What Is Convection in Coffee Roasting?

Convection = heat transferred by hot moving air. This is dominant in air roasters and hybrid drum machines with high airflow.

27 Nov, 2025

What Is Convection in Coffee Roasting?

Where convection happens:

  • Hot air passing through the bean bed

  • Airflow pulling moisture & chaff out

  • Volatile gases circulating inside the drum

What convection does to flavor:

  • Produces clean, bright flavor clarity

  • More even internal bean development

  • Enhances acidity and sweetness

Benefits of strong convection:

  • Faster, more responsive heat adjustments

  • Less risk of scorching

  • More uniform batches

  • Cleaner cup profiles

When convection is strongest:

  • High airflow settings

  • Fluid-bed (air) roasters

  • Thin-drum or perforated drum roasters

  • During drying and Maillard phases