Did you know over 1.4 billion cups of coffee are consumed every day? This shows how much people love coffee. Roasting coffee at home lets you make a perfectly customized cup. This guide will teach you the basics of home roasting including how to pick the best coffee beans, understand the roasting stages, and how to roast coffee at home without specialized equipment like a popcorn popper or a home roasting machine.
Why I Love Roasting Coffee at Home
Living a homesteading lifestyle, we love learning how to produce for ourselves what we can at a fraction of the price of buying something. You’ll notice in our Pantry Chats that Carolyn and I always have a warm cup of tea or coffee in hand.
Carolyn loves growing herbs in her cottage garden to make medicinal teas, and these are some of her favorite recipes.
- Homemade Dandelion Root Tea Latte
- Herbal Cold and Flu Tea Recipe for Comfort & Relief
- Hop Tea + Medicinal Benefits of Hops
- Immune Boosting Tea (Throat Soothing!)
- Instant Herbal Iced Tea (Instant Cold Brew)
While tea is great, there are days when coffee fuels our homestead. We can’t grow coffee beans in our climate, but there are still homesteading skills we can incorporate into our coffee routine to increase self-sufficiency.
Green coffee beans have a longer shelf life than roasted coffee beans, so we can buy them in bulk. Buying in bulk saves money and increases food security by stocking our pantry with a year’s worth of food.
Homesteading Hack: If you are interested in preserving coffee for longer than a year, learn how to freeze-dry coffee here.
Methods of Coffee Roasting
You might be surprised to learn that there are several ways to roast coffee at home. The pan-roasting method is a great place to start, and as you develop your interest and skill, you may want to explore more options.
- Pan Roasting – Pan roasting is the original time-tested method. It uses equipment you likely already have on hand and, unlike the other methods, does not rely on electricity. For homesteaders, this is an important consideration, especially when you are preparing for a power outage, or considering living off-grid.
- Popcorn Popper – An air popcorn popper is great for beginners who don’t want to spend a lot of money. However, it is harder to keep a close eye on your beans than with the pan-roasting method. Homesteading Hack: Use a dedicated popcorn popper for coffee roasting. Popping popcorn after roasting coffee will yield terrible tasting popcorn.
- Home Coffee Roasting Machine – If you really want to develop your coffee roasting skills to the next level of customization, or if you want to produce large, consistent batches as a side business, you should consider purchasing a home coffee roaster. These units are very expensive and only recommended for serious coffee roasters.
Selecting the Best Coffee Beans
Choosing the right coffee beans for roasting at home is key. Knowing the types and where they come from is important, as this helps you get the flavor you want.
Types of Green Coffee Beans
There are many kinds of green coffee beans, each with its own taste. The place they grow, how they’re made, and their type affect the flavor. Arabica beans, for instance, are often picked for their rich taste and have less caffeine.
Where to Buy Unroasted Coffee Beans
It’s important to find top-quality unroasted coffee beans for roasting. We try to look for organic fair-trade coffee beans. Specialty coffee shops and online stores will have many types from around the world.
If you like to shop in person, try a local coffee roastery. Here are a few things to watch for.
- Check for the Harvest Date – Green coffee beans are at their peak freshness for 6-12 months, so knowing the harvest date will help you determine their quality.
- Inspect the Beans – High-quality green coffee beans should be uniform in color and size and free from defects.
- Consider the Scent – Fresh unroasted coffee beans should have a pleasant, natural aroma indicative of their origin.
Understanding the Stages of Coffee Roasting
Understanding the stages before roasting coffee is helpful. Knowing what stage your beans are in will give you greater control over the process.
- Drying Stage – Green coffee beans start with about 10-12% moisture, and the drying stage aims to slowly remove that moisture, making them ready for the next steps. This is vital for the taste we love in coffee.
- Browning Stage – After drying, the beans turn color in the browning stage. Browning happens through Maillard reactions and caramelization, creating the unique aroma and taste we enjoy.
- Development Stage – The last stage is the development phase. It’s where the roast gets its intensity and flavor. Beans are watched closely to get the right taste. Getting this right takes practicing, good timing and temperature control.
Coffee Roast Types
Coffee roasting is both an art and a science. This chart illustrates the three general roast levels that change the coffee’s final taste and caffeine levels.
| Roast Type | Typical Tasting Notes | Caffeine Content |
| Light Roast | Fruity, Floral | High |
| Medium Roast | Chocolate, Nuts, Caramel | Moderate |
| Dark Roast | Chocolate, Spice, Smoke | Low |
Common Coffee Roasting Mistakes
Home roasting can be fun, but all beginners run into problems. Remember that coffee roasting is a skill that is developed over time and takes practice to get it dialed in just right.
