Cigar Weekly

Mad Dawg · 11-14-2018, 05:08 PM

I've been roasting coffee for more than a dozen years. Throughout that time, the original West Bend Poppery has been my workhorse roaster. I've worn out 4 or 5 of these machines, scavenging usable parts from the dead soldiers to keep the rest running.

I've never seen one spew flaming beans over a 6' circle.

OK, so truth be told, I still haven't seen that because I didn't see what actually happened. I started the roast, set the kitchen timer for 5 minutes figuring the roast would take about 6, and went to do other stuff. Timer went off, and I smell smoke...which is billowing out of the roaster. There are burning beans scattered all to hell and gone and several small fires in the leaves. The oil lamp chimney was somehow blown out of the roaster and lay broken on the ground.

I have no idea how that shit could even happen, but there it is. Fortunately I have backups...I pressed one of those into service so I'll have coffee in the morning.

Sure glad I roast outside...

gumby · 11-14-2018, 06:20 PM

The popperys seem to be pooping out! I am down to a poppery II.
I may have to finally solurge on one of the ones you recommended.

jazznut · 11-15-2018, 05:25 AM

That certainly gives new meaning to the expression 'spilling the beans', Doug!

Glad it wasn't any worse than it was, though.

macsauce13 · 11-15-2018, 09:49 AM

Looks like your porch and table got shelled by tiny artillery.

Mad Dawg · 11-15-2018, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macsauce13

Looks like your porch and table got shelled by tiny artillery.

I'm not exaggerating in the least when I say the beans were flaming when I first got out there. I could write a book (well, maybe a pamphlet) about how incredibly nasty burned coffee oils smell.

Mad Dawg · 11-15-2018, 10:45 AM

As usual, I tore down the "dead" Poppery to salvage any usable parts. As I was packing the non-trashed (I did not know Bakelite could burn

) components and stowing them in my Big Box O' Poppery Parts, my inner geek woke up and started kicking to come out and play. My inner cheapskate was immediately all in, so what could I do but roll with it.

In less than a half hour from a cold start we built a solid, functioning Poppery completely out of recycled parts. Of course, I'll be watching it veeeerrryyy carefully the first time I roast with it, but hey, they quit making these things 30 years ago and they're pretty expensive on FleaBay any more. I'm glad to have another one in service!

11-14-2018, 05:08 PM	#1
Mad Dawg Administrator Herf Dog Herf God Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 34,199	Poppery disaster I've been roasting coffee for more than a dozen years. Throughout that time, the original West Bend Poppery has been my workhorse roaster. I've worn out 4 or 5 of these machines, scavenging usable parts from the dead soldiers to keep the rest running. I've never seen one spew flaming beans over a 6' circle. OK, so truth be told, I still haven't seen that because I didn't see what actually happened. I started the roast, set the kitchen timer for 5 minutes figuring the roast would take about 6, and went to do other stuff. Timer went off, and I smell smoke...which is billowing out of the roaster. There are burning beans scattered all to hell and gone and several small fires in the leaves. The oil lamp chimney was somehow blown out of the roaster and lay broken on the ground. I have no idea how that shit could even happen, but there it is. Fortunately I have backups...I pressed one of those into service so I'll have coffee in the morning. Sure glad I roast outside... __________________ Gone, But Never Forgotten. ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ That which does not kill me....has made a grave tactical error.

11-14-2018, 06:20 PM	#2
gumby Contributing Editor MOM November 2012 Emeritus Honorary MOM November 2021 Herf God Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 47,283	The popperys seem to be pooping out! I am down to a poppery II. I may have to finally solurge on one of the ones you recommended. __________________ I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them. Thomas Jefferson

11-15-2018, 05:25 AM	#3
jazznut Managing Editor Emeritus Herf God Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 26,082	That certainly gives new meaning to the expression 'spilling the beans', Doug! Glad it wasn't any worse than it was, though. __________________ My whisky adventure began at the age of nine. Good things DO take time!

11-15-2018, 10:45 AM	#6
Mad Dawg Administrator Herf Dog Herf God Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 34,199	As usual, I tore down the "dead" Poppery to salvage any usable parts. As I was packing the non-trashed (I did not know Bakelite could burn ) components and stowing them in my Big Box O' Poppery Parts, my inner geek woke up and started kicking to come out and play. My inner cheapskate was immediately all in, so what could I do but roll with it. In less than a half hour from a cold start we built a solid, functioning Poppery completely out of recycled parts. Of course, I'll be watching it veeeerrryyy carefully the first time I roast with it, but hey, they quit making these things 30 years ago and they're pretty expensive on FleaBay any more. I'm glad to have another one in service! __________________ Gone, But Never Forgotten. ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ That which does not kill me....has made a grave tactical error.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

11-15-2018, 09:49 AM	#4
macsauce13 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,191	Looks like your porch and table got shelled by tiny artillery.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Need Poppery Help!	vasmoker	I'll Drink to That!	3	12-22-2005 10:37 AM
iso poppery I/II	owljones	I'll Drink to That!	8	10-16-2005 07:18 PM
Got my Poppery II...	westsideelectric	I'll Drink to That!	12	06-26-2002 12:36 PM