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I would like to start cold brewing my coffee for the farmers market crowd. Any suggestions for a good container to use for cold brew in larger quantities? I guess glass is the best material. Maybe the growlers that they sell for beer?

It is good to be back in the coffee forums, I have been away for some time! I need to purchase a home => commercial grinder. I don't usually grind for customers, for obvious reasons, but I have a new commercial client for whom I will be doing some custom labeling and weekly roasting who would...

Friends, Things are becoming real very quickly for Shellback Coffee Roasters! I think I will have a roaster in hand very soon, but as yet don't have the facility in which to place it. Sometimes opportunities come at inconvenient times, and a good guy is closing his roastery and if I can...

What percentage of your sales of whole bean coffee are decaf? I am on the threshold of having to order some, but I'm hesitant. I have some demand expressed by existing customers, but not a mandate at this point. And do you charge more for the decaf? The bean I am cupping is more expensive.

Who do you use to install your ventilation? I assume an HVAC contractor would be able to do it, if he know the specs and the code.

I have read many posts about cupping, and I understand the reasoning behind the practice I think. So I think it wise to cup my own coffee, so that I can judge its merit against my own metrics, but also the samples that I get so that I can decide on what coffee to buy. Now being that I am...

I am in discussions with a guy who has a 13 y/o Toper 10k roaster. He is the second owner and has had it for 11 years. Can you give me some suggestions for what to look for when inspecting the roaster? The motor has been replaced, but I think everything else is original. I have been tracking the...

What have you found to be the most cost efficient method of shipping coffee to customers? Last time I used a flat rate shipping box to send two bags, but the cost was really high. Do you purchase boxes sized for your coffee bags? Guidance gratefully accepted. Freeman

All, What attributes do you look for in a good coffee mug? I am planning to purchase some branded mugs, and I know what I like. What are your preferences, and what is the logic behind the design of a good mug? I still have the heavy, thick mugs we used to get in the Navy with our names and...

I know we have had this discussion before, but I can't find the thread. When do you cup after roasting?

All, I have been roasting the Yergacheffe in both a medium and dark roast, as my first offerings for Shellback Coffee. It has been a big hit, popular for its smoothness and clean fruity taste (sorry for the clumsy cupping terms). Any suggestions for the follow-on bean? I would like another...

BBQ grill coffee roaster - YouTubeGot all of the pieces and parts working today. It lives! Tomorrow we go live with the new roaster.

Awoke at "0 Dark Thirty" and realized that I was out of roasted coffee. The dreaded realization of every coffee lover! So I had to roast a small batch outside in the cold in my back-up air roaster. desperate times call for desperate action. I have to say that the Yirgacheffe straight out of the...

Childish outburst. My first bag of greens arrived today! I went to a shipping "terminal" to pick up my Yirgacheffe, which turned out to be a dirt lot behind a McDonalds about a half hour from my house. I loaded it off of a tractor trailer, which saved me 60 bucks over having it shipped to my...

A couple of pricing questions: 1) Do you change your prices when you change your beans , or do you try to keep a steady price, and buy beans to stay in that bracket? 2) What is the market price for a 12 oz bag of fresh roasted beans in your markets? I am starting out roasting an Ethiopian Yirga...

Sorry to keep pestering you all with newbie questions, but the rubber is meeting the road here. What is the generally accepted ratio of green to roasted weight of beans? Thanks, Freeman

I have read the threads on storage of green beans, and the consensus seemed to be that the burlap bags in which the beans are shipped are the best containers in which to store them. I have a clean dry basement, in which to store the beans. They will be at a year round temp of around 65 F and...

Hi all, I know that this topic has been addressed before, but the links are all old. Doe anyone have an Excel based roasting log that would be suitable for use with a BBQ roaster, and that they are willing to share? I will invent the wheel if need be, but would welcome the opportunity to avoid it!

What proportion of your product do you ground for customers who don't have grinders? And do you a proportion in advance, or only on request? Thanks, Freeman

I will be roasting up to 15 lbs of coffee at a time, and selling it in 12 oz bags. Suggestions on a scale for use in both activities? Freeman

I am going to be producing a low volume of coffee over the first year at least. 20-40 lbs a week I would think. Does anyone have experience with labels that I can print from my computer? I will be using plain kraft paper bags. Other ideas for cost effective labeling while I get on my feet? Freeman

For my bbq roaster, does anyone have a recommendation for the electric motor? I am think it will need to turn at 30-60 rpm and be able to handle 15+ lbs of weight. Also, any ideas for suppliers of such motors would be greatly appreciated. I am going to look at a used grill today. Not real...

My friend (who is a metal worker) and I have finished the first prototype of the BBQ roasting drum. It is what you might call heavy duty, being made of 1/4 aluminum. Weighs about 7 lbs I think. Next step, getting grill and rotisserie pieces pulled together. Great excitement, and thanks to...

I am looking for a BBQ drum roaster. What features should I be looking for in the system? Thanks.

I am roasting recreationally, but am interested in starting the roasting business, as are many here. I have read threads about roasting at home, or starting with the full up commercial operation, coffee shops and coffee trailers. What I have not seen (may just not have looked hard enough) is a...

I a roasting my beans on a burner outside, using a "Swirly Girl" style pan. I have had trouble controlling my temperatures and times due to the minimal controls on the gas burner. I have developed a profile that helps me to get to first crack in about ten minutes and to a city roast in about...

I live on the east coast, so my choices are somewhat limited. Some of the bigs have warehouses in NJ, and that seems like the closest I will get. How do I go about selecting a bean to purchased one bag at a time? There is little risk when I buy from Sweet Maria's at 5 lbs a shot. But how do I...

Is there a wholesale pricing structure for green beans, or is it only a matter of volume? Can a small roaster get any leverage on pricing with importers or brokers? Thanks, Freeman

I have a quandary. I am currently roasting my beans on my grill, in a covered pan with a stirring mechanism. If I roast the beans on the grill itself, it takes 20+ minutes to reach the first crack, and maybe more depending on the weather etc. If I use the same pan on the gas burner next to the...

I have noticed that the coffee sold at stores usually comes in 11 oz bags. One of these bags generally lasts my family about a week. If I am emphasizing the freshness of the product, it seems like selling it in the smaller size which will last a week for the average family might be smarter and...

Hi folks, I am very interested in starting a small coffee business, roasting and selling really good fresh coffee in my area. I am interested in any and all advice about buying, roasting, brewing, drinking, packaging and selling really great coffee. I'm glad I found this site and hope to learn...