Poll: Do You Roast Your Own Coffee?

by Mike on January 23, 2010 in Polls

This week’s poll question is “Do you roast your own coffee?”

I know that there’s at least a handful of people here that roast their own coffee either for fun or as a professional.

This year, roasting green beans for my own coffee is on my to do list. I see a lot of you guys and gals doing it and I’m pretty jealous. I know it’s a lot of hard work, but it looks like fun and I have a feeling that there’s this satisfaction with drinking coffee that you roasted yourself.

If you do roast your own green beans, can you share what kind of equipment you use and any advice for someone looking to experiment with roasting coffee beans?

Last week’s questions was “Do You Read The Daily Shot Of Coffee Newsletter?”

Hopefully your answer was yes, because last week subscribers to the newsletter got free coffee. I have this weird feeling that there will be other exclusive offers like that in the near future.

87% responded that they do read the newsletter. Thanks, that’s awesome news!

Rose said:

In response to your question about the newsletter, I voted yes I do, but the reality is that I only read it sometimes. If I’ve been keeping up reading your blog I don’t read it. If I’ve missed a bunch of posts I read the newsletter. Either way I like getting it in my inbox.

Ed said:

Just signed up for the newsletter.

Keith said:

I didn’t realize I wasn’t subscribed to your blog until today!

However, 13% don’t read it.

Extreme John said:

I am strictly a NO NEWSLETTER kind of guy, if one even slips into my inbox I unsubscribe instantly. Using a feed reader is my main excuse for this.

I’d love to know what I could do to make it worth reading for you guys and any improvements in general for the newsletter.

—

Photo by I Need Coffee.

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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }

Sarahwww January 23, 2010 at 9:01 am: Never even considered roasting my own beans! I’m curious now!

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Jamie Ferguson January 23, 2010 at 11:12 am: You could start with a Whirly Pop Stove Top Popper. I was going to get an I Roast 2, but the warning labels on it scared me. I still would like to try the I Roast 2, but for now $20 for a Whirly Pop was a great idea and for starting out it doesn’t roast too bad of coffee.
Jamie Ferguson´s last blog ..

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David Dexter January 23, 2010 at 1:48 pm: I started home roasting just after New Years with a used popcorn popper. I killed the first few batches, but I now have the roasting down well enough to easily get a City, City+, and Vienna Roast (I should be able to do Full City once I buy the right thermometer).
One major thing to consider when going into roasting is the Roast Curve. This is one reason I may be buying the stovetop popper next week from Sweet Marias. I don’t want to spend too much space on it, but basically: you have a lot more control with an 11 minute roast than a 6 minute roast. The air popper is easy, but I am afraid its short roasts are not good for the bean.
David Dexter´s last blog ..The newest espresso machine

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Ryan Braby January 24, 2010 at 2:06 am: I’ve been home roasting for a little over a year now. Looked at a number of the commercial roasters and was nearly scared off by the price.

I started roasting using a dog dish and heat gun. After a little more research I found a good hot air popcorn popper in the local thrift store and have been roasting with it since.

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Mike Neg January 24, 2010 at 11:06 am: I have been roasting my own coffee for more than a year now. I use a 10″ cast iron pan with a cast iron cover. I do it on a hot plate on high outside and even when it is freezing out. The heat coming off the pan keeps me warm. The inside of the pan can get up to 450 deg! My technique is that I pick the pan up and give it a good shake every 8 seconds (sooner, you’ll just get tired, later you’ll burn the beans). Preheat the pan and shake continuously for about a minute so you don’t burn the beans right off the bat. And I only lift the lid slightly to make just to check once or twice. I can fit a cup of green beens in, and I usually do this twice (2 cups total) so that will last me about 2 or 3 weeks, depending if I have company. I have tried plenty of other methods: pan on the bbq but that takes too long and use the skillet inside the house I find the roast to be uneven and too smokey.

For now, I wouldn’t consider a coffee roaster because they are expensive and I don’t see them doing anything a popcorn popper can’t do. Also, the smaller ones like the iRoast do not hold very much.

I hope this helps!

Mike @ theNEGG

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Rob Teplansky January 24, 2010 at 2:13 pm: I haven’t tried roasting myself, but I’m very intrigued by the process and have learned a lot from observing the guys at a local coffee roaster as they practice their craft week-in and week-out. The aroma, although something I absolutely love at the coffee roaster’s, is probably better left there than something I would want to have permeating my own house all the time.

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Extreme John January 24, 2010 at 9:48 pm: No roasting here Mike, you know I just take what you recommend and slap it into the coffee pot.
Extreme John´s last blog ..Indianapolis Colts AFC Champions

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BaristaOnDutY January 25, 2010 at 1:00 pm: Always Nice To See Others Roasting Coffee At Home Hats Off To All U In Search For Coffee Freshness! Roasting Truly Is An Art, Not To Say That When U Trace A Picture U Can’t Get A Good Picture, But It’s Like Anything Else, When It Requires Human Involvement, Some Will Be More Passionate Than Others. As Far As PAN Roasting Coffee I Wouldn’t Trade It For Anything Because It’s A Unique Process. I Will Admit That Because Of Demand I Will Be Upgrading My Methods, So That I Can Share My Passion To More People. Nice Post Mike I’m Surprises 2 See How Many Even Attempted To Home Roast, As It Can Be An Intimidating Image C|_| I Am Ur PAN Roaster ~ I Am Ur Barista ~ N I’m On DutY

BODY~

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BWJ January 25, 2010 at 1:31 pm: This is also on my list of things to start doing this year. I’ve been wondering if the iRoast2 is worth it, or if I should start with a hacked popcorn popper, pan roasted…or just go all out and buying a small $500 drum roaster.

BaristaOnDutY, nice to hear your demand is so high you’ve got to upgrade! Never a bad thing.
BWJ´s last blog ..Espresso, Intelligentsia

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Kaye January 26, 2010 at 7:34 pm: I roast with the popcorn roaster and have one in Tampa and one in my hometown, Charleston – cause I just can’t live without coffee! Both poppers work great for me, and I LOVE doing it. Since I am moving into the business stage of it, I am thinking of upgrading to a table-top Diedrich, b/c the Whirley Pop just becomes too small for higher production (only 8oz, maybe 1 or 2 more on this, but it increases roast time and delicacy of an even roast). I’m glad to see you crossing to the other side!
Kaye´s last blog ..Destination: Charleston

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paul January 27, 2010 at 4:39 pm: I just started this past sporing roasting my own in a west bend Poppery 1500 watt popcorn popper. I love doing it, although it is definitely not the speediest way to get coffee into your belly. but the satisfaction and the quality are unmatched.

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Marko January 29, 2010 at 6:21 am: I’ve never even thought about roasting my own coffee. Now that you mention it, I became curious and might even try it for fun.

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