Mini Oven Roasting
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[edit] one home roaster's perspective
Firstly - there are other resources available on the net, if you want to roast in your home (kitchen) oven. Gas or electric, there are guides to both. Most people have access to one of these, and it may suit you to roast like this. But...
This article doesn't aim to cover that method. Its scope is an overview of a smaller-scale, portable method which makes use of a mini electric oven and a little skill. It's suitable if you:
- Want to try out home roasting, without a big investment
- Need your kit to take up little space when you're not using it
- Can't or don't want to roast in your kitchen - most likely due to the smoke or smell
[edit] a bit of background
Roasting coffee by any method will produce smoke . But my major issue when home roasting is the smell ; nice during the roast (if you like it), but overpowering afterwards - and therefore a bit antisocial to do in your home.
I started out roasting in a heavy-bottomed saucepan, in the kitchen, stirring with a wooden spoon. This method is really smoky, i think because it's a bit uneven - so some beans are burning while you're waiting for others to roast. Even with kitchen window open and extractor fan on, our flat smelt of burning lentils for a couple of days after each roast.
Quite rapidly my flatmates told me they weren't happy with this; i would have to find another method. I'm glad they did - my solution is easier , more even , and less smoky - and the roasts are better too.
[edit] the criteria
So I had to have a portable method, one I could use in the shared utility room with the windows open then tidy away easily. It also had to be practical, fun, and affordable!
That is:
- portable
- affordable
- and capable of even roasts under supervision*
- ie the method must reward the attention you give it, without demanding total attention! It mustn't ruin good coffee!
[edit] the solution
I spent £20 on a mini oven from argos, and found a roasting tray to fit in a charity store. The oven has two heating elements, one top, one bottom, and a glass flip-down door at the front.
You could call it a glorified toaster, or your very own radiant-heat roaster - whatever you like.
[edit] method
(what I do is this)
Assemble my mobile roasting kit:
- mini oven
- roasting tray
- 2x metal colanders
- metal fish slice
- tea towel
- beans
preheat oven to ~230C, with roasting tray inside
take tray out and spread beans on it
put in oven, then read something interesting
every 3 min or so, flip oven door open, stir beans quickly, without taking tray out (fish slice does this v well)
stir so as to swap beans around, middle and sides
I get quite consistent roasts - - grassy smell at 5-6 minutes - first crack at 9-11 minutes (I think! I'm new to this!) - second crack at ~16 minutes (if I'm roasting decaf / want second crack)
Then tip out into colanders and cool (pour one to the other in the breeze). Tidy away kit, rest coffee, then enjoy.
[edit] Useful links
Oven Roasting Step by Step - MATS LEIDÖ (zix)
Sweet Maria's oven roasting method - [http: www.sweetmarias.com/ovenmethod.html]