10 Best Coffee Bean Roasters 2019

With a ceramic body and leather cowhide handle cover, this is a durable and safe to use small-scale bean roaster.

The interior is waffle-shaped, so the beans fall naturally into their positioning, and there is more of an even roast without you having to do much work shaking the roaster. There’s also a safety element included on the handle; with a cover made from genuine cowhide, it is both comfortable and safe to grip even when at its hottest without the risk of burning your hands.

Of course, we still recommend wearing gloves as it isn’t 100% cool, but it is a lot better than any of the other ceramic roasters we tested. We will say that the handle is quite short though, so wearing huge oven mitts is probably not going to be helpful. Get a smaller pair, and watch out for your hands over the heat source.

You must use at least 30g of coffee beans in the product when roasting to ensure there is no burning or over-smoking, but this means it will cope with making anywhere between two to five cups.

All you have to do is shake occasionally to make sure a more even roasting takes place. Although, we found that if you do this too often, it disturbs the roasting process too much, so it may take a bit of experimentation to get just right. When we did it every 20 seconds, it seemed to be enough.

The shape keeps the heat in well, and it heats up in just over a minute thanks to the material. Start the pre-heating on a higher temperature, and then reduce it slightly when you get going. It should only take ten minutes to roast them perfectly, but this all depends on your heat level and individual tastes.

If you want a machine that will cope in a small commercial setting or are simply a coffee bean roasting connoisseur and only the best will do, the ParaCity roaster is a good match.

The glass lid makes it easy to monitor the beans, so even if you fill it up to its 800g limit, you can keep a watch of the process. Whether you like the beans to be browned ever so slightly, or like to go fully all-out for a massive taste impact, it is easy to achieve.

It does take longer than with some other methods, but on a positive note, this allows the flavours to develop more. Despite the time increase, it is a lot quieter than a lot of the others we reviewed. It also seems to produce a lot less smoke, so we feel it could safely be used in a kitchen or cafè environment without any bother.

As you’d expect, if it is filled up with several layers of beans, the ones at the bottom will get browner quicker than the ones at the top despite the fact it rotates automatically. A quick shake of the machine will help and is easy to do as it doesn’t get too heavy.

You can set the temperature for further control. Set it low for a more prolonged roast and enhanced taste, or higher for a darker tinge. You can even increase it throughout the duration.

Now onto the price, which we think makes it a bit of a steal. There are models on the market for much more than this, but which aren’t automatic and don’t have anywhere near as large capacity. The non-stick coating, temperature selection and heavy-duty lid are just three aspects which make it even more worth the money. Similar machines can cost almost three times this price, too.

For an introductory product to roasting at home, or for something to take away on trips with you, this little ceramic model will ease you in gently.

Simply preheat the device for a few minutes over a gas hob or stove until it is smoking and pop 30-50g of green beans into the hole at the top. Check the browning process through the hole and listen for the cracks, before removing through the hole in the handle and leaving to cool.

The process takes around 10-15 minutes in all. The only thing you have to do is swing the pot about softly in a number 8 formation or orbit to ensure the beans are ground evenly and none burn.

The handle does get hot, so invest in some heat-proof gloves while it is in use and be careful when removing the beans. On a positive, it does show that the heat is transferred to the roaster well from the source. It is also easy to grip, designed to be sturdy enough to hold yet shaped comfortably for a natural feel.

We liked the simple, black design and colour of the device. The hole sizes also made it easier to get both the right amount of beans into the compartment without accidentally overfilling, and even get them out quick enough, so they don’t start overcooking by accident.

It is a perfect size to take on a camping trip or in a caravan over either a gas stove or an alcohol burner. This makes it easy to control the heat. There is nothing to stop you using it at home over a hob or separate heater, and it will roast the perfect amount of beans for around four cups of coffee.

It is priced generously for a product of its build; there are a few cheaper options available, but they just don’t match the quality.

Not only beautifully designed, but also easy to use and providing an even roasting, this Hario model is perfect for any home serious about their coffee roasting.

By roasting your beans with the hand-cranking method, you achieve an even taste with every seed equally treated. It is also easier to manage than one of the smaller ceramic over-hob models, thanks to the handle on the side of the drum.

