drum
- The Approach to 1st Crack
- 1st & 2nd Crack and Finishing the Roast
Notes
(1) – The 110V 26RPM Commercial Motor comes with a 1 yr warranty
(2) – Electrical switches are for turning on/off the rotation of the RK Drum
(3) – The RK Drum is designed to slide onto a rotisserie rod, which provides rotation for an even roast.
(4) – An Accurate Thermometer is very important when roasting coffee. Read more about why you need a separate thermometer
(5) – A heat source is required for your RK Everything Kit. Please visit the Grill Selection Grill to see grill requirements.
(6) – You will need some method to cool your beans. A common and inexpensive method is to simply place a screened container over a fan. You may select the 16″ cooling tray and install over a standard box fan, or choose one of the RK Model T Cooler solutions.
(7) – Sheet Metal Modifications are unnecessary for most roasters, but instructions are available for those that are interested in increasing the efficiency of the heat source of the grill.
(2) – Electrical switches are for turning on/off the rotation of the RK Drum
(3) – The RK Drum is designed to slide onto a rotisserie rod, which provides rotation for an even roast.
(4) – An Accurate Thermometer is very important when roasting coffee. Read more about why you need a separate thermometer
(5) – A heat source is required for your RK Everything Kit. Please visit the Grill Selection Grill to see grill requirements.
(6) – You will need some method to cool your beans. A common and inexpensive method is to simply place a screened container over a fan. You may select the 16″ cooling tray and install over a standard box fan, or choose one of the RK Model T Cooler solutions.
(7) – Sheet Metal Modifications are unnecessary for most roasters, but instructions are available for those that are interested in increasing the efficiency of the heat source of the grill.