Home coffee roasters

[triumph001]

I saw another member, @Belt fed , made a comment in the Aeropress thread about roasting your own. My wife noticed I had become a little obsessive about coffee about a year ago and bought me a gift assortment of green coffee beans and a grinder for christmas. We had an air popper that got retasked as a roaster and I havent looked back since. Very satisfying to order small amounts of beans from far away places and roast them yourself. I have learned a lot in the last year.

For the record, the first bag out of my gift box of green coffee beans has turned into my favorite, Dominican Republic Ramirez Estate Honey processed beans. At first the flavors from these beans were overwhelming to my folgers tainted palate but it is what I have come to expect from my coffee now. I cant even drink grocery store coffee anymore. Anyone else roast their own?

 

[JLP83]

What is involved with roasting your own?

 

[Desert_Racer]

A friend of mine got a small roaster, and would send me freshly roasted beans from time to time. No coffee purchased from the store will ever taste the same after having freshly roasted beans from a quality source.

My personal favorite beans come from Kenya and Ethiopia. Amazing flavor.

 

[lariat]

This is a thing and not Jiffy Pop bullshit? I mean, I have seen it on the Tube but really don’t believe it.

Count me in. Where does the training occur and what’s the cost ?

 

[Steel head]

I’d love to try roasting but I need a new hobby like I need a hole in my head.

I do love some freshly roasted coffee.
Like fresh tortillas!

 

[lariat]

I’d love to try roasting but I need a new hobby like I need a hole in my head.

I do love some freshly roasted coffee.
Like fresh tortillas!

You bastard. Fresh tortillas…

 

[modo]

Everything you need to know to get started can be found here: https://www.sweetmarias.com/roasting.html
I have no interest in Sweet Maria's, just a customer.

Home roasting is cheap, I started with a $20 hot air popcorn popper many years ago. Fresh roasted high quality beans roasted to your taste preference is on a different level.

 

[lariat]

Everything you need to know to get started can be found here: https://www.sweetmarias.com/roasting.html
I have no interest in Sweet Maria's, just a customer.

Home roasting is cheap, I started with a $20 hot air popcorn popper many years ago. Fresh roasted high quality beans roasted to your taste preference is on a different level.

Ok so you were the first to answer so you get the main question:

Fuck all the overpriced bullshit, can I get a good, creamy roast on my stove, but greatly prefer my fireplace?

 

[triumph001]

Honestly depends on how much money you want to spend. I started with a popcorn air popper, 2 ounces at a time outside on the porch because the chaff will go everywhere as the beans roast. That took about 6-8 minutes per 2 ounch batch. That was interesting for a while while I learned what I was doing. Then it became a time suck if I was trying to do a pound of coffee to get me through a couple weeks. Then I found that there are other options available that can roast more beans at a time and have a self contained chaff handling system. A few months ago I bought a freshroast sr800 roaster and the extension chamber that allows me to roast 8 ounces of beans at a time, inside the house under our oven hood with the vent running. I can now have a pound of coffee roasted in 30 minutes.

It is much like reloading, it isnt really any cheaper than buying factory ammo and it definately takes some time. Your going to fuck up some beans when you start but the payoff for me is having that satisfying feeling of making something awesome with your own hands. On a side note, it is pretty cool to buy raw beans for $4-8 a pound and produce a product that @Steel head will pay $20+ a pound for.

Speaking of roasting, I’m about to roast up a pound right now so it will be ready to drink on Monday. I bought some beans from Malawi that I paid $3 a pound for that I’m going to give a shot. Even if it sucks it will be better than that shit in the red plastic container I have as a backup!

 

[forrestgump01]

CAST IRON SKILLET !!!
lots of videos on you tube.

How to Roast Coffee in a Cast-Iron Skillet – Mother Earth News

Try fresh roasting your own green coffee beans at home using a cast-iron skillet or a Dutch over – you won’t regret it.

www.motherearthnews.com

If you don't have and regularly use cast iron , you must be a queer !

 

[modo]

My short answer is I don't know.

Long answer is I doubt it. Even heating and stirring is needed to get an even roast. Cast iron will get the job done but I doubt that I could pull it off.

