- Quick Glance: Our 5 Picks for Home Coffee Roasters
- Types of Home Coffee Roasters
- Top Picks: Best Home Coffee Roasters
- The 8 Best Home Coffee Roasters
- What to Look For In a Home Coffee Roaster
- How Much Does A Good Coffee Roaster Cost?
- Is Home Coffee Roasting Really Worth It?
- Is it difficult to roast coffee beans using a roaster?
- How do I roast my coffee beans from home with a coffee roaster?
- How long does roasting green coffee beans take?
- Can I get a used coffee roasting machine?
- Final Word
As a true coffee enthusiast, fresh coffee means the world to you.
While pre-roasted coffee might be tasty, it starts to lose its aroma and flavor anywhere between 2 to 14 days from the day it’s roasted.
So, in addition to choosing the best coffee beans and the best grinder to guarantee freshness, it’s time to go for the best home coffee roaster.
You are probably thinking, “Roasting must be a complicated process, is it something I can do at home?”
Well, not only is roasting coffee simple, but it only takes a couple of minutes.
A home coffee roaster may be either manual or electric.
Manual roasters are affordable but small in size. On the other hand, electric roasters are easy to use with special features, such as gas or electric equipment.
Keep reading for a list of the best home coffee roasters.
We want you to know this post contains affiliate links. If you click on a product and decide to buy it we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Quick Glance: Our 5 Picks for Home Coffee Roasters
3. Nuvo Eco Ceramic Handy Coffee Bean Roaster
4. Jiawanshun Home Coffee Roaster
5. Angelloong Coffee Bean Roaster Machine
Types of Home Coffee Roasters
There are two main types of coffee roasters: air roaster and drum roaster.
Air Roaster
This type is a “fluid bed” machine that mixes and roasts coffee beans by pushing hot air through a roasting chamber, rotating the beans all the while for a consistent roast.
Air roasting is fast. A standard air roaster should not roast a batch of green beans for more than 8 minutes.
A short roasting time substantially reduces the formation of acidic compounds that makes coffee taste bitter.
Check for air roasters with friendly user interfaces. A well-designed interface’s benefits are unmatched as it offers much-needed convenience and comfort.
Some high-end roasters offer programmability, whereby you create and save different roast profiles for repeatability and consistency.
Upon selecting the desired profile, the roaster will automatically follow the initially saved settings without additional input.
If you like dark and oily beans, an air roaster will suit you best.
Drum Roaster
This roaster has a horizontal rotating drum, fitted with air vents.
The vents heat your beans evenly and homogeneously with infrared catalytic burners available on both undersides of the drum.
Drum roasters are generally slower; a batch of beans takes 14-20 minutes to roast.
Drum frames made of pure cast iron on the entire front enables maximum heat conductivity during the roasting process.
Look for a roaster with a double drum and a powerful burner. Double drums enable faster and hotter roasting with minimal risk of scorching or tipping.
They are durable and easy to maintain, as replacement parts are usually available from the manufacturer.
There exists a type of drum roaster where the burner chamber and the drum are separated.
It’s designed such that hot air passes from the burner chamber through the drum allowing the drum’s surface to remain cooler as the flame is not in contact with the drum.
This type of drum roaster requires skillful management of airflow, making it difficult to control.
Thinking of Trying a Popcorn Maker?
Maybe you want to roast coffee like the cowboys could do or at least as your grandpa did.
Yeah, the thought is valid, especially for beginners in roasting coffee beans. A popcorn popper is a preferred home roasting tool as it allows complete control over the roast.
It takes between 5-10 minutes to roast a batch of green beans using a popcorn maker.
The amount of coffee that a popcorn maker can roast at a time is usually 1/2 cup.
You will need to place a bowl beneath the popper chute to catch the chaff that sloughs off the popcorn maker as it roasts the beans.
However, roast coffee beans in a popcorn popper at your own risk.
Using a popcorn maker to roast coffee beans absolves the manufacturer of any liability if anything happens to it as far as the law is concerned.
Top Picks: Best Home Coffee Roasters
 | Kaldi Wide Home Coffee Roaster |
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 | Fresh Roast SR540 |
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 | Nuvo Eco Ceramic Handy Coffee Bean Roaster |
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 | Jiawanshun Home Coffee Roaster |
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 | Angelloong Coffee Bean Roaster Machine |
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The 8 Best Home Coffee Roasters
To brew a worthy cup of Java every day and enjoy it, you need to roast the beans through a quality home coffee roaster.