The body of the drum is made from glass, so you can see the browning process and how everything is going as well as having to listen for the cracks. As it is glass, it does get dirty quickly due to the smoke and heat transfer, so you will need to give it a clean and wipe after every use once it has all cooled down.

It takes about 15 minutes to fully complete the roasting process, although you may want to add or take away a few minutes to cater more to your tastes.

The whole device seems pretty sturdy and hard-wearing, so even though the price is slightly eye-watering compared to that of the ceramic hob versions, the fact it is easier to control and monitor and is more of a permanent set-up for your home is seemingly considered.

It comes affixed to and complete with an alcohol burner to get you started straight away if you have all of the other extras. Even though we say it is the best for home, there would be nothing to stop you taking it away for a weekend in a caravan or to a holiday home as this is the only power it needs.

If you are after a classic drum coffee roaster which gives you plenty of control and personalisation, then this is an affordable option.

Made from stainless steel, it holds the heat well without over-burning the beans and will also not become discoloured or damaged with the heat exposure. It isn’t noisy when in operation, which will please anybody who likes to do several batches at one time. You can clearly hear any cracks over the sound of the motor which is good for anybody who relies on looks and sounds to ensure their coffee beans are prepared.

Any smoke will escape thanks to the mesh design, so make sure the room is well ventilated. The amount produced isn’t excessive, especially compared to some of the other models we reviewed, which is handy if you are indoors.

There is a large viewing window so you can check on the colour change throughout the roasting. As it requires a separate heat source (either hob, gas or burner), you do have to monitor this throughout the roasting, but on a positive note, it lets you roast the beans just how you like them.

It will roast beans, nuts and spices but no powder due to the design. The power switch is the only setting and button you need to operate, so as long as you control the heat, everything else is done for you.

The price is lower than some of the other power-operated drum roasters on the market, and we don’t see any differences between this and some of the ones double the price. It isn’t the prettiest, but it does the job very well.

A large capacity, easy to use countertop machine which gives great results and takes a lot of the manual operation out of the process.

This Behmor has an internal spinning barrel to house all your beans and ensure an even roast. Choose the weight, pre-set programme and override this slightly by altering the time if needed. It will even do the cooling for you at the press of a button, so you don’t have to struggle with removing every bean from the basket and manually spreading them on a tray.

It does have a few limitations – you need to watch it very carefully towards the end of the cycle before the second crack occurs. If the beans over-roast, because there isn’t really anywhere for the pressure to escape, they could catch fire. The warning is made clear enough, but it does make it unsuitable for continental-style dark roasts.

We liked the safety feature which ensures you do this, by requiring you to press the ‘start’ button at 30-second intervals once the beans are 70% roasted. If you don’t, the roasting stops altogether.

It is a new feature with the updated ‘Plus’ model, and although some people have stated that the beans are wasted if they fail to do this, it is good encouragement to keep an eye on the process; it isn’t a ‘set and forget’ appliance, after all. You have to rely heavily on your sight and sound senses.

Should you only be after a light toast anyway, it is perfect. Remember that ventilation is very important as, even though there is smoke suppression technology, it does smoke a little bit, and you also don’t want it overheating. It is best to open a window and turn on your fan or oven hood.

Allowing you to simply alter the time it spends roasting to cater to your tastes, this IMEX does a lot of work on your behalf.

It will automatically separate the husks which have been browned from those which need a bit more attention so that you will have an even batch. The heat circulates evenly, with no need for you to alter any temperature settings.

Because of the maximum efficiency, it promises to use a lot less electricity than many of the other electronic models on the market, which is great for anyone who will be regularly using it, such as in a small commercial environment.

The capacity is enough to roast the beans for about ten cups of coffee, and it only takes around 15 minutes in all. It says there is a minimum capacity limit of 130g, and we would follow this. We found that filling it under capacity caused a couple of problems; a few of the beans fell into the chaff basket rather than roasting, and it does get noisier.

Despite there being a capacity range of 130g-170g, we found that the halfway point was the optimum amount, and took about 12 minutes altogether. We found no problems doing one batch after another continuously either, so we don’t see why it can’t constantly be roasting (as long as you ensure it has a few minutes to cool in between batches).

