Achieving consistent roast quality at home without professional equipment is unlikely. Nevertheless, it is a very exciting activity. In this article, we will show you the most budget-friendly ways to roast coffee at home.
Although there are many online recommendations and video tutorials on how to roast coffee beans in a regular frying pan, this method is not recommended. And yes, we’re pretty sure a lot of people would disagree with that. However, roasting coffee properly in a frying pan is nearly impossible due to the uneven heating. The bottom of the pan, where the beans touch the hot surface, gets too hot, while the top is cooled by the air. Even with constant stirring, an even roast is unlikely.
A ceramic coffee roaster, or houjiki, is one of the best alternatives to a regular skillet. This traditional tool, once used in Japan to roast tea leaves and sesame seeds, also works for roasting coffee on a gas stove or burner. The ceramic coffee roaster consists of a small pan and a long handle covered with leather to prevent burns. Beans are poured in from the top and removed through the hollow handle.
The Cascabel by Hive Roaster is a handheld hybrid drum roaster designed for ease of use while providing complete control over the roasting process. Crafted from high quality stainless steel and sustainable hardwood. Capable of roasting up to 170 grams (6 oz) of any green coffee bean, allowing you to achieve your desired roast profile from light to dark. Unlike a ceramic roaster, the Cascabel features a smoke burning function that minimizes unpleasant smoke odors, allowing you to roast indoors without worrying about excessive smoke.
All the coffee roasting methods mentioned in this article have a lot in common. Therefore, we have prepared universal tips to help you achieve the best results:
Remember that freshly roasted coffee has a lot of carbon dioxide, which prevents the coffee flavor from fully developing, so the bean needs to settle and degas. Peak flavor occurs five to seven days after roasting.