In this episode of the Roast It Yourself Podcast, Stephen and Catherine tackle a listener question that turns into a deep dive on roast technique, timing, and consistency.

Jennifer from New Hampshire asks how to get the most out of her Fresh Roast SR800—and whether there’s a “right” way to approach heat, timing, and roast profiles. Stephen and Catherine break down different roasting styles, explaining why there’s no single correct method—only what works best for your taste.

They also explore one of the most overlooked tools in home roasting: logging your roasts. Even without advanced temperature tracking, simple observations—like when beans yellow, hit first crack, and finish development—can dramatically improve consistency and help you replicate your best results.

If you’ve ever wondered how to refine your roast or make sense of your process, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you roast with more confidence and intention.

Topics covered:

• Different roasting approaches and how to experiment
• Understanding roast phases without fancy equipment
• Why logging matters (and what to actually write down)
• How to use time and visual cues to improve consistency

Have a question you want answered on the show? Send it to questions@riypod.com

NOTES:

Follow Our Instagram Account @RIY_POD

CHECK US OUT HERE:

Coffee Bean Corral YouTube

Coffee Bean Corral Website

Current Crop Roasting Shop Website

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Episode 91: In this episode of Roast It Yourself, Stephen and Catherine answer a listener question from John in the UK about improving roast consistency and taking the first steps toward starting a small coffee business.

They share practical, real-world advice on getting the most out of your current setup, how to squeeze maximum experience of each roast, and how simplifying your coffee lineup can lead to better, more consistent results. Along the way, they also explore whether tools like AI can actually help with roast profiling—or if experience still matters most.

It’s a focused, no-nonsense conversation for anyone looking to level up their roasting or turn their passion into something more serious.

Send your coffee roasting questions to questions@riypod.com

NOTES:

Follow Our Instagram Account @RIY_POD

CHECK US OUT HERE:

Coffee Bean Corral YouTube

Coffee Bean Corral Website

Current Crop Roasting Shop Website

Rancher Wholesale Website

Episode 90: Where do coffee tasting notes actually come from—and how accurate are they? In this episode of the Roast It Yourself Podcast, Stephen Burnett and Catherine Mansell dive into a listener question from Larry in Michigan about the mysterious world of flavor notes on coffee.

Catherine explains how tasting notes are developed during the green coffee evaluation process, why coffee is roasted and cupped before notes are written, and how producers, exporters, importers, and roasters all play a role in defining a coffee’s flavor profile. The hosts also discuss why tasting notes are really just a snapshot in time, how roasting level and brewing method can dramatically change what you taste, and why your own palate—and even what you ate yesterday—can influence the flavors you perceive.

If you’ve ever wondered why one person tastes apricot while another tastes orange, or why your roast doesn’t always match the notes on the bag, this episode breaks it all down.

Send your coffee roasting questions to questions@riypod.com

NOTES:

Follow Our Instagram Account @RIY_POD

CHECK US OUT HERE:

Coffee Bean Corral YouTube

Coffee Bean Corral Website

Current Crop Roasting Shop Website

Rancher Wholesale Website