While coffee and enjoying it should never be complicated, there are steps, procedures, and equipment that deliver your coffee experience to the next level. If you’re like us, we take our coffee and making it really serious. However, due to recent events and the pandemic, a lot of us have been stuck at home and miss going to coffee shops to get their coffee fix. Don’t fret because there are ways to have and enjoy your caffeine fix and specialty coffee at the comfort of your own home. Roast your way to the best-tasting coffee! All you need are your favorite coffee beans and the best roaster and you’re good to go.
Coffee drinkers, roast coffees the way you want it with these roasters to make cold brew, drip coffee, or an espresso shot. It’s time to give your tastebuds that great coffee tastes out of the ordinary!
|
Top Pick
|
Best Settings
|
Best Versatility
|
|
3.5
|
3.5
|
3.5
|
|
$31.00
|
$209.00
|
$229.00
|
02/28/2023 03:29 am GMT
Nuvo Eco Ceramic Handy Coffee Bean Roaster
One of the best ways to roast your coffee beans is by a manual process – no need to turn any dial, no confusing buttons, and no cable laying everywhere. The Nuvo Eco Coffee Roaster is the best when it comes to personally roast your coffee beans without any complications. This unique and classic-looking coffee roaster roasts just the right amount of beans; it can only roast around 2.4 ounces of coffee beans perfect for around 2 or 3 cups of coffee. If you are heavy on caffeine, you might want to stir clear of this product as you have to roast beans again and again for a whole new batch. However, because it requires only a low capacity, it roasts coffee beans very fast so you can enjoy your light roast in about three minutes, and your dark roast in less than 10 minutes.
Roasting coffee beans using the ceramic Nuvo Eco could be achieved perfectly by using these two techniques while heating: by doing a number 8 or by doing an elliptical orbit.
If you are a beginner or want to take roasting on the go and would want to explore and experiment in roasting, this is one of the perfect coffee roasters for you. You can first try roasting small batches of beans until you get the perfect flavor ala-coffee shop. Roasted beans using this roaster could be made into espresso, small batches of cold brew, or any specialty coffee.
Cleaning reminder for users: make sure to let it cool down first before pouring water, as water over hot ceramic could cause a fracture. The process of cleaning could be time-consuming because you have to wait for the roaster to cool down, but it is necessary if you want it to last.
- Great for beginners and portable
- Has the best heat distribution
- Comes with a heat-resistant leather handle
- No need to plug; easy to use
- Small capacity
- No smoke suppression
Fresh Roast SR540
The Fresh Roast SR540 is an upgrade of SR500 which is easy to use and one of the best coffee roasters for beginners. The SR540 model is a big improvement from the previous SR500 where the heat setting was brought to a new level; it now has 9 different heat settings compared to just low, medium, high options by the previous model. This new feature allows for better adjustment via the real-time temperature display that lets you know how long you have been roasting, so you can slowly turn down the heat when necessary.
What makes this model one of the best coffee roasters in the market is the Run/Coll button where you can switch from blowing hot air to cool down. You may also find this easier and safer to use, as this model comes with a handle. Say goodbye to burning your hands! This is also perfect for those who are still starting and experimenting their way to roasting professionally-made coffees because operating it is not as complicated as the other roasters.
If you like roasts in large batches, this machine might not be best for you as it only has a 120g capacity. However, if you want coffee roasts, this will do. The SR540 also has an efficient fluid bed roaster where the fluid motion of the hot air is directed by the adjustable fan to ensure an even roasting of all beans and prevent burning. Since the SR540 has a limited capacity for beans, it only takes 5 to 10 minutes to roast a batch making it great for those on-the-go and who do not have time to wait for so long.
- A big improvement from the previous model
- Has 9 different heat settings
- Has a handy chaff collector at the top for a simple cleaning process
- Roasts beans for only 5 to 10 minutes
- Come with a handle to avoid burning your hands
- Has a limited bean capacity
- No smoke suppression
DYVEE Coffee Roaster Gas Burner Coffee Roasting Machine
Probably one of the coffee roasters with the best design in the market today is the DYVEE Coffee Roaster; it uses a Quartz glass drum, 300 s/steel frames, 201 s/steel, and a wooden handle. This is also one of the roasters to have a large capacity – it can accommodate up to 400g for better roasting and creating your favorite specialty coffee. The DYVEE roaster rotates automatically for an even roast every time, or you can use the handle to manually rotate the drum for full control of the process. The glass drum is durable and lets you see that coffee scene as it unfolds.
