Neuhaus Neotec explains how its new drum roaster, the Maestro, is a model that combines the best of both technological worlds, and will be an example for others to follow.
In Italian operas, the Maestro is responsible for the placement of positions in the orchestra. It is a title of respect and a credit to someone who can teacher and empower others. In the roasting world Neuhaus Neotec’s new Maestro drum roaster aims to be its own influencer, in the field of drum roasters.
The Maestro is based on Neuhaus Neotec’s successful CTR drum roaster but is not a pure model update. It is a further independent development that is combines the advantages of Neuhaus Neotec’s renowned RFB hot air roasting technology, developed about 30 years ago, with the characteristics of traditional drum roasting in a modular design. This simplifies the technology and its production while maintaining its quality levels, keeping the model at an attractive price point.
“Many features from our RFB hot air roasting technology have been incorporated into the development of the Maestro, which makes the roaster uniquely flexible in coffee roasting,” says Ralf Torenz, Head of Coffee Unit at Neuhaus Neotec. “The sophisticated heat management with cold air injection for rapid temperature profile changes allows a greater variety of roasting curves than previously known from drum roasters.”
The new design solutions for energy transfer management and modern software tools enables a wide range of roasting profiles far beyond the established framework. For example, the Maestro can be combined with the proven profile and copy roasting programs. A Dark Roast Package is available for particularly dark roast straights.
Transferring experience
The focus in the development of the Maestro was consistency – creating precise and reproducible roasts within individual batches and over the entire roasting process. This is achieved thanks to efficient heat transfer by continuous and intensive flow of roasting air through the coffee batch. The use of a Kondux flap system to control the ratio between conductive and convective heat transfer provides additional control over flavour development.
In the closed hot air circuit with indirect heat supply, the external burner heats the circulating roasting gases to the set temperature level and stabilises them by means of a control circuit. Recirculation of the roasting gases reduces the energy input up to 30 per cent, and is necessary for larger roasters.
Depending on local regulations, the Maestro drum roaster can be equipped with various exhaust gas treatment systems.
Users can simply control the Maestro via a large touchscreen on the roaster, to enable manual and fully automatic roasting thanks to a programmable logic controller (PLC). Optionally, the roaster can be operated from a separate visualisation system in a control room.
The Maestro 3000 can roast up to three tonnes of coffee per hour with batch sizes of 450 to 720 kilograms.
With the modularly adaptable Maestro, Neuhaus Neotec offers tailor- made solutions for customers specialising in longer roasting times and traditional roasts. The Germany-based manufacturer can provide the individual roasting machine and complete roasting lines with charging systems and post-processing.
For more than 40 years, Neuhaus Neotec has built coffee roasters, grinders, and complete plants for small, medium-sized and large coffee producers world-wide, but for now, Ralf say the company is proud of its latest addition to its product line-up.
“With the Maestro we have another roaster series into our roasting family which expands the portfolio to a wider range of roasting capabilities,” Ralf says.
For more information, see www.neuhaus-neotec.com
This article was first published in the September/October 2022 edition of Global Coffee Report. Read more HERE.