A fluid bed roaster like the above mentioned Fresh Roast or a drum roaster Behmor like I use are the cheapest out there to roast up to a pound at a time with a bit of automation.

A hot air popcorn popper is the cheapest entry that will heat and stir.

 

[lariat]

My short answer is I don't know.

Long answer is I doubt it. Even heating and stirring is needed to get an even roast. Cast iron will get the job done but I doubt that I could pull it off.

A fluid bed roaster like the above mentioned Fresh Roast or a drum roaster Behmor like I use are the cheapest out there to roast up to a pound at a time.

Thanks man. All kidding aside I have been looking into this.

 

[triumph001]

Ok so you were the first to answer so you get the main question:

Fuck all the overpriced bullshit, can I get a good, creamy roast on my stove, but greatly prefer my fireplace?

All bullshit aside. Roasting coffee in the house is messy as hell if you dont have the right equipment. The skins on the outside of the beans come off as they roast and it gets everywhere. Have you ever been around an elevator during corn harvest and all the bees wings are floating around outside? It takes an investment in some equipment that can handle the chaff but still allow you to roast inside, roasting outside on the porch out when it’s 20° sucks balls. This hobby isnt for everyone or we would all be doing it by the fire on a Friday night. I found the cheapest usable roaster that allows me to roast enough beans to make it worth my time it cost me about $400 all in. There are bigger and fancier home roasting machines out there but you are going to pay for it.

 

[lariat]

Honestly depends on how much money you want to spend. I started with a popcorn air popper, 2 ounces at a time outside on the porch because the chaff will go everywhere as the beans roast. That took about 6-8 minutes per 2 ounch batch. That was interesting for a while while I learned what I was doing. Then it became a time suck if I was trying to do a pound of coffee to get me through a couple weeks. Then I found that there are other options available that can roast more beans at a time and have a self contained chaff handling system. A few months ago I bought a freshroast sr800 roaster and the extension chamber that allows me to roast 8 ounces of beans at a time, inside the house under our oven hood with the vent running. I can now have a pound of coffee roasted in 30 minutes.

It is much like reloading, it isnt really any cheaper than buying factory ammo and it definately takes some time. Your going to fuck up some beans when you start but the payoff for me is having that satisfying feeling of making something awesome with your own hands. On a side note, it is pretty cool to buy raw beans for $4-8 a pound and produce a product that @Steel head will pay $20+ a pound for.

Speaking of roasting, I’m about to roast up a pound right now so it will be ready to drink on Monday. I bought some beans from Malawi that I paid $3 a pound for that I’m going to give a shot. Even if it sucks it will be better than that shit in the red plastic container I have as a backup!

We need pics bro. No dick pics, just of the coffee process. Totally interested.

 

[lariat]

All bullshit aside. Roasting coffee in the house is messy as hell if you dont have the right equipment. The skins on the outside of the beans come off as they roast and it gets everywhere. Have you ever been around an elevator during corn harvest and all the bees wings are floating around outside? It takes an investment in some equipment that can handle the chaff but still allow you to roast inside, roasting outside on the porch out when it’s 20° sucks balls. This hobby isnt for everyone or we would all be doing it by the fire on a Friday night. I found the cheapest usable roaster that allows me to roast enough beans to make it worth my time it cost me about $400 all in. There are bigger and fancier home roasting machines out there but you are going to pay for it.

Never done the corn but I got stories about wheat harvest, dust and warf rats. Dammit man, your crushing my dreams here. What is this $400 unit you speak of?

 

[modo]

All bullshit aside. Roasting coffee in the house is messy as hell if you dont have the right equipment. The skins on the outside of the beans come off as they roast and it gets everywhere. Have you ever been around an elevator during corn harvest and all the bees wings are floating around outside? It takes an investment in some equipment that can handle the chaff but still allow you to roast inside, roasting outside on the porch out when it’s 20° sucks balls. This hobby isnt for everyone or we would all be doing it by the fire on a Friday night. I found the cheapest usable roaster that allows me to roast enough beans to make it worth my time it cost me about $400 all in. There are bigger and fancier home roasting machines out there but you are going to pay for it.

Absolutely. Even with the smoke afterburner in my Behmor it still smells. No a bad smell, just not what I want permeating the house. I do it in my shop. Behmor also does a great job with chaff collection.

