Buying Guide: Best Popcorn Popper for Roasting Coffee

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll be looking at the Best Popcorn Poppers for Roasting Coffee.

Yes, you read that right. I said popcorn poppers and roasting coffee in the same sentence. It’s one of those “don’t knock it until you try it” kind of things. 😉

Coffee is satisfying on its own, but have you tried roasting coffee beans on your own? It gives off a different level of satisfaction. And don’t even get me started on how heavenly it smells while it’s roasting. The house smelled like a fancy French café! 

I’m sorry, imagining a freshly roasted cup of bean juice gets me too excited. Okay, going back on topic – yes, you can use popcorn poppers to roast your own coffee. It’s inexpensive but just as efficient as getting a coffee roaster.  

So, let’s take a look at the Best Popcorn Poppers for Roasting Coffee in the market right now!

Top Picks: Best Popcorn Poppers For Roasting Coffee

Wabash Valley Farms Whirley-Pop Popper Kit

This stovetop popcorn popper by Wabash Valley Farms is a coffee lover’s top choice when it comes to roasting coffee. It’s easy to use and it is made from premium quality stainless steel. This means that it heats up quickly and evenly, while at the same time retaining high heat while you’re roasting coffee beans.

Last update on 2024-09-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

It has a wooden handle that stays cool to touch, so you’re not at risk of getting your fingers burnt when you try to move the pan. The lid also covers the whole pan, with only slits around the lid to let the moisture escape and avoid soggy beans.

It has a continuous stirring system that is designed to keep corn kernels from burning. This helps the coffee beans get an even roast all throughout. It can roast up to 1.5 pounds of green coffee beans in one go. This is enough roasted coffee for the whole family, or a whole day’s worth of joe if I’m being honest. 😉

What I loved:

• It’s heavy-duty construction that guarantees you’ll have a working popcorn popper/coffee roaster for years to come. 

• It’s convenient to use with its stay-cool handle, awesome stirring system, and sturdy yet durable construction. Plus, it’s easy to clean too.

What can be improved:

• The lid is not see-through, so you will have to lift it every now and then to check on the roasting process. After some use, you will know how to listen to the cracks depending on the progress of the roast. 

• It can heat up very quickly, as fast as 3 minutes. So, timing is very important, or you’ll burn the beans.

Franklin’s Original Whirley Pop Stovetop Popcorn Machine Popper

Franklin’s Original Whirley Pop Stovetop Popcorn Machine Popper is perfect for big families or if you are an avid coffee drinker. It has a 6-quart capacity, allowing you to make one big batch of roasted coffee beans. This saves you a lot of effort.  

Last update on 2024-09-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Another great feature is that it is constructed from heavy-duty aluminum. So, you can expect the popcorn popper to heat up fast to high, even the temperature needed for roasting coffee beans. It will also retain that heat all throughout the roasting process.

Its wooden handle will stay cool and it has a stirring mechanism that will help you in ensuring that your coffee will not burn or stick to the bottom of the pan. It also helps to get a vibrant, balanced roast.

What I loved:

• The construction of the pan makes it durable and convenient to use. It is made from aluminum, so it heats up evenly and retains that heat too.

• It is easy to clean, just wipe with a paper towel or damp cloth and it’s like new again. 

• This popcorn popper comes with a Lifetime Warranty.

What can be improved:

• The lid is not clear, you will have to lift it to see the status of your roast. But with time and practice, you’ll learn to use your ears to check the status of your roast.

• The lid also does not stay secured and can pop up on its own.

Cook N Home Stainless Steel Stovetop Popcorn Popper

The Cook N Home Stainless Steel Stovetop Popcorn Popper is built with stainless steel with aluminum sandwiched between the base. This helps it produce and retain a more even heat distribution, resulting in better-roasted coffee taste and color. 

Last update on 2024-09-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

It’s 6-quart capacity so it will allow you to make a big batch of roasted coffee in one go. The lid stays in place, thanks to its secure locking mechanism. It also has slots on the lid that allows steam to come out and keep your coffee beans crunchy.

This stovetop popcorn popper is compatible with induction, gas, electric, glass, and ceramic cooktops. However, to keep it in its best condition, do not put it in the dishwasher. Its stainless-steel construction means the pan is easy to clean, you can simply wipe it off with a paper towel.

