A 12 kg coffee roaster sits at the dividing line between specialty roastery and production facility. Below 12 kg you are a craft roaster; above it, you are running a production line. This guide covers the specs, installation needs, automation options and buying decisions specific to the 12 kg class — with real numbers from the YOSHAN YS-12KG and SD-12KG Pro.
Is a 12 kg Roaster Right for You?
The 12 kg class makes economic sense when your operation hits one of these thresholds:
- Daily roasted output exceeds 80 kg — a 6 kg roaster running two shifts cannot keep up
- You supply 10+ wholesale accounts and need batch-to-batch consistency without a dedicated roaster operator watching every curve
- You are building a production roastery from scratch and want headroom for 3–5 years of growth
- You need a single machine that can run specialty small batches (2–4 kg) and large commercial blends (10–13 kg) on the same day
Output Capacity: Realistic Daily Numbers
| Green load per batch | Roasted output | Batches per 8-hr shift | Daily roasted output |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kg | ~4.2 kg | 18–20 | 76–84 kg |
| 8 kg | ~6.6 kg | 16–18 | 106–119 kg |
| 12 kg (max) | ~10 kg | 14–16 | 140–160 kg |
A 12 kg machine running a sustainable 8-hour day produces 100–140 kg roasted coffee. Running two shifts doubles this to 200–280 kg/day — at which point you should evaluate a 20–30 kg machine instead.
Two 12 kg Options from YOSHAN
YOSHAN builds two distinct 12 kg machines for different buyer profiles:
YS-12KG — Giesen-Inspired, Siemens PLC
| Specification | YS-12KG |
|---|---|
| Batch capacity | 1–13 kg green per batch |
| Drum | Cast iron |
| Roast cycle | 12–15 min/batch |
| Cooling | 1–2 minutes |
| Heating | LPG / Natural Gas / Electric (380V) |
| LNG consumption | 4 m³/hour |
| LPG consumption | 1.4 m³/hour |
| Control panel | Siemens touch screen (independent station) |
| Dimensions | 2290 × 1881 × 2279 mm (W×D×H) |
| Net weight | 758 kg |
| Colors | Black / White / Red / Blue / Yellow / Custom |
| Certifications | CE, SGS, ISO 9001, RoHS |
SD-12KG Pro — Probat-Inspired, Full Automatic
| Specification | SD-12KG Pro |
|---|---|
| Batch capacity | 3.5–13 kg green per batch |
| Roast output | 18–52 kg/hour |
| Drum | Cast iron, double-walled |
| Automation | Fully automatic PLC (temperature chasing ±0.1°C) |
| Roast cycle | 8–15 min/batch |
| Cooling | 1–2 minutes (specialty 2 min, blend 2.5 min) |
| Heating | LPG / Natural Gas |
| Dimensions | 2200 × 1300 × 2000 mm |
| Weight | 280 kg |
YS-12KG vs SD-12KG Pro: Which to Choose?
| Factor | YS-12KG | SD-12KG Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Specialty roasters wanting Siemens-grade PLC + flexibility | Production lines needing fastest throughput + full automation |
| Electric option | Yes (380V 3-phase) | Gas only |
| Machine weight | 758 kg (heavier, more thermal mass) | 280 kg (lighter, easier to install) |
| Cooling | 1–2 min independent stirring plate | 1–2 min (specialty 2 min exactly) |
| Artisan compatible | Yes | Yes |
Our recommendation: specialty roasters with a trained roaster on-site should consider the YS-12KG for its Siemens-grade flexibility and electric option. Production roasters prioritizing throughput and consistency should look at the SD-12KG Pro.
Installation: What You Need to Prepare
A 12 kg roaster is significantly heavier and taller than a 6 kg machine. Prepare:
- Floor load rating: the YS-12KG weighs 758 kg — confirm your floor can handle 800+ kg/m² at the installation point
- Ceiling height: minimum 3.5 m; 4 m preferred to route the exhaust duct without sharp bends
- Exhaust diameter: 200–250 mm stainless duct; matched ESP smoke filter (YS-JD-Q4 for 12–15 kg) or afterburner (YS-HR12) recommended
- Gas line: 1 inch NPT minimum at 2.5+ kPa for LPG; 1.5 kPa for natural gas
- Electrical: 220V single-phase (gas model); 380V three-phase for electric option
- Forklift access: 758 kg cannot be moved by hand — arrange a pallet jack or forklift for unloading and placement
Smoke Control for a 12 kg Roaster
At 12 kg capacity, exhaust volume is high enough that most urban jurisdictions require a smoke treatment solution. YOSHAN offers two options matched to the 12–15 kg class:
- YS-JD-Q4 ESP Smoke Filter: 4,000 m³/hour airflow, 300W, absorbs 95%+ of smoke and fine dust. Best for areas with moderate local regulations.
- YS-HR12 Afterburner: complete combustion at 200–1,000°C, 30,000–50,000 kcal/hour, eliminates smoke, smell and VOCs. Required for strict residential or EPA-compliant roasteries.
We recommend requesting a complete system quote — roaster + destoner + smoke filter/afterburner — rather than adding accessories later.
Get a Quote for a 12 kg Coffee Roaster
YOSHAN ships 12 kg roasters worldwide from Shenzhen, China. Lead time: 25–40 working days. Shipping options: DDP, CIF or FOB Shenzhen. CE and SGS certified. OEM branding from 1 unit.
To get an accurate quote, include: your country, preferred heating type (LPG/NG/electric), color preference, and whether you need matched accessories.
