Comments on: Poll: Do You Roast Your Own Coffee?

By: Marko

Marko — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:21:13 +0000

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.

By: paul

paul — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:39:05 +0000

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.

By: Kaye

Kaye — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:34:47 +0000

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 =-.

By: BWJ

BWJ — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:31:37 +0000

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 =-.

By: BaristaOnDutY

BaristaOnDutY — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:00:29 +0000

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~

By: Extreme John

Extreme John — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 02:48:07 +0000

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 =-.

By: Rob Teplansky

Rob Teplansky — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:13:47 +0000

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.

By: Mike Neg

Mike Neg — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 16:06:25 +0000

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

By: Ryan Braby

Ryan Braby — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 07:06:53 +0000

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.

By: David Dexter

David Dexter — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 18:48:48 +0000

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 =-.