What I loved:

• The encapsulated aluminum base with stainless steel body of the pan makes it very efficient in making evenly roasted coffee beans. 

• The wooden handle and lid knobs are a thoughtful touch in ensuring the safety of the consumer. 

What can be improved:

This popcorn popper would have been perfect if only it has a clear lid. It would make it easier to monitor the color of your coffee beans. However, since the lid has wooden knobs, it’s easy to lift them and check the roast.

MEOMY Hot Air Popcorn Popper Machine

Using Hot Air Popper Machines may be an even easier way of roasting coffee because you can easily monitor how your roast is coming along. This Popcorn Popper Machine by Meomy is one of the best hot air poppers that you can use to roast your coffee beans.

Last update on 2024-09-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

It is handy yet very effective in giving you a vibrantly colored roast. Its quiet operation makes it easier to hear the cracks that the beans make when they’re roasting. The popcorn popper also creates swirling airflow, so the beans are cooked evenly, reducing the risk of burnt coffee.

The machine has a nonstick coating, so you won’t have to worry about having to scrub the bottom of the popper. It can easily be cleaned by a paper towel or damp cloth.   

What I loved:

• Perfectly sized that I can put it in my luggage so I can make my own roast coffee even when I’m traveling.

• The nonstick coating and wide-mouth design make it easy to clean the popcorn popper after each use.

What can be improved:

• The machine can be hot to touch, so you need to be careful in handling it during or after roasting the coffee beans.

Homself Hot Air Popcorn Popper

Another awesome Hot Air Popcorn Popper on our list is Homself’s Popcorn Machine. It has a turbine design that channels hot air and maintains even heating which is needed for getting a perfect roast. 

Last update on 2024-09-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The transparent lid of the popcorn popper allows you to monitor the progress of your roasting coffee beans. It is also removable and dishwasher safe. While the body of the machine can be easily cleaned with a paper towel or damp dishcloth.

Homself provides great product support and has a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee. On top of that, the product is also backed by a 2-year Limited Warranty. 

What I loved:

• It is very easy to clean with its removable chute and non-stick coating. Plus, it comes with a free measuring cup that’s the maximum capacity of the machine. So, you don’t overcrowd it which might lead to unevenly roasted coffee.

• It comes with a 2-year Limited Warranty and reliable manufacturer support so you can trust that you can get your money’s worth. 

What can be improved:

• The popcorn popper features a stay-cool housing however the body can still get hot to touch, so extra caution is required.

How I Pick The Best Popcorn Poppers For Roasting Coffee

Here are some factors you should consider when getting your own Popcorn Popper for Roasting Coffee at home:

Type Of Popcorn Popper

There are generally 4 different types of popcorn poppers – Stovetop, Hot Air, Electric or Microwaveable. Unfortunately, Microwaveable Popcorn Poppers are not advisable to use in roasting your own coffee beans at home. It will take you forever and the taste will not be as good as it would on the other 3 types. 

The most commonly used types are Hot Air and Stovetop Poppers. 

Stovetop Poppers can give you results that are closest to an industrial coffee roaster and is, therefore, the best choice when it comes to homemade coffee roasts.

Hot Air Poppers are more economically priced, however, due to their size this is only advisable if you don’t make that much-roasted coffee.

Capacity

Are you roasting coffee for the whole family? Or just for yourself? A stovetop and Electric Poppers can generally produce more roasted coffee than compact Hot Air poppers. 

It is important to note that the indicated capacity in these machines is for popcorn kernels and not coffee beans.

Material

If you’re investing in a popcorn popper so that you can roast your own coffee at home, you want to make sure that it is durable and will last you for a long time even with frequent use.

For stovetop poppers, it is best to stick with either aluminum, stainless steel, or a mix of both. They make the most durable construction and are both great conductors of heat so you can expect to get evenly distributed heat every time.

For Hot Air and Electric Poppers, you want to choose one that is made with a mix of polycarbonate plastic and stainless steel. 

Don’t forget to check that the manufacturer offers a warranty for their products. This is a good sign that they trust their product quality and that your money is insured if in case the product malfunctions within the warranty period.

