How to build a coffee roaster from scratch

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Ed Bourgeois built one of the finest home roasters I've ever seen. Here is a list of his requirements:

    1kg.+ electric roaster My goal was a roaster that could do at least 1kg green. with electric convection heat. I mainly wanted the abilities to:
  1. control and monitor every function
  2. remove the chaff as produced into an external container
  3. create a fluidbed action with the beans but achieved mechanically rather than with heated air.
  4. dump and cool in a minute or less
  5. must roast very evenly
  6. ability to add conduction heat when desired
  7. ability to imitate various roasters
  8. built with durable and dependable components
  9. safe to use

And here's how he did it:

  • A) Variable speed convection fan 0-5600rpm
  • B) High/Low range convection fan toggle
  • C) Main heater On/Off toggle
  • D) Beanbats speed control
  • E) Chaff canister
  • F) Roasting pot
  • G) Boost heater control
  • H) Main heater and fan
  • I) Tilt dump
  • J) Bean temp. thermocouple
  • K) Air temp.
  • L) Volt/Watt digital display "Kill A Watt" meter
  • M) Variac 0-140v for main heater
  • N) Timer
  • O) PID
  • P) Cooling drawer- removable cooling tray
  • Q) Base with Beanbat speed control gearhead motor 0-330rpm
  • R) Dumping handle in back

Read more about it here.


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Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Posted by: huhwhat? on January 26, 2009 at 6:51 PM

Talk about overengineering...

1. Buy a hot air popcorn popper off eBay.
2. Roast coffee

Lather, rinse, repeat

Serves 6


Posted by: John Park on January 26, 2009 at 7:37 PM

Hi Huhwhat?,
I disagree. This would be overengineered if you were looking to roast a few ounces of coffee every few days, but you burn out those air poppers quickly trying to do more than a batch or two a day. Ed engineered his roaster to do 2 lbs. at a time without straining the system. He's also going for repeatability in the roast profile, and a few other things that are beyond the air popper's abilities. Don't get me wrong, I like simple easy setups, like the air popper. I roast 8 oz. batches in a Whirley Pop over a grill side burner, but this guy's in a different league.


Posted by: metalrockstar cafe on October 15, 2009 at 10:46 PM

AMAZING! Nice work man ! Come build me one!!

Hey!! If youd like to make one with me me, Im all about it bro!! www.metalrockstar.org wants your help


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