cambrew88 Senior Member Joined: 20 Feb 2013 Posts: 4 Location: Augusta Expertise: Just starting
Posted Wed Feb 20, 2013, 1:48pm Subject: Affordable Home Roaster/DIY Home roaster build
Hey folks! New to the forum and relatively new to home roasting, well very new I suppose. I have been doing it for about 7 months now with a whirley pop. I have had great results and I love using the Whirley Pop, however a lot of friends and family are asking to buy my coffee. I have also had several businesses ask to buy and serve at their restaurants. I am in a pickle, I am a college student with a very strict budget. I need to upgrade from the whirley pop, just far too time consuming. I am on the market for a 2-4 pound roaster. I cannot pay much (I cannot spend more than $1000). I am also open to the idea of building my own which I know absolutely nothing about. I am open to all ideas! I have looked at several models on eBay and I like a few, however I have read mixed reviews. Any help is greatly appreciated!
Also, does anyone have any advice on where to begin in the area of buying beans directly from farmers? Don't get me wrong, I love Sweet Marias and buying from various people on eBay, however, I would love a more cost efficient way of going about this. Thanks so much for the help!
oldgearhead Senior Member Joined: 25 Jan 2010 Posts: 355 Location: Go Colts! Expertise: I like coffee
Grinder: Virtuoso by Baratza Drip: Chemex,Dilongi DCM900 Roaster: 1/2K Fluid-bed
Posted Wed Feb 20, 2013, 2:41pm Subject: Re: Affordable Home Roaster/DIY Home roaster build
The only reliable answer I can offer is a propane grill with a basket. I believe all the 120V turbo oven choices are about four kilowatts short of enough heat to do your job.. Home built - This one can roast one pound in 13 minutes, and two pounds in 45 minutes including cooling and clean up. Its material cost was $512.00: Click Here (www.homeroasters.org) .
Posted Thu Feb 21, 2013, 2:48pm Subject: Re: Affordable Home Roaster/DIY Home roaster build
+1 HRO.org is the place to go if you are looking to build a home roaster. oldgearhead's roaster is awesome! :)
I can roast in the Behmor back to back (1lb roasts) If I allow 15min+ for the machine to cool. I would also have to do a dry burn to clean every 5 roasts. That sounds like a good business importunity. If you don't end up building I would consider leasing or financing a commercial roaster or looking into an RK bbq set up if you have the place for it to set up. HRO.org has info on that too.
Posted Fri Feb 22, 2013, 6:29pm Subject: Re: Affordable Home Roaster/DIY Home roaster build
another question, where are you planing on doing your roasting at. larger batches = more smoke.make sure you have good ventilation and if you are planning to sell beans officially (not on the sly) to restaurants make shure your up to building and health code standards. Here's a few pics of my behmor station. takes about 30 min to roast 2 lb(if needed) with cooling and bagging and can roast back to back (one cooling one roasting) total cost around $800.00 with jars,vac sealer, old fridge,timer,roast logs,ect. this will do until I can afford a probat or something of the like. I dont sell beans but do give alot away.people ask on a daily basis to buy.
Posted Sat Feb 23, 2013, 8:38am Subject: Re: Affordable Home Roaster/DIY Home roaster build
before I started to roast my own, I met up with Tony the owner of Caffè Fresco in Port Griffith, PA and he told me about some of the problems he has had with some of the competition in the area.Make sure if they come to inspect your up to code beforehand.
cambrew88 Senior Member Joined: 20 Feb 2013 Posts: 4 Location: Augusta Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sat Feb 23, 2013, 8:54am Subject: Re: Affordable Home Roaster/DIY Home roaster build
Thanks for the advice. I have been in touch with the Ag. Commissioner down here and since I will have no food or anything, I won't have to be inspected by a health inspector, just the Ag. inspector. I have to get a business license as well. Would you advise potentially trying to find a drum roaster on ebay (finding one for under a few thousand would be tough) or buying a Behmor brand new? How much can you roast per hour in one? Thanks again!
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