One of the most versatile coffee roasters is this model as this could also roast not only coffee beans but also good for baking other nuts, sunflower seeds, peanuts, chestnuts, barley, and dried fruits. Removing the chaff is also convenient as you can just shake the beans around the pan in a circular motion and simply blow them away.
Working with this machine in the kitchen is easy using a gas burner or a kitchen stove, unfortunately, neither are available upon purchase. This roaster should also be plugged, but it comes with standard plugs 110-220V adapter which is suitable to use all over the world. Enjoy your roasted coffee anytime, anywhere in the world at the comfort of your own home with the DYVEE roasting device.
- Like owning your own roasting facility at home
- Could be operated automatically or manually
- Comes with a durable Quartz glass drum
- Could roast other nuts and seeds other than coffee
- Needs a stove or gas burner to operate
- No chaff tray
JIAWANSHUN Coffee Roaster Machine
The JIAWANSHUN is one of the coffee roasters in the market equipped with a roasting tray that can accommodate 300-500g of coffee beans at a time. This is perfect for household use, and if you and your family are heavy coffee drinkers or make coffee products and specialty coffee for personal consumption or sale. This model is considered as one of the barista’s favorite coffee roasters either for coffee companies or household because of the ability of its temperature to be adjusted from 0-240 degrees Celcius making it suitable in making light and dark roasts, depending on your taste.
Aside from roasting beans for coffees, JIAWANSHUN could also be used to make popcorn, peanuts, soybeans, baking sunflower seeds, dried fruits, and other beans. You may also easily observe the process and status of your roasts as it comes with a transparent cover, also with 4 ventilation holes. This glass cover is also durable and heat-resistant so you never have to worry if the temperature gets a bit high.
The JIAWANSHUN baking tray also comes with a stirring rod that constantly stirs during the roasting/baking process so that the beans are heated evenly. You also do not have to worry about cleaning this roaster because the bakeware adopts a non-stick food-grade paint that’s also safe to use. Cook your beans anywhere as the pan could be easily transferred due to its double-side anti-scald handle made of strong material that lasts long.
- Best use for beginners and any coffee company
- Could cater large batch of beans at a time
- Could be used to roasts other beans and nuts
- The cover has 4 ventilation holes
- Beans tend to get stuck under the stirring rod
- Does not have a chaffing tray
Hario Retro Coffee Roaster
Perfect for that coffee that’s the right amount for you is the Hario Coffee Roaster; it has the practical capacity of 50g of green beans for a smaller batch of coffee just for you. Enjoy making the most basic to specialty coffee using this retro roaster in around 10-16 minutes. This traditional yet modern roaster can bring exotic and exciting flavor to your coffees by initially placing the beans in the drum-style roaster which will then be heated by the denatured alcohol burner just beneath the glass drum. It is manually operated so you have to turn the drum using the hand crank for an even roast.
The Hario roaster can sit on your countertop and would look perfectly also as a display. It is best for making 2-4 cups of coffee or your favorite cold brew. This simple and handy machine is durable and will surely serve you for a long time. This is also one of the most eco-friendly roasters because it does not require the use of electricity but still delivers quality and even roasts.
If you’re okay with 2-4 cups a day and you’re up to manually operating your roaster and you don’t mind taking the time, this is the best pick for you. Add style to your countertops and enjoy traditional roasting with Hario Coffee Roaster.
