Roastery layout and workflow

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

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  • Coffee Basics Nerds
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Article 9 of 12 in Roasting Systems & Equipment/
Roastery layout and workflow

Key Concepts

  • Space Planning:

  • Allocate areas for green bean storage, roasting, cooling, packaging, and QC.

  • Ensure sufficient room for equipment, movement, and ventilation.

  • Workflow Design:

  • Streamline the sequence from green bean intake to roasted bean output.

  • Minimize backtracking and cross-contamination.

  • Position cooling trays near roasters to reduce handling time.

  • Safety and Compliance:

  • Maintain clear emergency exits and fire suppression systems.

  • Separate chemical or cleaning supply storage from roasting and packaging zones.

  • Ergonomics and Staff Efficiency:

  • Design workstations for minimal bending, lifting, or repetitive strain.

  • Use logical paths for moving beans and materials between stations.

  • Scalability:

  • 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.

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Coffee Basics Nerds

Written by : Coffee Basics Nerds

Expert coffee historians and brewing enthusiasts dedicated to sharing the rich heritage and techniques behind your perfect cup of coffee.

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