As you develop the art of coffee roasting, this handy chart can help you identify common mistakes and how to avoid them.
| Common Mistake | Cause | Solution |
| Uneven Roasting | Inconsistent Temperature | Maintain a Steady Temperature, Stir Frequently |
| Too Dark/Light Roast | Improper Monitoring | Watch Color and Aroma Closely |
| Not Allowing Coffee to Rest | Skipping Degassing Period | Let Sit for 24 Hours Post-Roast |
Supplies Needed
Coffee oils and smoke are very heavy, and removing the chaff is messy, so I don’t recommend roasting coffee indoors.
We use a propane stove for outdoor canning, but if you don’t have one, you can use a camp stove (we love the Camp Chef) or even a campfire set up with a metal grate.
Homesteading Hack: In addition to preventing your indoors from absorbing the smoke and oils, consider using a dedicated coffee roasting shirt. The smell can be difficult to remove from clothing.
- Cast Iron Pan – Some methods recommend using aluminum or stainless steel, but we prefer using cast iron. A cast iron skillet is sufficient for small batches, but if you like to roast ½ pound to a pound of beans at a time, I recommend a cast iron pot with at least four-inch sides (as pictured above).
- Fine Mesh Colander – This stainless steel colander (or one like it) works perfectly.
- Large Bowl – Choose a bowl large enough to accommodate the amount of beans you are roasting. Stainless steel bowls are ideal because they are lightweight and can withstand the heat of freshly roasted beans.
- Sheet Pan – We use a sheet pan, but you can use whatever you have to spread the beans out in a single layer to finish cooling.
- Wire Whisk – A wire whisk works best to keep the beans moving, but you can use a wooden or metal spoon if that’s what you have.
- Oven Thermometer – If you don’t have an oven thermometer, I recommend purchasing one. They are inexpensive and a worthwhile tool for learning just the right temperature for coffee roasting.
- Oven Mitts – The roasting pot will be very hot. Use oven mitts to safely transfer the beans off of the heat source.
- Storage Containers – Coffee beans store best in air-tight containers. We like to use glass Mason jars with a vacuum sealed lid.
Ingredients Needed
- Green Coffee Beans – Use the guidelines mentioned above to help you find the best coffee beans for roasting.
How to Roast Coffee at Home
Consistency is key to roasting coffee at home. Pay attention to your heat, the location of the pan over your heat source, the quantity of beans used, the time it took to preheat the pan, the time it took to roast your beans, etc.
Keep records for each batch, and adjust your process to suit your taste.
- Turn on your heat source and center your pan for even heating.
- Set the oven thermometer inside the pan and allow it to heat between 175°F-200°F. Homesteading Hack: You should aim to use enough heat to reach 200°F in 10 minutes. Practice heating your pan to just the right temperature a few times before roasting coffee beans for the first time. This will help you determine the right temperature setting for your individual heat source and pan.
- Add the beans to your pan, and immediately stir with the whisk in circular motions to keep them constantly moving. Do not stop stirring, and don’t adjust the heat settings. If you suspect your heat is too high, stir faster. If you suspect your heat is too low, stir slower.
- The drying stage will take a while to get going, so be patient. As the moisture is removed, your beans will remain a light color.
- After the drying stage is complete, you will start to notice a popping or cracking sound and the beans beginning to brown. Keep stirring until the beans develop an oily sheen and reach the desired color for a light, medium or dark roast.
- Continue to stir the beans as you turn off the heat.
- Using oven mitts, remove the beans from the heat and immediately transfer them to a bowl.
- Pour the beans back and forth between the bowl and the colander to allow the chaff to naturally separate and blow away. Homesteading Hack: Do this process standing in front of a fan to speed up this process.
- After the chaff is removed, transfer the beans onto a tray in a single layer to cool completely.
- You can optionally allow your coffee beans to de-gas in a container with a one-way valve for 24-48 hours. Some have found that if you don’t, the beans might taste sour when you brew them, but this has not been an issue for us, so we skip this step.
- Once your coffee beans are cooled, package them in an airtight container and store them in a dark, cool place. Use them within two weeks of roasting for maximum freshness and flavor.
Did you follow this tutorial? If so, please leave a star rating in the recipe card below. Then snap a photo and tag us on social media @homesteadingfamily so we can see your home-roasted coffee!
