Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between an Infrared Burner & an Atmospheric Burner?

IR-Series : Sizes available = IR-3 Kilo, 7 Kilo, 12 Kilo, and 24 Kilos per batch.

Our burners are "Infrared". The benefit of the infrared burners is that they are extremely fuel efficient (40-50% less consumption that any competitor using atmospheric burners on the market today) and the infrared burners allow you to have a very wide roasting range ( batch/cycle range = 1 pound through full capacity). The benefit of roasting small batches being the potential elimination of what has historically known as a test or "sample" roaster. The IR-Series Roaster is Two Roasters in One . The IR-Series Roasters have the very heavy weight " low carbon steel roasting drum", which is used as a conductive heat source. The IR-Series is the highest quality roaster series on the market . The "fit and finish" is second to none. The benefit being an appealing finish and presentation, such as you find when comparing luxury automobiles.

Competitive burners are an "open air" or atmospheric type burner. Competitive roasters require a minimum batch size of 30% of the roasters capacity and typically no more than 80% of what they indicate their roaster capacity is suppose to be.

In summary, The Diedrich IR-Series Roaster is the highest quality roaster available, with the widest roasting range . You can taste the difference in the coffee roasted in a Diedrich Roaster because of its controllability of the 3 various heat mediums and the burner is cleaner and therefore results in cleaner tasting coffee (atmospheric burners makes "coffee taste like diesel").

Why should I go with a Diedrich Roaster?

The Quality of a Diedrich Roaster and the Controllability our roasters provide for you, are two important unique points of difference between Diedrich and any other roaster manufacturer. In addition, Diedrich's Lifetime Technical Support is included with every roaster we manufacture. You have a dedicated department for technical support to answer your questions. Our in-house engineers and product enhancement staff provide you with the Flexibility in Design to meet your unique space and technical requirements.

Why should I attend the Roasting Seminar won't the manual tell me how to run my roaster?

There are several roaster seminars offered here in the U.S. Quite honestly, most of them are a commercial and roaster operation training for the particular roaster manufacturer. The Diedrich Roasting Seminars are a stand alone seminar, separate from any roaster orientation or training program. Our seminars cover a wide variety of topics from how to purchase green coffee and find a good coffee importer to cupping techniques, our students learn how to develop roasting profiles, including over (8) hours of personal roasting training. The Diedrich Roasting Seminars Instructor is Steve Diedrich, who has an enormous amount of experience in roasting, setting up retail coffee businesses, and industry knowledge. The class participants travel to our training facility from all over the world to attend these seminars. Our passion and goal is to educate and train the roasting industry.

How do I sign up for a seminar?

Go to On-Line Seminar Registration or contact us at: 1-877-263-1276

Can you continually roast?

Yes, your Diedrich Roaster will roast 3-4 batches/cycles per hour depending upon your degree of roast.

How long does it take to roast a batch of coffee?

Average roasting time per batch is 16 minutes.

How do I duplicate exact roasting profiles?   

Diedrich offers you the only Fully Automated Roast Profile System on the market. Our Advanced Automation System allows you the ability to develop and repeat your unique roasting profiles automatically.   You have the ability to store and recall well over (150) profiles. The quality of your roast and your unique roasting profile are what set you apart from your competition.  

What is production time to build my Roaster?

Our production times average 6 to 8 weeks, depending on the production schedule availability. Each Diedrich Roaster is custom made to your order. Your transit time should be approx. 3 to 6 days, depending on the speed of customs processing.

Will I need an Afterburner?

Afterburners are typically required in most "larger urban areas" of the U.S. (i.e.: Los Angeles, New York, Seattle). However, in many suburban or rural areas, afterburners are not required. We have several agencies that monitor air quality in the U.S. Most of them are located in larger cities.   Contact your local air quality management organization.

What does the Afterburner Do?

Removes all odor and smoke associated with roasting as well as a high percentage of VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds) and noxious gases harmful to the environment.

What is a Destoner?

The Destoner is used after the roasting process.   With a Destoner, the roasted coffee is discharged into the Destoner where the roasted coffee beans are vacuumed up to a holding bin.   During the vacuum process any stones, coins, ect.   That may cause damage to a coffee grinder, are separated from the roasted coffee.

How do I service my Roaster?

Diedrich Roasters require very little maintenance and/or repair. Our clients usually perform 90% of the maintenance themselves, due to the ease of service. For more advanced service issues, we can provide an easy to understand maintenance guide or provide our On-Site Maintenance (OSM) program.   Diedrich Roasters are very easy to operate and maintenance. With that said, we use standardized parts in our roasters that are available at most parts house worldwide. This standardizing of parts is one of the reasons that Diedrich Roasters are so popular worldwide.

