Client: Sweet Barrel Creamery – Vancouver, BC
Business: Creamery & Café
For nearly a decade, Michael, owner of Sweet Barrel Creamery, has been roasting his coffee in-house using the FZ94 electric shop roaster built by Coffee-Tech Engineering (CTE). At the start of his coffee roasting journey, Michael’s goal was clear: Find a commercial-grade electric shop roaster, appropriately sized to support his cafe’s “behind-the-counter” and “on-the-shelf needs”, that fits into his existing cafe space, preferably, as a show piece, all while still allowing him the time necessary to run the rest of the operations at Sweet Barrel Creamery and Roastery. Nine years later, Michael’s still roasting on the original FZ94 and he’s still confident it was the right choice.
We spoke to Michael about his roasting setup, his experience with the FZ94 shop roaster, and why he continues to rely on both the equipment and Coffee-Tek for support. As Canada’s exclusive distributor of Coffee-Tech Engineering’s roasters, we wanted to know more about why a seasoned roaster like Michael stands behind the FZ94 roaster.
A Compact, Commercial-Grade Roaster Designed for Small, Electric-Only Environments
When Michael began looking for a coffee roaster, his space constraints and zoning requirements made gas roasting unfeasible. The FZ94 shop roaster offered a combination of electric heat, commercial-grade durability, and a batch size that matched his production needs – enough to serve one or two cafés without taking up excessive space.
He briefly considered another popular roaster, but ultimately found that the FZ94’s build quality, capacity and ease of operation made it the best fit for his goal of long-term commercial in-house roasting, 3-4 days/week.
Built For Daily Use in a Real-World Café Setting
So, just how much coffee can you expect to roast using the FZ94 Evo shop roaster? Michael roasts three to four days per week, running 8-10 batches at just under 2kg per batch. Coffee roasting fits seamlessly into the rhythm of his café operations, often happening between coffee bar shifts or while making ice cream. The FZ94’s ease of use and consistent performance have made it a natural part of his daily workflow.
Michael’s roasting approach has evolved gradually over the years, with many adjustments made almost subconsciously. Variations in green bean quality and origin characteristics have led him to fine-tune his process batch by batch. Occasionally, a lucky mistake has led to trying something new, or the need to correct an unsatisfactory result has sparked a change in the approach to roasting. Throughout it all, the FZ94’s intuitive setup has made experimentation feel natural, “just like an Apple product,” as Michael puts it, “you’ll figure it out.”
Built To Last – Still Running Strong Nine Years Later
After nearly a decade of consistent use, the FZ94 roaster continues to deliver the same reliable performance it did on day one. Michael credits its compact footprint as a major advantage for limited-space shop roasting, even when it’s paired with the Avirnaki Smoke Elimination System. Together, the setup has proven highly efficient without compromising roast quality or output…and it allows him to vent directly into the cafe without any smoke or smoky aromas.
Despite the continuous growth of his coffee program over the years, the FZ94 is still keeping up, but Michael will be looking to upgrade to CTE’s new 7kg electric roaster if sales keep growing for his Sweet Barrel packaged coffee.
Easy Maintenance, Backed by Coffee-Tek
Maintenance has remained straightforward thanks to the FZ94’s thoughtful engineering. Michael handles the majority of upkeep and repairs himself, noting that the machine is designed to be accessible and easy to work with: “The equipment is very easy to maintain and repair.”
Whenever support is needed, Coffee-Tek provides fast, reliable service, technical instruction and factory spare parts in stock at their Canadian warehouse.
Roasting That Builds Customer Trust
Roasting in-house has set Sweet Barrel apart from other coffee shops. The transparency of the process gives customers confidence in what they’re buying, whether it’s whole bean coffee or freshly brewed coffee or espresso, and a lot of his customers appreciate the chance to see coffee roasting up close. This visibility has played a clear role in boosting the cafe’s coffee bean sales and encouraging repeat business.
In addition to enhancing the brand experience, roasting in-house has provided Michael with a financial advantage. By managing his own green coffee sourcing and production, he’s been able to better navigate fluctuating prices and maintain tighter control over cost per pound – an increasingly important factor in today’s climate-sensitive global market.
Sweet Barrel Creamery’s Outlook
For cafés looking to bring roasting in-house, Michael sees it as both a strategic and necessary move, not just for product control, but for long-term business resilience. The FZ94 roaster has supported Sweet Barrel Creamery every step of the way, offering consistency, flexibility and a small footprint without sacrificing commercial-grade performance.
Approaching ten years of hands-on use, