7 Best Popcorn Poppers for Roasting Coffee in 2021

Once you master the art of grinding coffee beans perfectly and using your preferred coffee maker to brew some rich and great-tasting brews, it is only natural to want to get control of the other important element in the coffee making process, which is roasting the beans.

But, with the best popcorn popper for roasting coffee, roasting coffee beans at home can be a quick and effortless task even for beginners.

What makes popcorn poppers the best way to roast coffee beans at home is that they give you more control over the process. You can have the beans as dark or as light as you want, and you can also easily control the roast time for full control over your coffee’s flavor profile.

However, there are different types of popcorn poppers that will be ideal for roasting coffee from hot air to microwave poppers. But besides the types, there are also many other factors you need to consider when picking one.

Here we describe the different types, review 7 top-rated popcorn poppers for roasting coffee and also explain the steps to follow for a perfect roast.

7 Best Popcorn Poppers for Roasting Coffee – Review

• Capacity: 6 quart
• Material: Aluminum

Wabash Valley Farms makes this stovetop popcorn popper for those shopping for something straightforward to use that can also roast coffee beans super fast.

While it is specifically designed for popcorn and it will also come with an amazing popping kit, this popper still has what it takes to make almost any coffee roast from the lightest to the darkest.

Key among the things that make it ideal for roasting coffee is the fact that it is made from a solid aluminum material that can take the high heat, and it also heats up fast and maintains consistent heat.

Also, with the highly efficient stirring mechanism, this top-rated popcorn popper for roasting coffee will also ensure you can roast coffee beans without overdoing things.

The 6-quart capacity is also quite good given its relatively smaller price tag, and this popper will also not take up a lot of effort to clean up after use.

Some users might find that it heats up a little too fast, but given that coffee roasting requires a significantly higher heat, this is not necessarily a shortcoming. Furthermore, you can easily solve the problem by reducing the heat from the stove.

• Capacity: 6 quart
• Material: Aluminum

If you are looking for a high-performing stovetop popcorn popper that also has the looks to go with it, this amazing one by Franklin's Gourmet Popcorn will be a great pick.

It is a well-built aluminum popper that is designed to deliver more even heat distribution which will be important to ensure you get more even roasting.

Also, with the unique and highly efficient stirring mechanism, your coffee beans will not burn and neither will they stick on the pot which ensures you always end up with perfectly roasted beans.

Clean up after use is also super easy because all you need to do is to wipe down the pot with a paper towel and store it for later use. And to give you some assurances that this popcorn popper will last, it is also backed by a lifetime warranty.

When compared to other options on our popcorn popper for roasting coffee reviews, this is the priciest unit, but given that it is still an under $50 model it is still worth the cash.

• Capacity: 6 quart
• Material: Plastic

Electric popcorn poppers are designed to give you a much easier time whether you are popping some popcorn or roasting coffee. And if you end up with a highly efficient model like this one, you will have an even easier.

It is a relatively affordable option for a 6-quart electric popper, and it will also come with a larger and clear lid that makes it easy to monitor the popping process.

Like most other electric poppers, it will deliver fast and more consistent heating which will, in turn, ensure more uniform roasting and the process will also be relatively quick.

Also, with the motorized stirring rod, you will not need to worry about sticking or burning the coffee beans, and the plate is also non-stick coated to help with this and also make clean up easy.

The on/off switch is conveniently located on an easy to access spot and the permanently attached cord is designed to be easy to manage with no tangling.

While the clear lid seems to be made from a relatively thinner material, it is not as flimsy as it may appear and will last almost as long as the machine itself

• Capacity: 4 quart
• Material: Aluminum

Sometimes you do not need to spend a lot on the large and bulky popcorn poppers because a smaller capacity and more affordable stovetop model like this is all you need.

It is a perfect choice for coffee lovers that only roast small batches of beans at ago, and it has everything required for a perfect roast.

Its features include a highly durable aluminum pot with a sturdy handle that will not get hot to ensure easy and safe use and a clear, vented lid for easy monitoring of the process.

The interior is also nonstick for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking, and there is also a unique stirring mechanism that prevents both sticking and burning.

