Roasting Lab

Roasting Lab Community

Hi, I’m Rob Hoos. I am a coffee roaster, author, consultant, and mentor with over 20 years in the industry. I’ve been roasting coffee since 2009 and helping roasters worldwide refine their craft since 2013. I try to approach roasting with a balance of art, craft, and science—blending creative exploration with technical precision. Through this community, I share my experience to help roasters develop consistent, high-quality results while fostering curiosity and growth.

Coffee roasting is complicated, but it doesn’t have to be hard. Most importantly, you don’t have to do it alone.

The Roasting Lab Community is a dedicated space for coffee roasters to connect, learn, and refine their craft through community-driven, mentor-led education. Roasting Lab helps roasters at any stage go from isolated trial-and-error to supported learning. My goal is to help you roast with confidence and share coffee you are proud of, whether you are roasting at home or for a business.

The app provides several features to support your growth and professional development in the industry.

Community Forum and Technical Discussion:

The heart of the app is a structured forum where you can ask technical questions and troubleshoot roasting challenges. I personally review your posts and respond to questions to ensure you get specific, actionable advice. Whether you are troubleshooting heat transfer, posting a photo of your roast profile for comments, or discussing green coffee quality, you’ll find a supportive group of like-minded roasters ready to share their experiences.

Educational Video Library:

Access a growing library of lessons and video content focused on the science and practice of coffee roasting. The videos cover everything from foundational concepts to advanced techniques, helping you understand the variables that impact flavor and consistency.

Roast Profile Sharing and Analysis:

You can upload and share your roast curves with the community for feedback. We focus on rigorous data collection and honest analysis to help bridge the gap between creative exploration and technical precision. By examining the data together, we can better understand how different roast profile approaches affect the final cup.

The Coffee Book Club:

Join our regular discussions as we examine important literature in the coffee industry. We break down complex texts and talk about how to apply those concepts to our daily roasting operations. It’s a collaborative way to stay informed and continue your education alongside other professionals.

Specialized Workshops:

The app includes access to specialized content for different roasting platforms, including deep dives into the mechanics of machines like the Loring. I focus on how to manipulate controls to achieve your desired flavor profiles and how to maximize the potential of your specific equipment.

A Focus on Intentionality:

This community is built on the values of honesty, curiosity, and practicality. I believe that a solution only counts if it works on the production floor and can be conveyed without ego. By joining Roasting Lab, you’re entering a no-judgment zone where we start where you are and move in the direction you want to go. We avoid pretense and ego, focusing instead on shared experimentation and open feedback.

Whether you are just getting started or are a seasoned professional refining an established approach, Roasting Lab provides the tools and the community to help you roast with intention. I look forward to seeing you in the community.