The Best Home Coffee Roasters (Review) in 2020

And there you have it - these six home coffee roasters are the best of the bunch, and we’re confident you’ll find the perfect option for your kitchen somewhere on the list.

To help you find the perfect roaster for you, and get the most out of it, we’ve put together this handy guide. Below we run through everything you need to know about roasting your own beans, and help you select the perfect device to do so.

Why Roast Coffee at Home

Before we get into the process of roasting coffee at home, we need to answer a pretty fundamental question: Why?

It’s easy to buy coffee that’s already been roasted and ground, so what’s the benefit of doing this from scratch at home?

There are actually a few reasons why a coffee lover might want to roast and grind their own beans:

• Flavor

First and foremost, people choose to roast their own beans because it allows you to achieve a fresh flavor like nothing else. Over time, roasted beans start to lose their flavor, as the flavor-filled compounds inside them naturally break down. On the other hand, green (unroasted) coffee beans will hold onto their flavor for a really long time. By roasting your beans at home, you can all but avoid this problem, ending up with coffee that packs a punch time after time.

By roasting at home, you can also take complete control over what the flavor profile of your coffee will be. If you love a dark roast you can take this to the max. If you prefer a light roast, you can use cooler temperatures and shorter roasting times.

Finally, home roasting gives you the chance to choose unusual single origin beans that you might not otherwise find, expanding your flavor horizons.

• Cost

Processing coffee takes time and resources. By the time you buy roasted and ground coffee at your local store, it’s already undergone a lot of costly processes. If you’re a coffee but, roasting at home is actually a great way to cut costs, without compromising on flavor.

It may take a little time to recoup your initial investment, but home roasting often pays for itself when coffee lovers begin to give it a go.

• Health

Believe it or not, your morning cup of joe could be doing you some good. Like many fruits and seeds, coffee beans are loaded with antioxidants, which have been linked to a properly functioning immune system.

In fresh coffee, you’ll find far more of these compounds, since they have had less of a chance to break down. Some experts also suggest that the chlorogenic acid found in green and lightly roasted coffee can boost metabolism over time, assisting appetite control and weight loss.

• Fun

Lastly, roasting your own coffee can be a lot of fun! Like any new skill, it can be a little tricky to get the hang of, but once you’ve achieved your first ideal batch, you’ll likely be hooked.

You can roast alone, or team up with another coffee fiend in your life and spend some quality time perfecting and sharing your perfect roast. It’s a fun activity that you can do at home, and thanks to the internet knowing where to start is easier than ever. With so many single origin beans to choose from, starting your own coffee tasting club is a real possibility, too.

Things to Consider When Buying a Coffee Roaster

When it comes to choosing a coffee roaster for your own home, the choice can seem a little overwhelming. Luckily, there are some key questions to ask yourself that will help you end up with the perfect option for you:

• What space do I have?

First of all, it’s important to find a coffee grinder that will work with the space you have, whether that’s in the kitchen cabinet, on the counter, or in the garage. If you select an electric roaster, you’ll need to find somewhere that’s well ventilated enough to deal with the smoke - usually a garage. When you know what you’re working with, it’s much easier to find a roaster that will, literally, fit the bill.

• How much coffee do I want to roast?

This is a pretty straightforward question that can help you find the best fit for your household easily. If you’re the only coffee drinker for what seems like miles, it doesn’t make sense to splash out on a machine with a large capacity, when a few ounces at a time will suffice. Because coffee tastes best when used as soon as possible after roasting, choose a machine with a capacity that you’re confident will be finished at home. Equally, if your home is full of coffee fanatics, be sure to look out for a large capacity.

• What’s my budget?

This is an important question to ask when making any purchase, and especially pertinent where coffee roasters are concerned. This is because these devices range in price from as little as $30, to almost $1,000. If you’re just starting out, it makes sense to choose a mid-range or budget friendly option that won’t break the bank in case roasting turns out not to be the hobby for you.

• How much time do I have?

