Roastery layout and workflow
Understand the optimal design of a roastery space to maximize efficiency, safety, and flow from green beans to packaged coffee.

- Coffee Basics Nerds
- 1 min read

Key Concepts
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Space Planning:
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Allocate areas for green bean storage, roasting, cooling, packaging, and QC.
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Ensure sufficient room for equipment, movement, and ventilation.
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Workflow Design:
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Streamline the sequence from green bean intake to roasted bean output.
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Minimize backtracking and cross-contamination.
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Position cooling trays near roasters to reduce handling time.
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Safety and Compliance:
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Maintain clear emergency exits and fire suppression systems.
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Separate chemical or cleaning supply storage from roasting and packaging zones.
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Ergonomics and Staff Efficiency:
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Design workstations for minimal bending, lifting, or repetitive strain.
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Use logical paths for moving beans and materials between stations.
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Scalability:
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Plan layout to accommodate future equipment upgrades or increased batch volumes.
Summary
A well-thought-out roastery layout and workflow reduce operational bottlenecks, improve safety, and enhance productivity, ensuring consistent coffee quality and smoother daily operations.