# 🫘 ROASTING NOTES "Roasting is like a marriage. All you need is heat and agitation." “Roasting coffee is finding this moment of balance between sweet, acidic and bitter which requires precision and a lot of practical experience Roasting is part "practical food manufacturing" and “part philosophical or aesthetic” ## Remember * Roasting is not linear. It accelerates in the later stages. Anticipate, and begin to cool the beans just prior to reaching the desired profile. * Ambient Temperature impacts roast (<60 degrees bad) * A-02 deadman hit F1 ; A-08 chaff collector clogged Green Bean Suppliers * Sweet Maria's (good) * Happy Mug (cheap) * Coffee Bean Corral * Captains Coffee (informative videos) A 5-gallon bucket can hold approximately 30 to 35 pounds of green coffee. Lower-quality beans, darker roasts, instant coffee, and capsules often make up the majority of the grocery store coffee offerings. Trump tariff inflation - coffee costs would rise by $0.23 ## Bean Weight and Temperature Green coffee contains a lot of moisture which makes the beans heavy. Green coffee that's ready for roasting typically begins with about a 10% - 12% moisture content 225 grams start; expect 195 grams city roasted Weight Loss 1st Crack 412F 10.3% City- 418F 11.5% City 425F 12.7% (Light) City+ 432F 13.3% (Light Medium) Full City 438F 14.5% (Full Medium) Full City+ 442F 15.1% (Medium Dark) Vienna/French 448F 15.6% (Dark) Burnt 455F+ 16.6% Expected Weight Loss (225 grams) * 225 grams - (11.5% of 225) = 199.1 City- * 225 grams - (12.7% of 225) = 196.5 grams City Light * 225 grams - (13.3% of 225) = 195.0 grams City+ Light / Medium * 225 grams - (14.5% of 225) = 192.3 grams Full City Medium * 225 grams - (15.1% of 225) = 191 grams medium dark First Crack starts at 405F Second Crack starts at 440 to 445F City 400F (Light) City + 405-410F (Light Medium) Full City 410-430F (Full Medium) Full City+ 425-435F (Medium Dark) Vienna 430-440F (Dark) French 440-455F ## Roasting Levels | Roast Name | Roast Profile | Roast Temperature | Description | | ------------------------ | ------------- | ----------------- | ------------------------------------ | | Cinnamon Roast | Light | 350°F | Light, brown, cinnamon color | | Blonde Roast | Light | 350°F – 375° | Natural sweetness, light body | | Light City / New England | Light | 375°F – 400°F | Flavorful, low bitterness | | Half City Roast | Light | 401°F | Tangy, fruity, high caffeine | | American Roast | Medium | 410°F | Balanced, clear notes | | City Roast | Medium | 415°F | Moderate body, citrusy, smooth | | Full City Roast | Medium | 425°F | Toasted nuts, dark fruits | | Continental Roast | Dark | 440°F | Smoky caramel, not too heavy | | High Roast | Dark | 445°F | Intense smoky, nearly burnt | | Viennese Roast | Dark | 445°F – 450°F | Chocolatey, bittersweet | | French/Espresso Roast | Dark | 465°F – 470°F | Rich body, thick crema, for espresso | | Italian Roast | Dark | 470°F – 475° | Pungent, low sweetness, bitter | | New Orleans Roast | Dark | N/A | Blend of French & Continental | | European Roast | Dark | ~465° | Full-bodied, smooth, low acidity | https://bigcupofcoffee.com/coffee-roast-levels-imaginary-names/ ## Yellowing- Three aromatic inflection points Yellowing - Three aromatic inflection points in this yellowing process worth noting: Grass, Hay and Bread **Grass** - At a bean temperature of somewhere around 200°F - 250°F the water in the coffee beans is converting to gas and the coffee is taking on a yellowing color and the aroma of freshly cut green grass. **Hay** - At around 300°-ish, activity is picking up as sugars and amino acids interact in what is known as a Maillard reaction (beer makers understand the magic of Maillard reactions). Sugars begin to caramelize and the flavor and color transformation taking place within the beans trigger the look and notable aroma of hay. **Bread** - As the Maillard reaction continues to transform the coffee color and composition, a rustic, brown color—like bread crust—will emerge. As the roasting gases spill into