Finally, how much time you have to dedicate to roasting will make a difference to the device you choose. If you don’t mind spending a little more time on this hobby, you might enjoy a manual roaster, like option number three on our list. Although simple to use, it’s not a roaster you can walk away from. On the other hand, electric roasters with automatic settings can typically be switched on, and left to get on with the job while you start on something else.

Different Types Of Coffee Roasters

As you’ll have doubtless realized now, coffee roasters come in all shapes and sizes, and you’ll have a few different types to choose from as you make your purchasing decision:

• Manual

The simplest type of coffee roaster is its manual incarnation. This is essentially a covered copper saucepan, which is heated over a stove, roasting the beans inside. With this type of roaster, users must stir the contents of the pot regularly to ensure even heating and prevent burning.

• Stovetop

Like the manual roaster, these require a stovetop (usually gas burners) to operate. They make the process a little more automated with rotating drums, though. Item number six on our list is a good example.

• Drum

These home roasters are powered by mains electricity, and take the form of a self contained unit in much the same way as a microwave or toaster oven. Inside is a rotating drum and heat source. When beans are placed inside, they are tumbled to ensure even roasting.

• Stirring arm

This type of home roaster looks a lot like a slow cooker with one key difference: inside is a stirring arm that moves the beans around as they are heated. Much like the drum roasting method, this way of agitating the beans ensures they are evenly heated for a consistent roast and no burning.

How to Clean Your Coffee Roaster Machine

Now we come to an important question: once you’ve roasted your beans, how do you clean the roaster?

It’s important that you clean the machine occasionally to prevent the buildup of roasting by-products such as creosote and oil.

How exactly you clean the roaster will very much depend on what type you have, and you should always consult the manufacturer’s instructions before attempting a clean.

Whatever you do, be careful not to expose water to any electrical components when cleaning, and rinse away any cleaning product residue thoroughly so as not to affect the taste and quality.

Best Home Coffee Roasters  FAQ:

Q: How long after roasting is coffee at its best?

A: If it’s your first time roasting coffee beans at home, you might be tempted to grind them up for a brew as soon as they’ve cooled. If you want to get the best taste out of your home roast, though, patience is a virtue!

Most beans will taste best when allowed to rest for at least 24 hours, with some better off resting for a full three days.

This is because the aromatic compounds in coffee beans that will ultimately give your cup its flavor often take a little time to develop after roasting. This is especially true for espresso blends, which should ideally be rested for five or six days after roasting before they reach your cup.

Q: Do coffee grounds expire?

A: Coffee grounds will never ‘expire’ in the same manner as milk or bread. They don’t have the make-up for bacteria to take hold, so in theory the coffee grounds you roast and grind today will be drinkable for literally decades to come.

However, coffee can go stale. This happens when it’s been sat around long enough for the flavorsome compounds inside to degrade, diminishing the impact of your morning cup of joe.

So, how long does it take for coffee to go stale? This really depends on the type of coffee you’re talking about. Green coffee beans can retain all their potential for months, but once roasted and ground the deterioration process really kicks in.

Whole roasted beans will retain their original flavor for about 30 days after the roasting process. This means that after a one or two day resting period, you have about a month to use your brew at its best.

Fresh coffee grounds on the other hand start to lose their flavor within hours of being ground. Although they’re good to drink for a couple of weeks, it’s best to grind roasted beans on demand as far as possible.

Our Top Pick

For us, the best home coffee roaster on the market right now has to be this customizable drum roaster by Behmor. Despite its modest price point, the roaster does everything you need and more.

Inside, coffee beans are constantly stirred thanks to a rotating drum, preventing an uneven roast and burning. Thanks to five customizable roast settings, it’s easy to achieve the perfect roast time after time. You can even go old school and adjust the settings manually, providing ultimate control over your roast.

The device can roast up to a pound of coffee at once, too, so there’s more than enough to go around in households with multiple coffee drinkers. Overall, Behmor have developed a roaster that’s great for amateur roasters and aficionados alike.

Source:

1. How And When to Clean Your Coffee Roaster - Perfect Daily Grind