What We Taught a College Class About AI for Small Business
We were invited to guest lecture at Dominican University's Brennan School of Business about how we use AI to run Gigawatt Coffee Roasters. The best part wasn't the presentation —...
Our Roasting Method
Air Roasted Coffee. Smoother. Cleaner. Never Bitter.
Most coffee is drum roasted — beans tumbling against hot steel, burning chaff into the roast. We do it differently. Our fluid-bed air roaster uses hot air to lift, suspend, and roast every bean evenly. The result? A cleaner cup with more flavor and zero bitterness.
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By the Numbers
Why Air Roasting?
The numbers speak for themselves.
0%
Bitterness
Chaff removed during roasting — never burnt into the bean
~1%
Of Roasters Worldwide
A small fraction of coffee roasters use fluid-bed air roasting
2,000+
Five-Star Reviews
People taste the difference — and come back for more
12.99
Per Bag
Fresh, specialty-quality coffee at a fair price
The Difference
Air Roasting vs. Drum Roasting
Two methods. Very different results.
Air Roasting
Hot air suspends the beans — they float, never touching a hot surface
Chaff removed automatically — blown out during the roast
Even roast from all sides — no hot spots, no scorching
Small batch precision — every bean gets individual attention
Smooth, clean flavor — more bean, zero bitterness
Drum Roasting
Beans tumble against hot steel — contact heat causes scorching
Chaff burns on the bean — bakes bitterness into the roast
Uneven heat distribution — outer beans roast faster than inner
Built for volume, not quality — large batches prioritize speed over taste
Bitter, burnt aftertaste — especially in darker roasts
Same beans. Better method. Better coffee.
"
"We're not here for fast or fancy. We're here for coffee that tastes good and feels right."
FAQ
Common Questions
What does air roasted coffee taste like?
Smoother and cleaner than drum roasted coffee. Because chaff is removed during roasting, there's no burnt or bitter aftertaste. You'll taste more of the bean's natural flavors — chocolate, citrus, berry, caramel — depending on the origin and roast level.
Is air roasted coffee less acidic?
Many customers find air roasted coffee easier on their stomach. The cleaner roasting process and chaff removal can reduce some of the compounds that cause digestive discomfort, though acidity also depends on the bean origin and roast level.
What is a fluid-bed air roaster?
A fluid-bed roaster uses a column of hot air to lift and roast coffee beans. The beans float on the air stream instead of tumbling against a hot metal drum. This method was pioneered by Michael Sivetz in the 1970s and produces an exceptionally clean, even roast.
Why don't more roasters use air roasting?
Fluid-bed air roasters have smaller batch capacities than drum roasters, which makes them less efficient for large-scale production. They also require more attention during the roast. Most commercial roasters prioritize volume — we prioritize taste.
Is air roasted coffee more expensive?
Not at Gigawatt. Most of our bags are $12.99. We keep overhead low by operating out of our roastery in Bensenville, IL and selling direct — online, at farmers markets, and through wholesale partners.
Where can I try Gigawatt's air roasted coffee?
Shop online at gigawattcoffeeroasters.com, find us at 250+ farmers markets and events across the Chicago suburbs each year, or ask your local coffee shop if they carry Gigawatt wholesale.
Learn More About Air Roasted COffee
From the Gigawatt Grounds Blog
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