Wait, what? You can roast your own coffee at home?
Have you ever wished you could enjoy the rich, aromatic flavor of freshly roasted coffee from the comfort of your own home? While buying pre-roasted coffee is convenient, DIY coffee roasting your own beans takes your coffee experience to the next level. It allows you to control the roast level, experiment with different bean varieties, and enjoy the freshest brew possible.
Think about it—when you buy pre-roasted coffee, you have no control over how long ago it was roasted, which can greatly impact the flavor. By roasting at home, you can brew your coffee at its peak freshness, bringing out its full complexity and aroma. Plus, it’s a fun and rewarding hobby that gives you a deeper appreciation for your daily cup of joe.
If you’re a coffee lover ready to take the plunge into home roasting, the Upgraded Coffee Roaster Machine is an excellent choice. Designed with beginners in mind, this machine makes it easy to achieve consistent, flavorful results without the guesswork. Whether you prefer a light, medium, or dark roast, this roaster puts the power in your hands.
In this guide, you’ll learn step-by-step how to do DIY coffee roasting at home using this machine, plus expert tips to help you get the best results. You’ll also discover how to store and grind your freshly roasted beans to maximize flavor. By the end, you’ll have everything you need to confidently roast coffee like a pro and elevate your morning ritual. Ready to transform your coffee game? Let’s dive in.
How did we get started DIY Coffee Roasting?
My curiosity always gets the best of me when it comes to anything DIY. I mean just like houses, they don’t build themselves and there aren’t machines smart enough to do that yet. So, naturally I thought someone has to not only be picking the coffee by hand but also roasting it…
That is when I started digging to find out anything and everything about the roasting of coffee beans. Little did I know how much I was about to learn. Coffee beans actually come from the cherry fruit. 🤯 I know, crazy right? Why didn’t I know they are a cherries pit/seed?
Yes, you heard me right…coffee beans come from cherries!
But, ever wondered why they are only grown in certain countries? Welp, these specific varieties of cherry trees can’t grow below 2,000 ft of elevation. They need a warmer wet climate to grow also. Which makes so much sense why they are only grown in certain countries that are right on the equator.
Still to this day all coffee is hand picked. They have not made a machine that can harvest coffee beans. Talk about an appreciation for drinking a cup of coffee every morning knowing it was all hand picked. Each tree will also only produce about a pound of coffee every season. Let that sink in and realize how many trees you would need to supply one of the world’s largest daily addictions, coffee!
I wouldn’t know 90% of this information if it weren’t for the owner and Local Roaster Bryan of Rock Hill Coffee in Downtown Rock Hill, SC. Bryan, who is part owner of this shop, took over an hour out of his morning one day to sit down with me and spill every bit of knowledge I just shared with you and so much more.
Not only did we make an amazing connection we will continue to cherish and grow the relationship for many years to come. We also found out we can buy green coffee beans directly from them when we need it. This made me even more excited knowing we would be able to support a local coffee shop as we grow in our DIY Coffee Roasting hobby!
So, if you are stumped on where to get beans there are online sources. But, a good option to start is always checking in with your local coffee shops and see if this is something they would be interested in selling to you and support a local business!
Why Roast Coffee at Home Instead of Buying It?
Now that you know the background of how this started for us, let’s talk about WHY you might want to do this for yourself!
If fresh is best when it comes to coffee, why are we relying on store-bought beans that were roasted weeks (sometimes months) ago? That’s the first big myth we’re going to bust: that you need to leave roasting to the professionals.
When you roast your own coffee, you’re not only ensuring freshness—you’re also tailoring the flavor to your exact preferences. Light, medium, or dark roast? You’re in control. Want fruity Ethiopian notes or deep, nutty Colombian flavors? You choose the beans.
Another reason to roast at home is cost. Green (unroasted) coffee beans are cheaper than pre-roasted beans, and they stay fresh much longer. That means you can stock up and roast small batches as needed—keeping your brew fresh and flavorful.
Here are just a few of the benefits:
- Better taste: Fresh-roasted beans yield a smoother, more vibrant cup.
- Customization: Control the roast level for your ideal flavor.
- Cost-effective: Save money over time by buying green beans in bulk.
- Fun + rewarding: It’s a therapeutic and satisfying process!
If you love a good DIY kitchen project, home coffee roasting checks all the boxes.
Choosing the Right Coffee Beans and Roast Level
When roasting your own coffee beans at home, starting with quality green coffee beans is essential. Unlike pre-roasted beans, green coffee beans are unroasted and have a longer shelf life, allowing you to roast small batches as needed for maximum freshness.
✅ How to Choose Coffee Beans
- Bean Origin: Different regions produce unique flavor profiles. For example, Ethiopian beans offer fruity, floral notes, while Colombian beans have a smooth, nutty flavor.
- Bean Variety: Arabica beans are known for their sweet, complex flavor, while Robusta beans have a stronger, more bitter taste.
- Freshness: Purchase green beans from reputable suppliers and look for harvest dates to ensure freshness.
🔥 Understanding Roast Levels
Home roasting gives you full control over the roast profiles/levels, which significantly impacts the flavor profile:
- Light Roasts: Mild, bright flavors with higher acidity.
- Medium Roast: Balanced flavor with more body and less acidity.
- Dark Roast: Rich, bold flavors with a smoky, chocolatey finish.
Before you begin roasting, decide which roast level you want to achieve, as this will determine the roasting time and temperature.
Step-by-Step: How to Roast Coffee Using the Upgraded Coffee Roaster Machine
Now, let’s walk through the process of roasting coffee with the Upgraded Coffee Roaster Machine.
🛠️ What You’ll Need:
- Home Roaster for Coffee Beans
- Green coffee whole beans
- Bowl or colander or Air Frying Sheet for cooling
- Oven mitts or gloves (the roaster gets hot!)
