What is the best method for Home Roasting

[heyduke]

I am just interested in finding out what everybody thinks is the best method for Home Roasting up to a pound of coffee at a time. I use the HG/DB method and find that it works for me. I am sure there are roasters out there that cost lots of money but most people can't afford. So I'm looking for a everyman type of roaster. What do you think?

[another_jim]

You can check out the Homeroasters' Association site for instructions on larger capacity DIY roasters. Off the top of my head, I can think of backyard BBQs with custom drums, as well as modified rotisseries and bread machines for 1 pound capacities.

[miKe mcKoffee]

I'm by no means saying it's the ]b]best[/b] one pound plus roasting method but unquestionably does the trick A decent gas range, 14 gauge carbon steel wok and couple stir fry paddles can produce quite decent roasts. However I would definitely not say it's an everyman's coffee roasting method other than cost, takes a fair amount of skill.

[topcat5]

For a 1lb of coffee and if you don't want to spend 1000s on a professional sample roaster you really have two choices. A gas grill drum or the SC/TO combination and it's variants. I have had both and both will easily roast a 1lb of coffee. My preference is for the SC/TO as it is more convenient and more precise than the drum.

With either of these methods, you will need to improvise some method for cooling. I use a stainless colander stuck in a small plastic bucket with an opening where I can stick a my vacuum cleaner hose. This cools the beans quickly and has the advantage of removing any left over chaff.