This year, we had the opportunity to visit IKAWA's headquarters and meet Ioana Bombea, the company's Marketing Executive, to gain insider insights into the IKAWA Pro Series and the company's innovative approach to sample roasting.
Behind the Scenes with Ioana
During our conversation, we discussed how the Pro Series has evolved. Ioana shares details about the latest features, such as the advanced technology. She emphasised how these innovations allow roasters to gain a deeper understanding of coffee development, offering real-time data that was previously unavailable. We also touched on the seamless integration of the IKAWA Pro App, which lets users design custom roast profiles and share them across teams or locations, making it easier to maintain consistency and collaborate globally. Ioana highlighted how the Pro Series, with its portability, ease of use, and advanced calibration, empowers roasters to make more informed decisions and optimise their sample roasting processes, whether they're small-batch roasters or large-scale professionals.
If you're a coffee roaster looking to refine your craft, enhance your sample roasting process, and gain deeper insights into your beans, the IKAWA Pro Series might be the solution you've been searching for. Offering a range of models (Pro50, Pro100, and Pro100x), the IKAWA Pro Series might be the choice you should consider when looking at precision, consistency, and ease of use.
Why Choose the IKAWA Pro Series for Sample Roasting?
Sample roasting is a crucial part of the coffee roasting journey. Whether you're evaluating new coffees for purchase, refining roast profiles, or testing blends, the ability to replicate roasts consistently is key. The IKAWA Pro Series is designed to make sample roasting easier, more efficient, and more reliable, giving roasters a tool they can depend on at every stage of their process.
1. Simplified Roasting Process
One of the major selling points of the IKAWA Pro Series is its simplicity. With minimal setup required, the Pro Series is almost "plug-and-play," allowing you to go from unboxing to roasted beans in under 10 minutes. This means that even if you're working on a tight schedule, balancing production roasting, cupping, and other daily tasks, you can seamlessly incorporate sample roasting into your workflow. The automation built into the system reduces the need for constant monitoring, which can be a huge time-saver when juggling things in the roastery.
2. Consistency and Repeatability
For a roaster, consistency is everything. The Pro Series ensures that every batch you roast delivers the same results, time after time. Whether you're working with the Pro50 (50g batch size), the Pro100 (100g batch size), or the Pro100x (100g batch with enhanced features), you can be confident that your roasts will be reproducible across different users and environments. This is particularly important when evaluating coffees for purchasing decisions or developing new roast profiles.
IKAWA's technology helps take the guesswork out of the process. The roasters are factory-calibrated and pass colour score tests to ensure your results are predictable and consistent. The Pro Series also includes an exhaust sensor and utilises advanced airflow controls to enhance repeatability further so that you can focus on the coffee's flavour profile, not the roast's technicalities.
3. Versatile Models for Different Needs
- Pro50: Ideal for roasters who prefer working with smaller batches, the Pro50 allows for 50g sample roasts. This batch size is perfect for evaluating new coffees, experimenting with profiles, or testing small lots. It's a great choice if you're looking for a tool to start your roasting journey or if you regularly work with small lots of coffee. The Pro50 gives you flexibility without sacrificing precision, making it an excellent option for various roasters.
- Pro100: If you need to roast larger batches, 100g, then the Pro100 is the model for you. It's designed for those who want to test more coffee, whether for cupping or a more detailed brewing analysis. The Pro100 allows you to scale up without losing the consistency and precision that the Pro50 offers, whether you need extra coffee for multiple cupping bowls or brewing tests.
- Pro100x: The latest addition to the Pro Series, the Pro100x, takes things to the next level. It introduces advanced features like the IKAWA Humidity Sensor and Auto-Detect 1st Crack, which are especially useful for roasters who want to dive deeper into the roasting process. With the Pro100x, you can track moisture release through a dynamic graph, which gives you new insights into how your coffee is developing.
4. Easy Integration into Your Workflow
The IKAWA Pro App, which pairs with all Pro Series models, allows you to design, adjust, and fine-tune roast profiles directly from your smartphone or tablet. You can download pre-made profiles for various coffee-growing regions and processes, making it easy to get started without extensive roasting experience. For those who want to go further, the app also provides tools to create custom profiles, save settings, and experiment with different roast parameters.
The app's sharing functionality is invaluable. You can share roast profiles with colleagues or business partners, ensuring everyone roasts the same coffee with the same parameters, regardless of location. This consistency is crucial, particularly for cupping sessions or large-scale evaluations, where you want to ensure that everyone tastes the same profile.
5. Portability and Durability
The Pro Series has a durable, all-metal construction and comes with a custom Peli Travel Case; the IKAWA Pro Series is built to withstand the rigours of travel. Whether you're attending a trade show, collaborating with other roasters, or need to move between locations, the Pro Series is compact and portable, making it easy to take your sample roasting on the road.
6. Low Maintenance and Efficient Design
The IKAWA Pro Series is built with longevity and low maintenance in mind. The fan is the only moving part of these roasters, making them highly reliable and easy to maintain. Additionally, IKAWA's patented cyclone technology ensures efficient chaff separation during roasting, helping to keep your workspace clean and reducing maintenance needs. The roasters are sealed and pressurised to ensure predictable airflow, and the trash is automatically separated into a collection jar, reducing the need for manual cleaning.
Roaster Review
If you're still unsure about the IKAWA Pro Series and are curious to hear a roaster's opinion on this system, Chris Bell of Bell's Beans Roastery gave us a demonstration and review of the IKAWA Pro V3. Chris walked us through how he uses his Pro when in need. He explained why he chose this sample roaster for his business and general thoughts on it.
Final Thoughts: Is the IKAWA Pro Series Right for You?
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced roaster looking for a tool to streamline your workflow and refine your processes, or you desire to explore sample roasting straight with the Pro Series, the IKAWA offers a range of features that can support your goals. From its quick setup and automated functionality to the ability to share profiles and collaborate with teams, the IKAWA Pro Series is a tool worth considering.
Ikawa Home System
If you feel overwhelmed by the complexity of the Pro, you might want to consider a home roasting setup. Check out our article on the IKAWA Home system.
