Introduction

Buying fresh harvested green coffee beans is the rage today thanks to the internet. But pan roasting is not always that much fun and using a wooden spoon does not always get the desired roast. So I made this stove top coffee roaster for my wife so it was easier for her to get a more even roast.

The Stove top coffee roaster is actually fun for the whole family. My kids love just to crank the handle and watch the beans as they roast. The aroma fills the air and the neighbors go by saying what a wonderful smell of fresh roasted coffee. The kids enjoy the satisfaction in a job well done.

This unit it also for those of you who are off the grid and living off the land. You can use it on a camp fire, a Colman stove, Charcoal Stoves, pot bellied stoves or just about any other heating source.

Parts List

1 - Old aluminum frying pan w/cover - $2 at Goodwill
1 - 20" piece of #8 galvanized steel wire $1.50
1 - 4 ½" piece of dowel rod - soft or hardwood Scrap or new $1
1 - 4 ½" piece of hardwood - Oak, Walnut etc. . . Scrap or new $3
1 - piece 3/8X1/4" of corrugated sleeve or equivalent
Steel Epoxy $ 1.99

Tools

Pliers
3/4" drill and bits
table or hand grinder in a jig
Miter saw, table saw or hand saw
hammer

Cutting rule #1 - No matter if it is wood or wire, plastics or metal remember this one rule. You can always cut a little off but you can never cut a little on.

Step 1:

1) Remove handle for frying pan cover and drill hole for roasting paddle handle sleeve.

Step 2:

2) Insert a corrugated sleeve for roaster paddle handle. My sleeve became loose after fitting so I put some steel epoxy around it and down into the sides of the sleeve to stabilize it.

Step 3:

3) Take #8 Galvanize wire and cut to length. Bend a 4 ½” right angle. I found this one laying around in my scrap. I straightened it out and bent as I went along. I started out with a 5 inch bend and after getting the paddle in place was able to cut it to 4 1/2".

Step 4:

4) Insert #8 wire up into the pan cover. This will be where you will place you hardwood roasting paddle

Step 5:

5) Bend wire again to form handle frame for turning. It is basically a one footed bicycle crank shape

Step 6:

6 ) Install turning handle to wire frame. Cut dowel to 4 ½” length. Drill hole through center. Push onto Frame.

Step 7:

7) Install roasting paddle to wire frame. Cut 1 1/4" X 4 ½” X 1/4" piece of hardwood. Drill hole through center make the hole a little smaller than the wire that way it will hold its position. Round end to fit pan shape. Curve one side for smooth rotation of roasting paddle. Push roasting paddle onto wire frame and Angle roasting paddle at a 45 degree so that paddle rolls beans while roasting

Step 8:

8) You are ready for Roasting. Place pan on stove, campfire, Colman stove or other heating source. Let pan heat up. Place the flame to medium. On campfires or charcoal raise or lower pan as needed.

Step 9:

Place a single level of coffee beans to cover bottom of pan. Stir continually (or like mine beans will roast unevenly). This is where the kids come in handy. They love to get involved.

Step 10:

After about 10 minutes you will have first crack and that is were the skin will fall off your green beans in about 20 you will have second crack this is where the beans start to emit a white smoke. When you see white smoke coming out lift cover and look. If beans are dark enough for your taste stop. Or continue for a more dark roast.

Step 11:

French roast is a double roast. Roast beans until medium brown in color, let cool, then roast again until dark.

you can add flavored oils to your beans as you roast them to flavor them.

You can make modifications for a motor to turn handle automatically. Just remember the motor will be exposed to high temperatures.

Enjoy a hot cup of delicious home roasted coffee. I like mine with a little Coffee Mate.