 

[modo]

Fresh Roast SR800 is under $300.

 

[JLP83]

I feel like my prom date has found jesus in the limo on the ride home.


Tell us how this shit is done already.

 

[lariat]

Fresh Roast SR800 is under $300.

Roger. I’m on it.

 

[triumph001]

We need pics bro. No dick pics, just of the coffee process. Totally interested.

Here’s tonights chosen roast. I said Malawi, looks like it’s Rwanda. I get my Third World African countries confuse sometimes. I don’t think it’s quite like buying blood diamonds but sometimes you feel that way with how little we pay these people to grow these beans.

 

[triumph001]

5 minutes into this roast, coming along nicely. Looking to get the air temp up to 360 or so until just after first crack.

 

[lariat]

I have couple pounds of Uganda that’s the shit.

 

[modo]

I feel like my prom date has found jesus in the limo on the ride home.


Tell us how this shit is done already.

Heat beans to 385 deg. Listen for crisp popping sounds. When that stops cut heat off and cool as quickly as possible. This is First City roast and brings out fruit and floral flavors. Longer roast times and higher temps bring out toasted cocoa notes. This should take no longer than about 13.5 to 14.5 minutes. Longer than that and the beans will have a baked off flavor.

I ordered 26# of green beans last night. When your flavor profile comes in, order. They were sold out of that Kenyan offering by morning.

Seriously, there are tons of youtube videos on roasting coffee.

 

[lariat]

5 minutes into this roast, coming along nicely. Looking to get the air temp up to 360 or so until just after first crack.View attachment 7735981

That’s awesome.

 

[DIBBS]

Fortunately a friend an hour away has a small coffee bizness. 11-15 bucks a pound... lots of varieties or blends to choose from. i need to get an Aero press discussed in another thread, likely another grinder, and up the flavor. One of my vices!

I, however, drink way too much coffee in a day- perhaps that's why I have sleep issues at times.

 

[Belt fed]

Guys, this is a hobby/habit I've been messing with for about 14 years. Yes, the equipment (good stuff) is going to cost you (kind of like good rifles?). Small batch roasts will get to be tedious, and larger roast capability is where the more expensive machines come into play. A decent roaster can be had for under $500, and they can quickly climb to over $1000.

I was reading the Aeropress thread earlier, where I made a comment about roasting your own coffee. Some of you guys are paying ridonkulous prices for good coffee. I looked at the Volcanica website someone mentioned, and HOLY SHIITE - I can't believe what they're charging for the coffee I roast for myself. Looks like I need to go into business roasting coffee, if that's the prices they're getting. I've been using the same roaster for about 12 years, so when I figure 35-40 roasts a year, times 12 years, it has more than paid for itself vs buying someone else's overpriced labor.

Sweet Maria's is a great source of info and green coffee beans. They also sell peripheral goodies - roasters, brewing goodies, espresso machines - the guy who runs it writes coffee reviews that read like wine reviews. I've bought from a number of places over the years, but Sweet Maria's is the go to for me. I can buy a supply of green coffee, it stores really well, and I roast it when I want it. I generally keep about 15lbs on hand, every week is a different experience.

You can do it with an air popper, or in a skillet. Or even in an oven. Yes, you'll screw a few batches up in the learning process. But I assure you, once you've roasted your own and figured out how much better it is, you'll find it easy to justify.

I've never gifted someone my home roasted coffee that didn't gush with enthusiasm and many thanks for the gift. Not once. Most people are blown away at the difference.

Fire away with questions.

 

[triumph001]

Before and after, it takes about 10 minutes for a nice medium dark roast, couple days to lose some co2 and it’ll be ready to drink on Monday.

 

[Belt fed]

Here's some of the coffee arsenal

My roaster is a drum roaster, with a separate cooling tray. When you decide the roast is done, getting it out of the hot machine is important to the finished product. The coffee will 'coast' thru deeper levels of roast if it is in contact with the hot machine.

I had at one point probably six different ways to brew. My current daily standard is an Americano, a shot of espresso with hot water to fill the cup.

