The Roast it Yourself Podcast

In this episode of the Roast It Yourself Podcast, Stephen and Catherine are back together in person—and tackling a question from Lee about roasting a Tanzania Peaberry on the Fresh Roast SR800. If you’ve ever wondered why peaberries behave differently in the roaster, this one’s for you. They break down: What makes peaberries physically different (and a little “weird”) Why they can roast more aggressively in fluid-bed machines like the SR800 How bean density and size impact airflow and heat transfer Whether peaberry is the right choice for your first roast Practical profiling advice to help you avoid scorching or racing through first crack You’ll also hear Catherine’s take on why starting with a consistent Central American bean (like Costa Rica) can make learning a new machine much smoother—and when it makes sense to graduate to more nuanced coffees like Tanzania Peaberry. Whether you’re brand new to roasting or dialing in your SR800, this episode will help you approach peaberries with confidence—and maybe a little more patience. Have a question for a future episode? Send it to questions@riypod.com NOTES: Follow Our Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

In this episode of the Roast It Yourself Podcast, Stephen from Coffee Bean Corral and Catherine of Current Crop Roasting Shop tackle a question many home roasters have wondered about: Should you preheat your roaster — specifically the Gene Cafe? Listener Ilona writes in after purchasing several origins and noticing that some roasters swear by preheating, while others skip it entirely. Stephen and Catherine break down: What preheating actually does inside a drum roaster How thermal mass affects roast progression When preheating can help (and when it may not matter much) The difference between intentional preheating and simply roasting back-to-back How your goals for the cup should influence your decision If you roast on a Gene Cafe — or any home drum roaster — this conversation will help you think more intentionally about your workflow, consistency, and roast development. Whether you're chasing brighter acidity, better momentum into first crack, or just more repeatable results, this episode gives you practical insight without overcomplicating things. SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: Follow Our Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

In this episode of the Roast It Yourself Podcast, Stephen and Catherine focus in on the real-world experience of roasting coffee with the Fresh Roast SR800 and other small-batch air roasters. They talk honestly about what these machines are great at—and where expectations can get out of whack. From realistic batch sizes and roast times to cooldown periods and the limits of back-to-back roasting, this episode is all about setting yourself up for success with an SR800-style setup. You’ll hear practical guidance on: How much coffee you can reasonably roast per batch on the SR800 Why pushing max capacity often leads to inconsistent results How to plan a roasting session without spending your entire afternoon doing it What “efficient” roasting actually looks like on a home air roaster If you’re roasting on a Fresh Roast SR800 (or considering one), this episode offers grounded, experience-based advice to help you work within the machine’s strengths, avoid common frustrations, and enjoy better, more consistent coffee without overcomplicating the process. A must-listen for SR800 owners and anyone roasting on compact home air roasters. SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: Follow Our Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

In this episode of the Roast It Yourself Podcast, Stephen and Catherine tackle a classic home-roasting debate: low and slow vs. hot and fast — specifically on the Behmor 1600AB. The episode is sparked by a listener question from Mike, a dedicated home roaster who’s dialed in a consistent workflow on his Behmor but wants to know if he can push his roasts further. Using African naturals and honey-processed coffees as examples, Stephen and Catherine walk through how power level, timing, and heat application affect flavor development, acidity, sweetness, and clarity in the cup. They break down what’s actually happening during each stage of the roast, why certain flavor trade-offs are inevitable, and how expectations should shift depending on the roaster’s physical limitations. Along the way, they discuss why “customization” in roasting has boundaries, how to interpret roast controls that feel counterintuitive, and what experimentation is worth trying — and what isn’t. Whether you’re roasting on a Behmor or just trying to understand roast dynamics more clearly, this episode offers grounded, practical insights that help home roasters make better decisions with the equipment they already own. Have a roasting question you want answered on the show? Send it to questions@riypod.com NOTES: Follow Our Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website  