the air with some mild smoke, the aroma of freshly baking bread is unmistakable. This will typically take place around 330°F -350°F. Roast Development The time duration of this phase is usually referred to as Roast Development ("RD") or Development Time ("DT"). Much of a coffee's distinctiveness in terms of aromatics, sweetness, acidity and balance take place during this stage—and those traits are best teased out gradually. ## Aillio Bullet Roaster - Notes Bullet R1 Coffee Roaster V2•120 April 2024 Aillio Bullet venting system | a step-by-step guide with Steffen Lav https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_k110rnxgHE You should deep-clean your Aillio Bullet R1 at least once a year if you don’t roast too often (let’s say 15 batches a month) and monthly if you roast heavily (100+ batches a month). [Aillio Bullet Cleaning Guide](https://library.sweetmarias.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Aillio_Bullet_SM_Cleaning_Guide_Sweet_Marias.pdf) [Aillio Bullet Tip Sheet – Roast Panel Control Functions and Roast Time](https://library.sweetmarias.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Sweet-Marias-Aillio-Bullet-Tip-Sheet-v1.pdf) [Roast on Aillio Bullet - Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zh9uCEORk9Q) [Your First Roast, Step-by-Step](https://aillio.com/?p=30568) [Aillio Bullet General Guidelines](https://www.reddit.com/r/roasting/comments/w8dg3g/after_using_the_aillio_bullet_for_more_than_9/) 20amp circuit - baked beans vs roasting - if not right amperage you'll bake rather than roast [10lbs of seasoning beans](https://millcityroasters.com/products/green-coffee-001-blended-origin-seasoning-greens?_pos=1&_sid=d44274c6d&_ss=r) [Aillio Bullet Bean Deflector (black) $25](https://www.etsy.com/listing/1420252848/aillio-bullet-bean-deflector-black) Aillio Chaff Basket Filter for the Bullet Roaster ($17) 10.5 inch Hook Brush Urnex Tabz Isopropyl Alcohol 1 gal. $35 ## SR 800 Roaster Operating temp sr800 > 55 F° Wattage from outlet for sr800 - The SR800 is rated at 1750 watts peak. Varies between 1500 and 1650 watts on most roasts. Normal outlets top out at around 1800 watts. If you've got 120v power (US) then the 15A outlet is sufficient to produce power required by the SR800 (1750 watts). If you have to use an extension cord use a "14 gauge" and shortest possible. 125V, 1875watts, w/ 3 conductor wire like one rated for a microwave or window air conditioner. Do not roast "back to back", allow 30 minutes between roast cycle. SR 800 ROASTING NOTES 0. H = Heat. F= Fan. T=Time. C=Cooling Spin the dial quickly to see the internal temperature readout (F) The Captain's Coffee - Fresh Roast EXTENSION TUBE GUIDE | SR800 Home Coffee Roasting Tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlhkU0n_ZxI Fan 7 Power 2 SR 800 Extension Fan 9 Power 4 SR 800 w/o Extension Tips * Don't leave beans fly; steady movement * Decreasing the fan by one is like increasing the heat by 2-3 settings * Time is less important than color changes and listening for cracks * Roasting is not linear. It accelerates in the later stages. Anticipate, and begin to cool the beans just prior to reaching the desired profile. Reddit Advice For 12’ extension tube version (razzo), my super-simplified-general routine = Drying (H5 F7) for two minutes + Reaching first crack (H3 F3) for around four minutes + Reaching second crack (H1 F2) for another two to three minutes (if needed) For stock chamber, my super-simplified-general routine = Drying(H9 F9) for two minutes + Reaching first crack (H5 F5) for around five minutes + Reaching second crack (H2 F4) for another two to three minutes (if needed) My best results came from around 490F readout when first crack happens and around 450F when the roast finishes. https://youtu.be/MlhkU0n_ZxI?t=459 F 9 P 4 stock F 7 P 2 ext tube Drying Phase ~330F Maillard Phase 1:30 370 mid to low 370 3:45 380 minutes (3-4, or even more) to the roast following first crack while others will urge a percentage of 20%-25% of total roast time as the