Hey everybody, Dave here from Les Cheneaux Coffee Roasters! We’ve talked about how we protect the green beans, but now let’s talk about the machine that actually brings the flavor to life for Lone Bear Coffee. Since our promise to you is the best coffee experience on the trail, we need an engine we can trust completely. That's where our beast, the SF-25 by San Franciscan Roaster Company, comes in. This machine is pure roasting excellence, and it’s the heart of our operation.
We chose the SF-25 for one simple reason: its quality. San Franciscan Roasters build these machines by hand right in Carson City, Nevada, using only American-made parts. Forget mass production; this roaster is a meticulously designed piece of equipment built entirely from Schedule 40 steel—no cheap cast iron here. That steel is more conductive and incredibly responsive to our heat adjustments, which is huge for us. It means when we make a tiny tweak to the heat during a roast, the machine responds immediately, allowing us to maintain precise control over the complex roast profile of every Lone Bear batch. This precision is how we ensure that whether you're drinking a dark French roast or a lighter single-origin, the flavor is exactly what we intended.
The SF-25 is rated for up to a 25-pound batch, but we’re a specialty operation dedicated to freshness and control. Our typical batch sizes are smaller—usually 10-pound and 20-pound batches. Why? This gives us the control needed to fine-tune the roast profile and maximize flavor development for our signature Daybreak Blend. Think of it like this: roasting a big 25-pound batch is like driving a fully loaded semi, while roasting a 10-pound batch is like driving a nimble sports car. The smaller size allows us to be extremely agile with the heat and airflow controls, ensuring every single bean gets roasted evenly and to perfection. Since Lone Bear operates on a roast-to-order model, these batch sizes fit perfectly, allowing us to deliver ultimate freshness without compromising quality.
Another feature we appreciate is the SF-25’s environmental design. It comes equipped with an afterburner, which is a separate cylinder designed to burn off the smoke and odors created during the roasting process. For us, this is about being good neighbors and responsible roasters. But for you, it’s proof that we prioritize a clean, well-maintained machine, which translates directly to clean, pure flavors in your cup. Plus, the roaster’s robust build quality, including its simple cleaning and maintenance systems, means this hard-working machine will be with us for a lifetime, reliably turning out high-quality roasts for your next hundred adventures.
Ultimately, the SF-25 isn’t just a piece of equipment; it’s an extension of our craft. It provides the durability and the precise control we need to consistently deliver the "best experience a person ever had with a cup of coffee" for Lone Bear. We’ve got the best beans, the best machine, and a commitment to quality that’s built right into our process. We’re proud to be roasting your adventure fuel on a machine that’s as rugged and reliable as the gear you take into the backcountry!
Tired of gritty, lukewarm camp coffee? Learn how to achieve a café-quality brew anywhere with our ultimate guide to outdoor coffee gear. We dive deep into the pros and cons of four top brewing methods—the AeroPress, French Press, Pour-Over, and Cowboy Coffee—comparing taste, portability, and cleanup. Plus, we highlight the essential grinders and kettles that make all the difference, ensuring your next sunrise cup is your best one yet.
So, what’s my preferred brewing style? Well, my answer is a definitive, "Yes, all of the above, depending on my mood, the weather, and whether I remembered to sleep last night." I totally go in "spurts," ranging from the comforting, gritty hug of a French Press to the clean, peaceful ritual of a Chemex with a lighter roast. But when the roastery chaos hits and I need to move faster than a black bear chasing a picnic basket, my go-to is a survival-level quad-shot espresso. It’s the caffeine equivalent of being slapped awake by a grumpy beaver, and it’s what keeps your coffee tasting perfect.
Our engine of adventure, the SF-25 by San Franciscan Roaster Company, is the meticulous machine that brings the flavor to life for Lone Bear Coffee. We chose this American-made beast, built from robust Schedule 40 steel, because its high conductivity and responsive heat controls allow us to achieve extremely precise roast profiles—a critical factor in specialty roasting. While the machine can handle up to 25 pounds, we stick to 10-pound and 20-pound batches. This smaller size gives us the necessary agility to fine-tune the roast, ensuring every single bean develops maximum flavor and guaranteeing ultimate freshness for your roast-to-order adventure fuel.
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