Does anyone roast their own coffee beans?

I used to roast my own coffee about twice a week, and I found it made an enormous difference in flavor. It needs to sit for two days or so after roasting, so if you grind it on the third day it is superb. Wait one second, I will go find the website where I got the most reliable coffee and the best equipment.

I found these people to be the most helpful.

I know someone who roasts her coffee beans in an air popcorn popper. Her coffee is always good. I don’t know how to do it myself though. Could probably find something on it with a search engine.

It’s not a hassle at all if you’ve got a little time. For a long time I roasted them in a cast iron skillet (stir constantly until a rich even brown) on the stove. You can also roast them in the the oven (400 for about 20 minutes, don’t forget to “turn” them). Once you’re done grind them while they’re still warm and mix up 6oz water to a TB of your fresh ground beans (scale up till you’ve got enough) with just a tiny pinch of salt. Bring it to a boil in a non-reactive pot, then simmer for about 15 minutes. You can play around with roasting times, proportions, and cooking times until you get the taste you’re looking for.

Does it stink up the house, when you roast in a skillet?

It smells great, and apologies to @wonderingwhy, but do not grind fresh roasted beans. They need to outgas for 2 or 3 days in order to develop their full flavor.

Also, if you roast in a pan, or in the oven, you will have a problem with chaff.

You got me excited to try it in a skillet, I’ll have to do it when my wifes not home.
I also like the air popper idea, probably the next cheapest alternative.
I think I will be ordering some beans tonite.

DIY Coffee Roasting is easy and will produce one of the best cups of coffee you can get. There are plenty of resources on the web www.sweetmarias.com has the most info. Check around locally you may find a source for beans and then you won’t have to pay shipping. In Portland, OR. there is a Mr. Green Beans that has a nice selection of green coffee beans.
Here is the skinny version of home coffee roasting

Green Coffee beans need to be subjected to temperatures between 460°F-530°F(240°C-275°C)

Either the beans or the air around the beans must keep moving to prevent uneven roasting and scorching.

Once roasted the coffee beans need to be cooled immediately. This is key to consistently producing a quality roast.

There will be smoke, different varietals produce varying quantities, but you must have a way to deal with the smoke

Did you try it in a skillet? How did it go? My friend roasts in a skillet too, but he recommended me this article about roasting in a popper.

Maybe I will take my Coleman Backpacking stove and start it up under a old fashioned black iron skillet full of green beans out on the driveway.
The stove can get pretty hot, then I don’t have to worry about all the smoke, smell, or my wife going ballistic if I do it in the kitchen.
I read about the various roast levels, how you want to hear the first crack or pop for city roast, then two pops or crackles is getting to Italian Roast which I don’t want. So, is it like Rice Krispies, you wait until you hear a distinctive snap, pop or crackle, then stop?

Second crack is more subtle than first crack, but it should be audible. Make sure you have a cool-down strategy.

I have to just do it and shut up. But if anyone has a great proprietor they want me to enjoy, please let me know, I know a few have already responded. Thanks for the advice it was beyond what I expected. I will respond to this with my favorite and it’s going to be better then yours, hee, hee!

Listen. The best thing you can do is get a Keurig Coffee maker and get Cafe Bustello k cups. You will thank me.