So I’ve been running my roastery since April now on an R2 Pro with about 100ft2 of space in my converted garage. I’d say my current monthly run-rate of volume based on the last few weeks is about 260kg per month. I’m a one-man-band in terms of the business so also then doing all the packing, delivery runs, green sourcing and quality testing etc.
Are there any other commercial roasters putting more monthly volume through their bullet? I’m curious as to whether the point at which I now feel like I’ve maxed out what I can do on a single machine lines up with the experience of others!
I have not but am interested to hear about you experience thus far with running a roasting business on the bullet and being a one man show. I’m in the process of doing the same and would value hearing about your experience.
Out of curiosity what batch sizes are you running with that monthly output? I only put out that kind of volume annually so I’m no help offering insights on max volume in a single machine/single man show but your quantities are definitely impressive.
Where do you tend to source your beans? Do you roast particular varietals or an assortment of beans?
I run typically 1kg batches and I try and keep my range fairly narrow so I’m not having to maintain stock of too many different beans. I source from 3 different UK importers depending on the bean. So far the experience has been great but it’s definitely time to increase capacity either with another bullet or a higher capacity roaster. I find that when I max out capacity I make decent profit but realistically not enough requisite to the number of hours it takes hence needing a bigger roasting volume capacity!
I forgot you had an R2Pro so running 1kg batches would be doable in the volumes your dealing with. How do you like the Pro by the way? I’m on the R1V2 but if I need to increase production in my space I’d consider it even though I’m really holding out for the AiO if it ever actually releases.
A few years back I ran some numbers on wholesale roasting and just couldn’t make it work unless I was running volumes like you are or well above. Once you factor in the time the cost of goods doesn’t look as profitable unless you’ve got a roaster than can handle 20kg at a time.
Yeah, it works for me at that volume at the moment as I predominantly steer clear from wholesale and focus on selling direct to consumer both online and at local markets. If I took wholesale prices then it would really struggle profit wise when you include the labour input which is where a larger capacity roaster definitely becomes a necessity!
R2 Pro is great, really consistent and I rarely have any issues and I’ve probably roasted close to 1,000kg on it now!
Well done on such a high output in such a short space of time!
We arent doing as much as you but started a similar time on a very similar business model!
Would love to chat more, we were thinking about a 2nd bullet in the future as we grow but more for a backup roaster to keep us roasting should we have any issues or need our current roaster servicing etc.
Roasting on a pair of Aillio bullets here to sell at local markets, no where near those numbers though. I roast about 10kg per market, and currently averaging a market per month. This year was going to be the year I ramped up, but it didn’t happen…
unless you’ve got a roaster than can handle 20kg at a time.