Between the 1–2 kg starter machines and the 5–6 kg workhorses sits the size most cafes actually grow into: the 3 kg coffee roaster. It roasts enough to supply a busy cafe and a small wholesale list, still fits through a standard door, and runs on power most buildings already have. As the factory that has been building drum roasters since 1990, here is what a 3 kg machine really does — output math, fuel and voltage options, footprint, and the questions buyers send us before they order.
What a 3 kg Roaster Actually Produces
Nameplate capacity is green coffee per batch, not per hour. Real output depends on cycle time and the cooling tray:
| Working assumption | Figure |
|---|---|
| Comfortable batch (75–90% fill) | 2.2–2.7 kg green |
| Roast + cool + charge cycle | 14–18 minutes |
| Batches per hour | 3–4 |
| Green per hour | ~7–10 kg |
| Roasted per 6-hour session | ~35–50 kg (after 15–18% weight loss) |
Two roasting days a week therefore cover roughly 300–400 kg of roasted coffee a month — a cafe chain of three or four locations, or a cafe plus a modest wholesale round. Below that, a 2 kg machine is cheaper to buy and to run; consistently above it, jump straight to a 5 kg roaster rather than adding roasting hours.
Gas or Electric at This Size?
3 kg is the last capacity where electric heating is genuinely competitive. Above it, burners win on both cost and responsiveness.
| Gas (LPG / natural gas) | Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Heat response | Immediate — best profile control | Slight lag; smoother, forgiving curves |
| Running cost | ~0.3–0.6 kg LPG per roasting hour | ~9–12 kWh per roasting hour |
| Installation | Gas line or cylinder + licensed fitter | Dedicated circuit only — simplest for mall and indoor sites |
| Best for | Dedicated roasteries, high volume | Shopping-mall cafes, gas-restricted buildings, show roasting |
Where electricity is expensive, gas usually pays back the extra installation within a year — the full breakdown is in our running-costs guide and the gas vs electric comparison.
Power Supply: The Question We Get Most
“Does this work with 110 volts?” is one of the most common first messages we receive. For a 3 kg machine the honest answers are:
- Gas-heated 3 kg: the electrical load is only the drum motor, fan and controls — typically under 1 kW. We build these for 110V/60Hz, 220V/50Hz or 220V/60Hz to match your country.
- Electric-heated 3 kg: the elements need 9–12 kW. That is not a 110V proposition. It means 220–240V on a heavy single-phase circuit, or three-phase 380–415V where available — specify the supply before production, not after.
- Frequency matters: 50 Hz and 60 Hz change fan and motor speed. Tell us both voltage and frequency; retrofitting later is expensive.
Full country-by-country detail: the coffee roaster voltage guide.
Which 3 kg Machine: DY, SD or YS
| Series | Character | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| DY series | Classic compact drum, manual control, gas or electric | Cafes, training rooms, first roaster |
| SD series | Classic European-style build, heavier drum, cast front | Roasteries wanting traditional feel and thermal mass |
| YS series | Siemens PLC, touchscreen, profile recording and replay | Buyers who want repeatable curves and multiple operators |
Model-level specs and photos sit on the 3 kg roaster product page. All three accept custom paint, logo plates and voltage — the same customization route a roastery in Oman used for their white LPG machine.
Software, Profiles and Artisan
A real message from a buyer running our DY 3 kg: “Artisan says Yoshan DY 3kg… bluetooth will not connect.” The fix is almost always the connection type rather than the machine — USB/serial to the temperature module is the reliable path, and the driver plus port settings have to match. We walk through both routes in connecting a roaster to Artisan. If profile logging matters to you from day one, the YS series with PLC control removes the guesswork entirely.
Space, Venting and Delivery
- Footprint: a 3 kg drum roaster occupies roughly 1.0–1.3 m × 0.7–0.9 m, about 1.5–1.7 m tall with the hopper — it passes through a standard doorway on a pallet jack.
- Clearance: leave 60–80 cm behind and to one side for the cyclone, chaff drawer and service access.
- Exhaust: 100–150 mm ducting, as short and vertical as possible; see ventilation requirements. In smoke-sensitive locations add an ESP smoke filter rather than assuming an afterburner is required.
- Shipping: crated, a 3 kg machine is an LCL shipment in most lanes — groupage with a grinder or destoner is usually cheaper per cubic metre than shipping alone.
FAQ
How much coffee can a 3 kg roaster produce per day?
About 7–10 kg of green per hour at 3–4 batches, so roughly 35–50 kg roasted in a six-hour session. Two sessions a week cover 300–400 kg roasted per month.
Does a 3 kg coffee roaster work on 110 volts?
A gas-heated 3 kg does — its electrical load is under 1 kW and we build 110V/60Hz versions. An electric-heated 3 kg needs 9–12 kW, which means 220–240V or three-phase power.
Should I buy 3 kg or go straight to 5 kg?
If you already sell more than roughly 350 kg of roasted coffee a month, or expect to within a year, buy the 5 kg. The price difference is far smaller than the cost of replacing a machine you outgrew.
Can a 3 kg roaster connect to Artisan?
Yes. USB/serial to the temperature module is the dependable connection; Bluetooth is the usual source of connection complaints. YS models with Siemens PLC also record and replay profiles on their own screen.
What is the lead time and warranty?
Standard configurations typically ship within a few weeks of order confirmation; custom colour, logo and voltage add production time. Every machine carries a one-year whole-machine warranty with spare parts available afterwards.
Get a Quote for a 3 kg Roaster
Tell us your country, voltage and frequency, gas or electric, and the monthly volume you expect — we will send the matching specification, crate dimensions and a factory-direct quotation. Use the enquiry form on our contact page, or message us directly:
Not sure which capacity fits? Start with the capacity selection guide or the price guide.
Last updated: July 27, 2026