What's my warranty?

Each Diedrich Roaster in custom made to order and is certified with our Diedrich Warranty. The Diedrich Warranty covers the workmanship, electrical parts and parts for (2) Years, and labor for (90) days. Diedrich Manufacturing has a dedicated Technical Support Department to assist our customers with roaster and roasting questions.

What is my Roasters value?

We have customers who have been operating the same roaster for over 20 years. Therefore, since we have been in business over 25 years, the "useful life" is certainly a substantial period of time (= 15 - 20 years, depending on maintenance, etc.). The value Diedrich Roasters retain is equally impressive, but also a bit challenging to quantify. In general, Diedrich Roasters retain approximately 60% of their value for the first 10 years of service. From that point, the value is supported by a good roasting log and maintenance schedule. 10+ year old Diedrich Roaster will still retain 30 - 40% of the original purchase price, once again depending on the above record keeping.

How much will it cost me to install my Roaster?

Venting: This will be your largest installation cost. Any coffee roaster should be vented with a "positive pressure, double wall, grease vent ducting system" This type of venting (similar to venting for a generator) costs approx. $100.00 per foot, and is custom made. You can take a look at this type ductwork on the manufacturer's website: selkirkinc.com. With that said, take a big breath, it's not that bad, we are just very up-front when we are projecting spending your money. Yes, it is an average of $100 per lineal foot, however, here are several benefits;

#1: "IF" there was ever combustion inside the ductwork, this type of ductwork is designed to contain the high temperatures "with-in the duct work".
IMPORTANT: you will NEVER have a combustion (fire) inside your ductwork or roaster, IF you keep your roaster and ductwork clean and maintenanced.

#2: Since the ductwork is made to order, it requires very little or no fabrication on-site. Therefore, that should reduce your installation costs.

How far from the wall should the roaster be?

Clearance from the Roaster to adjacent walls, counters or other appliances must be a minimum of 18-inches or more.

How far from the wall should the Afterburner be?

Clearance from the Roaster to adjacent walls, counters or other appliances must be a minimum of 18-inches or more.   Nothing to be stored within 24-inches of the afterburner or it's ducting.

What size ducting should I use and where should I get it?

The minimum requirements are: Single Wall, welded seam 18 gauge ducting or Double Wall Positive Pressure Grease Ducting.   We recommend ETL or UL certified Positive Pressure Ducting due to its superiority over the Single Wall welded seam 18-gauge ducting.   Numerous companies manufacture Positive Pressure Ducting and the competing product lines have different specifications in regards to minimums distances to combustibles and non-combustibles.   

NOTE:   Under no circumstances should Class B or Spiral-wrap ducting be purchased.

American Metal Products Company (AMPCO)   1-662-890-8111

- Model VSI-II Double wall 1" air insulated pipe with 20 gauge 304 stainless steel inner liner and 24 gauge aluminum coated steel outer skin.   Products minimum clearance to combustibles is 6" at 1400°F.

- Model IVSI Double wall 1" material insulated pipe with 20 gauge 304 stainless steel inner liner and 24 gauge aluminum coated steel outer.   Products minimum clearance to combustibles is 4" at 1400°F.

Selkirk Metalbestos, Inc.   1-800-635-6507 ext 226

- Model PS Double wall 1' air insulated pipe with 20 gauge 304 stainless steel inner liner and 24 gauge aluminum coated steel outer skin.   Products minimum clearance to combustibles is 6" at 1400°F.

-   Model PSI Double wall 1" material insulated pipe with 20gauge 304 stainless steel inner liner and 24 gauge aluminum coated steel outer skin.   Products minimum clearance to combustibles is 4" at 1400°F.

Van-Packer   1-888-877-8225   www.vpstack.com

- Model DW Double wall 1" air insulated pipe with 20gauge 304 stainless steel inner liner and 24 gauge aluminum coated steel outer skin.   Products minimum clearance to combustibles is 6" at 1400°F

- Model DW Plus Double wall 1' material insulated pipe with 20 gauge 304 stainless steel inner liner and 24 gauge aluminum coated steel outer skin.   Products minimum clearance to combustibles is 4" at 1400°F.

Security Chimney International a division of LENNOX Hearth Products also offers a full range of vent ducting products.

1-800-875-3131 www.lennoxhearthproducts.com

Your Local Heating/Air Condition or Wood Stove business.

- Single Wall, welded seam 18 gauge or thicker steel ducting

Who should install the ducting?

Any local company who works with ducting.