I've done it with a popcorn popper. A restaurant owner recently expressed an interest in purchasing some so I was thinking of upgrading my hardware.
Best answer:
Answer by Coffee Mom
This is tricky, since many states do not allow "home roasting" equipment as they put out chemicals. I own a coffee roasting business so I can tell you this with a high level of expertise.
You need to check with both your state and county laws before you buy anything. It would really suck for you to pay out a couple of grand and then get a ticket for air pollution! Also, you may have to pay sales tax on internet sales depending on what state you are in. You also need a business licence to sell anything.
If you get the go ahead, then get a small drum roaster, it really tastes so much better than air roasters (you may as well use a popcorn popper!) The drum roasters are around $ 1,000.00. We recommend the Euroroast. But there are a lot out there. Don't go with cheap ones, as they will fry after several batches. Home roasters will only roast about 8 oz at a time. It is pain, and very, very messy. The clean up for any roaster is about 30 minutes after each batch (due to the sticky chaff). If you don't clean it out, you will get a fire (which your homeowners insurance will not cover, and if you rent, you risk a law suite if you don't have written permission from the owner to use a home roaster).
Also keep in mind you will need to source green beans (you will need to buy a full bag weighing about 130 lbs at no less than $ 2.00 per pound).
If you still really want to roast, but the information I have provided you with seems like a headache (which it is), then I HIGHLY recommend that you find a local roaster (they are in almost every state) and have them toll roast for you for a small fee. You don't have to worry about the nasty roasting operation, and you can still roast the coffee to your specifications. However, you still have to have a small business licence.
I don't personally recommend that anyone go into the coffee business right now. The market is fully saturated on-line. You are better off finding a coffee you love (by requesting samples around $ 1.00 each) and purchasing it.
What do you think? Answer below!
