How To Grease Bearings On Your Coffee Roaster

Nick from our technical support team walks us through how to lubricate the  drum & door bearings on your coffee roaster and what lubricants and tools to use. Developing a regular maintenance schedule and periodically checking your bearings can ensure optimal machine performance and keep things running smoothly.

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Transcript:

Keeping your roaster productive is mostly a matter of cleaning and lubrication. So, today, let's talk about lubrication. In this video, we'll look at a couple of types of bearings and the tools, process, and lubrication type you'll need for each bearing position.

This is a grease gun. A grease gun purchased in North America will typically fit a standard tube of grease and have a locking head to grab onto a grease fitting. A grease fitting, also known as a zerk, is a port through which grease can be applied to the inside of a bearing. Some roaster bearings are equipped with a grease fitting, while some require manual grease application. We'll get into that soon.

Bearings play a pivotal, pun intended, role in coffee roasters by reducing friction and ensuring smooth rotation. Without lubrication, bearings can wear out, increasing friction, heat, and damage. Regular greasing prevents these issues and extends the reliability and lifespan of your machine. On our roasters, bearings are found on either end of the drum shaft and on the drum door.

Before applying fresh grease, clean any old grease or debris from the outside of the bearing. For bearings with a grease fitting, load your grease gun with food-safe AP1 lubricant. Press the grease gun head onto the fitting and slowly apply grease into the bearing. Continue to apply grease until you feel resistance from your grease gun. Most roasters will have a recessed grease fitting on your drum adjustment mechanism. This grease fitting will require a recessed fitting adapter, available on our website. Attach the recess fitting adapter to your grease gun and press to the end of the zerk.

For bearings without a grease fitting, grease can be applied by removing the front shield with a small pick and applying grease by hand. Bearing maintenance is not a one-time task. Develop a regular maintenance schedule based on your coffee roaster usage. Check the bearings periodically and reapply grease as needed to keep your machine running smoothly.

By following these steps and incorporating regular inspections into your routine, you can ensure the longevity and optimal performance of your coffee roaster. Proper bearing maintenance will not only keep your machine running but ensure that your roasts are not impacted.