The KN-8828B-2K+ is more than just an update of the KN-8828B-2K which has been the coffee roaster to which others are compared. While maintaining the various safety features of previous models, the "KN-8828B-2K+" control panel has been designed from the ground up to be the most sophisticated control system that Hottop has ever offered. It incorporates many features that have been requested by users. Some of the new features include:
Other notable features are the relocation of the "EJECT button away from all other features to help avoid those frustrating mistakes that result in premature ejection. The control system has been designed around a new, slightly higher-output heating element. Our testing shows that this model is easily capable of dark roasts that so many enjoy. The setting knobs are the infinite rotation style control and the speed at which you turn them controls the rate of change of the parameter. The display itself is easily read and has a very wide angle of view from the sides as well as above.
When you turn on the KN-8828B-2K+ you can roast in 'auto' mode or use one of three built-in memory locations. Once you have selected one you can enter what's called a 'target time' and 'target temperature'. We don't like the terms 'target' because it implies the controller is aiming for these settings which it isn't - these are simply points which, if reached, will cause the roast to be automatically ejected so we prefer to call them 'auto-eject' points. If you've got a roast profile well established you can use these if you wish but we prefer to set them to maximum (25 minutes and 220oC) so neither are ever reached and they don't interfere with our settings.
Having done that you press the Start button and the drum will commence pre-heating. Once the temperature in the drum reaches 75oC the controller will beep at you to advise you to add the beans to the drum. The control panel will now show time remaining, as well as current drum temperature, heater power setting and fan speed setting. You can cycle through these four settings and change any you wish at any point (on time and temperature you'll change the auto-eject points, not the current readings).
There are three safety warnings you may encounter during your roast which come into play when temperatures or temperature change rates may be too high:
Once the roast is ready you can press the Eject button. The roasted beans will be ejected to the external cooling tray and cooled to ambient temperature within a few minutes. Once this has happened you must empty the chaff tray before commencing another roast, and will have the option to save the roast profile you created to a memory location.
hottopusa.com has a wealth of information about Hottop roasters which we don't intend to replicate here, including more detailed model information, troubleshooting, repair procedures and more. We'd encourage you to visit their site if you wish to gain more detailed information about Hottop roasters.