Jammed eject solenoid

[jameso]

Hello everyone

I've just had (for the first time ever) the eject trapdoor jam on the HotTop. Roasting Daterra Reserve Espresso Blend, 2nd crack, oils just beginning to show, nice mahogony colour - press eject. Red light comes on. No beans. Keep pressing eject - none. Power off. Power on. Eject - none. Wiggle roaster (gently - it's hot!) - nothing.

In the end, I had to get the beans out before I got a fire! Unscrewed the gold knob and removed the glass observation window. Tipped the beans out that way. Right at the end, as the last few beans were coming out into the cooling tray, the trapdoor opened at the back of the roasting chamber.

Has this happened to anyone before? Any possible causes? Or just unlucky and can happen once every couple of hundred roasts?

James

[Steve]

Hi James

I have seen this before, but rarely. Check there is nothing blocking the door (primarily beans) make sure there is nothnig out of the ordinary.

Then try a test run ejecting straight away to see if the door opens if it doesnt drop me a mail.

steve

[bruceb]

IIRC GeorgeW had this problem some time ago and there was a bean stuck in the door. It sounds the same and the lodged bean probably came unstuck upon tipping the roaster. Let us know if it works now.

[jameso]

Thanks guys

Having got the beans out, I removed the drum to vac under it. With the drum out, I started the roaster then hit eject, then hit stop. Eject door opened and shut like clockwork. Repeated four or five times. No problem.

Looks like it was a one-off.

I'm glad to hear it's probably a jammed bean, because that will now be clear so it shouldn't recur.

Just a shame it was my Daterra Still - it doesn't look undrinkably dark!

[CakeBoy]

Good to see you around James. I hope you are well

[GeorgeW]

It sounds like my problem right enough. I suspect that oily beans may have something to do with it. I had one recurrence but it was nothing really and freed itself.

[jameso]

Thanks George - that's a reassuring reply. The exit shute is certainly getting a bit dirty so a bit of Cafiza in warm water wouldn't hurt.

Hello Cakeboy - yes, thanks I'm well. Life has just been manically busy the past year or so. In fact, all I have time to do (coffee-wise) is roast what I need to drink, grind, brew and drink. Oh - occasionally I drop in on a micro-roaster friend of mine for an espresso or three What's with the new avatar - cause to effect?

Actually, I did manage to take half an hour out a few weeks ago to do some comparitive cupping of Indonesian offerings. The results are here.

Since my OP I've done some Ragati and some Lupili in the Hottop, and both exited bang on cue. Hopefully that's the end of that problem.

[CakeBoy]

The avatar was an ambush by Dom, but it does look worringly correct . I was wondering a while back where you were lately; hopefully you will have a little more time for coffee fun soon. It's good to see you

[jameso]

Thanks very much Cakey - good to be back!!