Roasting Coffee Beans in a Popcorn Popper - homemade fresh coffee

How to roast green coffee beans using a popcorn popper - from start to finish. In this video we use a Westbend Poppery (with the cover removed) and Sweet Maria's Sumatran Mandheling green coffee beans.
Also shown is a simple homemade setup that helps you cool your roasted beans faster and easier.
Watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0Y5ojdVWxE for an earler version of homemade coffee roasting
If you are in the Portland Oregon area, you hvae to check out Mr. Green Beans, they have an incredible selection and even offer home roasting DIY classes: http://mrgreenbeanspdx.com/classes/

In answer to Sirrom0206's excellent questions:

1. great point.
2. Great point, I guess to verify you aren't roasting too fast or too slowly?
3. everything but decaf will benefit from a resting stage. there some other reason?
4. I will measure the weight of beans next time, thanks. Each roast cycle only lasts me a few days but I use a lot in brewing. I used to use a lot more beans per run but heard via youtube comments that was part of my problem.
5. the smoke doesn't smell like coffee to me, more like smoldering hot organic matter. Some people say they like it but I don't know how.
6. If you are in an area without access to freshly roasted beans, or want a rare variety, yes. There are very special varieties grown by very small estates that can't be found at the grocery store. On the other hand, if you live in portland oregon there are boutique shops that pretty much offer every roast under the sun (like Stumptown : http://buy.stumptowncoffee.com/varietals.html ) and will even brew each by the cup just for you.
7. Not really, especially if you value your time and take into account lost beans due to the learning curve. Roasting reduces their weight + good beans cost $$ (about $6-9 per pound) + shipping!
Personally, this is just something fun to do plus I live an hour and a half from the nearest decent coffee outlet. I have roasted many batches that are burnt or under roasted, roasted too fast, roasted too slow. There are so many factors influencing the roast, especially when using things like popcorn poppers rather than dedicated roasters designed for the task.

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[tadot]

you might think of using a rheostat and a thermometer

[pabbananna]

@tadot rheostats are expensive aren't they? I do have a thermometer with probe for cooking I was thinking of using. Would definitely help with consistency.

[tadot]

Lutron 120-Volt Single-Pole Rotary Dimmer

Model # 750450 Store SKU # 750450

$10.48 /EA-Each Found this at Home Depot you could probably find them cheaper...

[pabbananna]

@tadot nice work around! I wasn't sure a dimmer would work with this type of motor - like some need a brushless motor, etc...Im no electrician for sure but was looking at variable voltage transformers.

[Sirrom0206]

1. The cable provides a voltage drop. This voltage drop lowers the temperature and extends the roasting time. That is if the cable is around 50/100 ft long.

2. If I’m waiting for the second crack, why time anything?

3. Why shouldn't I grind beans hot?

4. How much coffee will one cycle yield?

5. How does this smell?

6. Is it worth the effort?

7. Is it cost effective?

[pabbananna]

@Sirrom0206 1. great point.

2. Great point, I guess to verify you aren't roasting too fast or too slowly?

3. everything but decaf will benefit from a resting stage. there some other reason?

4. I will measure next time, thanks.

5. the smoke doesn't smell like coffee to me, more like hot organic matter.

[pabbananna]

@billnorthup

Thanks, sorry it is so dark. It looks fine on my monitor at home - I must have the brightness turned up to 11.

[billnorthup]

It is the good video of the popping the coffee beans videos.