A Beginner's Guide To Roasting Coffee at Home

If you’re unfamiliar with home roasting you are probably asking why you would want to roast coffee at home when there is much on offer from speciality roasters. Whilst this is definitely true, home coffee roasting can open a whole new range of opportunities for any coffee enthusiast, and has been rising in popularity in the last few years.

Roasting your own coffee beans gives you the freedom to experiment with different roast profiles, compare the unique flavours of various single-origin coffees, and even create your own blends. It’s a brilliant way to deepen your understanding of coffee — from raw green beans all the way to a perfectly brewed cup.

At this point, you might be thinking: this all sounds great, but where do I start? Do I need fancy, expensive equipment? The good news is, while dedicated home coffee roasters can cost £1000 or more, you can begin experimenting with something as simple as an oven or skillet. These DIY methods won’t give you perfect consistency, but they offer a low-cost and accessible way to dip your toes into roasting green coffee beans at home.

Sure, it takes a bit of practice — and yes, you might burn a batch or two — but that’s part of the fun. Home roasting is a creative, rewarding process that puts you in full control of your coffee. And once you’ve had your first sip of coffee roasted by your own hands, you might never look back.

What Do I Need to Roast Coffee at Home?

Starting your home coffee roasting journey is easier than you might think. All you really need are three things:

• Fresh green coffee beans
• Basic coffee roasting equipment (more on that below)
• And a bit of know-how (you’re in the right place for that)

With a little experience, you’ll open up a world of possibilities — experimenting with new origins, crafting your own blends, and enjoying the pure satisfaction of brewing coffee you’ve roasted yourself.

Is it safe to roast coffee at home?

Roasting coffee at home is safe providing the right precautions are taken. Firstly, home roasting must be done in a well-ventilated environment, ideally with a good overhead extractor and a window open. Secondly, attend to the beans for the whole roasting process. Just like when you are cooking, keep an eye on the beans the whole time, and remove from heat if they start burning.

Pan Roasting: A Simple Starting Point

If you don’t have a coffee roaster, don’t worry — you can roast in a frying pan or skillet. Here's how:

1. Heat the pan to a medium-high temperature.
2. Add a single layer of green beans and stir them continuously to prevent scorching.
3. After a few minutes, the beans will begin to change colour — this is the drying phase.
4. Around 5–7 minutes in, you’ll hear a popping sound — this is known as first crack. For a medium roast, this is your cue to stop. Want a darker roast? Let them go a little longer — but remove from heat just before they reach your desired roast level.
5. Cool the beans immediately by shaking them in a colander outdoors. This also helps remove loose chaff.
6. Let your beans rest for 24 hours to degas before grinding and brewing.

Oven Roasting: Another Easy Option

Oven roasting is another accessible way to try roasting coffee beans at home:

1. Preheat your oven to 250°C.
2. Spread your green beans evenly on a tray.
3. Roast for about 12 minutes, shaking the tray halfway through for evenness.
4. Keep an eye out for first crack through the oven window and listen closely.
5. Remove the tray just before your beans reach the ideal roast shade.
6. Cool immediately outside in a colander and allow to degas for 24 hours before use.

Home Coffee Roasters

There are plenty of options when it comes to home coffee roasters, and it can feel overwhelming at first. So here’s a quick breakdown of the two main types you’ll come across:

Air Roasters

These machines roast beans using convection heat — blasting hot air over the coffee to roast it evenly. They tend to produce brighter, cleaner flavour profiles and are often more compact and beginner-friendly.

Drum Roasters

Drum roasters use conduction heat, warming a rotating drum over a direct heat source — similar to the equipment we use here at our roastery. This method offers more control and can bring out richer, deeper flavours, especially in darker roasts.

Price-wise, home roasters can range from around £200 to well over £1,000. As with most things, you tend to get what you pay for. Higher-end models offer features like chaff collection, air filtration, precise temperature control, and even built-in cooling trays.

Not ready for a machine? No problem. You can always start roasting without a roaster, using a pan or oven — it’s a great way to learn the basics without a big investment.

Why Roast Coffee at Home?

Home coffee roasting offers a unique insight into the flavours, chemistry, and creativity behind every cup. While it takes a bit of practice, it opens the door to:

• Creating your own blends
• Experimenting with roast profiles
• Rediscovering favourite coffees in a whole new light
• Enjoying the freshest possible brew, roasted exactly how you like it

If you’re keen to get started, we offer a wide range of green coffee beans — including single origins in sizes as small as 250g. Planning a custom blend? Keep in mind that different coffees roast differently, so it's often best to roast them separately for the best results.