A coffee roaster is effectively a large rotating oven that heats coffee beans through convection and conduction. The beans are normally dropped into the roaster from the top, a typical gas operating drum roaster has a large funnel which the beans are tipped into prior to the start of the roast.

When the coffee is ready to start roasting and the machine is at the right temperature the chamber that joins the drum to the funnel is open and the raw coffee beans drop into the roaster.

Levels of gas are controlled, as is normally the drum speed and the airflow. All of which are important variables which need constant attention throughout the roast.

When the raw coffee is dropped into the roaster the temperature gauges will detect an overall loss in temperature as the green beans cool down the preheated drum. Each step of the roast is recorded either manually or automatically uploaded into roasting software.

This gives the roaster an idea of what is happening inside the drum and therefore is able to adjust variables accordingly.

When a desired roast profile has been achieved the roasted coffee beans are dropped onto the cooling tray and the coffee is quickly brought to room temperature to avoid the coffee becoming over roasted.

Who is the best coffee roaster?

The SCA (Speciality coffee association) hosts the annual Coffee roasting championship. Debuting it 2013 the three day event evaluates competitors on their ability to grade green coffee, produce a roast profile which accentuates the desired characteristics and the overall cup quality.

Having said that, coffee like any food and beverage is all about preference and taste. So if you think your local roaster is the best in the world - why the hell not!

Is there a coffee roaster near me?

Find your local coffee roaster on the above map.

How to become coffee roaster?

There are many coffee roasting courses available today, some of which are official SCA approved courses while others are put together by established coffee roasters.

If it is something you are looking to pursue as a career and you’re new to the coffee industry I would recommend approaching an independent coffee roaster for cafe or production jobs first to gain some coffee experience.

If you have worked in the industry before I would firstly before taking a course, look at gaining some experience on a coffee roaster even if it’s for a few hours at a weekend. Most coffee people are decent folk and given there is a passion you should be able to at least shadow the roaster.

How long does it take to roast coffee?

A commercial coffee roaster will usually take anywhere from 9 minutes to 15 minutes depending on the size of the coffee roaster and the size of the batch.

This is very similar to a home roaster, some of the larger machines may take up to 25 minutes to roast a batch of coffee at full capacity while a more technologically and mechanically advanced home coffee roaster may only tale 7 minutes to roast a batch of coffee.

Before brewing coffee it is important to rest the roasted coffee for around 5 - 7 days.

What’s the difference between Drum and Fluid Bed roasting?

The main difference between a drum and fluid bed roaster is how the coffee is roasted.

A drum roaster rotates the coffee while the bottom of the machine is heated resulting in the coffee beans roasting mainly through conduction as the beans touch the sides of the roasting drum while a small amount of convection heating when the beans are airborne in rotation. Drum roasters are usually gas-powered, especially at a commercial level.

Fluid bed coffee roasters that are also known as convection coffee roasters or air roasters use super-hot air that is forced through the coffee beans elevating and suspending them in the air while at the same time mixing the beans resulting in an even and uniform roast. Fluid bed coffee roasters are usually electric and generally seen as a little environmentally cleaner than gas-powered drum roasters.

Coffee Roaster Map

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How a coffee roaster works?

Who is the best coffee roaster?