 

[lariat]

Guys, this is a hobby/habit I've been messing with for about 14 years. Yes, the equipment (good stuff) is going to cost you (kind of like good rifles?). Small batch roasts will get to be tedious, and larger roast capability is where the more expensive machines come into play. A decent roaster can be had for under $500, and they can quickly climb to over $1000.

I was reading the Aeropress thread earlier, where I made a comment about roasting your own coffee. Some of you guys are paying ridonkulous prices for good coffee. I looked at the Volcanica website someone mentioned, and HOLY SHIITE - I can't believe what they're charging for the coffee I roast for myself. Looks like I need to go into business roasting coffee, if that's the prices they're getting. I've been using the same roaster for about 12 years, so when I figure 35-40 roasts a year, times 12 years, it has more than paid for itself vs buying someone else's overpriced labor.

Sweet Maria's is a great source of info and green coffee beans. They also sell peripheral goodies - roasters, brewing goodies, espresso machines - the guy who runs it writes coffee reviews that read like wine reviews. I've bought from a number of places over the years, but Sweet Maria's is the go to for me. I can buy a supply of green coffee, it stores really well, and I roast it when I want it. I generally keep about 15lbs on hand, every week is a different experience.

You can do it with an air popper, or in a skillet. Or even in an oven. Yes, you'll screw a few batches up in the learning process. But I assure you, once you've roasted your own and figured out how much better it is, you'll find it easy to justify.

I've never gifted someone my home roasted coffee that didn't gush with enthusiasm and many thanks for the gift. Not once. Most people are blown away at the difference.

Fire away with questions.

Ok I’ll give you my first and biggest dumbass questions, but they are serious ones:

1. How can I make something like Bustelo? That hits my happy spot. Not joking.

2. Run me down if you want, but Nescafé instant is a second place. Everything else tastes burnt or metallic. Like a cheap cigar. What is it about the roasting process or the beans of these two that give them that nuanced flavor that kind of rounds off the edges? Or is it the water?

 

[Belt fed]

I used to buy from the Bean Corral as well. No bad experiences, but after the multiple changes of ownership I kind of moved on and haven't revisited. Sweet Maria's gets my money, they are so consistent. Not all green coffees are going to roast to be off the charts good, but they're all better than throwing $20-30 at Charbucks.

Most coffees you'll buy, except from places like Volcanica, are blends of multiple origin coffees, and even the specialty shops will do blends. I do single origin.

Blends help to balance coffee characteristics (body, brightness, flavor, finish, etc - your rounded edges), as well as give the vendor a way to get rid of lesser quality coffees that wouldn't sell very well on their own. It's also a way to create a commercial product, by allowing the roaster the ability to 'approximate' the same thing, year after year. Coffee is a crop, and it will change from year to year, so blending to create similarity and consistency is what they're doing. It is a skill I haven't bothered to explore, because I'm extremely happy with my single origin roasts. Successful blending is going to take a lot of experience and a well developed palate.

Short answer, I can't tell you how to duplicate those commercial products.

 

[triumph001]

I have had good experiences with Coffe Bean Corral, Cafe Kreyol and Burman coffee. Whichever one has my Dom. Rep. Ramirez red honey beans in stock gets my money. Burman currently has the sr800 in stock. I waited over 3 months last spring for them to come back in stock. I highly recomend getting the extension chamber with it, it makes a difference.

 

[Belt fed]

I've bought from all of those, and more. I probably need to take another look again, as it has been a while - who knows what I might find!

The coffee that got me going when I started roasting, I bought a crap ton of, and have never seen again. When I found it, I bought it, didn't matter who had it. It was Ethiopia Idido Misty Valley, haven't seen it in years.

My current favorite origins are Kenya, Ethiopia, Guatemala, and Panama - Panama coffee is the best, when it's good. It has been hard to get the past few years.

 

[triumph001]

I've bought from all of those, and more. I probably need to take another look again, as it has been a while - who knows what I might find!

The coffee that got me going when I started roasting, I bought a crap ton of, and have never seen again. When I found it, I bought it, didn't matter who had it. It was Ethiopia Idido Misty Valley, haven't seen it in years.

My current favorite origins are Kenya, Ethiopia, Guatemala, and Panama - Panama coffee is the best, when it's good. It has been hard to get the past few years.

