roaster equipment
sonofresco
fluid-bed roasters for fresh-roast retail and small batch.
sonofresco has been building fluid-bed roasters in burlington since 2002, focusing on small-batch machines for cafes, small roasteries, and shops that want to roast on-site. they offer two sizes: a 1-pound and a 2-pound model, both fully automated and designed to fit on a counter. the machines use hot air to roast beans in a chamber rather than a drum, which means faster batch times and no direct contact with metal. sonofresco positions these as plug-and-play options for people who want commercial quality without the footprint or complexity of drum roasters. the company offers their advanced definition roasting (ADR) software for profile roasting on compatible models, and they sell direct with support for venting, parts, and service. these machines appeal to beginners who want automation and to experienced roasters working in tight spaces who need quick turnaround. the 2-pound can handle around 55 pounds per day at three batches per hour. both models run on 120v standard power and use propane or natural gas. sonofresco sits in the entry to mid-level commercial market, competing with other fluid-bed makers and small drum roasters in the 1 to 2 kilogram range.
the machines
questions you might have
what's the difference between the 1-pound and 2-pound sonofresco models?
batch capacity is the main difference: the 1-pound handles 0.45 kg per batch, the 2-pound handles 0.9 kg. both use the same fluid-bed technology and automated controls. the 2-pound can roast around 55 pounds per day if you're running three batches per hour, while the 1-pound maxes out around half that. physical footprint is similar, both fit on a counter. if you're roasting for a single cafe or small retail operation, the 1-pound works. if you're supplying multiple accounts or doing higher volume retail, the 2-pound makes more sense. both run on standard 120v power and need either propane or natural gas.
how does fluid-bed roasting compare to drum roasting?
fluid-bed roasters suspend beans in hot air instead of tumbling them in a heated drum. roast times are shorter, usually 8 to 12 minutes compared to 12 to 18 in a drum. the beans don't touch hot metal, so you get cleaner, brighter profiles with less risk of scorching. trade-off is less body and less ability to develop certain complex flavors that come from longer conductive heat. fluid-bed works well for light to medium roasts and for high-turnover operations. drums give you more control over development and work better for darker roasts or more layered profiles. sonofresco's automation makes it easy to repeat profiles, but you're working within the limits of what air roasting does.
who should buy a sonofresco roaster?
these work for cafes that want to roast fresh for customers, small roasteries starting out, or retail shops adding roasting as a draw. the automation suits people who are new to roasting or who need to roast while doing other tasks. footprint is small enough for tight spaces, and standard power means you don't need special electrical. they're not ideal if you're scaling past 100 pounds per day or if you want the flexibility and profile depth of a drum roaster. pricing is typically lower than comparable-capacity drum machines. sonofresco also appeals to mobile roasters or people setting up at farmers markets, since the machines are relatively light and portable.
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