We came up with the list to save your time searching for the best roaster and spend more time doing what matters most – brewing a tasty drink.
Check out the following:
1. Kaldi Wide Home Coffee Roaster
If you’re looking for a high-quality home coffee roaster that will turn your at-home coffee experience into a coffeehouse experience, Kaldi Wide Roaster won’t disappoint.
This roaster has all the tools you need to extract the best flavors from each batch of beans.
These include a roaster body, hopper, thermometer, chaff holder, rod, volt adapter, and probe.
The stirring drum has the capacity for up to 300g of beans at once. This feature allows you to roast a large amount of coffee, store it and keep using it for days.
The unit is fully motorized, so you need to light a gas burner and let it heat up the roaster. What follows is a thorough distribution of heat across the beans.
The stainless steel body comes with a unique design for better air circulation during the roasting process.
To top it up, you can pour out the beans once roasted and quickly start cooling them. This gives you more control over the roast.
Protip: This is a manual roaster, so to achieve consistency, record the heat settings you’re using and the adjustments made while roasting. This will help you create a roasting profile that you can reproduce each time.
While this roaster has a high price tag, it delivers an above-average roasting experience.
The downside?
Chaff lingers in the beans, which may give the coffee a bitter taste and it requires a gas burner.
2. Fresh Roast SR540
This home coffee roaster is ideal for those of us starting the exciting journey of roasting coffee from home.
And it’s not hard to find out why:
It’s easy to use; just turn the knob to select any of the nine heat levels and experiment to know what works best for you.
The Fresh Roast SR540 is also compact in size and will work well in any size kitchen.
There are a couple of advanced features as well, such as the real-time temperature display.
Cooling your beans after roasting is also user friendly. Easily use the fan settings to fine-tune the airflow speed.
The roasting chamber is spacious enough, so beans don’t get caught and burn.
And did I mention the roasting process is fast? After pressing start, you’ll watch the green beans turn from green to golden brown, right before your eyes.
This compact coffee roaster is ideal for personal use. It only holds 4 ounces of beans at a time.
So, if you’d like to roast lots of beans, you can check out the other home coffee roasters on this list.
And on top of that, this roaster is affordable and an easy way to improve your at-home coffee brewing experience.
3. Nuvo Eco Ceramic Handy Coffee Bean Roaster
The fan of roasting coffee from home is getting involved in the process.
And no other home coffee roaster delivers a better roasting experience than Nuvo Eco Ceramic Roaster.
The ergonomic handle lets you shake the beans as you listen to their beautiful popping and the heavenly aroma invade your space.
Ceramic is known for distributing heat uniformly, which translates to optimal roasting for your beans. And the roasting equipment is waffle-shaped to promote even heat distribution.
The manual roaster can hold up to 70 grams of beans (2.5 oz) per batch. Sure, you won’t roast for a group, but when you’re camping, you’ll appreciate this equipment.
The grip may not protect your hands when things get hot, which is why it’s advisable to wear gloves when roasting.
Once you’re done roasting, don’t be quick to immerse the roaster in cold water or place it on a cold surface. Let it fully cool first.
Do you love interior décor?
This is the right item for your kitchen because when not in use, it still adds aesthetic value to your space. You can always put it on display vs. tucking it away in a drawer.
As a cherry on top, it comes at a pocket-friendly price.
4. Jiawanshun Home Coffee Roaster
Want to roast for crowds? Then it’s time to find a home coffee roaster with a generous capacity – Jiawanshun Coffee Roaster.
The roasting tray can hold 300 to 500 grams of beans at a time. Simply put, the Jiawanshun roaster is ideal for household use.
Two things are attractive about this roaster – its sleek design and the price.
The multipurpose nature of this coffee bean roaster makes it a necessity for home roasters.
Not only can you roast the best coffee beans with it, but it’s also ideal for roasting popcorn, soybeans, peanuts, sunflower seeds, and dried fruits.
The transparent cover has four ventilation holes that let you observe your coffee beans’ status and note the status of the beans.
You can adjust the roasting temperature between 100°C and 240°C, which is 212°F to 464°F.
The roaster only shows the degree Celsius readings, so if you’re accustomed to Fahrenheit readings, you’d need to do some conversions on your phone.
Be sure to keep the temperature and time in mind when roasting to ensure the beans turnout perfectly.
Sometimes after the roasting is over, you don’t want to think about cleaning the tray as it’s usually messy with oil. But with this Jiawanshun roaster, cleaning should be the last thing to worry about.