In this episode of the Roast It Yourself Podcast, we dive into a practical roasting challenge many home roasters face: scaling up batch size without wasting coffee. Stephen Burnett and Catherine Mansell respond to a listener question from Greg, a longtime DIY roaster who recently upgraded to an Aillio Bullet R2 and is looking to move from 250-gram batches to the Bullet’s sweet spot of 1.5 pounds—without burning through pounds of coffee in trial and error. Catherine breaks down what really changes when scaling a roast, focusing on the critical role of preheat temperature, thermal mass, and how to maintain similar roast curves as batch size increases. Along the way, they talk Kenya AA as a use-case, share realistic expectations for profile translation, and offer guidance that applies not just to the Bullet, but to thoughtful, data-driven roasting in general. As always, the episode blends hands-on technical advice with real-world experience, making it valuable for home roasters leveling up and professionals refining their process. Got a roasting question of your own? Send it to questions@riypod.com NOTES: Follow Our Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 83: In this episode, we dive into a listener question about dialing in a FreshRoast SR800 with the extension tube. We talk through whether temperature targets are actually useful, how reliable (or unreliable) roaster thermometers can be, and why we often focus more on time, sensory cues, and roast phases than chasing exact temps. If you’re roasting on an SR800 (or any hot-air roaster), this episode is our practical, real-world take on profiles, temperature targets, and how to make your roaster work with you instead of against you—while keeping things approachable, useful, and fun. SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: Follow Our Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 82: Can you tell the difference between a Colombian washed and an Ethiopian natural just by looking at the unroasted beans? In this episode, we answer a listener's question about identifying coffee origins and processing methods by what we can glean from the green coffee beans themselves! Catherine and Stephen share useful tips on what to look for when examining green coffee beans, including: Visual Identification Tips: ✅ Size & Shape: Small beans (Yemeni, Ethiopian) vs. large beans (Kenyan AA, Indian Mysore Nuggets) ✅ Color Indicators: Processing methods leave distinct visual signatures (natural process = darker/reddish tones) ✅ Density Differences: Feel the weight - Monsoon Malabar vs. dense high-altitude beans ✅ Peaberries: Recognize the unique oval/tubular shape vs. traditional flat-sided beans ✅ Moisture & Sheen: What the surface tells you about freshness and processing Pro Tip: Create your own reference collection! Save 10 beans from each coffee in labeled Ziploc bags to build a visual comparison library. Plus in this episode: - Updates from Current Crop's new espresso bar and pastry launch - Why taking detailed roasting notes is crucial - Special shout-out to listeners who visited from Texas!   SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com   NOTES: Follow Our Instagram Account @RIY_POD   CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 81: Ever wondered how to nail that bold, dark French roast at home? In this episode, we tackle listener Theron's question about achieving a perfect French Roast using the Fresh Roast SR540 with the extension tube. Certified Q-grader Catherine Mansa breaks down the low-and-slow method for dark roasting, including crucial tips like: - When and why to lower your fan speed during second crack - How to avoid bitter, over-roasted beans - Visual cues for the perfect French roast (hint: it's all about that thin layer of oil) - The best coffee origins for dark roasting (and which ones to avoid) Plus, Catherine shares exciting updates about the new espresso bar at Current Crop Roasting Shop in New Orleans! SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: Follow Our Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 80: In this episode, we review a new roaster's roast log to help figure out why he's not getting the results he's looking for using his Fresh Roast SR800. We talk about troubleshooting in general and discuss which data points in a roast are the most vital to achieving that perfect result we're all chasing! Check out the photo of his roast log here. SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: Follow Our Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 79: In this episode, we answer a question from a new roaster whose very first roast on his Fresh Roast SR800 was darker than he wanted, and he noticed oil on the beans. He asks us to explain what this oil is and how it may affect the coffee he brews with these beans. Are oily beans desirable? Are they a problem? Check out our response to find out! SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: Follow Our Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 78: Can you reuse coffee storage bags? Is there a right way or wrong way of doing it? In this episode, Catherine and Stephen answer these questions and talk coffee storage best practices, and drop a HUGE announcement about Current Crop in the process! SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: Follow Our Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 77: In this quick on-the-road episode, Stephen (while carefully and safely observing the rules of the road...) shares his absolute favorite reason to roast coffee, and the best way to get other folks into the coffee roasting hobby! SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: Follow Our Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 76: This is sure to be our smelliest episode yet! Catherine and Stephen respond to an unusual question about post-roast aroma of all things, which, though unusual, proved to be quite a helpful conversation! Many people who've smelled roasting coffee come away with the same observation: "That doesn't smell like coffee at all!" But there's so much more that can be gleaned from the fragrance of just-roasted beans, which can help you determine before you even taste the brew whether you've hit a home run or made something...foul. SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: Follow Our Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 75: In this episode, we discuss an often under-treated subject: roaster capacity. How much coffee is too little for your machine? How much is too much? Apart from just reading the manufacturer's "minimum" and "maximum" capacity, can you find that Goldilocks 'sweet spot' for your specific machine? We dive into this question and several related questions to help point roasters in the right direction! Take a listen now! SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: Fresh Roast SR540 and SR800 Follow Our Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 74: In this episode, Catherine and Stephen answer a question not about technical mumbo jumbo, but about their personal preference, about roasting styles, and about their first time roasting. Everybody starts somewhere, and often, where you start roasting plays a defining role in your greater roasting journey from there on. If you're an experienced roaster, you can certainly relate, and if you're a newbie, this discussion is sure to help you get started on the right foot! SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: Fresh Roast SR540 and SR800 Follow Our Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 73: This week's question is from a newbie roaster who asks whether they should try a whole bunch of different coffees, or just pick one or two that they really like. It seems like a simple question, but it led to a lively discussion and a ton of helpful tips for newbies (or longtime roasters who feel stuck in a rut!) We hope you enjoy! SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: Follow Our Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 72: This week, we (mostly Stephen, because it's his thing!) answer a customer's question about dialing in espresso extraction, and discuss how different roast methods can affect how the coffee is extracted. How do you figure out what's right (or wrong) with a shot of espresso? What steps can you take to adjust or "dial in" your shot? We dive into it all here! SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: Follow Our NEW Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 71: This week, we (mostly Catherine, because it's her thing!) answer a customer's question about how to set up a coffee cupping, focusing on the nitty-gritty details of ratios, times, and temps. If you're interested in learning how to taste coffee the way professionals do, give this episode a listen! SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: Cafe Kreyol study "How Long Should Coffee Rest..." Follow Our NEW Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 70: This week, we answer a question from a listener who has been tracking his coffee's weight loss percentage from green to roasted, and using a very precise scale to determine roast level based on the moisture loss. He asks what we think of that method and for our tips on determining roast level using this and other means. SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: Follow Our NEW Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

BONUS EPISODE: Stephen gave a talk at last weekend's NOLA Coffee Festival in New Orleans, which we recorded to release as a bonus episode! In "The Essentials of Home Roasting," Stephen covers both the conceptual aspects of coffee roasting as well as their nuts-and-bolts practical application to get you creating the coffee you want today. Even if you're an experienced roaster, there's sure to be a new perspective on the roasting process that just may help you improve your game! We hope you enjoy! SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: questions@riypod.com NOTES: View the slideshow here Check out our limited offering of Arabica Coffee Plants here! Follow Our NEW Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website