- Timer
- Storage for Roasted Coffee Beans
- Burr Grinder
- Scale
☕ Step 1: Preheat the Roaster
Before adding the beans, preheat the roaster to 360°F (180°C). Preheating helps ensure even roast and prevents uneven development.
- Plug in the roaster and set the temperature dial.
- Allow it to heat for 5-10 minutes until it reaches the desired temperature
🌿 Step 2: Add the Coffee Beans
Once preheated, add your green coffee beans to the roaster’s chamber. For best results:
- Use 400g of beans per batch max (this is the amount we found to work for our machine).
- Spread the beans evenly to ensure uniform roasting.
🔥 Step 3: Roasting Process
Start your machine and let the roasting process begin.
- Drying Phase (0–12 min): Green Color
Set to 200°C and let your roaster pre-heat for 5 minutes. Add your dry green coffee beans to the roaster and set a timer for 12 minutes. Make sure the oscillator is on and spinning. Beans will lose moisture and turn yellowish by the end of the 12 minutes.. - Maillard Reaction (12–22 min): Yellow Color
Set to 220°C for 10 minutes. Beans darken, aromas develop. - First Crack (usually around 22–30 min): Tan Color
Increase to 230°C for 8 minutes. The popping sound you’ll hear as beans expand is cracking and it’s expected. For medium roast, you’ll want to go just past the first crack — about 1–2 minutes more after it starts. - End Roast (~30 –40 min total): Darker Brown Color
Increase to 240°C for the last 10 minutes. As soon as you reach your desired roast level (light-medium brown, not oily), turn off heat and start cooling immediately to stop roasting.
💨 Step 4: Cooling the Beans
Once you’ve reached your desired roast level:
- Turn off the roaster and carefully remove the beans.
- Transfer them to a bowl, colander or Air Fry Sheet and stir gently to continue to cool them quickly.
- This step is essential to prevent over-roasting from residual heat.
🫘 Step 5: Let the Beans Rest
Freshly roasted beans need time to degas.
- Let them rest for a minimum of 3 days to release carbon dioxide and enhance the flavor. They will reach peak flavor at one week after roasting.
- Store in an airtight container away from direct sunlight.
Tips for Perfect Home Coffee Roasting
To achieve consistent, flavorful results, keep these tips in mind:
✅ 1. Use High-Quality Beans
The quality of your green beans directly affects the flavor. Choose fresh, specialty-grade beans from reputable local suppliers first. If you can’t find local suppliers Sweet Maria is a good source online spot to find raw beans. Our friends recommended them to us and have used their fresh beans for many years in their own roasting endeavors. Sweet Maria has a great wide range of raw green coffees you can’t go wrong picking from!
🔥 2. Experiment with Roast Times
Different beans and batch sizes may require slight adjustments.
- Keep a roasting log to track times, temperatures, and results.
- This will help you fine-tune the process and achieve your perfect roast.
☕ 3. Grind and Brew Fresh
For the freshest flavor, grind your roasted beans just before brewing.
- Use a burr grinder for even consistency.
- Experiment with different grind sizes based on your brew method (coarse for French press, fine for espresso).
Why We Fell in Love with Roasting Coffee at Home
Our home coffee roasting journey didn’t start with fancy equipment or years of experience—it started with curiosity and just trying it for the first time. One simple question led to another, and before we knew it, we were learning about cherry trees growing on mountains, hand-picked harvests, and how every bean tells a story long before it hits your cup. That’s the magic of DIY—dig a little deeper, and you’ll discover a whole world waiting just below the surface.
Thanks to a chance conversation with the folks at Rock Hill Coffee, we not only gained a wealth of coffee knowledge, but also a lasting friendship and a trusted local source for green beans. That connection made our coffee journey even more special—knowing we’re supporting a small business while exploring a new hobby.
Having our own Home Coffee Roaster has completely changed how we enjoy our morning cup. It’s no longer just a caffeine fix—it’s a hands-on experience filled with a little patience, intention and appreciation. Every batch teaches us something new. Every cup feels earned. And best of all? We get to make it our own top-quality coffee beans.
Check with your local coffee shop/roasters
So if you’re even a little bit curious, take the leap. Start small. Ask questions. Talk to your local coffee shop. Try a new bean, different time to roast a little darker next time. Whether it becomes a weekly ritual or an occasional treat, home roasting is one of those hobbies that feels as good as it tastes.
And if you’re hungry for more DIY inspiration—from cozy crafts to creative kitchen projects—stick around and explore the blog. There’s always something new brewing.☕
If or when you do try to DIY Coffee Roasting: Easy Beginner’s Guide to Roast at Home. I’d love for you to follow us and tag us on Instagram so I can see your DIY roasting finished results! Happy DIYing!
COZY HOME, COZY RECIPES:
Every cozy home deserves amazing recipes, and it’s even better when those recipes are both delicious and healthy. Our goal is to provide tasty meals that are easy to make, regardless of your skill level.
Fast, easy meals leave more time for fun activities, making your home a hub of joy and good food.
CONNECT WITH US:
As always, we love hearing about your experiences with our “DIY Coffee Roasting: Easy Beginner’s Guide to Roast at Home”. Reach out to us through our social channels. Any questions you have, we’re here to answer.
Stay updated by joining our newsletter, offering a monthly dose of new recipes and a first look at upcoming projects.
MORE COZY KITCHEN RECIPES:
If you’re hungry for more, explore our collection of Cozy Kitchen Recipes. Another healthy favorite is the “Sausage Potato Veggie Bake.” Find these recipes and more here.
DIY RESOURCES:
For additional resources, check out our DIY Tutorials, offering a wealth of information to enhance your home improvement skills.
