The True Cost of Electric Roasting | Part 1: What You Need to Know Before You Buy

At this year’s Roast Summit 2024, hosted at our Diedrich Education Facility just outside Chicago, industry professionals gathered for two days of hands-on learning, expert-led sessions, and community-building around the craft of coffee roasting. One of the most talked-about presentations came from our very own Karl Schmidt, President of Diedrich Roasters, who led a powerful discussion on The True Cost of Electric Roasting.

As electric roasting continues to gain attention in the specialty coffee world—especially among newer roasters and cafés aiming to align with sustainability goals—Karl’s presentation tackled the topic head-on with real-world data, practical insights, and decades of roasting experience.

We’re excited to now share Part 1 of this important talk in a new video series designed to help you make informed decisions about whether electric roasting is the right choice for your business.

In Part 1: What You Need to Know Before You Buy, Karl explores:

• Why electric roasting is best suited for sample roasting, customer experience, or small-batch operations

• Infrastructure realities: what it takes to install and operate an electric roaster

• The hidden costs—both financial and logistical—of scaling with electric roasting

• Why many electric roasters still rely on power sourced from fossil fuels

• Questions to ask before you invest in any roasting system

Part 2 coming soon—subscribe to stay updated!

Why This Matters
Electric roasting might seem like a simple and sustainable option—but as Karl outlines, the story is far more nuanced. From utility upgrades and permitting to the carbon intensity of your local grid, choosing electric over gas requires a detailed understanding of both your facility and your long-term production goals.

Whether you’re a new roaster exploring your first machine or a seasoned pro planning an expansion, we invite you to watch this series and reach out with questions. Our team is here to help you make the best choice for your roasting future.

About Roast Summit
Roast Summit is a collaborative event hosted by Diedrich Roasters and Firedancer Coffee Consultants. Held annually at our Schaumburg, IL Education Facility, the summit brings together roasters, educators, and coffee professionals for in-depth training, thought leadership, and networking. If you missed us this year, we hope to see you in 2025.

Choosing the right roasting system means understanding the full picture. Let our team help you weigh the true cost of electricity and what it means for your business.

M-F 8:30am -5:00 pm Central Time