More and more, coffee-lovers are opting to roast their own coffee beans.
Doing so allows you more control over the results, and you can save money over pre-roasted options.
There are also so many methods of roasting to choose from!
You can use the oven, a frying pan or a popcorn popper.
Or you can take it up a notch with a drum or air roaster.
Between the latter options, drum roasters are by far the most popular.
They are also what more commercial coffee companies use.
Typically, they can roast larger amounts and get the job done well.
Continue on, and we’ll help you with finding the perfect drum roaster for your home!
Roasting Your Own Coffee Beans
While it may seem complicated, roasting your own coffee beans doesn’t take too much effort.
This is especially true if you use a drum or air roaster.
You’ll also be able to purchase and roast green coffee beans.
That can not only save money, but also ensure you get a fresher cup.
Often, people find that having coffee beans that are fresh can improve the flavor greatly.
It’s hard to get fresher than beans you’ve roasted yourself!
There’s really no reason not to try roasting your own coffee beans!
Drum Roasting Vs Other Methods
When it comes to comparing drum roasting to methods without a roaster, there can be some pretty huge differences.
One of the biggest aspects is that roasters tend to be better and keeping smoke out of the process.
Between drum and air roasters, there are also some different features worth keeping in mind.
The first of these is that drum roasters can often roast larger batches than air roasters.
That aspect is worth keeping in mind as you shop around.
Roasters in general can also provide more control over the temperature than others.
They also tend to do a better job with handling the chaff that comes loose.
Drum Roasting Pros
To begin with, drum roasters can typically roast more at a time.
This makes them a more suitable option when you need to roast a lot of beans.
Furthermore, it’s also why commercial options tend to prefer drum roasting to air roasting.
You’ll also be able to relax as the roasting takes places, because the drum does all the agitating for you.
That not only keeps the beans roasting evenly, but also helps to remove the chaff from the beans.
Because of that, you won’t have to worry as much about removing the chaff when the coffee beans are finished roasting.
Drum Roasting Cons
While drum roasters can be incredibly useful, they aren’t perfect.
Depending on the model, some can find that they may not be the most precise with regard to control over the process.
They also may not be the quickest option compared to air roasters.
Many find that air roasters can get the job done more quickly, though the batches may be smaller.
In addition, drum roasters typically tend to require more space than air roasters.
As a result, you’ll need to make sure that you have the space to provide for any model you choose.
This is worth keeping in mind if you live in a smaller space.
Top Drum Roasters
Aillio Bullet R1
The Aillio Bullet R1 is an option that stands apart from others, due to its unique look.
It’s a roaster that uses a steel drum, which is capable of holding up to 2.2lbs of beans.
That’s perfect for those who like to share their coffee, or who drink a lot of it!
You’ll also be able to adjust the fan speed as well as the heat to fine-tune your results.
It also provides feedback in real time so that you get a more precise experience.
Many users also find that maintenance and cleaning with this machine are easy!
Behmor 1600 Plus
What many notice about the Behmor 1600 Plus is that it looks pretty similar to a microwave.
However, instead of thawing food, this great device roasts up to 1lb of coffee beans at once.
This might not be as much as other options, but it’s still plenty for most coffee-lovers!
You’ll also get the choice between roasting profiles that are already set up or a manual option to experiment with your choices.
Furthermore, this is one of the more affordable options out there, making it well-suited to those on a budget.
It’s truly a great roaster!
Gene Cafe CBR-101
While it is a bit more expensive than the Behmor, the Gene Cafe is a great option for coffee lovers.
It’s a great choice for those who want a higher level of manual control.
Furthermore, you’ll easily be able to watch the process to make sure everything is going smoothly.
On top of that, it even provides a chaff collected to allow the process to be a bit more clean than with some other roasters.
It’s also fantastic for keeping most of the smoke to itself, so you won’t need to worry about a smoky kitchen.
This option also comes in red and black.
Hottop Basic Roaster
While this may be one of the more expensive options out there, it’s a great one as well!
The Hottop Basic is ideal for those who have built up their coffee roasting skills and want to step up their game.
It’s definitely not a machine that will be simple for beginners.
This machine is also able to roast up to half a pound at a time, which isn’t as much as some other options.
With this device, you’ll also get a 1-year warranty from the manufacturer and the ability to roast in under 20 minutes.
Hottop KN-8828B-2K+
When you want to take it even farther than the Hottop basic, the Hottop KN-8828B-2K+ is worth a look.
You’ll get a lot more control with this device than you’d find with other options, allowing you to create an absolutely perfect roast.
It even includes the ability to connect you your computer to help with the process.
Once you’ve discovered how to make the perfect roast, you’ll easily be able to replicate it over and over.
Keep in mind that with all these capabilities comes quite a big investment.
As a result, it may be an option that only the most serious (or commercial), coffee roasters may choose.
Should I Get A Drum Roaster?
Naturally, the roaster you choose is fully up to you.
However, you will want to keep your needs in mind while you shop and consider whether or not a drum roaster is your best option.
For example, if you have a smaller amount of space or just don’t need to roast a lot of coffee at a time, looking at air roaster options is also worthwhile.
In addition, if you’re on an extremely tight budget, it may be better to look for an option that uses inexpensive tools or ones you may already have.
However, for those who want to really dig into the roasting process, a drum roaster is a great option.
It’s also a good way to go if you need to roast large amounts.
Overall, the best option is going to be the one that gets the job done while fitting your needs and budget.
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