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While robot baristas tend to get a lot of attention, mechanical automation and artificial intelligence may be making faster inroads to the coffee industry through roasting equipment.
Many of the new pieces commercial roasting machines and tools on display at the SCA Expo in 2024 leaned heavily into electronics and automation, with a focus on optimum precision and simplified push-button repetition.
[See DCN’s complete 2024 SCA Expo coverage here.]
Here’s a look at some of the professional roasting equipment we learned about at the SCA Expo this year…
Diedrich DR3-E
Idaho-based coffee roaster manufacturer Diedrich launched its first electric-heat machine, the DR3-E. The 3-kilo-capacity machine follows the launch of Diedrich’s original gas-powered DR3 two years ago, which has proven to be a popular size, according to the company. See DCN’s complete report on the DR3-E here.
Bellwether Shop Roaster
California-based roasting equipment maker Bellwether Coffee introduced the coffee world to its new Bellwether Shop Roaster, a smaller countertop-ready version of its original electric roasting machine. Including Bellwether’s built in green coffee sourcing and inventory management features, the 1.5-kilo machine can be fitted with a “continuous roasting kit” that can create capacity of 400 pounds of coffee per week. See DCN’s full report on the machine here.
Avercasso CS One
After debuting last fall at the HostMilano trade show in Italy, a Taiwan-based startup called Avercasso showed off its green coffee sorting machine for the first time in the U.S. The Avercasso CS One employs cameras and artificial intelligence to quickly sort batches of coffee, using an air jet to blow defective beans to a separate off ramp. With a 2.5-kilo hopper, the machine can scan up to five kilograms of green coffee per hour. Custom hoppers of up to 60 kilograms are available. See DCN’s full report here.
GoGoLee GC516
Founded five years ago by a university professor in Taiwan, GoGoLee made its Expo debut this year with the GC516 roaster. With distinct exterior paneling, 1-kilo-capacity shop roaster features automated gas burner control that leverages artificial intelligence for high precision. We’ll have more on this soon.
Primo Roasting Equipment Ranger-Xr5
Owners Brandon Miller and Christian Longnecker were on hand at the Primo Roasting Equipment booth to show off the recently launched 5-kilo Ranger-Xr5 roaster. The company manufactures all of its roasters, afterburners, destoners and more from scratch in-house at its Southern California factory. See DCN’s full report here.
Roest P3000
Norwegian coffee roasting equipment maker Roest (formerly Røst) showed off its upcoming P3000 roaster. In addition to a first crack detection system and a camera measuring the progress of the roast by bean color, the machine will include at least 14 sensors feeding data into an AI system that executes roast profiles automatically. A full report on this machine will come when it launches.
Genio Roasters USA
South African roaster manufacturer Genio Coffee Roasters was represented at the Expo by Genio sales director George Robinson and Ryan Karatimus of roaster equipment service and consulting company Usonian Systems. Karatimus is now the head of newly launched Genio Roasters USA, based in Las Vegas, which is expected to soon carry Genio’s new AI-driven Evolution Series roasters. A full report on this company and its products is coming soon.
Coffee Crafters Valenta 15
Announced by the Idaho-based company earlier this Spring, the 15-pound-capacity Valenta 15 by Coffee Crafters is the follow-up to the Valenta 7 roaster that the company showed off at the 2023 Expo in Portland. The 15 features twice the capacity of the 7, along with an automation system as a standard inclusion. Our full report is here.
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