Three-Tier Stainless Steel Gas Cocoa Bean Dryer

Overview

Drying that does not wait for the weather

Sun drying works until the rain arrives. This dryer lets a buying point or small plant keep a steady rhythm: load the trays, light the burner, and dry in a closed unit regardless of the weather outside.

How it is built

The dryer has three chambers stacked vertically, each separated by a perforated mesh that holds the beans and lets hot air pass through. The frame and the surfaces in contact with beans are stainless steel, which is easy to clean and does not rust or taint the product. A gas burner heats the air, and a circulation fan moves it through the trays.

Capacity

Each chamber holds about 80 kg of wet beans, so a full load is about 240 kg. Drying time depends on starting moisture, ambient air, air temperature and how often you turn or shift the beans. We do not quote a single drying time; controls are set up and tested with your own beans.

Fuel and safety

The machine burns gas. The gas type, burner rating, exhaust and the safe layout of the room must be settled for your site. The burner and safety devices depend on the gas available locally (natural gas or LPG) and on the rules for gas appliances in your country.

Where it is used

Buying points that collect from many farmers, small processors, and any producer who needs predictable drying in wet months.

Choosing a configuration

• Gas type, burner rating and ignition control
• Tray handling and loading method
• Temperature control and moisture checks
• Electrical supply for the fan

Compared with the modular fermentation and solar unit

This three-chamber dryer returns a finished bean in a few days irrespective of rain. That makes it suitable for processors who buy fermented beans from many farms and need a regular output, or for farms whose harvest overlaps the rainy season.

Our modular fermentation box and solar unit (MM-CFD300) does the opposite job: it ferments and sun-dries about 300 kg per cycle with almost no fuel, but needs reasonable sunshine and daily labor. If you must ferment as well as dry, use the module first, then this dryer to finish beans in poor weather.

Running cost is mostly gas and electricity for the fan. Check that gas supply is dependable, because a stalled burner mid-batch can leave wet beans prone to mold.