German roaster manufacturer Probat this week launched an all-electric, small-capacity model called the P01, which is replacing the gas-powered Probatino as the company expands its lineup of P Series shop roasters.
The 1-kilo-capacity P01 is designed for sample roasting and recipe development. While it departs from the Probatino through a number of features, it maintains the goal of mimicking and predicting the performances of Probat’s larger production models.
The P01 includes the same web-based software controls and automation features found on the larger P Series machines, including the recently introduced electric P05 E roaster. Additionally like its bigger siblings, the P01’s thermocouples gather data for incoming air, bean mass and exhaust temperatures, negative pressure is monitored, and the drum speed is variable.
The new Probat P01 1-kilo sample/shop roaster. All images courtesy of Probat.
Key to the new design is also a novel system of hot air jets that heats the drum for a performance on par with traditional gas burners, according to the company.
“The drum roasting process remains the same, independent of whether you use a burner in combination with a roasting air fan or this high-tech hot air blower, which reacts just as flexibly as a burner,” Probat Marketing Representative Iris Gerlach told Daily Coffee News. “Heat is still mainly transferred via convection. The beans are moved mechanically by the paddles that are installed inside the drum.”
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A digital release event showcasing a limited edition first run of P01 machines occurred on Probat’s YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook channels yesterday. Nine unique machines hand-painted by David Salinas of the design company Department of Brewology were released as part of the event.
The limited-edition designs follow the themes of Harvest, Geometric or Tropical. The Harvest series features colors and symbols highlighting the act of picking coffee by hand. The Geometric series illustrates the life cycle of a coffee plant, and the Tropical series conjures tropical floral elements combined with images of roasting and drink preparation.
Industrial three-phase power is required to run the machines, which are now available for worldwide shipping. Probat is not publicly disclosing the price.
The P01 will be on display at the company’s upcoming Connecting Markets Symposium, scheduled to occur at the Probat headquarters in Emmerich, Germany on Sept. 21-22.
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Howard Bryman
Howard Bryman is the associate editor of Daily Coffee News by Roast Magazine. He is based in Portland, Oregon.
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