An Automated Ground Chili Pepper Roaster Prototype

An Automated Ground Chili Pepper Roaster Prototype

Ground chili pepper is a staple seasoning in Thai cuisine; however, not all ground chili peppers are created equal. The preparation process makes all difference.

“The heating temperature, time, and labor are the most important components of the preparation process. Usually, before you get to the right consistency and aroma, your neighbors are probably suffering from the unwanted heat and smell,” said a representative from the team that invented the semi-automated ground chili pepper roaster prototype machine.

Bavornrat Kurasa, Nattaphon Srijaratwattanachai, and Dechawat Peungpichet, third-year students majoring in industrial engineering, teamed up in order to tackle this problem, with Assist. Prof. Dr. Sirichai Torsakul as the advisor.

The strength of this prototype machine is the temperature and time setting function. It can produce approximately 5 kilograms of ground chili pepper per round. The machine is consisted of a cylindrical shape roasting unit made of stainless steel and a 220-Volt, 0.5Hp electrical motor. The heat source is an infrared-powered cooking stove, which is electronically controlled. There is a control screen that provides information about the temperature. The main roasting cylinder is 1,400(w)x600(l)x650(h)mm. The finished product will be delivered to an attached pan.

Results from initial testing at 120 degrees Celsius, using 5 kilograms of ground chili pepper, for 1.40 hours, indicated that the quality is not different from the manual roasting process. Using the machine, the time used for roasting was reduced by 1.16 hours.

As a result, the roasting machine is an effective alternative to manual labor. The heat source from the infrared-powered cooking stove helps to reduce the roasting time because it heats faster than traditional gas stoves. The price for each machine is set at 50,000 baht.

For more information, contact Assist. Prof. Dr. Sirichai Torsakul at 081 701 6136.