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Author:
Jessica Simms
So you’ve heard that you can roast coffee in a popcorn machine! While this seems like a simple, dump-them-in-and-roast process, not all poppers can be efficiently used for this purpose. But don’t fret!
We’ve found you the best choices on the market to get you the perfect roast for your beloved Java. All of these bring a palette of shades of brown to choose from and can get you the crispest cuppa ever. The charming popping sound is on us!
Although initially designed for popcorn only (it also comes with a delicious theatre popping kit), there are a lot of reasons why our best choice will be perfect for roasting your coffee beans as well.
Made from sturdy aluminum, this stovetop popper will not burn your beans, allowing you total control of the roasting process. Its patented stirring system will move every bean up to 42 times and enable you to roast your coffee – from light to dark – to perfection.
Thanks to the no-burning part and its easily-removable lid, the cleaning process is a breeze. Just wipe with a paper towel and voila – ready for later use.
Another aluminum popper that comes with all metal frames and a wood handle that will provide a safe and burn-free grip. Our premium pick heats up pretty quickly – which is great for your beans – and also distributes the heat evenly for a consistent roast.
Its super large, 6-quart kettle is perfect for households filled with coffee drinkers, and its chic look and black matt finish will complement your stove in the most elegant way possible.
But that’s not all! With hassle-free wipe cleaning and a lifetime warranty, this popper brings nothing but convenience.
Small in size and price, but large in performance, this hot air popper is our best value on this list.
With a capacity of 16 cups and a measuring cup included for your beans, this Dash popcorn popper allows you to roast your coffee conveniently, and to perfection. Just add your beans, press the button, and hot air will start circulating, providing a decent temperature for your Java to take on your preferred color.
Plus, thanks to its compact size, it leaves a small footprint and fits into kitchens of any size. Available in blue, red, and white color.
In need of a high-performance popper? Then this is probably one of the best on the market.
Thanks to its innovative gearless Flex-Drive technology, you will have a smooth turning with no failure. And should anything go wrong at some point, the lifetime warranty has got your covered. But that’s not the best part! The stirring handle is bi-directional, so you can conveniently stir whether you are left or right-handed.
This stainless-steel stovetop popper works on any range (gas or electric), and its magnetic lid and cool-touch silicone handle increase the convenience.
If a hot air popper is what you’re looking for, then here is another great choice for you. This popper prepares a batch of popcorn in just 2 minutes, so it is safe to say that the temperature is high enough for your beans, as well.
The best thing about it is that you can actually watch your beans roast, so you can press the off button immediately after your desired color is achieved.
This popper also comes with a removable vent and a measuring cup, which makes it even more appealing, and the large spout allows for easy loading and dispensing.
At first glance, this popper looks exactly the same as our best choice on the list. They also have the same patented stirring system that moves the beans 42 times. They are also equally easy to clean thanks to their removable lid, and they bring the same, 6-quart capacity. However, they have one crucial difference.
Unlike the first one, this popper comes in a stainless-steel body and brings all metal gears. That means that it is more durable and prevents burning, but it also doesn’t get hot as quickly as its aluminum sibling.
Nonetheless, this one is also constructed to last. And with the 25-year warranty, you have really nothing to worry about.
Besides an elegant and subtle matte-black look, this stovetop popper brings excellent performance as well. Zippy Pop has a patented mixing mechanism that rotates with perfection, making sure that each bean is turned over many times and gets roasted evenly.
The pot is non-stick coated and has a high-end aluminum frame, while the lid is vented and made of tempered, durable glass, lined with a silicone rim to keep it from sliding.
And the best part? You can use this popper for more than just roasting beans and popping kernels. You can melt chocolate, make sauces, roast seeds, nuts spices, seasonings… the options are limitless.
The good thing about this stovetop popper is that its aluminum body allows it to be heated quickly, and evenly. It also comes with steam vents on the lid to provide crispiness, and the wooden handle and knob offer a comfortable, cool grip.
The mixing part is also pretty decent, but in all fairness, it isn’t a high-end system. That means that you might want to remove it from heat and take a peek to make sure that the high temperature will nor over-roast your Java.
But if you don’t mind the extra work, this popper can be a good investment.
Not induction compatible!
