Looking to buy a 10 - 12 lb roaster in the midwest.

[bbettini]

Hello!

We have outgrown our 6lb. roaster and need a bigger roaster!
We are looking to buy a 10lb - 12lb or larger roaster.
We are located in the Midwest.
Would hopefully have the afterburner also!

Thanks!

 

[topher]

Can I ask why you are just jumping up 4 lbs per batch? I would suggest a 15 kilo. That would be 30 lb per batch but you could do smaller..also why do you want an afterburner? Is it required for small roasters in your area? If they don't ask don't do it...between the cost of the unit and fuel charges..hope you don't need it.

 

[CoffeeJunky]

Totally agree. If you have already out grown 3 k machine, I would suggest looking for 15-25k machine. 5-6 k machine won't be much of help soon down the line.

 

[chast]

Check with Dan at US Roaster Corp in OK City. He might have some trade ins for sale

 

[bbettini]

Thanks for the advice!
I have looked at 15 kilo roasters and our store has little room for that size.
The 10 - 12b res are the same footprint as our current roaster.
Afterburner s required! (dang it!)

 

[bbettini]

Charlie,

Thanks, I will call!

 

[soliloquy]

TJ-076 - 6kg Gas Coffee Roaster - Mill City Roasters

I don't know anything about this machine, but Mill City is in Minneapolis and I can attest that the customer service and product support is off the hook.

 

[CoffeeJunky]

I think Mill city guys are superb. I just wish they have better product.

 

[racehorse]

I think Mill city guys are superb. I just wish they have better product.

I own a Mill City (North) TJ-067 Gas / 1 kilo roaster (but handles 3lbs fine). It's my 1st year anniversary and if I could marry it I would (already sleep with it (;>). I've owned several dozen roasters, mostly small electric (as well as brokered roasters for a coffee houses) and owned/used just about every commercial home-roaster ever built and the TJ-067 is perfect. I've found zero flaws in any part, motors, fans, controls, bearings, drum, burners (fantastic), electronics, mechanics, welding, design or performance. It's the quietist, most faithful and responsive roaster I've ever owned or been around (now you can understand why I'd like to marry it!)

If your problem is it's made in China... well the USA.GovCorp Inc. sold out decades ago (for example: the US Chamber of Commerce and US State Dept. (taxpayers) paid for the shipping of most of the textile factories/equipment here in the Carolinas to everywhere else in the world, but the USA)...besides, if someone made an equal roaster at a comparable price, I'd consider buying it. Realize that the (ex)USA does not manufacture the control systems, the thermocouples, the motors, etc. So having a 100% USA manufactured coffee roaster, one would have to go back in time, to the 1950s (unless you wish to roast by hot-air).

I've spent tons of money on building roaster contraptions, have watched every roaster come-and-go on eBay for more than a decade. Purchased roasters from South America to Turkey, even Israel and brokered commercial roasters for clients. So when you state "wish they have better product" ... I don't have an answer, since I have not found or put my hands on a better built and ease of use roaster, for it's price range (and one would have to pay more than double/closer to 8k/$10k and am not sure it would be better, because it costs more) since I started out roasting in a $5 thrift-store popcorn roaster, back in '02.

I imagine the 6k roaster is built as well (they are craftsmen) and could handle 13/14 lbs every 12 to 15 minutes, back to back, just like the 067 can handle 3lbs, back-to-back. Size does matter, but so does price. The price/size/QUALITY has totally satisfied me 100%

Real busy this week, but will upload photos and, if allowed, will post a video or two next week.

PS: Drinking a 50/50 blend of Sumatra/Yirgacheffe City+ with a tad of honey and molasses ~ yum.

PSS: When working on building my own, I searched for decent machine shops and many are no longer in operation (few and far between and so are the farms). I miss the "good ole days," but buy the best I can afford. Made in USA does not mean well built anymore and the schools churn out dummies that could not fix an electric toaster.

 

[jgbnm]

I think Mill city guys are superb. I just wish they have better product.

I've been researching roasters extensively for a long time and kept coming back to the the TJ-067 from Mill City. Haven't come across anything of significance that would indicate that it's a bad product. Just the opposite. A few random very minor issues but excellent customer service to get them resolved. I ended up calling Steve a couple of times with questions and he either answered or called back asap.

I ordered mine a month ago or so and it should be arriving in the US any day now. Although my wife thinks it's totally irrational to have something like this for just us (and a few friends), I'm very excited. I told her it was this or we go back to shit coffee next time my Gene Cafe dies - that scared her a bit and now she's on board. Paying a lot more for something partially made in the US with lower capacity was not something I was going be able to get through the boss.

He's worth a call at least.