Reason?
The nonstick chassis makes cleaning a cakewalk.
5. Angelloong Coffee Bean Roaster Machine
Whether you are just starting and are looking for the best home coffee roaster for beginners or you’ve been in the game for a while, this roaster is worth looking into.
There’s an adjustable temperature of between 100 and 240℃ (212 to 464℉), which can be changed based on the grains you’re roasting. The timer is 0 and 60 minutes that helps you to time the roasting process and discover what works for you.
Featuring 110V, this roaster holds up to 750 grams of coffee beans and takes approximately 25 minutes to roast them.
The chassis is honeycomb designed and shaped with a black food grade surface for even heating and hassle-free cleaning.
If you enjoy seeing how the beans roast and turn in appearance, there’s a transparent cover for that. Not only is the cover heat-resistant, but it also has a ventilation mechanism to release the excess heat.
Placement of the lid is super easy, thanks to the standing handle. This anti-scalding handle is safe and easy to hold.
6. Mifxin Home Coffee Roaster Machine
If you’ve been looking for a home coffee roaster with a large bean capacity and yet budget-friendly, you’re right at home.
The Mifxin roaster has a roasting pan that holds 750 grams (about 1.6 pounds) of beans. So, if you want to roast lots of beans for the whole family or guests, this roaster won’t let you down.
Not only will you enjoy roasting coffee beans on this equipment, but you’ll also enjoy the cleaning process.
Why?
The roaster’s black base material is non-stick and super easy to clean.
But that’s not all that the non-stick surface does. It helps to retain the coffee’s fresh taste.
Handling this coffee roaster is safe, thanks to the handle design and a heat-resistant body.
The roaster’s interior features a rotating rod for even stirring of coffee beans at a constant temperature. This prevents burning that might ruin the flavor.
Using MifXin Coffee is child’s play. Simply select the desired temperature for various coffee requirements.
Want to roast other bean types with this coffee roaster? Sure, go ahead and roast popcorn, peanuts, hazelnuts, raw melon seeds, and more!
7. Lueur Electric Coffee Roaster
This electric coffee roaster gives you the power to control the roasting process.
There’s an automatic thermostat to ensure consistent temperature when roasting. But of course, you can adjust the temperature, especially if you’re using it for something other than roasting coffee beans.
The bean chassis is honeycomb-shaped with a black non-stick layer that conducts heat uniformly and is easy to clean.
While roasting your favorite coffee beans, you can observe the beans transform in shape and color right through the transparent cover. The cover is durable, heat-resistant, and features a four-hold ventilation system.
How about humming the song “Coffee for Your Head” while observing the beautiful process? It’s optional but highly recommended.
With an 800 grams capacity, you can roast a lot of beans at once, fast and conveniently. That said, the recommended amount of beans is 300 to 500 grams.
This is one of the home-coffee roasters that can roast other beans, barley, peanuts, popcorn, dried fruit, chestnut, and more.
8. Hario Retro Coffee Roaster
If price is the first thing you look at when searching for a home coffee bean roaster, you might think the Hario roaster is too costly.
But once you discover it’s a durable, stylish, elegant, and hand-made Japanese product, you’ll quickly see why it’s a worthwhile investment.
This manual coffee roaster allows you to control the roasting temperature too.
How?
By adjusting the roller’s rotating speed.
The roasting requires patience, but the resulting coffee beans are flavorful and deliver a memorable drinking experience.
If you’re impatient or want to roast a large portion of beans, then this isn’t the best option for you.
But, if you’re a coffee enthusiast who loves to put time into the roasting process to produce a mighty cup of coffee, you need to grab this item.
What to Look For In a Home Coffee Roaster
Roasting coffee beans at home with your own roaster not only gives you fresh coffee; it also guarantees an authentic coffee experience.
So if you are curious to find the best home coffee roaster to fit your lifestyle, consider these factors:
Manual vs. Automatic
Before deciding on a manual or automatic home coffee roaster, you must first understand how each works.
A manual roasting machine is often budget-friendly, but it may require close monitoring throughout the roasting process.
An automatic roaster, on the other hand, will make your roasting easier. But be prepared to spend more money.
The controls of these roasters are different, but they share an almost similar trajectory of formulating coffee.
Manual Control
Small coffee shops still use manual coffee roasters even now. Do you know why?
Though it takes a lot of labor to obtain the right roast, a manually controlled machine produces the highest quality coffee.
