roaster equipment
imf
italian high-capacity roasters with thermal recovery.
IMF has been building roasting machines in Bergamo, Italy since 1989, focusing on both shop-scale and industrial equipment. their lineup spans from 2 kg batch capacity for small roasteries up to 480 kg industrial units, all sharing a common design philosophy around hot air convection rather than traditional drum roasting. the machines rely on clean recirculated air systems with integrated afterburners and what IMF calls their vortex patent for airflow management. this approach tends to produce cleaner flavor profiles compared to conventional drum roasters. on the industrial side, expect integrated destoners, chaff extraction, and automated loading systems. their RM series uses Siemens PLCs with touchscreen control for profile management. batch times run 12 to 18 minutes depending on degree of roast. the machines suit roasters who want high output with consistent repeatability and are comfortable with the convection heat learning curve. throughput is notable: the RM240 can push 960 kg per hour. these aren't entry-level prices, but they're built for operations that prioritize automation, emissions control, and the ability to run multiple consecutive batches without performance drift.
the machine
questions you might have
what makes imf roasters different from traditional drum roasters?
imf machines use convection hot air rather than conduction from a heated drum. the clean recirculated air passes through the beans in their vortex system, which changes how heat transfers and tends to produce cleaner cup profiles. the integrated afterburner treats smoke and volatile compounds, allowing the air to recirculate rather than exhausting entirely. this affects both emissions and operating costs. the trade-off is that your roasting knowledge from traditional drums won't map directly. expect a learning period to understand how the convection system responds to profile adjustments and how it affects development timing.
how automated are imf industrial roasters?
the industrial models come with siemens plcs and touchscreen interfaces that handle profile execution, including automated loading from green silos, roasting stages, cooling, and destoning. you can store and recall recipes, and when paired with their silo system, the machine manages weighing and loading. one or two operators can run continuous production. that said, full automation means you're working within the system's parameters. if you prefer hands-on manual control throughout the roast, these machines will feel constraining. they're designed for repeatable production volume, not constant tweaking.
what kind of throughput can you expect from imf industrial models?
imf lists hourly capacity at four times the batch size, assuming 15-minute cycles. the rm30 does 120 kg/h, rm60 hits 240 kg/h, rm120 manages 480 kg/h, and the rm240 can reach 960 kg/h. actual throughput depends on your roast profiles and cooling times. roasters report consistent performance across consecutive batches without heat retention issues that plague some drum roasters. the machines are built for sustained production shifts. plan for 12 to 18 minute batch times depending on roast degree. if you need higher output, imf offers the rm480 at 1,920 kg/h, though we don't currently list that model.
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