So, you’re getting into roasting your own coffee? Starting a new hobby like coffee roasting can be exciting, but can easily get overwhelming. With an endless amount of information, products, and opinions available online, it’s easy to feel lost. However, depending on your personality, this can be an exciting adventure of learning, experimenting, and fine-tuning your craft—or a never-ending quest for perfection. But don’t worry, whether you’re a beginner or looking to level up your roasting, there’s a wealth of knowledge out there to guide you.
When I first got into roasting, it wasn’t as easy to find helpful resources. Back in the early 2010s, there was very little information available on roasting techniques, and most of the details came from forum discussions where people debated everything from roasting methods to equipment. My own journey began when I stumbled upon a blog that mentioned roasting “raw” coffee beans at home. I tried it with a cast-iron pan, only to fill my house with smoke. It wasn’t pretty. I quickly realized that to take roasting seriously, I needed a proper coffee roasting machine. That’s when I found a used Behmor roaster on Craigslist for $50, which I eagerly bought.
At that time, sourcing green coffee was a bit more complicated. With few reliable suppliers, I ended up paying hefty shipping fees for small batches. Today, things are much easier, with companies like Genuine Origin offering a broader selection and transparent information on sourcing. After diving deeper into resources from Mill City, Rob Hoos, and Scott Rao, I began taking my roasting process more seriously.
Exploring coffee roast levels Img: Jakub Kapusnak/Foodiesfeed
Mise En Place: The Key to Successful Coffee Roasting
One of the most important things I’ve learned in roasting is the concept of mise en place, a French culinary term that means “everything in its place.” It’s a way of preparing your ingredients, tools, and workspace before you start cooking, and it applies to coffee roasting as well. Roasting is a precise process, and the more organized you are, the better your results will be. Make sure you have a well-ventilated space for your coffee roasting machine, and gather everything you need before starting—like your green coffee beans, roasting equipment, and a thermometer if you’re using one. The more measured you are, the easier it will be to replicate successful roasts.
Freshly roasted coffee coming out of a roaster Img: Summer Graphics
Safety First: Roasting Coffee Requires Caution
Coffee roasting, while exciting and fun, involves heat, smoke, and equipment that can be dangerous if not handled properly. It’s essential to take the right safety measures to avoid any mishaps while you roast. Here are some important safety tips to follow:
- Ventilation Is Key – Always roast in a well-ventilated area. Roasting produces smoke, and without proper ventilation, it can quickly build up and fill your space.
- Test Your Fire Extinguisher – Make sure you have a working fire extinguisher nearby at all times. Roasting coffee, particularly with manual methods or larger roasters, involves high heat and could result in accidental fires. Test your fire extinguisher regularly to ensure it’s functional.
- Stay Attentive –Whether you’re roasting on a pan, popper, or commercial machine, always keep a close eye on the process.
Coffee Roaster checking the roast level while roasting coffee Img: Juan Jose Napuri Guevara
Essential Equipment for Roasting Coffee Beans
To start roasting, you need the right equipment. Whether you’re roasting at home or you’re a large scale industrial roaster, you need the right equipment. Fortunately, there are numerous options depending on your budget and the scale at which you want to roast. Here’s a breakdown of some popular choices:
- Cast Iron Pan Many coffee roasters begin with a simple cast-iron pan, roasting coffee beans over an open flame or stovetop. This method is highly manual and requires you to constantly stir the beans to ensure even roasting. It’s a great way to start learning about the roasting process, but keep in mind that it’s hard to control the temperature precisely, so you’ll need to rely on your senses to judge when to stop the roast.
- Popcorn Popper A popular choice for beginner coffee roasters, the popcorn popper combines convection and conduction heat to roast coffee beans. It’s an affordable and easy-to-use option that you may be able to find at your local thrift store. While popcorn poppers don’t offer much control over the roasting process, it’s a quick, easy & fun way to get started. Many home roasters still use popcorn poppers for small batches.
- Roasting on a Grill For those who enjoy experimenting, roasting on a grill can be an excellent option. Companies like RK Drums offer retrofitting kits that turn your propane grill into a coffee roasting machine. This setup is similar to larger commercial drum roasters, but it’s much more affordable and portable. It’s a great choice for those who want to roast coffee outdoors without investing in expensive equipment.
- Small Format Home Coffee Roasters If you’re ready to invest in a more serious coffee roaster, small-format machines like the FreshRoast, Behmor, and Aillio Bullet are fantastic options for home roasters. These machines can cost anywhere from $300 to $3,000, depending on the model. Some of these higher end coffee-roasting machines offer features like data logging and roast tracking, which allow you to fine-tune your roasting profiles. You can also enhance cheaper models by adding external temperature probes for more control.
- Commercial Coffee Roasters When your small home roaster no longer meets your needs, it might be time to scale up. Commercial roasters like Probat, Giesen, Diedrich, and Loring offer high-quality machines capable of handling larger batches. If you’re starting a coffee roasting business, these brands will give you the production capacity you need. There are also more affordable options, such as Yoshan and Dong-Yi, which have made it easier for new businesses to enter the coffee roasting industry.
Turning green coffee that is being dried in a solar dryer
Sourcing Green Coffee Beans
When it comes to buying green coffee beans, it’s important to start small and do your research. Many roasters, especially those new to the craft, choose suppliers like Genuine Origin for easy online ordering and fast delivery. As you start buying green coffee, it’s crucial to test out different beans and find out which ones suit your taste and those of your customers. Make sure to get samples before committing to a large order.
While it can be tempting to choose the cheapest options, it’s essential to balance price with quality. The cost of green coffee beans is often influenced by factors like location, quality, and shipping fees. For those starting a commercial roasting business, remember that coffee prices are tied to the C-market and fluctuate over time, so planning ahead is crucial.
Coffee Roaster putting green coffee into the hopper of their coffee-roasting machine Img: Artem Varnitsin
Roast Your Way to Success
If you’re feeling inspired to dive deeper into the world of coffee roasting, go for it! Roasting coffee is a blend of science and art, and there’s always room for experimentation. But most importantly, have fun with the process. Whether you’re roasting for personal enjoyment or launching your own coffee business, there’s always more to learn, taste, and explore.
Finally, when your home coffee-roasting hobby turns into a full-fledged coffee business, and you’re known as a star roaster—don’t forget who helped you get started. Genuine Origin is here for all your green coffee needs, from the first batch to scaling up your operations. Happy roasting!
