Temperature spread for First Crack

[Angela]

Today I heard beans still popping for First Crack at 226 - just as cooling started. The range is 212-226︒C. Would adjusting airflow up help with these higher density Yirgacheffes? I suspect too much air wouldn't help - how do I find the optimum? Or do I just avoid the problem and go up a level or two for the roast?

[kaffelogic]

Today I heard beans still popping for First Crack at 226

Is that just a few stragglers, or a continuous sequence of cracks right up to 226?

[Angela]

Pretty much a strung out sequence.

[kaffelogic]

Pretty much a strung out sequence.

That's unusual in my experience, but we are talking about Yirgacheffes. First Crack duration should be a statistical spread: longer duration either means the beans themselves are more variable, or the circulation is more uneven. If the latter, increasing the air flow would potentially work, provided you do not require the roaster to provide more power than it has available. If the log shows some headroom, i.e. peak power below 1300W, and your supply voltage is up to it, i.e. close to 240V, then increasing air flow should not cause any issues. It might have a subtle effect on flavour, but then so too will bringing on first crack earlier for some of the beans.

[Angela]

I append my SE UK mains results over all my logs; its pretty good, mainly.