This article will explain how to activate and use the Flick Prediction.
The Flick Prediction is only available for roast machines able to track Gas automatically via RI.
If your roast machine is able to track the Gas measurement automatically, the measurement must be set up from RI's Machine Preferences before you are able to activate the Flick Prediction.
What is the Flick?
The Flick is a quick rise in the Rate of Rise (RoR) at the end of the roast (usually after 16% of development time) and usually follows an RoR crash early in first crack.
The larger the flick, the greater is the effect.
Why use Flick Prediction?
Predictive roasting helps roasters to improve the quality of their coffee. It also improves the quality and consistency of the roasted coffee which would ultimately make the customers happier.
Predicting the Flick early enough to take countermeasures to avoid it would have a huge impact on roasting quality, as a roast with a flick will taste more roasted, and less delicate than a similar roast without a Flick.
By using Flick Prediction you have more control over the roasting process and the overall outcome with saving yourself wasted coffee, time and money.
📚 Learn more about the Flick.
How does the Flick Prediction work?
Activating the Flick Prediction
By completing the steps below you can activate the Flick Prediction:
- Log in to the Roasting Intelligence (RI).
- Navigate to the
Preferences on the bottom left side of the screen. - Select the Roasting tab and Smart features.
- By clicking the respective checkboxes you can activate the Smart predictions.
💡 A Flick can be influenced by Gas management around the First Crack. For this reason, First Crack Prediction must also be activated before you can enable Flick prediction.
- Click on Save to confirm the changes.
📚 Learn more about using Smart Predictions.
Preventing the Flick
In a typical 10 - 14 minute roast, the Flick occurs approximately 90-120 seconds after the onset of first crack. Usually when you see the Flick in the RoR, it is already too late to take a counter action.
To prevent a Flick, Scott Rao recommends lowering the gas between 12% and 16% Development Time Ratio (DTR).
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Cut gas in half at 12% DTR
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Cut gas in half at 14% DTR
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Cut gas in half again at 16% DTR, or possibly turn off the gas
To prevent an RoR crash, the gas should not be lowered between 0% and 12% DTR. These gas changes could give a roaster an additional indication if a RoR crash, or a Flick are likely to occur.
A Flick most likely happens if:
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The gas is lowered after first crack (between 0% and 12%)
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The gas is not lowered after first crack (between 12% - 16%)
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If the system detects the possibility of an upcoming Flick, it displays a warning message on the roasting screen, so the roasters can adjust gas and airflow accordingly.
💡 When a potential Flick is identified, the Flick Prediction informs the roasters before the Flick arrives, so they can avoid it. The Flick Prediction also lets the roasters know that their action worked.
FAQs
When will the warning message pop up on the screen?
Whenever the Flick Prediction detects that the Flick might happen), the Roasting Intelligence (RI) prompts a modal on the Roasting Chart to alert you about the Flick's possibility during the roast. 
How can I dismiss the warning message?
By clicking on the Dismiss button, the modal won't show up again unless the tendency changes after a prediction update or a new roast is started and the Flick Prediction is triggered again.
What happens if I leave the message as it is and continue roasting?
The content of the modal will update itself if the scenario changes (e.g. from "Flick possibility detected" to "Flick possibility avoided".)
Related content
Congratulations! You are now ready to use the Flick Prediction.
Your opinion matters. If you have further questions, feedback, or concerns, please feel free to reach out by submitting a support ticket directly from support.cropster.com.