target Outlet with at least 15 amps (not 10 amps) Maximum of three back-to-back roasting with 2 minutes resting between each batches Time is less important than color changes and listening for cracks. First crack about 6 minutes into the roast; City+ roast at about 8 minutes; second crack (Full City/Full City+) at about 10-12 minutes. Roasting is not linear. It accelerates in the later stages. Roast curve Decrease FAN by 1 = increase POWER by 2 If your voltage drops below 115.5V, then you will see low heat output. Too slow of a roast allows the moisture to work its way out, meaning you’re baking instead of roasting. ## Green Beans Previously Ordered / Roasted Colombia Santa Barbara × 2 Colombia Huila Double Fermentation × 3 Dominican Republic Red Honey × 2 Papua New Guinea Kigabah Peaberry × 2 * Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Konga Natural × 2 Ethiopia Guji Shakiso Natural × 2 Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Dumerso Natural × 3 Ethiopia Sidamo Natural Shantawene × 3 Papua New Guinea Baroida Washed × 2 Honduras COMSA Honey × 2 Congo Kivu Kalehe Cooperative Sumatra Raja Batak Peaberry Costa Rica Dota El Conquistador ## Whirley Pop Roasting - Notes [Whirley Pop Tips](https://library.sweetmarias.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Whirley-Pop-Coffee-Roasting-Tip-Sheet.pdf) [Victorio StovePop Stainless Steel Popcorn Popper VKP1160](https://amishcountrypopcorn.com/stainless-steel-popper/) [Stovetop Coffee Roasting Tip Sheet](https://www.sweetmarias.com/media/sebwite/productdownloads//s/t/stovetop_roasting_tip_sheet.pdf) [Whirley Pop Coffee Roasting Tip](https://library.sweetmarias.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Whirley-Pop-Coffee-Roasting-Tip-Sheet.pdf) [Adding a Thermometer to a Coffee Roaster or Air Popper - Sweet Maria's Coffee Library](https://library.sweetmarias.com/adding-a-thermometer-to-a-coffee-roaster-or-air-popper/) How to Roast Coffee with a Whirley-Pop * [How to Roast Coffee with a Whirley-Pop – The Captain's Coffee](https://thecaptainscoffee.com/pages/how-to-roast-coffee-with-a-whirley-pop) * [Roast your own coffee (Whirley Pop method) - STEEL BRIDGE COFFEE](https://www.steelbridgecoffee.com/blog/roast-your-own-coffee-whirley-pop-method) * [Whirley Pop Coffee Roasting: Your Complete Guide \| Bean Poet](https://www.beanpoet.com/whirley-pop-coffee-roasting/) ## VOC / AIR Quality w/ Roasting Roasted coffee and many coffee flavorings emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione. Roasted coffee emits carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), and a wide range of VOCs. Emitted VOCs include alpha-diketones such as 2,3-butanedione (diacetyl), 2,3-pentanedione (acetyl propionyl), and 2,3-hexanedione. Exposures to VOCs during roasting, packaging, grinding, and flavoring coffee can negatively impact the respiratory health of workers. Inhalational exposures to diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione can cause obliterative bronchiolitis. https://perfectdailygrind.com/2019/03/what-happens-during-coffee-roasting-the-physical-changes/ https://www.reddit.com/r/roasting/comments/w8dg3g/after_using_the_aillio_bullet_for_more_than_9/ ## Roasters * Fresh Roast SR800 Roaster ($289) * + Razzo v6 + chaff collector upgrade ($250) * Behmor 2000AB Plus ($479) * Hottop kn-8828b-2k+ ($1800) * Aillio Bullet R1 v2 ($3500) [Refurbished SR800 w/ ext tube $289](https://homeroastingsupplies.com/shop/ols/products/refurbished-sr800/v/RFR-SR8-SR8-W) ## Coffee Business - Notes The Specialty Coffee Association estimates that opening a roastery requires roughly US $120,000 in startup capital. [Why you shouldn't open a passion project roastery](https://perfectdailygrind.com/2025/08/why-you-shouldnt-open-passion-project-roastery-in-2025/) An estimated 62% of specialty coffee shops close within the first five years of business For instance, a cup of filter coffee generates around a 10% profit margin, so a US $3.50 cup means the owner pockets about US 35 cents. Two-thirds of all