Where to get cheap coffee beans to season burrs?

#1: Post by **Deephaven** » March 7th, 2023, 8:01 pm

I am in suburban Minneapolis and about to get new burrs and would love a source of cheap beans. Any thoughts on where I can find some?

#2: Post by **Ben Z.** » March 7th, 2023, 8:08 pm

There's usually something bogo at the grocery store. Just don't get a dark roast.

#3: Post by **flyingtoaster** » March 7th, 2023, 8:39 pm

I'd buy bulk beans by the pound from the grocery store or order the cheapest green beans and roast them in a popcorn popper.

How bad do unseasoned burrs taste?

#4: Post by **gocanes** » March 7th, 2023, 11:05 pm

Ben Z. wrote:There's usually something bogo at the grocery store. Just don't get a dark roast.

What's the reason to avoid dark roasts? I've always used dark just because it's cheap. 3lbs from my local Costco is like $17. Whether the definition of seasoning is to coat hot burrs with oil or deburr edges, what's wrong with dark? Because light roasts are harder so it deburrs better?

Question about seasoning burrs

#5: Post by **Ben Z.** » March 7th, 2023, 11:58 pm

My thought was that the dark roasts always seem to leave oily, burnt-tasting residue, and did have that same idea about being inefficient at seasoning since they are super fragile and easy to grind.

#6: Post by **rmongiovi** » March 8th, 2023, 1:21 am

If you roast you can buy seasoning beans. For instance, Theta Ridge sells 10 pounds of green for $12.50. They're "not fit for consumption" due to defects, etc., but the grinder won't care.

#7: Post by **heytchap** » March 8th, 2023, 2:46 am

If you have a local coffee shop or roaster, they will have old beans or bad roasts they'll probably just give you for free. Make sure to give them a small tip for the effort though

March 8th, 2023, 12:10 pm

rmongiovi wrote:If you roast you can buy seasoning beans. For instance, Theta Ridge sells 10 pounds of green for $12.50. They're "not fit for consumption" due to defects, etc., but the grinder won't care.

Awesome. Thanks. That is perfect. Curious if I can season with green beans? Even a simple run through the oven to slightly roast wouldn't be hard.

heytchap wrote:If you have a local coffee shop or roaster, they will have old beans or bad roasts they'll probably just give you for free. Make sure to give them a small tip for the effort though

Will try this first...although since I brew my own I don't frequent any so I am curious how the request will go.

#9: Post by **baldheadracing** » March 8th, 2023, 12:28 pm

Deephaven wrote:Curious if I can season with green beans?

Do not season with green beans - or white coffee (extremely-light roasted coffee). Green beans and white coffee are much too hard.

March 8th, 2023, 12:35 pm

Seasoning beans are for seasoning your roaster. You roast the seasoning beans and then run them through your grinder. I never suggested grinding green beans (hence the "if you roast" lead in).