FAQ’s
Roasting coffee at home saves money, increases self-sufficiency, and lets you control the flavor. You get the freshest cup every time. It’s also great for trying different roast levels and beans to customize what you like best.
On average, it takes about 12 to 15 minutes to roast coffee at home. But, this can change based on the roasting method, bean size, and moisture.
Yes, a popcorn popper works well for roasting coffee beans. It’s easy and doesn’t cost much. Just watch the beans closely to avoid uneven roasting.
Listen for the “first crack” sound. Check the beans’ color and smell. Light roasts are bright and fruity, while dark roasts are oily and taste stronger.
You can buy unroasted coffee beans online or check local coffee shops and specialty stores that sell them.
Coffee roasting has three stages: drying, browning, and development. Each stage changes the beans’ taste and smell. It’s important to watch them closely for the best flavor.
Keep roasted coffee beans in airtight containers. Store them away from light, heat, and moisture. Mason jars or coffee storage canisters are good choices.
Degassing lets out carbon dioxide, improving the coffee’s flavor. It takes a few days but can vary with the roast level.
Roasting unevenly, over-roasting, or under-roasting. Not letting the coffee rest after roasting is also a mistake. Avoiding these can make your roasting better.
Other Posts You May Enjoy
- Homesteading Skills to Learn Now
- Homemade Dandelion Root Tea Latte
- Herbal Cold and Flu Tea Recipe for Comfort & Relief
- Hop Tea + Medicinal Benefits of Hops
- Immune Boosting Tea (Throat Soothing!)
- Instant Herbal Iced Tea (Instant Cold Brew)
Equipment
- Cast Iron Pan
- fine mesh colander
- Large Bowl
- Sheet Pan
- Wire Whisk
- Oven Thermometer
- Oven Mitts
- Storage Containers
Ingredients
- 2 pounds green coffee beans
Instructions
- Turn on your heat source and center your pan for even heating.
- Set the oven thermometer inside the pan and allow it to heat between 175°F-200°F. Homesteading Hack: You should aim to use enough heat to reach 200°F in 10 minutes. Practice heating your pan to just the right temperature a few times before roasting coffee beans for the first time. This will help you determine the right temperature setting for your individual heat source and pan.
- Add the beans to your pan, and immediately stir with the whisk in circular motions to keep them constantly moving. Do not stop stirring, and don’t adjust the heat settings. If you suspect your heat is too high, stir faster. If you suspect your heat is too low, stir slower.
- The drying stage will take a while to get going, so be patient. As the moisture is removed, your beans will remain a light color.
- After the drying stage is complete, you will start to notice a popping or cracking sound and the beans beginning to brown. Keep stirring until the beans develop an oily sheen and reach the desired color for a light, medium or dark roast.
- Continue to stir the beans as you turn off the heat.
- Using oven mitts, remove the beans from the heat and immediately transfer them to a bowl.
- Pour the beans back and forth between the bowl and the colander to allow the chaff to naturally separate and blow away. Homesteading Hack: Do this process standing in front of a fan to speed up this process.
- After the chaff is removed, transfer the beans onto a tray in a single layer to cool completely.
- You can optionally allow your coffee beans to degas in a container with a one-way valve for 24-48 hours. Some have found that if you don’t, the beans might taste sour when you brew them, but this has not been an issue for us, so we skip this step.
- Once your coffee beans are cooled, package them in an airtight container and store them in a dark, cool place. Use them within two weeks of roasting for maximum freshness and flavor.
Notes
Coffee Roast Types
Coffee roasting is both an art and a science. This chart illustrates the three general roast levels that change the coffee’s final taste and caffeine levels.| Roast Type | Typical Tasting Notes | Caffeine Content |
| Light Roast | Fruity, Floral | High |
| Medium Roast | Chocolate, Nuts, Caramel | Moderate |
| Dark Roast | Chocolate, Spice, Smoke | Low |
Common Coffee Roasting Mistakes
Home roasting can be fun, but all beginners run into problems. Remember that coffee roasting is a skill that is developed over time and takes practice to get it dialed in just right. As you develop the art of coffee roasting, this handy chart can help you identify common mistakes and how to avoid them.| Common Mistake | Cause | Solution |
| Uneven Roasting | Inconsistent Temperature | Maintain a Steady Temperature, Stir Frequently |
| Too Dark/Light Roast | Improper Monitoring | Watch Color and Aroma Closely |
| Not Allowing Coffee to Rest | Skipping Degassing Period | Let Sit for 24 Hours Post-Roast |
