It is easy to convert your gas grill into a coffee roaster.  If you can pop popcorn, you can roast coffee.  This drum will also roast Peanuts, and a variety of other nuts.

Update 1/31/10

New Drum Latch Available Now - All New Drums are now shipping with the new latch system, and the traditional pin/chain setup.  We additionally will post the new latch in the products section for those who want to add this latch to their existing drum.  The chain is attached to the drum with a screw and we recommend you keep this in a safe place to serve as a backup.  Personally I have enjoyed very much roasting with this latch and I know you will too. (read the latch review here)

Update 12/22/09

Shipping Update - For years we have always offered free shipping on our roasters, and shall continue to do so, but it seems that recently it is getting more and more complicated.  From the shop Leah has been having to drive across town which has been taking an hour out of Leah's day, fuel costs, etc. to get this done.  Larry has informed me that we cannot continue to take advantage of Leah's time in that way.  So I'll need to adjust pricing to cover handling of the shipment.  Please accept my apologies on this, but I just can't get around this at this time.  I will keep looking to see if there is a better way.

Update 11/27/09

Cooler Deluxe Update  - After a few weeks of messing with the stirring vane motor supplier, I am not convinced that we are going to get them to play ball with us for the long term, so therefore, we're moving forward in a new direction.  I have chosen a new motor for the deluxe unit, which actually is going to be a better motor, with higher torque and greater quality, which ultimately will last much longer as well.  Overall, in spite of the fact that the new motor will raise the cost an additional $15 over the previously projected cost of the deluxe cooler, I do actually feel better about the decision, in that the motor will stand for RK Quality and durability to a much greater degree than the previous selection.  We'll have a brief re-design period for the couplers and mounting brackets, get it released to you,  and then we'll be moving to another exciting project!

Update 11/12/09

The Importance of the Rear Sheet Metal Mod.

This last week as I was building a grill for Miss Mari Nobile in Washington State, I was going about the rear sheet metal mod and was really quite astounded at the difference it really makes.  Just to give you an idea, I did a heat test before and after.  Running all burners at 100%, it required 7.5 minutes to heat the grill to 650F and then 100% to maintain that temperature.  After the sheet metal mod, where you can see, I have capped off 90% of the rear vent, I could achieve the same temperature at between 1/3 gas and minimum gas.  I would say 15% to 30% gas.  Think about this for a second.  This means that you can now get 3 times the number of roasts out of every tank of propane.  That is pretty remarkable in terms of your cost per pound of coffee.  If you haven’t done this yet, you should think about it.  Dale in Wichita, suggested using fireplace insulation to line the inside of the grill and reported very remarkable savings as well.  Bottom line?  Keep the heat that you already have in the grill longer  and you can save money.  ( Also a safety tip.  The vents in the grill are designed to keep the grill at a safe operating temperature, thus, if you do choose to restrict the vent, then operating the grill for extended periods of time at highest heat, could overtemp the entire rig.  Please do not forget that you have left your burners on high and go and do something else.  We don't want any fires)

Cooler Deluxe Update  - I'm aware that many of you are requesting the availablity date of the RK Cooler Deluxe with the stirring vanes.  I had ordered a batch of stirring vane motors only then to find that the motors were the wrong RPM.  I am trying to get this rectified as soon as possible.   

Update 9/9/09

RK Cooler:  We are pleased to announce that the RK Cooler Basic is now available for purchase.  We have made a few final refinements including a guarded power switch so that the switch cannot be damaged accidentally, and a grill guard for the under side so that fingers can't go where they don't belong.  So these are a couple of welcomed features.  The total combined cost of all the parts and stainless steel was a tad higher than what I was shooting for, but very much worth it in that the cooler is of exceptional design and quality having significant durability and function for the long-term, and a valuable asset to the 1Lb+ coffee roaster.  As you would expect from RK, buy it once, enjoy it for a lifetime.  I expect the deluxe version out next week, but we'll see how it goes, the shop has been short on help this week.  Check it out here

Update 8/31/09

RK Cooler Update:   The day is finally here, where I can show you in close detail what we have been working on with the cooler.  We have the first RK Cooler Basic ready to show and to sell!  I am awaiting final price decisions for the end of the week.

I had been waiting on the fufillment of the blade motors for the deluxe unit, which was resolved today.  I would like to see the Deluxe unit available next week.

