Overview

This article guides you through your first roast in Roasting Intelligence (RI), from logging in to saving the roast and marking it as a reference.

Use this article when your roasting machine is set up and you are ready to roast for the first time. RI records the roast while it happens. When you save the roast, RI uploads it to the online platform, C-sar. 

Before you begin

Make sure that:

• (Required) You have downloaded RI and configured the settings for your roasting machine. If your roasting machine is not yet configured in RI, make sure that it is added to your Cropster account. Then follow the setup article that is shown on the machine page in the online platform. 
• (Optional) You have created your first profile in the online platform. You can also use the default profile, Profile #1.
• (Optional) You have added a green inventory lot in the online platform. You can also use the lot PG-0001. 

If you need help, contact your account manager or submit a support ticket.

Log in to Roasting Intelligence

1. Open RI:
   • Windows: In your program files, open Cropster Roasting Intelligence 5.
   • macOS: In Applications, open Cropster Roasting Intelligence 5.
2. Log in to RI. For details, see how to log in to Roasting Intelligence.
3. When the measurements appear in the bottom-right corner of the screen, RI is ready for roasting. The measurements depend on your roasting machine, so they can differ from the screenshot.

Start your first roast

1. Load the hopper with your green beans.
2. Select a Profile. RI fills in the Green inventory and the Start weight from the profile, and the Start button becomes active.
3. When the drum temperature approaches the start temperature, click Start. 
   RI starts to track the temperature and waits to detect the actual start of the roast. Auto start and end detection is turned on by default. For more details, see temperature-based auto start and end detection. 
   
4. When the drum reaches the start temperature, release the beans into the drum. RI detects the drop in temperature and marks the actual start of the roast.
   If no start is detected after 60 seconds, RI will abort the roast and return to the roast start screen. 
   
5. Continue the roast as usual, and follow the live data on the screen.

Monitor the roast

While you roast, the roasting screen shows the following in real time:

• All measurements, on the graph (1)
• The Rate of Rise (RoR) for all temperature curves (2)
• The roast duration, in the bottom right corner of the screen (3)
• The modulation chart, at the bottom of the graph 
• The modulation phase timer when roast events are tracked (5)

To turn Smart Predictions on or off, click the switch in the top-left corner. (6)

If your roasting machine has a readout for gas and airflow, see Roasting with Cropster's Control and Replay Assist features. 

Track roast events

Use comments to record roast events on the graph, such as color change and first crack. If your roasting machine does not have a readout for gas and airflow, use comments to record your gas and airflow changes. You can also add free-text notes to the roast. The turning point is marked automatically, so you do not need to record it.

1. On the graph, click anywhere on the graph to open the Comments window.
2. Check the time in Comment at. This is the point at which you opened the window. If necessary, adjust it.
    
3. Record the event: 
   • For a gas or airflow change, enter the value, and then click Gas or Airflow. The comment is saved to the graph.
     
   • For another roast event, click the button for that event, such as Color Change or First crack.
      
   • For a free-text note, enter the note in the text field, and then click Text comment.

Each event is added to the roast and appears on the graph as a red vertical line.

End the roast

1. Open the flap to release the beans into the cooling tray. RI detects the end of the roast from the drop in temperature when the flap opens.
2. A message tells you that RI detected the end of the roast. Click Yes to confirm. 
    
3. The roast end screen opens, and the Between batch timer bottom right starts.
4. (Optional) Change the roast parameters, such as Start time, End time, Start weight, End weight, Roast value 1, and Roast value 2. You can also add Roast notes. You can add and edit all of these parameters later in RI or on C-sar.
5. Click Save to upload your roast to C-sar.
   

The start screen opens, and your roast appears in the Today's production section. Each roast is assigned a unique PR number.

Next steps

Mark your first roast as the reference for its profile. The reference roast helps you to reproduce the roast.

1. In the Today's production section, click … next to your roast.
2. Click Mark as reference. Your first roast is now the reference for the profile.

When you start your second roast with the same profile, the reference roast appears in the background of the graph. Use the reference roast to produce consistent results. 

If you have more questions, feedback, or concerns, submit a support ticket.