Have you ever tried roasting your own raw coffee beans at home or are you new to the art? There are multiple ways people do this including using their oven, a frying pan on the stove or some people even use a popcorn maker. Personally, I avoid all of those and use a purpose-built home coffee roaster for the best results and ease. Nothing beats the end result: a fresh, homemade cup of joe roasted to your liking!
Knowing some information ahead of time comes in very handy when you are looking at purchasing one of these convenient machines. Some of the things to consider before making a purchase include features, cost, etc. Check out our buying guide below as well as reviews of some of the best home coffee roasters on the market.
Jump to:
Home Coffee Roaster Comparison Table
| Model | Features |
|---|---|
Nuvo Eco Ceramic CHECK PRICE ➜ | Type: Manual ceramic Separate Heat Source Required: Yes Batch Size: 1 oz. to 2.5 oz. (30 g to 70 g) Warranty: Unspecified |
Fresh Roast SR800 CHECK PRICE ➜ | Type: Electric/Air 120V Separate Heat Source Required: No Batch Size: 8 oz. wet processed/6 oz. dry processed Warranty: 1 year |
Bar Well Coffee Bean Roaster Machine CHECK PRICE ➜ | Type: 110V 1200W Electric with Rotating Rods Separate Heat Source Required: No Batch Size: 26.4 oz./750 g Warranty: 1 year |
Jiawanshun Home Roaster CHECK PRICE ➜ | Type: 110V 1200W Electric with Rotating Rods Separate Heat Source Required: No Batch Size: 17.0 oz./500 g Warranty: 1 year |
KALDI Motorized Home Coffee Roaster CHECK PRICE ➜ | Type: Motorized Drum Separate Heat Source Required: Yes Batch Size: 7 oz./200 g Warranty: Unspecified |
Types
There are different styles of home coffee roasters and we will go over some of the different types to make you more familiar with what is out there and figure out what you might be most comfortable with. It is important to note that for each model there is a learning curve and will take some getting-used to, whichever one you choose. But once you get the hang of it, roasting your own coffee can be very rewarding and it’s a fun skill to acquire!
Electric
- With the electric models, you simply plug them in to an electrical outlet to turn them on and they will heat/stir the beans.
- Some styles use hot air to roast and move the beans around and some operate more like those popcorn makers with rods that rotate horizontally (both pictured above).
- We don't recommend using popcorn makers in place of purpose-built roasters at all. With coffee bean roasters, you can control the heat throughout the roast and they are designed specifically for roasting coffee beans. I know people who have used popcorn makers for roasting raw coffee beans, but they burnt out the machines very quickly and they weren't covered under warranty any longer.
- The hot air method cooks the beans from the inside out which is said to maximize flavor.
- You can control the temperature and sometimes the fan, etc. throughout the roasting process with the dials, depending on the model.
- They are easy to use and clean up. The chaff (the papery skin that flakes off when the beans are roasted) is contained with the use of a lid and you simply blow it off during the cooling process with your breath, a fan/wind from outdoors or a cooling machine. Some models have separate chaff containers.
- They are easy to set up outdoors. Outdoors is a better option than indoors, in my opinion, as roasting does create a lot of smoke and an intense smell.
- You can watch the beans as they roast.
- Has a high yield.
- You can also use certain models (check with the manufacturer) to roast nuts and seeds, so that is a bonus!
We have a detailed tutorial here on how to roast coffee beans with this type of roaster!
Drum Roaster
- The drum type consists of a drum powered by a motor, hopper, probe rod, thermometer and chaff holder.
- You will still need a heat source from a gas stove or outdoor gas burner, etc.
- With this method you will place the roaster on the heat source with the power turned on to get the drum in rotation. Then you add the green beans to the hopper and the drum will spin the beans around as they roast.
- This method will get you a higher yield than you can achieve with the small manual roaster.
- You can use a sampler tool to check on the progress.
- The chaff tray is convenient for holding the chaff.
- Some people prefer drum roasting over air roasting as it roasts slower but some would argue that this causes the beans to lose more flavor and prefer air roasting for better flavor.
