From Taiwan, the Orbiter OB-1 Pro Joins the Small Roaster Sphere

The Orbiter OB-1 Pro Roaster. All images courtesy of P.R.C.E.

A new countertop electric drum roaster called the Orbiter OB-1 Pro is beginning to make the rounds overseas, launching in China and Australia last year and expanding to Thailand earlier this year.

Made by Taiwan-based manufacturer P.R.C.E. (Professional Roasting Coffee Equipment), the machine is capable of roasting batches from 300 to 1,200 grams (10.5 ounces to 2.6 pounds).

The machine uses what the company calls a semi-hot-air system, combining electric drum conduction with hot-air convection. P.R.C.E. says the system brings 1 kilogram of coffee to first crack in approximately 7–8 minutes.

“The Orbiter is P.R.C.E.’s first commercial coffee roaster,” a company spokesperson told Daily Coffee News. “As the company grows, we plan to expand the Orbiter product family with different batch capacities and accessories to meet the needs of a broader range of coffee professionals.”

Inside the OB-1 Pro, a 2-millimeter-thick 304 stainless steel drum receives heat from directed hot air and curved electric elements wrapped around the chamber. The machine lists maximum power at 3,300 watts. An optional carbon steel drum is available for roasters seeking different thermal characteristics.

Automation features include programmable charging from the hopper, adjustable drum speed, heat and airflow, and an integrated four-minute cooling phase. The Android/iOS app displays bean and air temperatures in real time and allows users to mark first crack. The OB-1 Pro is also compatible with Artisan software.

A heat-resistant soda-lime glass window gives users a broad view of the drum, while a traditional trier allows closer sampling during the roast. A built-in cyclone chaff collector includes side access for emptying.

The machine can record, store and repeat up to 10 roast profiles locally, while the app can store and share additional profiles.

“Going forward, we will continue enhancing both the hardware and software based on customer feedback, while expanding the Orbiter lineup with additional batch capacities and practical accessories to meet the evolving needs of coffee professionals,” the company said.

The original Orbiter OB-1 debuted in 2023, two years after P.R.C.E. was founded in New Taipei City, Taiwan, by engineers and industrial designers with backgrounds in other industries. Di Pacci Coffee, P.R.C.E.’s Australia, New Zealand and U.S. distribution partner, currently lists the original OB-1 with an MSRP of $13,000 on its U.S. website.

The OB-1 Pro joins a rapidly growing market for high-end home, sample and small-production roasters. Recent entrants include Thermoplan’s 1.2-kilogram Mikafi shop roaster, Stronghold’s 300-gram S2, Taiwan-made BeanGo Cube and Mago Maga’s 300-gram Roma-X.

The Orbiter OB-1 Pro is not yet available in the U.S., although the company told DCN that the U.S. is among the international markets currently eyed for expansion. 

“P.R.C.E. will continue focusing on product innovation, software optimization and expanding its global distribution network,” the company told DCN. 

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