businesses failed. Nearly half of all new business ventures fail in the first five years. The failure rate over the long-term is even worse than that. Most coffee shops don’t sell more than 10kg of coffee in a day, but even if they do get close, a 1kg to 3kg roaster will be able to deliver that in a matter of hours. “It takes 15 minutes to roast a batch on a 1kg roaster, which will sell for maybe US $30. In order to make a salary as a business owner with that, you’d have to stand behind the machine for the entire day,” he explains. “This leaves you no time to sell! Roasting does not equal making money. Selling equals making money.” “Ultimately, upscaling your operation is simple, as long as you have a buyer for the coffee. Being able to roast 5,000kg of coffee does not mean that you can sell 5,000kg. Start by selling 1kg, then 100kg, and then 500kg, and so on,” Roasters by Size * Sample Roaster (50g to 500g) * Small Batch Roaster (1kg to 3kg) * Small Commercial Roaster (5kg to 15kg) * Medium Commercial Roaster (15kg to 30kg) * Large Commercial Roaster (30kg to 70kg) * Extra Large Commercial Roaster (70kg and up) Moving past the 15kg to 30kg bracket will only be necessary when you have a huge customer base. Roasters of this size are likely to be operating on a large commercial scale. Beyond 70kg, extra large commercial roasters are generally used for mass roasted coffee rather than high-scoring specialty coffee Mechanical faults do happen – things break.” At this point, with an established customer base, being left without a roaster could be catastrophic. A 6kg roaster can roast up to two tonnes of coffee a month. [A metric ton is equal to 1,000 kilograms (abbreviated kg). Thus, a metric ton is slightly larger than a U.S. ton—it converts to 2,204.6 pounds.] Machines with a batch size of around 15kg are most suited to existing roasting businesses that already have a solid base of customers. Many successful specialty coffee roasters will find that this is the biggest machine they will ever need. Open a roaster and retailer operation was $120,000 Commercial roasters cost anywhere from $20k - $150k + ventilation, afterburner to comply with local regulations, purchasing packaging equipment, paying fro warehouse space How to start a career as a coffee roaster https://perfectdailygrind.com/2024/06/how-to-start-a-career-in-coffee-roasting/ Recoup my investment https://firstcrack.com/recoup-my-investment/ Opening a coffee shop https://perfectdailygrind.com/2024/07/opening-coffee-shop-roastery-not-always-straightforward/ Used coffee equipment https://coffeeequipmentpros.com/ Reddit Coffee Roasting Business Advice https://www.reddit.com/r/roasting/s/OXFQp6ZtIy Coffee Roastery business revenue calculator https://millcityroasters.com/pages/roaster-income-calculator You pay $5.35; costs $4.44 $0.80 overhead $1.71 labor $0.33 packaging $0.65 milk $0.95 coffee [Why does your latte cost so much?](https://www.washingtonian.com/2024/12/10/why-does-your-latte-cost-so-much/ ) Mill City Roasters Diedrich Roaster firstcrack.com [Cottage Food Laws](https://cottagefoodlaws.com/) Coffee Waste Mushroom Farm [How to Choose a Roasting Machine — Scott Rao](https://www.scottrao.com/blog/2020/4/8/how-to-choose-a-roasting-machine) [Best roaster for small business? : r/roasting](https://www.reddit.com/r/roasting/comments/n9kt48/best_roaster_for_small_business/) [California Roasting Permits? : r/roasting](https://www.reddit.com/r/roasting/comments/li4swt/california_roasting_permits/) [Cottage Foods Coffee Business : r/roasting](https://www.reddit.com/r/roasting/comments/apwk4q/cottage_foods_coffee_business/) [Cottage law (how to sell home roasts) : r/roasting](https://www.reddit.com/r/roasting/comments/l4vm21/cottage_law_how_to_sell_home_roasts/) [California Cottage Food Laws - Cottage Food Laws By State](https://cottagefoodlaws.com/california-cottage-food-laws/) ## Problem solving [Why does my roast color look so uneven? Home coffee roasting issues](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfBPhKZbp2Q)