The coffee industry is on the cusp of a significant transformation with the introduction of the DirectRoaster, an all-electric commercial coffee roasting machine originating from the Netherlands. Developed by iStill, a company renowned for its high-tech distilling equipment, this roaster distinguishes itself through its unique convection-driven heating mechanism and commitment to environmental sustainability. Its debut at major coffee festivals has positioned it as a frontrunner in the movement towards more efficient and eco-friendly roasting solutions, offering unprecedented precision and adaptability for roasters of all scales.

Netherlands' iStill Unveils Advanced Electric Coffee Roaster to Global Market

In a momentous announcement in July 2025, the Dutch company iStill, a leader in high-tech automated distilling equipment, introduced its innovative DirectRoaster to the global coffee market. This pioneering all-electric commercial coffee roaster, first showcased to the public at the Amsterdam Coffee Festival in April and subsequently making its international debut at the World of Coffee trade show in Geneva in June, marks a significant leap forward in coffee roasting technology.

Unlike conventional roasters that often rely on natural gas, the DirectRoaster embraces an all-electric design, aligning with the growing industry trend towards smaller, more sustainable roasting apparatuses. Its core innovation lies in its distinctive heat delivery method: air is propelled through an integrated heating element within the drum, ensuring that heat is transferred to the coffee beans almost entirely through convection. This minimizes heat loss through conduction and mitigates radiation through a strategically placed heat shield that uniformly distributes hot air.

A notable feature of the DirectRoaster is its versatility and scalability. By simply interchanging the heating element, a single machine can effortlessly transition between 5-kilogram and 15-kilogram roasting capacities. This adaptability ensures consistent accuracy, repeatability, and energy efficiency, regardless of the batch size, a testament to iStill’s deep engineering expertise.

According to Nil Isil, Product Engineer at DirectRoaster, the machine employs an advanced dual-blower system. One fan circulates air through the ceramic heating element, directly heating the beans, while the second fan efficiently extracts smoke and moisture. This exhaust is then routed through a thermal energy recovery system and heat exchanger. Fresh intake air is preheated by the residual heat of the exiting exhaust, remarkably, without direct contact, ensuring heat retention and increased efficiency while preventing contamination. This ingenious design also eliminates the need for an afterburner, simplifying maintenance to a mere cleaning of the exhaust tube.

Adam Janicsak, DirectRoaster Head of Sales and Marketing, highlighted the unique perspective brought by iStill Founder and CEO Dr. Edwin van Eijk, who ventured into coffee roasting with a scientific, unbiased approach, free from traditional industry conventions. This fresh outlook has allowed for the development of a truly innovative product.

Equipped with four sophisticated sensors, the DirectRoaster meticulously monitors inbound air temperature, air exiting the heater, bean temperature, and drum exhaust. Operators gain granular control over drum rotation speed, fan settings, and heater power, with the added convenience of saving and automating roast profiles for consistent results. Furthermore, the sealed system, with its preheated and dried intake air, insulates the roasting process from external environmental fluctuations, a common challenge for many traditional roasters.

DirectRoaster is currently accepting pre-orders worldwide, with prices set at €35,000 for the lower capacity model and €40,000 for the high-capacity version. The company anticipates delivering the first units to customers by early 2026. Looking ahead, DirectRoaster plans to integrate a first-crack detection system based on rate of rise, power input, and exhaust moisture content, and aims to expand its application beyond coffee to include cocoa, nuts, and grains.

The DirectRoaster exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to an age-old craft. Its innovative design, combining energy efficiency with unparalleled control and adaptability, suggests a promising future for sustainable coffee production. This development is not merely about a new machine; it represents a paradigm shift towards intelligent, environmentally conscious, and scalable roasting, empowering coffee businesses to achieve superior quality while minimizing their ecological footprint. As a professional in the industry, one can foresee this technology fostering a new wave of artisanal and commercial roasters dedicated to both excellence and sustainability, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in coffee. The emphasis on convection heating and the clever energy recovery system are particularly inspiring, showcasing how engineering ingenuity can address critical challenges in resource consumption and waste management within manufacturing processes.