Manual Ceramic
- The manual types are made of ceramic which is a heat resistant material.
- You will need a heating source to use a ceramic roaster such as a gas stove or outdoor grill.
- You will also need to manually shake the beans around during the roasting process. You have full control and can achieve a nice and even roast.
- The handle does get hot so it is best to use a heat glove or oven mitts when it is above the heating source.
- This style usually has a small yield so it is best for small batch roasting.
- If you are using it inside of your home, be prepared to have a mess of chaff to clean up.
Cost
- As the manual roaster is your most simple type of coffee roasting machine, this is going to be one of your least expensive options.
- Electric home coffee roasters are more expensive than the manual type but still affordable.
- Once you get into the motor driver/drum types, you will see the cost go up considerably but some people love to use them and find them to be worth it.
Warranty
A warranty is something you may find important when looking for a home roaster for peace of mind. Most types will come with a 1 year warranty but some may offer longer warranties and this is something to keep in mind.
Handy Tools
Rather than cooling the beans in a colander manually, you can try out this nifty cooling machine. It cools the beans down quickly and removes the chaff.
Coffee canister with CO2 valve. This canister keeps the coffee beans fresh by locking out oxygen but allowing the CO2 to escape.
Manual coffee bean grinder. You can control the coarseness of your grind, it’s quiet and only manpower is required.
Electric coffee grinder. You can leave this on your countertop and grind your fresh coffee beans whenever the mood strikes.
Our Top 5 Home Coffee Roaster Reviews
#1 Nuvo Eco Ceramic Handy Coffee Bean Roaster
This manual, ceramic, coffee bean roaster is probably one of the simplest roasters of the bunch. The interior structure is waffle-shaped and there is an opening where you can listen for the beans to crack. If the use of cowhide bothers you, then you will want to avoid purchasing this model as the handle is covered with it to help protect your hands from the heat.
It does require a heat source, such as a gas stove or outdoor grill and you also need to swirl the roaster over the heat in a circular or number 8 motion. The waffle shape helps to evenly roast the beans without over-exerting your wrists. It holds up to approximately 2.5 oz./70 g of raw coffee beans, so a small batch is all you will get in one go. When the beans are finished roasting, you can conveniently pour them out of the handle and into a colander or strainer to cool them.
It’s a step up from using a frying pan as it is designed specifically for roasting coffee beans.
PROS
- Even roasting
- Easy to use/clean
- The small size makes it convenient to travel with and store
- Lower price point
CONS
- Needs a heating source
- The chaff can get messy
- Small batch
- Requires manual shaking
The Nuvo Ceramic is great for those who are interested in small-batch roasting with a simple, cheap, hand-held model that you can conveniently take with you on camping trips.
#2 Fresh Roast SR800
The Fresh Roast SR800 is a US 120V electric air roaster that comes with a 1 year warranty. It can roast up to 8 oz. wet-processed coffee beans or 6 oz. dry-processed beans at a time. It is an all in one machine with a convenient, digital temperature display with 9 levels of heat adjustment and a cooling cycle. You can adjust the fan, giving you more control over the air-flow process (the lower the fan speed, the higher the temp will be). The chaff is nicely contained in a basket which is really helpful, especially if you are using it indoors.
Although this is electric, you still need to pay attention to the machine as the beans are roasting and adjust the controls throughout, just like most coffee roasters.
If you are using it indoors, you should know that it does not have a smoke reducer but the top of the machine does slow the flow of the smoke. Roasting underneath your kitchen fan would be a good idea or go outdoors (but keep in mind that cool temperatures can slow the roaster down).
PROS
- Doesn’t require a separate heat source
- You have control over heat, air flow and time to maximize flavor
- Chaff is contained
- Quiet
CONS
- The use of an extension cord may affect the performance of the roaster so keep this in mind
- Higher price point
- May take some time to get a hang of the controls to get the roast you like
- Some consumers complain of the glass holder being flimsy
The Fresh Roast SR800 is great for both newbies and more experienced roasters who are looking for convenience but still want to experiment and have control over their roast.
