Just the right balance of time and heat creates this rich, smooth, bold but not burnt flavor of a delicious cup of coffee suitable for any time of the day.... from just getting started to that special afternoon relaxing treat!

A few years ago I had a curiosity about home roasting coffee. My wife had this popcorn popper and she ordered me a few samples of green coffee beans  so I could try it out… I was hooked!
My popper, being un-modified, took a while to get to that medium dark roast I enjoy so much…but once it did… mmmmm!

And so it begins…

That little rotary popcorn popper of my wife’s proved to be quite the roasting machine. Good thing she prefers making her popcorn on the stove these days and didn’t ask for this popper back. I’d set it up on my deck and fill the air with an amazing aroma as I got those beans to first crack, then push ‘em just a bit longer…

If you Google these machines for coffee roasting, you’ll find most are modified with some kind of different heating element. I didn’t really know how to do that or have the patience to wait so I just jumped in.

Now, as if the process of roasting wasn’t enough, after waiting a week or so I finally ground those little brown beans up and proceeded to brew said fresh home roasted coffee…. ☕️

No turning back….

As I continued my quest for knowledge of home roasting on my, er…my wife’s, popcorn popper, and as good as I thought it was turning out (and it was pretty tasty), it couldn’t get hot enough to get all the way to second crack and still had quite a bit of inconsistency and several lesser roasted beans throughout.

I started using the lid on the popper to keep the heat on the beans and this definitely seemed to help. It only melted a little around edges due to how long it would take, so all good there.

Interestingly, when I added more beans to the roast it also seemed to balance the rotation and was gradually getting better and better.

The “little popper that could” continued to satisfy my desire to roast coffee while simultaneously feeding the fire…

Well, as you’ve probably noticed by now, my wife is very supportive of my interests and pursuits thereof. So, a couple years ago, after many fun and successful roasts on that “little popper that could,” she got me a real deal drum roaster for Christmas!

The Behmor 2000 AB Plus! Now I was really rolling… pun intended as I watched those little green beans roll and tumble inside that drum through the glass window. Pale green….hint of tan….light brown….medium dark….dark brown… ahhh, It was like the joy and satisfaction of watching a cake rise through the oven window as I did as a kid while my mom baked in the kitchen.

Finally, the heat, the timing, the consistency, that 2nd crack, that flavor…All so delightful!

Even though this little guy - about the size of a countertop toaster oven, has a pretty decent smoke suppression, getting to second crack on this thing sets off the fire alarm every time due to the smoke.
But, man, what a good smelling smoke it is. Bonus that your house smells like an amazing coffee house for a short while, too!

The heat is on…

For the past couple years, my Behmor 2000AB Plus has proven worthy time and again. What a great machine! I’ve pushed it pretty hard to get those little beans to second crack and a full city plus roast, but it’s so worth it.

Just look at that rich color….and what a smooth rich flavor to match!

(Note the cameo by the one and only infamous Snoopy…just because…I love Snoopy/Peanuts)

But as time went on…the length of time from start to finish for only a max 1 pound per roasting session only added to my desire to try to crank out more delicious coffee.

Don’t get me wrong, if I only wanted a pound or so a week for my own household needs, this guy does the job!

But, why stop there….

About a year ago while visiting our son, daughter and grandson in California I had a new roasting experience that really set me on a new path in considering which direction I’d go in my own personal roasting journey.

My son and I roasted a small batch of beans on his new Fresh Roast SR540 fluid bed air roaster….

This was the first time either of us had used an air roaster and I must say it kind of blew my mind!

So fast…so clean….so good!

Now, this particular roaster is just a small, personal sized roaster just big enough to prepare a couple cups of really good fresh roasted coffee every few days.

That said… somethings in the air….

Well, after that maiden voyage roast on my son’s small air roaster in California, and while I continued to search for a larger, but realistic home roaster to satisfy my continued intrigue, I ran across a company and roaster that seemed like it just might be the next next step in this wonderfully aromatic journey of mine….

The Coffee Crafters Artisan 3-e fluid bed air roaster has proven to be just that. Capable of roasting up to 18 lbs per hour, was delivered within just a couple weeks and a super simple set up! I’ve had time to run a few roast through this machine and the consistency so far has been wonderful. As with all my other experiences so far, I’m still pushing for that smooth, rich, full bodied taste you get right at 2nd crack, which unfortunately even with this machine can generate quite a bit of smoke - even with the exhaust and blower properly installed. But man, is it worth it!

I’ll continue experimenting with ways to reduce this smoke. If I was content with only light roasts this roaster would be perfect and I’d rarely to never have an issue with it generating more smoke than the blower/exhaust can handle, but alas, as the great bluesman Muddy Waters sang… “I just can’t be satisfied!”

In the meantime, I’m very much enjoying this new roaster and the outcomes I’get from it. And, it seems a few others are as well.

If you love great music, awesome coffee and the experience of both… hold tight, keep watch…I know a place ya’ll….

I’ll take you there…🎶