How to roast coffee beans in a cast iron skillet

How to roast coffee beans in a cast iron skillet

May 06, 2024

Stovetop coffee roasting might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about starting home coffee roasting your own coffee.

Stovetop roasting, also called pan roasting, isn’t the easiest roasting method for coffee, but it’s the most affordable as most people likely already have all the tools they need at home.

Suppose you're interested in starting with home-roasting coffee but can't invest in a drum roaster or want to see whether you enjoy home roasted specialty coffee. In that case, pan roasting is a cheap way to start - and it can also be fun if you don't mind potentially wasting some green coffee beans (you may produce a scorched disaster if you aren't careful).

In this article, you'll learn what you need to get started with stovetop coffee roasting, no matter whether you want to create a nice, strong morning espresso or a lightly roasted specialty coffee.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Stovetop Coffee Roasting Coffee

Advantages

  • You have full control over the roasting process.

  • It can double as a workout.

  • It's an authentic way to roast coffee and is still used in people's homes in many coffee-producing countries.

  • You’ll get great, fresh coffee once you master this method.

  • You’ll save money because green coffee beans are usually cheaper than roasted beans.

  • You’ll see the roasted beans changing color right in front of you. It’s one of the most hands-on ways to roast coffee and experience the beans’ development.

Disadvantages

  • Roasting produces smoke and a strong smell.

  • It can be time-consuming, and you can’t afford to leave the roasting beans unattended for even a minute.

  • Achieving the desired roast level may take practice and skill. You will probably waste some beans before you master this method.

  • As a beginner, you’ll likely get inconsistent results for a while.

  • Pan-roasting coffee can be exhausting if you aren't used to constant stirring or pan shaking.

What You Need for Roasting Coffee in a Frying Pan

You don't need anything unusual to start roasting coffee at home. Most likely, much of what you need is already in your kitchen - unless you never cook or bake at all:

  • A stove (gas stove or electric stove, though some people also have success with roasting coffee with a wood burner, though that takes some extra skill)

  • A frying pan (anything works: a cast iron skillet, an ordinary frying pan, a wok)

  • A wooden spoon for stirring

  • Oven mitts

  • A cooking, baking, or candy thermometer (optional but very helpful)

  • One or two metal colanders

  • Green coffee beans

Stovetop Roasting Process: How to Roast Coffee in a Frying Pan

Before you start, you should have at least one open window in your kitchen or a working extraction fan over your stovetop. There'll be quite a bit of smoke, and you have to ensure the smoke can escape. You don't want to breathe all of that smoke in! 

Collect everything you need for the roasting, and do this:

Step 1: Preheat your pan. 

This is an important step, and you mustn't ignore it. If you don't preheat your pan, getting an even roast will be nearly impossible. The ideal temperature for roasting coffee in a frying pan is typically around 450-500 degrees Fahrenheit (232-260 degrees Celsius). Any lower, and you'll bake the coffee beans instead of roasting them.

However, remember the type of stove you're using and the size and material of your frying pan influence the temperature you need. You may need to experiment to find the right temperature for your setup.

Step 2: Add the Beans.

How many beans you can fry in your pan depends on the size, but on average, it's a good idea to start with something between 100-200 grams for a standard-sized pan. The beans should evenly cover the bottom of the pan.

Step 3: Stir, stir, and stir some more.

Once the coffee beans are in, the real work starts. A lot of stirring is necessary to avoid scorching and uneven roasting. This is best done with a wooden spoon to avoid damage to the pan's surface.

You can also try shaking the skillet to get the beans moving (that's why you need the oven mitts, as cast iron skillet handles can get pretty hot!), but stirring is easier because shaking pans can turn into a real workout.

If you want to avoid scorching, you shouldn't let the coffee beans rest for more than 5-8 seconds at a time.

Step 4: Deciding when to take the beans off the heat.

You'll start hearing the first crack after a few minutes (9-10 minutes on average). At this point, the coffee is a light roast. 

Continue roasting for 3-5 minutes after the first crack if you want a medium roast bean. Once you hear the second crack (which isn't quite as loud), the medium roast turns into a dark roast. Don't roast for too long after the second crack because you don't want to burn your coffee. Take the beans off the heat as soon as you have the roast you want for your brew.

Step 5: Cooling the beans ASAP

Coffee roasting continues for a bit after you take the beans off the heat, and you need to cool them quickly. Otherwise, you might end up with a roast level and flavor you didn't want.  

To cool down your beans quickly, pour them from one metal colander into another. The movement will help with the cooling process.

If you only have one colander, you'll have to shake it for about a minute. Remember that the remaining chaff will come off during that, so do this over your sink, a bowl, or another surface that's easy to clean.

Place the roasted coffee beans on a cookie tray or baking tray afterward so that any remaining warmth can escape before you the roasted coffee. Store the beans in an airtight container.

Alternative: Stovetop Popcorn Popper

A stovetop popcorn popper may be a great solution if the constant stirring doesn't sound like your cup of tea.

Like a hot air popper, the stove-top version can be repurposed for roasting specialty coffee beans and works on the same basic principle as frying pans or a wok, but there are some differences.

The design of the popper includes an agitation mechanism (often a crank), which makes it much easier to move the roasted coffee. These machines also can't roast quite as many beans as a frying pan, but this works well if you prefer a slightly more comfortable option.

Conclusion

While roasting home coffee in a frying pan is the most labor-intensive way to make roasted coffee at home, it's also the cheapest and most fun way.

It's hands-on, and you'll be more involved in the process than using another method. Of course, this also increases the chances of something going wrong. If you manage the art of roasting green coffee beans in a pan, however, you'll always be able to have fresh coffee with a great taste and save a small fortune over the years. You'll hopefully enjoy brewing your first home-roasted cup!

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