Inside Probat Burns’ New Training Lab Outside Chicago

All photos courtesy of Probat Burns.

Commercial coffee equipment manufacturer Probat Burns has dedicated a portion of its Vernon Hills, Ill., headquarters to a new training lab, including three types of roasters and a comprehensive program that will delve into roasting, profiling, green coffee analysis, blending, cupping and tasting, quality control, optimizing production, safe operating practices and environmental controls.

The lab is available by appointment to all current and aspiring roasters, not just Probat Burns’ existing clients. Probat Burns Vice President of Marketing Launtia Taylor recently told Daily Coffee News that the next step for the lab will be achieving SCAA certification.

Inside the lab are three of Probat’s most popular models, each with distinct functions in commercial applications: A P-12 solid drum production roaster, a Probatino shop/tabletop roaster and a double-drum BRZ-2 sample roaster. Surrounding the roasters are all kinds of brewing and laboratory gear designed to support the facility’s range of quality- and safety-focused training courses.

Taylor said the facility was created not only for training purposes, but also to give trainees and others interested in commercial roasting a “bird’s eye” view of production processes, and an opportunity to communicate in person with members of the Probat Burns support team.