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Permalink Reply by John P on April 17, 2009 at 8:12pm

It depends are who your market is. If you plan on roasting long term, and selling your whole bean as well, I would consider something one step larger. Upgrading is expensive.

However if you have the skill and passion to roast your own, why would buy anything based on price? Buy based on taste and quality in the cup. Thousands of roasters roast low grade coffee if you want that. If it's YOUR coffee, make it something special.

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Permalink Reply by Mike McGinness on April 18, 2009 at 12:01am

I have a USRC 3k, routinely do 8# batches, routinely simultaneously roasting while previous batch cooling, routinely 24# greens roasted per hour, hour after hour, no problem. Definitely not just for 'cheaper' SOs, makes things like Panama Esmeralda Gesha and Idido Misty Valley sing so sweetly....

Give Dan a call, my 3k with PLC profile controller way less than $30k new 20 some months ago.

Is it worth it? Only you can answer the roaster sirens call. To me no question, yes. Anyday roasting is a good day even if roasting after slinging 'spro for 8 hours.

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Permalink Reply by EDDIE HWANG on April 18, 2009 at 12:41am

thank you


miKe mcKoffee aka Mike McGinness said:

I have a USRC 3k, routinely do 8# batches, routinely simultaneously roasting while previous batch cooling, routinely 24# greens roasted per hour, hour after hour, no problem. Definitely not just for 'cheaper' SOs, makes things like Panama Esmeralda Gesha and Idido Misty Valley sing so sweetly....

Give Dan a call, my 3k with PLC profile controller way less than $30k new 20 some months ago.

Is it worth it? Only you can answer the roaster sirens call. To me no question, yes. Anyday roasting is a good day even if roasting after slinging 'spro for 8 hours.

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Permalink Reply by Darren Reynolds on June 12, 2009 at 6:11pm

Eddie,

I have a Diedrich IR3 with afterburner that I'm out-growing. If you are still interested shoot me a reply.

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Permalink Reply by Alun Evans on June 12, 2009 at 6:51pm

If you are working your whole concept around quality coffee- developing a brand recognition not only for your cafe, but also for your coffee- yes it is a worthwhile investment. Will you get a quick ROI? No, for sure do not expect to recover the money outlaid overnight. Also you need to remember that the cost of a roaster (and/or afterburner) is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg- you will need to budget in for a number of other essentials including, but not limited to- sealers, food safe buckets, the green you are going to roast, bags, labels, boxes, scoops, scales, pallets etc! And of course you need to be patient as you work your way through the learning curve.

But- for those of us with the bug, MIkes last comment rings true 24/7...365!

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Permalink Reply by David Stellwagen on June 13, 2009 at 3:06am

Hi Eddie,

There is a terrific sense of satisfaction in roasting and the coffee
You produce will be your own, through and through. There are
Some challenges that will require patience and steadfast commitment
To overcome. One of the most daunting challenges I faced early on
Was creating consistency in the cup. Consider that coffee is an
Agricultural product and that numerous variables affect the crop.
Weather, soil conditions, harveting and processing, and many more.

Learning to cup well along with a well organized quality control commitment
Will serve you well long term. These are critical to finding
consistency in your production. Invest some time and a little money in developing
your QC skills and find a reputable green coffee source that will help you in
sourcing. Sample roast and cup a lot and you will assimiilate the skills you need
To roast well. Don't be intimidated by the challenges, but embrace them as overcoming
them will serve as your cornerstone to success. Also,
you can feel confident that there are many of us out here
That will gladly help. Find a good mentor and a couple of
collegues/friends to go to with your questions and be
willing to be a novice for a while. As your experience
develos, so too your confidence and with that your overall
genuine sense of satisfaction from proucing your own very own
coffees that will ultimately define the distinction of your roasts
and the individuality that you bring to the craft.

Is it worth it? Most definately! You will gain a deep
Sense of satisfaction that just isn't possible by simply buying
Someone elses coffee. Who knows, you might find that
You have some incredible talent here that simply needs a little
development.

I recommend that you go for it and go at it wholeheartedly
hammer and tong. If I can bel let me know and remember
that one of the most wonderful parts of the coffee business
Are the people. Myself and many others stand ready to help
You along your path to becoming a terrific roaster.

"Brew Unto Others"

Best,

Davido

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