Update 8/13/09

Web Problems:  Had some minor web domain issues the last couple of days.  Seems I forgot to pay up the domain for the year.. Oops.  All fixed now.  Contrary to the rumors....I promise, we aren't going anywhere.  We'll be here for a long time, unless I get hit by a bus...eh, what er' ya gonna do...

RK Cooler Update:   So, now back to the cooler.  The prototype has been built and tested and we have worked out all the kinks I think we're going to work out.  Larry has finished the first two new production models.  (Ones we can sell!!!)  The first ones out the door will be the basic model and will not include extra fancy things like stirring vanes and unloading doors, etc.  Overall, I'm very pleased with it.  Remember this will be the inexpensive model, so, please be aware.   If you want the deluxe unit, I need another week or so on that as I've run into a snag with the vane motors.  Mostly a problem with me having too many jobs and not enough hours in the day.  The first base unit, and shell for the deluxe unit has been made, and polished to a mirror finish.  I'll be going up to the shop to take some pictures and video, this time "spilling all the beans" and giving you every detail, so you know exactly what it's all about.  Realistically, looking like sometime next week to post the product page and all the goodies. 

Update 7/29/09

RK Cooler Update: Went up and worked at the shop today and am pleased to report we have the last few items on the checklist to complete.  We did functional testing of the complete unit with both 5 and 7 pounds of finished coffee at 550F-600F cooled to average ambient temperature in 1.5 minutes and 2.25 minutes respectively.  The unit did an excellent job of automatic chaff removal.  We noted a few items that we want to adjust, notably, the addition of two support legs, the installation of a flush mount power switch as opposed to an external power switch, and whether or not to include certain items on the production unit. 

We finally concluded that we will offer a partially upgradeable base model, which will be very economical for those of you who are very casual roasters albeit lacking a few convenient and attractive items that will be available on a deluxe model at an increased cost. 

The base model will be fully functional and require slightly more manual operation, but be upgradeable with stirring vanes and motors (which aid in chaff removal and offer 25% increased cooling) if you should so choose at a later date.

The deluxe model will come with all bells and whistles and offer a dump door, requires less manual operation and generally less labor involved in working the unit. 

We had some discussion as to the practicality of the coffee unloading mechanisms, and the costs associated with adding extra features and while we couldn't find flaw with either system, the deluxe version requires less user intervention and in my personal opinion has a more polished commercial feel.  In light of these two perspectives, we decided to quit debating the issue and simply offer a base unit for the folks that want the functionality albeit with less features and then the deluxe unit for those that want it all. 

My intention today was to get some great pictures to begin the product page but in light of the couple of extra features we are now going to add, I opted to wait until these items are finished.  Finally, we had not gotten around to polishing the stainless steel and thus the whole thing isn't as shiny as the final version will be.

I, like you, am anxious to see these things out the door.  I can tell you that everything worked perfectly and you will be pleased to add this to your roasting collection and will find RK value and functionality for years to come. 

I am just not content with releasing something until I am satisfied it will meet your high expectations.  I asked Larry when he thought we might be able to finish the remaining items and he seemed to think the end of next week felt about right.  So....  We'll take this week and most of next to finalize these last points and then we'll begin taking orders and I'll put up some very detailed pictures and video of the unit in operation so you know exactly what to expect.  Until then, here are some pictures I can share.

Please remember these pictures do not fully represent the production unit, as this unit lacks some minor refinement and mirror polish, but it should give you a good idea of what we're doing.  Look for a release late next week or shortly thereafter. 

RK Drum Latch/Pin:  I know the pin has been a subject of frustration for many, we have been through countless ideas and disqualified them over the years in favor of simplicity and reliability in spite of the fact that it can be cumbersome at times.  We have come up with a new latch that we think will be simply spectacular.  I have one installed on my drum that is simply awesome and it is one-handed operation.  I am going to begin testing it.  Our fear is that the elasticity of the stainless steel may begin to deteriorate after a number of heating and cooling cycles.  Time and roasting will tell.  One thing is for sure, if the elasticity of the stainless holds up, then this will be an amazing upgrade.

I think what we'll do is have an upgrade program, that for $15-$20 or something reasonable, you send in your drum on your dime and we'll replace the latch and ship it back to you on ours...

If it works well, we'll begin shipping all new drums with this latching system.  We'll let you know how well it works.

Update 6/13/09