Why It Pays To Get Yourself An At-Home Coffee Roaster

Some purchases are tantalizing debates of "Do I, don't I," and we'd argue that home coffee roasters come top of this list. Perhaps you're purchasing daily Starbucks (and cringing at monthly bank statements). Or maybe you're home-brewing but still buying pre-roasted beans. Whichever camp you fall into, here's the truth: Investing in an at-home roaster often pays off. The upfront cost may seem large — take this Fresh Roast automatic coffee bean roaster, for example — but the return on investment is impressive.

As customers are no longer tied to the upcharge of pre-roasted bags, it's now possible to purchase unroasted green beans and buy in bulk. The industry rate for these beans is a mere $3 per pound, a sharp contrast to the $10 per 12-ounce (approximately 0.75-pound) bags you find in grocery stores. Many wholesalers sell green beans in bags up to 150 pounds. It's a whole lot of coffee, and you achieve savings of up to almost $10 a pound. Plus, there's the chance to purchase directly from farmers, cutting the "middleman" for more ethical enjoyment.

In summary, green coffee beans for DIY roasting are cheaper and customizable. It's a smart way to creatively control flavor while also enabling a return on your new roaster. And if you're wondering how long green coffee beans will stay fresh in proper storage, it's good news. With a typical 12-month shelf life, they outlast the standard three months of roasted beans. Look no further for a sign to treat yourself to that at-home roaster.

Let's assume you're already brewing coffee at home; we all know that shifting from Starbucks or Dunkin' to your own kitchen saves a fortune. And you're now aware of the fact an at-home coffee roaster pays off dividends. But how do you cut costs from there? A big way of reducing your monthly coffee bill is to avoid waste. One of the multiple ways around this is adequate storage; we're talking airtight containers in cool areas away from direct light. The last thing you want is an accelerated expiry date. Also, prioritize learning how to buy coffee — cutting through the jargon is essential to avoid facing beans you despise so much that they land in the bin. Understanding roasting strength is a particularly big deal; there's a big difference between light and dark coffee.

In terms of coffee machine choice, always shop for an energy-efficient model. However, if you've already got a trusty machine on your countertop, don't despair. A regular cleaning schedule does wonders for reducing operational costs, even when using a non-optimized model. There are easy ways to clean your coffee machine that could easily do the trick. Overall, it's a great idea to cut back on coffee bills, and it's even better when it doesn't involve sacrificing quantity or quality. And to make it even more of a win-win situation, you can check out our tips to help you become the ultimate at-home barista while you're at it.