joper

Joper has been building cast iron drum roasters in Sintra, Portugal since 1979. their machines are hand-built using traditional materials: cast iron drums, cast iron bearing supports, and carbon steel construction. the cast iron approach gives thermal mass and even heat distribution, similar to older Probat designs but at a different price point. they manufacture manual control machines across a range of sizes, from 5kg shop roasters up to 120kg production models. the brand is less common outside Europe but has a solid reputation for durability and mechanical longevity. buyers tend to be roasters who want old-school thermal behavior and don't need advanced automation. natural gas is the standard heat source across the line. these are straightforward machines: mechanical controls, modulating burners, air-cooled systems. if you want cast iron construction without paying German prices and you're comfortable with manual roasting, Joper is worth considering. they're not flashy, but they're built to run for decades. expect longer heat-up times than steel drum machines and plan for three-phase power.