Once it has started cooling the beans, a small amount of roasting still does take place. The noise of the fan does drown out the sound of the second crack if you like to listen to the beans to know when they are done. There is also quite a bit of smoke produced as a byproduct, so make sure the area and room are well ventilated.

Lightweight and portable, this small device is great for anyone who wants a fully portable, interim roaster.

It is styled like a little basket, where the beans are housed in a stainless steel woven bowl. The mesh design ensures an even roast, with every bean being exposed to heat at a certain level and the assurance that none will fall through the basket.

As the handle is made from rosewood, it won’t suffer from much heat transfer compared to ceramic or fully metallic models. The heat source still makes it warm, but generally speaking, it is cooler than a lot of other handles.

As it is a metallic mesh body, it is lightweight compared to pottery versions so even more perfect for carrying with you on holiday or a camping trip. This also makes it easy to clean; all you have to do is give it a rinse when it has cooled. We think it is unlikely anything will get stuck or mark the body.

It is multipurpose, so you can also roast a variety of nuts and seeds in it, not just coffee. As it is a metallic mesh material, we think there would be little product taste transfer. We loved the addition of the full lid as well, to make shaking the beans a lot easier.

If you are a coffee aficionado who wants only the best for their beans, you may find a ceramic model gives you better control over the experience. As the beans are quite exposed in this device, they can tinge a bit more than you wanted, so it takes a lot more practice than usual. But for a roaster which can handle a good amount of beans every so often, it is a perfect little addition to your kitchenware.

Designed as a large household roasting machine but perfectly suitable for use in a small commercial application, the Gene Cafe is an innovative product.

It does all of the work for you, from roasting the beans to your chosen degree to cooling them in a dedicated chamber, using air. The beans are automatically ejected after the roasting process to cool, so they won’t suffer from further cooking which is great if you are very specific about the tastes.

This basket is then lifted out of its holder for easy bean removal. You’re then good to go again, meaning a 300g batch of green coffee beans can be made in about half an hour. Perfect for a busy setting such as a coffee shop or bakery.

The material will all able to withstand the temperatures for years to come, with Pyrex, reinforced glass and aluminium as well as reinforced plastics, and it feels well-built too. Cleaning it is also easy thanks to these materials and the removable glass jug, and the internal workings only need a brush out after every use.

An LED display lets you know the chosen temperature and time. With a range of 100° to 260°C, whether you want a slow-roasted aroma or a quick roast, it is achievable with the turn of a dial.

You can purchase a chaff collector separately, which acts as a duct to take away the smoke and smells so you can continue to roast inside without disturbing the surroundings.

The price is a bit off-putting, especially as you need to buy a few extras if you’re going to do everything properly. It also doesn’t have an overly large capacity, maybe enough for 20 cups. But for a machine which will do all the work for you and requires no monitoring in a busy environment, it is a good entry-level option.

A drum rotator which will automatically do the rotating for you thanks to an inbuilt motor.

It requires a heat source, whether it be an electric stove, charcoal or gas/alcohol burner. The circular base and stand have a generous circumference, so it should sit safely over most standard home cooking appliances. Or, if you prefer, you can purchase a separate gas or alcohol burner.

Even though it does the turning of the basket for you thanks to the electronic motor, you will still need to control the heat source and level to a certain degree. The motor will turn at 25 rpm consistently to give a uniform roast, so if you like a continental dark roast, being able to increase the heat slightly may help.

The mesh lets the appropriate amount of heat through without over-exposing the beans. Made from stainless steel, the heat conducts really well and doesn’t escape which results in a quicker, more even roasting and more efficiency.

When it arrives, there is a bit of building to do. You have to install the motor, and then the drum. Make sure the screws are all tight, and everything is perfectly aligned so it can work to the best of its ability; instructions are pretty clear, and everything is self-explanatory, so you can’t really go wrong.

It seems a bit excessively priced for what it is. There are a few manually-controlled models on the market which would save you a bit of money, as the only electric part of this appliance is the turning motor. You still have to control the heat so you can’t leave it unsupervised, and controlling the drum rotation isn’t a massive hassle.

But it is a very well-built machine, which will no doubt last for years to come if you look after it well. The large capacity will also appeal to a lot of people out there.