While the lid might seem a little hard to wash by hand, it only requires some getting used to and a little extra precaution, and once you get the hang of it, clean up should be a breeze.

• Capacity: 4.5 quart
• Material: Plastic

Hot air poppers are some of the most efficient that you can get and many users love them because they do not use oil to pop. A top-notch model like this one by Hamilton Beach can also be great for roasting coffee.

What makes it a good popcorn popper for roasting coffee is that it is super easy to use even for inexperienced individuals, and it also heats up faster and more evenly.

Many users will also love that it has a decent 4.5-quart capacity that will be more than enough for most coffee lovers, and it is also easy to clean up after use.

Also, with this popcorn popper, you can easily measure the coffee beans you want to roast as it comes with a free measuring cup.

There is no on/off button on this popper which means that you cannot take away your eyes from it when roasting coffee, but this should not be a deal breaker because even with poppers that have the button, you still need to monitor the process almost constantly.

• Capacity: 4 quart
• Material: Plastic

This great little popcorn popper by Nostalgia is designed to make both popcorn popping and coffee roasting easy and faster.

The compact size of the hot air popper means that it will conveniently fit any counter space as it takes up little space, and to make it even more convenient, it has a clear housing top for easy monitoring.

But, what makes it an outstanding coffee roaster is that unlike other hot air poppers, it reaches the high temperatures required for coffee roasting and does it faster than most other models.

There is also a built-in measuring cup to help you ensures you only roast the specific amount of beans that you need. And the presence of an on/off switch also cements its place as one of the best popcorn poppers for roasting coffee beans as it will give users a much easier time.

While this popper can be a little louder, this is mostly due to the air circulating, and the noise level is still not at the annoying levels which means it only takes some getting used to.

• Capacity: 3.5 quart
• Material: plastic

Victorio VKP1162 is a small popcorn popper in price but big in performance as it can roast coffee faster and more efficiently than many other hot air poppers that cost way much more.

Its smaller size ensures that it will take up little counter space, and it has also been designed with a broader base for increased stability on the counter.

Generally, it is also more straightforward to use as there is nothing much to do besides adding the coffee beans and monitoring the process which is made even easier by the large and clear plastic spout.

The cool-touch body helps to prevent accidental burns while the included measuring cup ensures you know the coffee beans quantity you are roasting. And clean up after use should also be a breeze.

Although the 3.5-quart capacity is the smallest on our popcorn popper for roasting coffee reviews, it will still be more than enough for typical home coffee roasting.

How to Buy the Best Popcorn Poppers for Roasting Coffee

Popcorn poppers for roasting coffee might not be as expensive as other coffee making components such as the automatic coffee makers and grinders, but it is still important to make sure that whatever you buy gives you the best value for money.

Also, there are all kinds of popcorn poppers from different brands in the market, and so you need to make sure that whatever you buy is ideal for popping coffee. For this to be so, you need to consider the following things when shopping.

1. Types of Popcorn Poppers

The first step when shopping for popcorn poppers for roasting your coffee should be to understand the different types available. Although there are still a few other types available, the most common ones used for coffee roasting are hot air, stovetop, electric and microwave poppers.

Hot Air Popper

Hot air poppers are fairly inexpensive and can also be used to roast coffee beans. What gives them an edge over most other popcorn poppers when it comes to coffee toasting is that they will not require you to stir the beans continually when roasting.

However, their key drawbacks are that they do not get to a high enough temperature and they have safety issues.

Stovetop Popper

These poppers come closest to the industrial coffee roasters and they are one of the best options for home roasting. With stovetop poppers, you can easily control the temperature, and most also have a transparent lid for easier monitoring.

Given that you have more control over the stirring speed, you can easily get a more even roast, and because most have a nonstick surface, clean up after use is also easy. But, their only demerit is that you have to stand there and monitor the entire roasting process.

Electric Popper

Electric poppers are designed for user convenience and ease of use as most are self-stirring, easy to use and designed to maintain a consistent temperature throughout.

And while these poppers might be easy to use and reliable, in most instances they will only have one temperature settings which for some models might be too low to roast coffee beans.

