Why We Chose an Electric Roaster
We’re continuously thinking about how we can grow in alignment with our values. When it came to upgrading our roaster, we saw it as an opportunity to push our sustainability efforts even further. We initially had our sights set on a refurbished gas-powered Probat, but after coming back to where we want to go as a business, it became clear that an electric roaster was the only way forward. It was a move that felt right for us, and we’re excited to share the journey.
Gas, as convenient as it may seem, is not a renewable resource. No matter how "bio" it is, it’s still finite, and that’s a reality we couldn’t ignore. We wanted to make sure we were powering our roasts with clean energy, and that’s where electricity comes in. It can be produced sustainably, meaning a far lower carbon footprint compared to gas. Although Argal Home Farm (where we’re based) produces energy via renewables on site, and we’ve been using this for years, we’ve opted for a new renewable energy provider. It costs a little more, but we believe it’s an investment worth making.
Selecting the right electric roaster wasn’t a simple decision. We had a clear idea of the capacity we needed to roast, based on the volume we currently do, and needed a roaster that could accommodate future growth. We wanted to make sure we weren’t just swapping one roaster for another—we needed something that could grow with us. After considering a few options, we met the Typhoon team in Copenhagen last June. It didn’t take long for us to realise their machines could meet all of our goals. Not only would they help reduce our carbon emissions, but they’d give us the flexibility to roast better, with more clarity and precision.
According to Typhoon, beyond emissions, electric roasters also offer improved energy efficiency, with some models operating up to 80% more efficiently than traditional gas-powered alternatives.
We’re looking forward to seeing the real impact of this shift, too. In a year, when we put together our next carbon report, we’ll be able to compare the emissions from this year using renewable energy against last year’s gas-powered roasts. It’s a straightforward way to measure how much difference we’re making.
Making the switch wasn’t without its challenges. Installing a new power supply to the building was a substantial cost for us and something we wouldn’t have had to do with a gas roaster. But this was a necessary step to make sure we could operate with clean energy. Apart from that, the transition has been smooth, and we’re already seeing the benefits.
The quality of our coffee remains unchanged, but we’re also able to fine-tune our roast profiles in ways we couldn’t before.
As part of our ongoing commitment to becoming a fully sustainable business, we’re now fully powered by renewable electricity. This is a huge step for us, and it’s all part of our bigger goal to be carbon neutral (or negative) in real-time—minimising offsets as much as possible. We’re excited about the progress we’ve made and are looking forward to what’s next.
Since installing the roaster we’ve been busy test roasting, so we’re offering a lucky dip of any 1 kilo bag (beans only) for £25 - grab a bag here.