- A controlled amount of coffees to be made
- Will surely add style to your countertop
- Does not need electricity to operate
- Takes only 10-16 minutes to roast beans
- Needs a lot of working since it is manually operated
- Not suitable for a large batch of beans
KALDI Mini-Size Home Coffee Roaster
Another product from KALDI is the mini-size which is easy to use and built to last. Every part of the roaster is engineered perfectly and could roast up to 200-250g of green beans at a time. Upon purchase, the roaster comes with a thermometer, a sampler, and a hooper. The mini-size roaster is for those people who prefer a smaller and portable roaster but still deliver a relatively large batch of roasts. The KALDI mini uses and needs direct heat from a gas burner to roast.
Though the machine comes with a thermometer, some users observe that it does not give the exact temperature, so you still need to watch your beans frequently to make sure that they don’t burn and to achieve the blend according to your liking. It produces up to eight ounces of a caffeine fix and could be perfect for your specialty coffee and cold brew.
- Comes with a thermometer, sampler, and hooper
- Portable and fits nicely in small places
- Uses external heat
- Can easily roast 250g of beans at a time
- A gas burner is still needed and not included upon purchase
- The thermometer is not accurate
How to Choose the Best Coffee Roaster
A lot of coffee company has greatly profited over the years making and selling caffeinated drinks but were also forced to close down due to the pandemic. A large number of people rely on a cup (or two) of joe to get their day started, but with the closing of most coffee shops, many were forced to learn how to roast and make their own coffees at home. We are not talking about instant coffees here, but the hard and tedious way of making one. Besides, we were never really out of things to do while in respective quarantines and lockdowns.
If you are into the serious business of roasting your own coffee at home, it is best to be familiar with the different types of devices in the market today and see what suits you and your lifestyle best.
Traditional Coffee Roasters
These types of roasters require a lot of patience as you will have to manually operate. These devices usually come with handles or knobs connected to the drums where green beans are placed to be roasted. It does not come with a timer or thermometer and relies solely on you for an even roast. Since these machines are not electric and not plugged anywhere, they require direct heat either from stovetops, gas burners, or denatured alcohol burners.
Electric Coffee Roasters
Arguably one of the easiest to use and most convenient roasters. This one is also the most popular for home use and even for people owning a coffee shop or a coffee company because of the high level of control over the process. These roasters could hold up to 800g of green beans and easy to clean.
Stovetop Coffee Roasters
These roasters are not for busy people as they require a bit of your time and need more work. You may have to do the roasting manually and shake the roaster over an open flame or a gas burner while listening as the beans crack, which could feel satisfying. This type of roaster is perfect for those people on-the-go.
Picking the Perfect Coffee Roasters
Don’t let your impulse get the best of you. Before making that purchase, ask yourself how much of a coffee drinker are you, how many cups do you need per day or do you just need one cup to get you going? You don’t want and need to buy something industrial or heavy-duty if you don’t own a shop or a coffee company; you might do with something smaller, portable, and light. Consider also your patience in roasting beans and the amount of time you need or if you really have the time to do it.
No matter what roasters you pick, it still boils down to your preferred tastes of coffees: how strong or light you want it to be or if you want to go for a specialty coffee. Roasting takes practice, but you’ll get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I roast the coffee beans?
The duration of roasting your beans all depends on the machine that you will be using. Air roasters and popcorn machines (yes, you may use a popcorn machine) usually take around 8 to 12 minutes, while drum roasters could take about 14 to 20 minutes. Just remember that the lower the temperature, the longer it will take.
Will different temperatures give me different tastes?
Roasting beans at different temperatures will give different tastes. To achieve light roast beans, you need a temperature between 356-401 degrees Fahrenheit which will give coffees crisp acidity, bright, fruity flavors, and aromas. Medium roast is typically achieved within 422-435 degrees Fahrenheit and has a medium acidity and a more balanced flavor. Finally, the dark roast has low acidity, a heavy body, and has a deep and dark flavor that could be achieved with temperatures between 435 to 455 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can I use my coffee roaster to bake or roast other beans?
Yes, definitely! Most machines in the market are versatile that could roast different beans, seeds, and nuts: sunflower seeds, chestnuts, peanuts, barley, and many more!
How long will these coffee roasters last?
The average lifespan of an average roaster last for up to 2 years but still depends on how well you take care of your machine. If you know how to regularly clean your roasters, this will last for more than the average lifespan.