Ease of Use

Getting the perfect roast will take time and practice, especially when doing it with a popcorn popper. 

So, with this being said, you want to check 3 things. First, you want a popcorn popper that has easy temperature control. Second, you want to be able to monitor the progress of your roast, thus it’s best if the lid is clear or at least easily removable. Lastly, stirring the coffee beans to get an even roast should not be a problem. 

Why Did I decide To Roast My Own Coffee At Home?

It’s more economical.

Your only major investment is the popcorn popper or for others, and industrial coffee roaster. In the long run, you significantly save more by buying raw coffee beans and roasting them at home. If you’re like me and you go through 2-3 cups of coffee from cafés every day, that already cost almost as much as 1 bag of raw coffee beans.

It’s healthier.

Commercially processed coffee washes off some of the health benefits of raw coffee beans. Not to mention the number of preservatives and chemicals that are added to it during the whole process. 

You can create more flavor options.

Roasting your own coffee beans at home allows you to experiment with different flavor blends. You can make it as dark or as light as you want to. Get different types of coffee beans or mix and match them as you like!

And last but definitely not least, THE AROMA!

I can 10000% guarantee I’m not the only one that feels relaxed with the scent of roasting coffee. Every time I roast coffee at home, it smells like I’m in a coffee shop but with a more muted, private ambiance which I love. 

TIPS For Making The Perfect Roasted Coffee At Home:

Don’t be afraid to try different blends!

Yes, it’s trial and error. But that’s what makes it more fun! Mix and match different coffee beans. Try out local coffee beans from other places, add different flavors, and try different roast levels. 

Pay close attention to your roast.

It only takes 1 minute for your perfectly roasted coffee to burn. It only takes somewhere between 6-12 minutes to roast coffee so make sure to free that time window to focus on your roasting coffee and enjoy the process. 😉 

Do not brew immediately after roasting.

Yes, I know, it’s extremely tempting, trust me, I go through it every single time. I’ve been roasting coffee at home for a while now and I still get tempted to brew it right after I take it out of the popper. But you must resist!

Prepare chilled coriander to cool the beans in after roasting. Once they’re warm to touch, transfer to a container and let the flavor develop for at least 12 to 24 hours before storing it in an airtight container. Don’t forget to make yourself a cup to celebrate your successful roast!

Frequently Asked Questions About Roasting Coffee Beans yourself:

Is it worth roasting your own coffee?

YES. If you have the time, means, and patience to do it, I highly suggest roasting your own coffee at home. It gives you a deeper level of satisfaction because of the effort you put into it. You can also fully customize it to your idea of a perfect cup of Joe. The roast level, the type of coffee bean, the flavor that goes into it. And just for emphasis, THE HEAVENLY AROMA that it leaves in your home is priceless.

How long does it take to roast coffee?

The roasting takes about 6 to 12 minutes for a regular-sized batch of coffee. But if you’re making a bigger batch, it may take up to 16 minutes. Remember not to brew the coffee right after roasting and let it rest and develop its flavors for about 12 to 24 hours.

Is it difficult to roast coffee?

It’s not difficult, it just takes a little more effort than going to a café and ordering a cup of coffee. Once you get used to it and it has developed into a habit, you’ll find it more fulfilling and you’ll be excited to try out different ways of making your own coffee at home.

How do you flavor roasted coffee beans at home?

There are endless options for adding flavor to your homemade roasted coffee. You can use spices from your pantry like cinnamon, turmeric, or nutmeg. Just add a pinch of whatever spice you decided to try into your brewing coffee.  

You can also use extracts or flavor oils to your brewing coffee. The most common ones are vanilla, hazelnut, cinnamon, and most nut extracts.

Another popular option is using flavored creamers. There are a lot of store-bought creamers that offer a wide variety of flavors such as hazelnut, French vanilla, salted caramel, and the likes.

So, have you decided yet which popcorn popper for roasting coffee you will get?  Feel free to leave us a comment about your homemade roasted coffee experience or with any questions you may have.

Roasting your own coffee at home makes drinking coffee more than a caffeine boost but an actual experience. So, savor it! Much love, ciao! ♥