In-house roasting and micro-roasteries have become increasingly attractive to coffee businesses in recent years. One factor is that roasting in-house has the potential to save money in the long run. There is also an opportunity to meet customer demand, as more people are willing to pay extra for coffee that’s fresh and high quality.
If you’re thinking about starting to roast on your own, a practical way to begin is by choosing a small coffee roasting machine. But even among small roasters, different machines offer different features and capabilities, and not all of them might suit the needs or results you’re aiming for. In this blog, we’ll share what to consider before buying a small coffee roasting machine for in-house roasting.
Generally, a small coffee roasting machine handles batches of around 1 to 3 kilograms per roast. These machines offer greater control over coffee quality and flavor without the cost or space requirements of industrial-scale equipment.
They’re commonly used by cafes that want to roast their own beans in-house, as well as small businesses entering the coffee roasting industry. If you’re wondering about the difference from larger commercial machines, small coffee roasting machines usually come with lower power requirements and simpler controls that are beginner-friendly.
But small doesn’t mean limited when it comes to quality. Many small roasters nowadays are packed with modern features and professional-level control, sometimes rivaling what larger machines can do.
Before investing in a small coffee roasting machine, here are five things you need to consider:
Hot air roasters or fluid bed roasters rely mainly on convection, using heated air to transfer energy to the beans. This tends to produce a cleaner, brighter cup, and roasting times are usually faster since the strong airflow heats the beans quickly and evenly. Still, the final result depends on the coffee itself and how well you managed the roasting variables.
Drum roasters use a different method. Heat is transferred through direct contact with the metal drum, combined with some convection from hot air moving inside. This combination tends to bring out fuller body and more sweetness. The tradeoff compared to a hot air roaster is that traditional drum roasters can take a little longer to roast, and mastering it may require some practice for beginners.
Neither method is inherently better than the other. Both can produce high-quality coffee when handled well. It really depends on the flavor profile you prefer, how much control you want over the process, and what fits your production needs.
Planning is the key to success, and that applies to choosing a roasting machine too. Start by having a clearer picture of how much coffee you actually roast or plan to roast regularly. Many buyers run into problems because they don’t plan their production needs carefully enough.
A common mistake is choosing a machine that’s too small, leaving them struggling to meet production demands, while going too large means spending more than necessary and ending up with inefficient, underfilled batches.
So before you decide, start with these few questions:
A good machine is defined by its quality and how helpful the features are in supporting your roasting process. Look for a machine made with food-grade materials and solid construction that can hold up to daily use over the long run. Speaking of features, automation is worth prioritizing. It helps reduce the guesswork and preserve consistency, especially for roasteries where more than one person handles roasting duties.
Safety features shouldn’t be overlooked either. Roasting involves high heat and moving parts, so it’s important to choose a machine that comes with safety features like emergency shut-off or safety controls for burners and ignition to keep operators safe during long roasting sessions.
The next factor to consider is having a space that’s ready for roasting. First, check the location where you plan to roast your coffee. Problems can arise during the roasting process, as it produces smoke and odors that may bother customers if your roastery is inside the cafe, or nearby neighbors if it’s located in a residential area.
The solution is to have proper ventilation or use equipment such as an afterburner, which can help control odors in the exhaust before it’s released into the air.
The layout of your roastery also needs to be planned carefully to create a more efficient workflow. For example, a machine that takes up too much space can interfere with your workflow. It might sound small, but these little disruptions can make the roasting process less efficient.
Track record says a lot about a brand, specifically, how long it’s been around and whether other roasteries or cafes are already relying on its machines day-to-day. A brand that’s been tested through real use is usually the safer bet. When something breaks down (and eventually, it will), you want a brand that offers after-sales support and clear warranty coverage.
Berto Roaster ticks all of these boxes with two coffee roasting machines built for anyone ready to produce their own coffee.
This compact drum roaster has a 1 kg capacity, equipped with the roasting features that professional coffee roasters need. Berto Essential includes automation with PlaybackAssist™, which connects with roasting software such as Cropster and Artisan. For accuracy, this machine is built with BertoLogic™, which guarantees exceptional roast quality every time. Although the features are advanced, the control system is simple to operate and responsive.
With a 3 kg capacity, Berto Essential Air is the right pick if you prefer hot air roasting. It shares the same powerful design, with PlaybackAssist™, BertoLogic™, and a minimalist control panel. But one thing that sets it apart is its title as the world’s smallest commercial hot-air coffee roaster with a smokeless system. You can produce a clean cup while reducing air pollution for more sustainable roasting.
Start your coffee roasting journey with a reliable machine from Berto Roaster. Connect with us today and our team will guide you in choosing the one that matches your goals.
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