Have you done much with decaf beans? Just not sure what my expectations should be. Looking for alternatives to the full blown caffeine jitters when I need a cup at 9pm and still want to get some sleep that night. I have some Sumatran swiss water decaf beans I have tried and they are just ok.

 

[modo]

My current favorite origins are Kenya, Ethiopia, Guatemala, and Panama - Panama coffee is the best, when it's good. It has been hard to get the past few years.

It seems that we have much in common. Guatemalan Gesha is my favourite, as good as any Ethiopian. I've got a 5# bag of Acatenago that I'm hoarding for the holidays.

 

[Belt fed]

Have you done much with decaf beans? Just not sure what my expectations should be. Looking for alternatives to the full blown caffeine jitters when I need a cup at 9pm and still want to get some sleep that night. I have some Sumatran swiss water decaf beans I have tried and they are just ok.

Unfortunately decaf is gonna be a compromise. I have bought & roasted them, usually for friends. The decaf processes tend to mute the flavors. Or, maybe they just don’t use the better coffees to create decaf beans.

Maybe try a 50/50 blend of your favorite coffee bean with a decaf? Roast them separately, then blend the final products. They will be hard to get to progress at the same rate during the roast, so one may be underdone while the other is overdone.

 

[triumph001]

I've bought from all of those, and more. I probably need to take another look again, as it has been a while - who knows what I might find!

The coffee that got me going when I started roasting, I bought a crap ton of, and have never seen again. When I found it, I bought it, didn't matter who had it. It was Ethiopia Idido Misty Valley, haven't seen it in years.

My current favorite origins are Kenya, Ethiopia, Guatemala, and Panama - Panama coffee is the best, when it's good. It has been hard to get the past few years.

Looks like Burman has a bunch of Panama beans on sale right now, down the page a little ways. Are you familiar with any of those they have listed? I need to find something tasty for christmas gifts this year. I’m probably out on the $33/lb geisha though.

Sale Coffees Archives

From water kettles to coffee grinders and filters, shop the products you need to roast and brew your own green coffee beans or loose leaf tea at home. Shop our Sale Coffees collection.

burmancoffee.com

 

[7.62willdo]

How long can the green beans be stored before their bad…..

 

[Belt fed]

It seems that we have much in common. Guatemalan Gesha is my favourite, as good as any Ethiopian. I've got a 5# bag of Acatenago that I'm hoarding for the holidays.

The Gesha coffees are spectacular! Spendy, but OH SO GOOD

 

[Belt fed]

How long can the green beans be stored before their bad…..

If stored cool, dry & dark, I’ve stored upwards of a year or more.

 

[Alaskanhider]

Side note from individual roasting. I work in a business area of town. There is a couple local bigger coffee roasting warehouses within smelling distance from my company's yard. When these roasters are doing their thing it smells like burnt ASS in the whole neighborhood. They make the marijuana grow opps filter their exhaust but not these coffee roasters. While I do drink coffee, but don't partake in the latter. I find the smell of roasting coffee much more appalling to the nose than the smell of marijuana. I love the smell of (roasted) coffee beans but the commercial roasting process reeks. Sorry y'all rant done.... ; )

 

[triumph001]

Ok I’ll give you my first and biggest dumbass questions, but they are serious ones:

1. How can I make something like Bustelo? That hits my happy spot. Not joking.

2. Run me down if you want, but Nescafé instant is a second place. Everything else tastes burnt or metallic. Like a cheap cigar. What is it about the roasting process or the beans of these two that give them that nuanced flavor that kind of rounds off the edges? Or is it the water?

If you start roasting your own, your happy spot will be forever grateful!

 

[triumph001]

What is involved with roasting your own?

This is how I do it. Cheapest possible clean solution I could find.

 

[Belt fed]

Looks like Burman has a bunch of Panama beans on sale right now, down the page a little ways. Are you familiar with any of those they have listed? I need to find something tasty for christmas gifts this year. I’m probably out on the $33/lb geisha though.

Sale Coffees Archives

From water kettles to coffee grinders and filters, shop the products you need to roast and brew your own green coffee beans or loose leaf tea at home. Shop our Sale Coffees collection.

burmancoffee.com

I usually buy a couple pounds of the top Gesha, because it’s only available once a year, and it is the best cup ever. Blows away the Blue Mountain, Hawaiian, or whatever, in my opinion. Those are all really overrated to me. Just don’t burn the Gesha roast!