It gives you control over each phase of the roasting process.
Manual coffee roasting machines are friendly on the pocket and often come in small sizes. Coffee craftsmen love them because they have fine control over them.
The only drawback with the manual roaster is its limited capacity. It may not be able to satisfy your family’s demand for coffee.
You’ll have to roast your beans more often. This will not favor you if you have a busy schedule.
Automatic Control
Automatic coffee roasting machines are very convenient. All you need is to set the maximum on and off temperature and let the roaster do the rest.
It comes with several presets to conform to, including a PID temperature control mechanism. When set, the PID temperature control takes charge of the bean roasting process and the roast itself.
It also has an intuitive, automatic touch screen interface. No manpower is required.
Automatic models allow you to set the roasting profile and fine-tune your roasting to your taste. It provides you the automatic repeatability you can’t have with the simpler models.
These machines are quite expensive.
Size Matters
Coffee roasting drums are designed in different sizes. Depending on your coffee needs and the size of your family, you can choose to buy an air roaster or drum roaster.
Air roasters are suitable for small amounts of beans, whereas their drum counterparts have larger chambers to roast bigger batches.
Work out the right size you need before considering getting a home coffee roaster. This will save you a lot of roasting time.
Value
How involved will you be in your coffee roasting?
If you are an occasional roaster, a simple roaster might fit you. But if you are seriously involved, it means you’ll outgrow your entry-level roaster pretty quickly.
That’s why it’s better to invest in a more complex machine with a sturdy build to last you for many years of roasting. This will also expand your learning curve and increase your barista skills.
Getting a cheaper model will not offer much value. You’ll end up with a roaster that doesn’t hold up to the heat, and frequent use forcing you to get a replacement.
Purpose
What do you need a home coffee roaster for?
Even if you’re roasting as a hobby, you still need a quality home roaster. Buying a sub-standard machine will not provide desirable results.
Take a high-quality model if you want to enjoy roasting. If you later lose interest, you can sell it.
On the other hand, if you’re upgrading, you probably have a reason behind it. For example, if your family has grown, you’ll need a larger capacity roaster for bigger batches and probably, automation (if you prefer).
Portability
When you can’t bear to miss your cup O’ Joe while hiking or camping, you’ll need a portable roasting solution.
Even at home, portability is an essential factor to note. A very large roaster can be inconvenient to set up every time you want to roast your beans or organize the kitchen countertop.
The thought of lugging it with accessories out of the cabinet all the time can make you lose your coffee roasting morale.
Better to have an average device that permanently stays in its place; one that you can place on the kitchen counter or table.
They are also quieter, with fewer fumes. And can roast quickly.
Smoke Mitigation
When roasting your coffee beans, there will always be smoke fumes. The smoke increases as the roast gets darker or with larger batches.
Without enough ventilation, you have very few options. You can choose to use your roaster outside, but this isn’t an option if you don’t have the convenience.
Look for a machine that is built with a smoke mitigation mechanism. Some models have catalytic converters that suppress the smoke.
When roasting indoors, position the machine close to a window or vent fan.
Cooling Feature
When your coffee beans have been fully roasted, they’ll need time to cool. If you don’t let them cool down, they’ll continue roasting from the chamber’s heat.
Choose a roaster with a cooling feature to blow cold air into the roasting chamber after the beans are roasted to the appropriate level.
High-end coffee roasting devices are designed with external trays to hold the beans for cooling. This prevents them from over-roasting.
Automation Options
Automation lets you achieve the perfect coffee bean profile. Coffee roasters are built with two different automation technologies, including;
PID Technology
PID is an electronic temperature control technology that measures the accurate bean and chamber temperature and corrects it whenever needed. It has a feedback loop that measures the actual temperature. It can reduce or increase the heat source.
PID uses a solid-state relay to control the current flowing through the heat.
This ensures there is constant temperature without any fluctuation. Most high-end roasters have this technology.
Thermostat Technology
A thermostat switches off when it reaches the preset temperature. If the preset temperature drops, it will switch back on.
It only knows the switch on/off command, which is not good because it causes fluctuation in the roasting temperatures. With the two temperatures too close, a thermostat will cycle on and off too quickly and affect repeatability.
However, it’s cheap to replace a thermostat.
How Much Does A Good Coffee Roaster Cost?
The cost of a home coffee roaster depends on the size, quality, brand, and technology used.
For instance, quality mid-level fluid bed coffee roasters range between $2,800 and $5,000, while mid-level drum roasters cost between $350 and $650.
