Drum coffee roasters and fluid bed coffee roasters are the two main types of commercial coffee roasters used by professionals. Drum coffee roasters are more widely used and utilize conduction and convection heating to roast beans. Fluid bed coffee roasters only utilize convection heating and are gaining popularity for their smooth, even roasting.
The most popular and economical type of roaster is a commercial drum coffee roaster. This roaster machine features a solid drum that rotates over a gas flame to heat the coffee beans. The beans receive both conductive heat transfer by making direct contact with the surface of the drum and convection heat transfer from the ambient air inside the drum. Drum roasters have paddles inside the drum to mix the beans as the drum rotates and ensure they receive the right blend of conductive and convective heat.
Drum coffee roasters come in two types: single-wall drums and double-wall drums. A single-wall drum roaster is the classic type of drum roaster, whereas the outer wall of a double-wall drum roaster uses air to heat the inner wall and provide a more stable roasting experience. Generally, a drum roaster is easy to control and manipulate. However, if too much heat transfers to the beans via direct contact with the drum or the speed of the rotating drum is set too high, the coffee beans can end up scorched and their flavor distorted.
A fluid bed coffee roaster relies solely on convection heat transfer to roast coffee beans. It consists of a tall cylinder where hot air rises through a chamber into the roaster and causes the coffee beans to float in a fluidized bed of hot air to roast them. A fluid bed coffee roaster is typically electric, which can be great for companies trying to reduce their carbon footprint.
Compared to drum roasters, fluid bed roasters are known for roasting coffee beans more evenly and in a quicker amount of time as the air has complete and constant contact with them. These roasters eliminate the risk of scorching associated with conductive heat since the beans do not come in direct contact with the roaster. They are usually compact machines, making them ideal for small-batch roasting.
The coffee roasting process involves heating the coffee beans to induce the Maillard reaction and bring out a coffee bean's unique flavor profile. Roasting transforms the coffee bean from its green, grassy, and bitter raw state into the brown, fragrant, and complex bean people love. Along with the type of roaster used, the heating method used will also impact the development of the coffee's characteristics. Fluid bed roasters solely rely on convective heat to roast the coffee beans, and drum roasters use a mix of conductive and convective heat.
Conductive heat occurs when heat transfers between two objects in contact with each other. When roasting coffee, this refers to when the beans come into contact with the hot metal surface of a drum roaster. Conductive heat transfer is a more traditional style of roasting that roasts the beans from the outside in, similar to cooking meat in a frying pan.
Convective heat is the transfer of heat through a liquid or gas. When roasting coffee, this refers to when heat is applied indirectly to the beans via hot air. Coffee roasters use a fan or pump to pull air into the roaster and heat the beans. Convective heat transfer is a more modern and upcoming style of roasting that roasts the inside out, similar to baking.
Electricity and gas are two different heating methods that can power coffee roasters. The main difference between electric coffee roasters and gas coffee roasters is their responsiveness to heat changes. Gas roasters can change temperatures quickly, whereas electric roasters respond more slowly. Both can produce high-quality coffee beans, so the type of fuel you choose will mostly rely on preference and location.
Before purchasing a commercial coffee roaster, the main factors you will need to determine are how much coffee you will produce in a day, your budget, and how much control you would like to have over the roasting process.
It is no wonder that in-house roasting is trending in coffee shops as operators look for ways to improve their products and customer loyalty. It will allow you to serve the freshest coffee possible for a superior taste but also increase engagement with your local community. Roasting in-house can also enhance your coffee shop's interior and create a more interactive experience for your customers. Let's break down some of the benefits of roasting coffee in-house below:
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