Evolving the DR-280:
Inside the Engineering Advancements Powering Diedrich’s Four-Bag Roaster
The DR-280 has long been Diedrich’s answer for roasters ready to step confidently into higher-capacity production. With a batch capacity of approximately 280 kg / 616 lbs and throughput of up to 2,464 lbs per hour, it remains a cornerstone for companies moving into the mid-market and commercial roasting segment.
A Significant Evolution in Roaster Heating Technology
As production demands and energy expectations evolved, we transitioned the DR-280 and DR-360 to a more efficient air-heating system designed for better thermal responsiveness.
The latest generation replaces infrared systems with high-efficiency air heating units combined with a pressure-balanced burner box. This advancement offers several key advantages:
- Improved thermal efficiency through more even heat distribution
- Better control over thermal inertia inside the drum
- Faster, more precise burner responsiveness during profile changes
- More stability across seasonal temperature variations and first-batch/last-batch differences
New Drum and Airflow Design for Enhanced Heat Transfer
The redesigned roasting drum and airflow system create more efficient movement of heat and air across the beans. The result is a smoother, more predictable roast curve, especially important at larger batch sizes where thermal momentum can impact profile accuracy.
Advanced Controls, Built and Supported In-House
The DR-280 continues to utilize Rockwell/Allen-Bradley controls, offering robust, industry-trusted automation. All controls are developed, programmed, and supported in-house by Diedrich’s U.S. engineering team, giving operators direct access to U.S.-based troubleshooting and remote support. For roasters who manage multiple systems or want deeper data tracking, the DR-280 is also compatible with Cropster and Artisan for secondary logging.
Improved Insulation, Safety, and Operational Efficiency
With expanded insulation throughout the roaster housing, burner box, and process ductwork, the DR-280 now maintains heat more effectively and reduces energy loss during operation.
Additional enhancements include:
- Increased time between cleaning cycles
- Updated safety features, including process and emergency quenching
- Flexible cooling tray arrangements (updraft or downdraft)
- Availability of both recirculating and non-recirculating airflow designs
- Optional thermal and catalytic afterburner
Each DR-280 is engineered, manufactured, and FAT-tested in the United States, and supported by our Chicago-based service, spare parts, and training team.
The DR-280 is built for roasters who want confidence, consistency, and capacity as they grow.
Contact us for a consultation to see whether the DR-280 or DR-360 is the right fit for your operation.