About
Mill City Roasters is a leading manufacturer and retailer of commercial coffee roasting equipment headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Their product lineup spans the Legacy MCR Series (MCR-2D through MCR-30) and the newly launched American-made M-Series roasters (MCR-6, MCR-10, MCR-20), all fabricated in-house. Beyond hardware, Mill City Roasters offers a comprehensive roastery build-out ecosystem including afterburners, venting systems, weigh/fill machines, destoners, espresso machines, grinders, and datalogging & automation software such as RoastPATH®. For coffee sourcing, they supply single-origin and blend green coffees, seasoning greens, and private-label roasted coffee in bulk. Their roastery services extend to toll roasting, custom profile design, and green coffee evaluation. Mill City Roasters is equally known for its educational offerings, running Roasting 101 and Advanced Roasting Workshops, participating in Coffee Fest events, and maintaining an extensive Coffee Education Library with beginner videos, installation guides, roast-along sessions, and a curated article collection. Private consulting is also available. Their community hub includes the RoastPATH® forums, events, and a curated list of coffee professionals to follow. Whether you're launching a micro-roastery or scaling a commercial operation, Mill City Roasters provides the equipment, knowledge, and support to succeed.
Key Features
- Commercial Coffee Roasters (MCR & M-Series): A full lineup of drum roasters from 2kg to 30kg capacity, including the new USA-made M-Series built in Minneapolis.
- RoastPATH® Datalogging & Automation Software: Proprietary roast-profile tracking and automation software to monitor, record, and replicate roast curves with precision.
- Green Coffee Sourcing: Single-origin and blend green coffees available by the bag or 40-pound bulk boxes, plus seasoning greens for new roasters.
- Professional Roasting Education: In-person Roasting 101 and Advanced Roasting Workshops, Coffee Fest participation, and a free online video education library.
- Full Roastery Build-Out Support: Afterburners, venting systems, weigh/fill machines, destoners, grinders, and private-label toll roasting services.
Use Cases
- Launching a commercial micro-roastery with a full equipment build-out including roaster, venting, and grinders.
- Learning specialty coffee roasting through structured workshops, video libraries, and private consulting.
- Sourcing high-quality single-origin or blend green coffees for a roastery operation.
- Developing and replicating consistent roast profiles using RoastPATH® datalogging software.
- Creating a private-label coffee line using Mill City Roasters' toll roasting and custom profile design services.
Pros
- End-to-End Roastery Solution: From green coffee sourcing to roasting hardware, software, and finished private-label coffee — everything a roastery needs is available in one place.
- Strong Education Ecosystem: Free video libraries, structured workshops, and private consulting make Mill City Roasters a top resource for both beginners and experienced roasters.
- American-Made Equipment Option: The new M-Series roasters are fabricated in-house in Minneapolis, offering a domestic manufacturing option with direct support.
- Active Community & Forums: The RoastPATH® forums and community events provide ongoing peer support and professional networking for coffee roasters.
Cons
- Premium Price Point: Commercial-grade roasters and equipment represent a significant capital investment, making entry costly for very small or hobby roasters.
- In-Person Classes Are Location-Dependent: Advanced hands-on workshops are held in Minneapolis, which may require travel for customers outside the Midwest.
- Not an AI or Software-First Platform: The core offering is physical equipment and education; digital tools like RoastPATH® are supplementary rather than the primary product.
Frequently Asked Questions
What coffee roaster models does Mill City Roasters offer?
Mill City Roasters offers the Legacy MCR Series (MCR-2D, MCR-2E, MCR-3D, MCR-6, MCR-10, MCR-20, MCR-30) and the new USA-made M-Series (MCR-6, MCR-10, MCR-20), fabricated in their Minneapolis facility.
What is RoastPATH®?
RoastPATH® is Mill City Roasters' proprietary datalogging and roast-profile automation software. It lets roasters track, record, and replicate roast curves for consistency and quality control.
Do they offer coffee roasting classes?
Yes. Mill City Roasters runs Roasting 101, Advanced Roasting Workshops, and participates in Coffee Fest events. They also maintain a free online Coffee Education Library with beginner, installation, and roast-along videos.
Can I buy green coffee from Mill City Roasters?
Yes. They sell single-origin and blend green coffees, seasoning greens for breaking in new roasters, and 40-pound bulk boxes at a discount.
Do they offer private-label or toll roasting services?
Yes. Mill City Roasters offers private-label toll roasting, custom coffee and profile design, and green coffee evaluation as roastery services for businesses.