#3 Bar Well Electric Home Coffee Bean Roaster
The Bar Well electric coffee roaster is a multi-use machine with turning rods. According to the manufacturer, you can also use it to roast nuts, seeds, popcorn, legumes, etc.
It has a food-grade non-stick layer which makes it easy to clean and a honeycomb design. The glass lid allows you to view the beans while they are roasting as well as ventilates the smoke during the heating process. The rotating rods stir the beans for you and if a bean is caught up in them, they will auto-reverse.
It has heat resistant handles, a temperature dial up to 464°F/240°C as well as a built-in timer if you upgrade. It boasts a large capacity of 1.65 lbs/750 g in one batch.
It is easy to use and more affordable than some of the other electric types. It is best to use outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
PROS
- Easy to use and clean
- Doesn’t require a separate heat source
- Non-stick
- Multi-function
- Large batch
CONS
- The pot cannot be immersed in water
- It doesn’t cool the beans
- You need to remove the chaff from the beans when they are done roasting
The Bar Well is best for beginner roasters who are looking for convenience and less settings which are easy to control.
#4 Jiawanshun Home Coffee Bean Roaster
The Jiawanshun Home coffee bean roaster is similar to the Bar Well electric with a few minor differences. The capacity of this model is 17.0 oz./500 g per batch. It also has a temperature range up to 464°F/240°C. The glass lid has 4 vent holes and is clear so that you can view the progress of the beans. It is also a multi-function machine, so if you are interested, you could roast nuts, seeds, other types of beans, etc.
It has basic controls (on/off and temperature control) making it very easy to use. It has a non-stick honeycomb design on the surface and a mixing rod, which helps with even roasting and clean-up. It is offered with a voltage of 110V and has 1200W power or you can upgrade to 110V-220V. On the sides of the roaster you will find thick anti-scald handles. This model comes with a 1 year warranty.
PROS
- Easy to use and clean
- Non-stick
- You can watch the progress of the beans through the clear glass lid
- Multi-function
CONS
- The pot cannot be immersed in water
- The batch size isn’t as large as the Bar Well model
- It doesn’t cool the beans
- You need to remove the chaff from the beans afterwards
The Jiawanshun is best for beginner roasters wanting a roaster that is easy to control and don’t need the extra large batch capacity.
#5 KALDI Motorized Home Coffee Roaster
The Kaldi motorized home coffee roaster is quite different from the previous models and more like a mini pro version. The motor is for the drum that spins the beans, but a separate heat source, like a gas stove or outdoor gas burner, is still required. It’s made of stainless steel and the thermometer range is up to 480f/250C. It has a chaff container and a sample probe to check on the progress of the beans. It comes with a volt adapter, if that is important to you.
Like the other roasters, you will need to use it in a well-ventilated area such as under your range hood or outdoors. You can roast up to 7 oz./200 g of green beans which is pretty good.
PROS
- Even roasting with good circulation
- User friendly
- The chaff is contained
- Comes with volt adapter
CONS
- You need a separate heat source
- High price point
- Might take some time to figure out your desired roast
The Kaldi is great for those who would like to try their hand at a drum roaster, and want good, user-friendly control of the process.
Conclusion
As you can see, you have quite a few different options when it comes to home coffee bean roasters and it will boil down to preference. You can go with manual ceramic for the simplest type that is very portable, motorized drum roasters that require a heat source or electric versions that don’t require one.
Either way, they are more convenient and controlled than using a baking sheet in the oven or frying pan on the stove to achieve an evenly roasted, fresh batch of coffee beans.
The one that I would recommend if you are on a budget, and the same type that I use personally at home, would be the Bar Well Electric Home Coffee Bean Roaster. It’s more affordable, so you’re not making as big of a commitment. It’s great for beginners because it’s easy to use and clean and having less settings to deal with during roasting = less intimidating and less time to get used to it.
However, If you are interested in using the much-loved hot air method and would like more control over the roast, the Fresh Roast may be the way to go for you.
I hope this guide with reviews has helped you in choosing a home coffee roaster!
Leave a Reply