I‘ve had a couple of the (previous harvests) Mama Cata variations. They’re all good.

 

[Steel head]

5 minutes into this roast, coming along nicely. Looking to get the air temp up to 360 or so until just after first crack.View attachment 7735981

Ok
That looks pretty reasonable!

 

[Jim Out]

Everything you need to know to get started can be found here: https://www.sweetmarias.com/roasting.html
I have no interest in Sweet Maria's, just a customer.

Home roasting is cheap, I started with a $20 hot air popcorn popper many years ago. Fresh roasted high quality beans roasted to your taste preference is on a different level.

^^^^fantastic link!!!

That sure is a lot to digest.

Do you get the green beans from them also?

Kind of frightening for us poors, the "buy once cry once" offering is frickin awesome, sounds like it should be in the NV section here.

"continuous real-time feedback provided by infrared bean and drum temperature probes"

Looks like it costs about as much as panos too.....

.....good thing my wife is a coffee drinker too.

Aillio Bullet R1 Roaster

Please allow 7-10 business days to process Bullet orders for shipment after the order has been placed. All customers must sign a Purchase Agreement before the roaster is shipped. Please DO NOT sign an agreement until you have received your order confirmation for the roaster. *Max. 1 Bullet R1...

www.sweetmarias.com

$2,980.00

Aillio Bullet R1 Roaster V2​

Please allow 7-10 business days to process Bullet orders for shipment after the order has been placed. All customers must sign and return a terms of use sheet via email to [email protected]. This must be done before the roaster is shipped. Please DO NOT send a terms sheet until you have received your order confirmation for the roaster. A PDF of our terms of use is available for download under the "Use & Care" section below.
*Max. 1 Bullet R1 per order*
*No Pre-Orders*
The Bullet R1 is a 1KG (2.2lbs) personal/sample solid steel drum coffee roaster. Automatic drum pre-heating, adjustable heat and fan speed, and continuous real-time feedback provided by infrared bean and drum temperature probes combine to allow for precise, consistent roasting. Details of each roast can be digitally recorded and saved as roast profiles that can then be replayed or shared between roasters. Requires regular cleaning and maintenance. Access to a PC or Mac necessary for operation.

 

[Belt fed]

You can do with far less than the Aillio. That is the top of the heap, for home roasting.
Hilarious that you post that while claiming to be a poor.

Sweet Maria's is a great source. There is a ton of info out there, far more than even a few years ago. Another angle/option, since most people have a bbq grill, is to buy a stainless steel drum that fits on a rotisserie and roast on the grill. The drums are far less than the Aillio, though not cheap, but will allow large volume roasts. And, bonus, it gets the smoke and chaff outside. They're made by RK drums

Just another option, without breaking the giant piggy bank.

 

[Mk16.5]

Homeroasters.org for roaster designs, happymugcoffee.com, good source of green beans

 

[Sean the Nailer]

The first question I have, regarding the RK Drums and BBQ's and rotisserie's is this:

Is a standard/typical rotisserie motor used, or is it a 'higher speed' motor (gearing) used for faster/turbulent'er coffee beans? And no, I haven't come across those details yet on the website. But I have a BBQ here, I have access to stainless, and a few ideas....

 

[Belt fed]

Pretty sure it’s a standard rotisserie setup. The drums don’t need a high speed, just movement.
You’d also need a separate (accurate, digital) thermometer, since most BBQ I’ve seen either don’t have one, or if they do it’s a POS. The temp is important to know and to control.

 

[triumph001]

Last nights efforts, brewing this up tomorrow for Thanksgiving. Thought I’d give it a quick taste test tonight, pretty great, with one more nights rest it should be amazing. This will be killer with some of the wifes pumpkin pie.

My family has become jaded, they walk in our door and barely say hi before they go on the hunt for the coffee of the day. Kafe Kreyol also sells roasted coffee, anything from this farm in the DR seems to be good stuff. I definately need to branch out and try some stuff from Panama and Ethiopia like @Belt fed recommended.