Microwave Popper

Hypothetically, microwave poppers can still be used to roast coffee, but in reality, it will be a tall order to get a perfect roast in the microwave.

These popcorn poppers will not heat the beans evenly, and so some can end up burnt and others still not roasted adequately.

Also, when the popper is in the microwave, you cannot stir the beans as they are getting roasted. Additionally, the poppers are mostly plastic which means you cannot use the high temperatures required for roasting.

2. Capacity

The capacity of the popcorn popper also matters as you will want to roast all the beans that you need in one batch to ensure consistency.

Popcorn poppers can have a capacity of anywhere from a couple of cups to more than a dozen cups, but it is important to note that this capacity is usually for popcorn kennels and not coffee beans.

Hence to make sure that the popper has enough capacity for you, it is important to check the surface area of the pan to determine the coffee beans it can fit comfortably.

But given that it most instances you will only need to roast one or two cups of coffee beans, even the smallest popcorn poppers can still work for you.

3. Material

The best popcorn popper for roasting coffee at home is one made from durable materials as this ensures you get value for your cash and use it for long enough.

There are different materials used to make these poppers and will in many instances depend on the type. But, if you are looking for a durable stovetop popcorn popper, aluminum, and stainless steel are your best options.

Other materials like polycarbonate and plastic are also common for electric popcorn poppers, but they might not be very ideal for the high temperatures required to roast coffee beans.

4. Ease of Use

While it is true that there is a learning curve in getting the coffee beans roast right when doing it with a popcorn popper, the appliance that you buy should give you an easy time.

Generally, an easy to use popcorn popper for roasting coffee is one that makes things like temperature control easy such as the stovetop. Also, those that make stirring and monitoring the roasting process easy are also more preferred.

A popcorn popper that does not take a lot of effort to clean such as those with a non-stick surface will also be a much better option when it comes to the ease of use.

How to Roast Coffee in a Popcorn Pepper at Home

Once you have that perfect popcorn popper, the other important thing that you need to know is how to do the actual roasting which should also be more straightforward as you only need to gather a few other things and follow some simple steps which we highlight below.

What You Will Need

• Popcorn popper
• Good quality green coffee beans
• Large spoon
• Metal colander
• Cardboard box

How to Roast Coffee Beans

After gathering everything that you will need, here are the simple steps you should follow to roast your coffee beans.

Step 1: Set-up the Popcorn Popper

Set-up the popcorn popper somewhere that is well-ventilated as things can get smoky

Step 2: Measure the Green Beans

Measure your green beans and try to use the same measurements recommended by the popper manufacturer.

Step 3: Plug-in/Heat-up Popper

Plug-in or place the popper over the stove depending on the type and allow it to heat up before adding the beans.

Step 4: Roast and Stir

Allow the beans to roast while stirring to ensure consistent roasting. But, make sure you monitor them closely to prevent over-roasting. Roasting will take anywhere from 3 to 10 minutes depending on the popper you are using and the roast you want.

Step 5: Turn Off Heat and Pour Beans Into Colander

When the coffee beans are almost at your preferred roast, you should turn off the heat to prevent over-roasting and then pour them into the metal colander.

Step 6: Remove Chaff

To remove the chaff, you should hold the colander over a cardboard box and then toss the beans in the air. After removing all the chaff, place the beans in an open container and allow them to cool for a few hours which also allow gasses to evaporate.

Step 7: Store Roasted Beans Correctly

Once the beans are cool enough, the last step is to store them in an airtight container to preserve their freshness for long.

Read More: Ways to Roast Coffee Beans

Conclusion

Roasting your coffee beans at home ensures you have more control over the coffee making process so that you always end up with more custom brews.

Although there are many ways of roasting coffee beans at home, a popcorn popper is one of the easiest methods. And finding the best popcorn popper for roasting coffee should now be easy as this piece highlights the important things to consider.

And if you are still not sure which popcorn poppers to buy for roasting coffee beans, our top 5 reviews above are a great starting point as there is something that will work for all kinds of coffee lovers.

Sources

1. How to Roast Coffee in a Popcorn Popper - WikiHow