Is Home Coffee Roasting Really Worth It?
Roasting coffee beans at home is always worth your time and effort. This is most especially if you love and value drinking fresh coffee.
Your cup O’ Joe will always be fresh and fully flavored.
It’s much more convenient to buy roasted beans or even ground coffee from the store across the street instead of making your own, right? So why waste your money and time on a coffee roaster?
While others are wondering why you go through all this trouble, you get to enjoy all the benefits of home coffee roasting.
These include:
- Learning the different coffee beans, their profiles, and flavors/taste. This will help you improve your coffee roasts as you go. Who knows, in the long run, you may end up creating your own unique, tailored product! How about that?
- Roasting the beans according to your personal preferences. You get to pick the best roast level and control your coffee’s flavor. The roast level will determine your coffee’s complexity, balance, or sweetness. Nothing can provide you with greater coffee control and experience than roasting the beans yourself.
- Enjoying the freshest, aromatic coffee.
- For coffee lovers, roasting coffee at home is economical as you’ll buy the beans cheaper at wholesale price.
- Green beans have a long shelf life. You can have them for a longer time without them getting stale.
- You get to roast only the amount of coffee you need without wasting your precious beans.
Home roasting is the best way to up your barista knowledge and experience as you appreciate your daily cup.
Is it difficult to roast coffee beans using a roaster?
It is not too difficult to roast coffee beans. But it will take you some time to produce consistent roasts. Roasting definitely has a learning curve with a few frustrating experiences.
The best thing about it is that you’ll be able to experiment with different batches until you grasp it. Things get easier with a constant roasting routine.
How do I roast my coffee beans from home with a coffee roaster?
Here’s a comprehensive guide to coffee bean roasting.
1. Place the roaster in an area with ample ventilation, like near a window or air vent for the smoke to escape.
2. Pour green coffee beans into the heating element.
3. Turn up the heat to start the roasting process. Continually stir the coffee beans to ensure even distribution of heat. You wouldn’t want the beans to roast unevenly and produce an unbalanced coffee extraction leading to inconsistent flavors.
4. Monitor the roasts keenly for that first crack. Ready beans often crack as they continue to brown. When they reach the level you desire, you can remove them from heat to allow them to cool.
For a light roast, you should remove the coffee beans from the heat before they start cracking. Check that the temperature stands between 3560F to 4010F.
To get a medium roast, remove the beans at the first crack or slightly later when the temperature is between 4100F and 4280F.
A dark roast is ready after the second crack or a few moments later. The temperature should be between 4370F and 4820F.
Never roast your coffee beans beyond 4820F. The coffee beans will start to thin and develop a burnt taste.
4. Separate chaff (outer skin) from the beans using the roaster’s built-in chaff collector. Allow the coffee beans to cool, then store them in a container overnight. Make sure the container is not airtight to allow the roasted coffee to degas.
Twenty-four hours later, your roasted coffee will be more flavorful and ready to be ground.
After 24 hours have passed, ensure they’re stored in an airtight container to retain their strong aroma, impressive bloom, and vibrant flavor.
How long does roasting green coffee beans take?
The coffee bean roasting process can take up to 13 minutes or less if it is a small batch. Larger batches of fresh green coffee beans take 20 or 30 minutes to roast. A large batch can be one or two pounds of fresh beans.
Can I get a used coffee roasting machine?
Yes. Considering the high cost of quality coffee roasters, you can opt for a used model. Some manufacturers offer their old models for sale when upgrading. If you’re lucky to get a second-hand machine, the better for you.
But before you get all excited, you have to check the following.
Check the total cost to make sure it doesn’t outweigh the cost of buying a new one.
Is it the right size you wanted? Remember, a larger machine translates to less labor.
Check the functionality, including the airflow and drum speed. Find out if all the parts are in good condition.
If buying a second-hand roaster means hiring a technician regularly to repair it, then it’s probably not worth the money you’re saving upfront. Review it thoroughly before buying to ensure you have a reliable roaster you can count on.
Final Word
Only a quality home coffee roaster can deliver barista-like coffee. If you want to sip the absolute freshest coffee possible, you have to roast your own coffee beans. This way, you’ll enjoy an unlimited amount of the most flavorful brew you’ve ever had.
The best roaster will benefit you more if you have the motivation and determination to acquire green coffee beans to perfect your roasting.
Our guide gives you insights into finding a machine that will give you an enjoyable hands-on experience trying out different coffee profiles.
