KapoK Coffee Roaster Device Company, Kaoshiung Taiwan
KapoK Coffee Roasters – Easy & Friendly
Located in the southern Taiwan city of Kaohsiung is a small artisan coffee roaster manufacturer, KapoK Coffee Device Company. They produce three models that have the same design and appearance, from the smallest KapoK 500, midsize Kapok 1.0, finally Kapok 5.0; with a 8 kilogram capacity.
I sat down with manager Lin in his factory showroom where all three models are operational. There are quite a few unusual aspects to these machines from small details and bling to practical/user friendly features.
Frank Lin – KapoK General Manager
Many of these stem from his design concept of “Easy and Friendly”. Easy to use, easy to clean, and easy to maintain. I was really taken aback with the “easy to use”. The very first roast went from start to finish on the initial adjustment or setting, charge to drop and it was with the gas setting on manual. This is a manual machine, the only auto settings are heat where the KapoK 500 runs the thermostatic gas valve on/off, KapoK 1.0 proportionally, and KapoK 5.0 low/medium/high. Pretty handy for warm-ups, phone calls, or other distractions; idle at your preferred temperature.
Precision Swagelok Gas Valve
Pressure Gauge – burners can idle at 20 mmAq gas pressure
Ribbon Burners Assembled In-House
The gas train is controlled by a vacuum gauge, the sensor is in the main exhaust tube; the absence of negative pressure closes the gas valve.
Gas Indicator Light and Vacuum Sensor
Geared Precision Air Control Knob
Variable speed air control on all three KapoK roasters, the knob has a geared two stage feel similar to what’s on a microscope. The usable roasting settings are from 1-6 with 10 increments in between each number. There’s an optional air pressure gauge with a pitot tube inside the main exhaust air channel. The showroom model’s gauge is calibrated to the air control dial (negative pressure).
Optional Air Pressure Gauge
KapoK’s come equipped with a complete datalogging setup including Bluetooth transmission, which was demonstrated in the showroom. Depending on the model there are two or three digital thermocouples. BT probe show incredible attention to detail.
Bean Temperature Thermocouple
Artisan Roaster Scope using Bluetooth Communication
According to Manager Lin, There’s a new wave of young Taiwanese Artisan Roasters who are advancing the craft. We we’re honored to have one of Kaohsiung’s rising star’s attend our meeting; Yi-Fan of Wolong Coffee Studio.
Wolong Coffee Studio Facebook Page
Wulong Coffee Studio – Yi-Fan
Double Wall Stainless Drum
All three KapoK roasters sport double wall stainless drums and are assembled at the factory, the material choice is probably for sanitary considerations. The stirring vanes underwent extensive development using high speed photography. One set of vanes pushes the beans forward, another set of vanes pushes beans backwards, and the third set for mixing/ lifting. The vane locations were then mapped out for precise location with a template. KapoK drums also go thu several balancing procedures during fabrication, reducing vibration.
We got into a discussion of double wall drums and how they work. The gap between the two drum walls is sealed, conduction passes thru the outer shell, into the air space, and finally thu the inner shell to the beans. Comparing a single wall drum and double wall drum the temperature gradient/delta would be @ 100*C lower, double vs single.
Kapok cooling trays have upgraded functionality and bling, standard. The stirring motor has a clutch and will slip if it jams. No scraping or rubbing, ejects every last bean. And the paddles stir and lift at the same time, for increased aeration.
Massive solid stainless two piece trim ring on the cooling tray; ground and polished to perfection. In fact you can’t see how it’s connected, the top edge was welded and invisibly finished. Another example of serious Bling on Kapok Roasters.
Control Panel – Left or Right Location Available
KapoK Coffee Device Company’s first roaster (Kapok 1.0) was in development from 2000-2007 and delivered 11/2007. Next was the KapoK 5.0 in 2010, with a one year development period, finally the Kapok 500 in 2012. Most sales are factory direct, except in the China market. They sponsor monthly group user meetings where owners can collaborate, cup coffee, and talk shop. An outgrowth of the camaraderie brought a roasting competition in 2014 and in 2016 one very lucky competitor won a brand new KapoK 1.0.
KapoK 500 – 500g Coffee Roaster
KapoK 5.0 – 8 kg Coffee Roaster
Rear Bearing Carrier – Front and read bearing can be easily replaced
KapoK 1.0 bean hopper is patterned after a Tao Aboriginal Han from Orchard Island
Thanks for the warm welcome and hospitality, we enjoyed learning about KapoK machines, Kaohsiung, and tasting Lychee Fruit Honey!
KapoK Coffee Roasters KapoK Coffee Roaster Device Company, Kaoshiung Taiwan KapoK Facebook Page KapoK Coffee Roasters - Easy & Friendly…
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