Santoker R500 Small Production Roaster - 100 to 700g

Santoker R500 can be used as a sample roaster as well as a small production roaster, given its capacity from 100g to 700g. It is named R500 as its maximum output is around 500g if the load capacity is 700g, assuming a roast loss of 20%. A semi hot air machine is a drum roaster - heat transfer to the coffee is shared between hot air convection as well as drum-to-bean and bean-to-bean conduction, hence its name. The mass of metal parts also decides the amount of radiation heat transfer. Power input can be via gas or electric.

The drum is shaft-less and is made of far-infrared (FIR) ceramics - a type of new ceramics invented in China with worldwide patent in 2016 that can radiate infrared light waves exhibiting a wavelength range of 4-16 μm. FIR ceramic can radiate more far-infrared rays than normal materials, helping to increase the machine's heat transfer efficiency - specifically, it allows a shorter pre-heating time for the machine, making a case for sustainable lower power application. In the first place, ceramics have a higher heat capacity than metals, meaning they can absorb and store more heat for a given temperature change, again contributing to efficient heat transfer. The stronger heat accorded by the FIR ceramics delivers temperature increase of 16°C per minute and yet ensures an even, thorough and fast roast without undesired bitterness, preserving the fruity and crisp acidity that makes a specialty coffee. Typical roast time is 8-12 min.

Santoker machines employ brushless motor, generating strong airflow for efficient hot air roasting. Its powerful exhaust fan brings the benefit of rapid cooling in 3 min for a full load, and yet it is maintenance free. The control panel at the side of the machine is touchscreen. Being a small machine, bean loading and unloading is manual. In the gas version, a time-control safety function cuts off gas automatically if roasting does not commence for a specific period of time.

Roasting is managed via the Santoker roasting app, compatible with iOS, Android and Harmony devices, linked to the machine via Bluetooth. The app offers access to a global library of roast profiles contributed by users worldwide. In the R500 Master version, the app utilises PID control to allow accurate profile tracking, effectively addressing the common issue of roast repeatability. The reference curve can also be selected from the library.


Santoker was established in 2012 by China national level aerospace and nuclear engineers. Based on a 2022 survey by Coffee Salon - coffee magazine most widely circulated and most authoritative in China - Santoker has 31.45% market penetration, leading the 2nd position machine of 9.86% by more than 3 times. It is also the sponsored machine for China Coffee Roasting Competition from 2018 - 2024. Read about our visit to the Santoker factory here.


Specifications:

Capacity: 100-700g
Heating: Gas or electric
Versions: Manual or Master (with PID roast profile tracing)
Type: Semi hot air roaster aka drum roaster
Box Dimension: 105cm (L) * 40cm (B) * 80cm (H) - approximately for both versions
Machine Dimensions: 86cm (L) * 56cm (W) * 81cm (H) - approximately for both versions
Machine Body Weight: 45kg (R500) / 48kg (R500 Master)
Power: 220v, 300w (for gas model) / 3000w (for electric model)
Gas Pressure (for gas model): 2.8kpa (PNG) / 1.2kpa (LNG)
Control: Bluetooth app control

Shipment: Additional fee. Based on local mover's rate and any insurance if needed

Warranty: 1 year from date of purchase due to faulty parts. Warranty void if machine is mishandled.