This electric popper uses hot air and can roast your beans to perfection, thanks to its temperature-control design. Once the machine gets overheated, it will automatically turn itself off. So, unlike with stovetop poppers, chances for overroasting your coffee here, are pretty skim.
The see-through top enables you to keep track of the roasting process. The lid can also be removed and allows hassle-free cleaning.
1500 watts of power will allow you to get the perfect roasting degree for your Java beans. And if you are worried about over-roasting, know that that’s nearly impossible, as the clear top provides visibility, and you can always press the off switch when you think you’ve achieved the ideal roast.
The chute is removable and dishwasher safe, the housing is cool to touch, and all materials that come in contact with the beans are BPA-Free. Sounds like a good deal, don’t you think?
Air popper for great popcorn and ideally roasted beans! Chefman offers you a stylish popper that comes with a visible and removable lid and a measuring cup for convenience.
Just like with all electric poppers, this one also features an on/off button that you can simply switch as soon as you notice that your beans have taken on the preferred shade of brown.
Compact design and easy to clean, this air pop maker can become your go-to roaster.
If you’re looking for something different – then we strongly suggest this machine. Designed for both popcorn making and coffee roasting, this roaster comes with a timer so you can make sure that you always roast your beans to the same degree.
Besides consistency, this digital machine also has an optimized design that will stir the beans effectively, and allow easy evaporation through the vents.
The only downside is that it can get a bit smokey (thanks to the fumes that the oil content of the beans produces), so make sure not to use it near smoke detectors.
When choosing a popcorn popper as a roaster for your coffee, there are quite a lot of factors to consider.
The Type
There are a few different types of popcorn poppers to choose from:
Stovetop – Stovetop poppers are the closest you can get to authentic coffee roasters. They require manual stirring and usually turn the beans over many times to ensure even roasting.
Hot Air – These do not require stirring and the good thing about them is that most of them have a see-through top, so you can see them roast. The downside here is that you cannot get as high a temperature as you can with a stovetop popper.
Electric Popper – These poppers usually have only one temperature setting which can be a nuisance. Their convenient use makes them good enough to consider, though.
Microwave Poppers – These are the worst poppers for your beans, as they will not get the needed temperature, and will result in uneven and inconsistent roasting.
Capacity
How much beans the popper can roast per batch should also be a determining factor, especially if you are a large household of avid coffee consumers.
Material
Whether aluminum, stainless steel, or plastic, the choice is yours. However, make sure that the material is food-grade, safe, BPA-free, and durable.
Convenience
How easy-to-use do you need the popper to be? What about the cleaning process? When thinking about a purchase, make sure that you are comfortable with the product you’re buying.
Start by measuring the beans you wish to roast. Then add them to the popper, turn it on, or place on the stovetop, and observe the behavior of your Java.
If they start spinning in a circle, add more coffee as too much airflow means it will take longer for them to roast.
If the beans are not moving at all, you’ve added too much coffee. You can turn the popper off (or remove from heat) and discard some of them, or you will have to stir more vigorously. We recommend the former!
Your beans should be turning and moving in a pretty random pattern – it will almost look like following a dancing choreography. Once you achieve that, you just wait for your preferred shade of brown, and voila!
We’ve mentioned the four poppers earlier: the stovetop, hot air pop, electric, and microwave. The stovetop poppers will give you the most authentic feel, but the air poppers can also be great unless their bottom is made of mesh or has holes. That will have your beans flying all around your kitchen, which can pose a real safety hazard.
The microwave poppers are not recommended for coffee roasting!
This depends on the type of popper you have. For stovetop poppers, most times, it will be enough to wipe them clean with a cloth. When needed, you can just wash them with warm soapy water and a soft sponge.
Hot-air poppers can be cleaned by removing the lid (if possible), and wiping the inside clean. The lid can be washed with soap and sponge, but in most cases, these are safe to go in the dishwasher.
Obviously, before thinking about cleaning your popper, regardless of the type, you need to let it cool down completely.
Who says that you need an industrial roaster to get the most satisfying taste of your morning Joe?
As you can see, many popcorn makers can give you the authentic roast and the perfect brown color for your beans, as well. We hope that this article has helped you find your best match!
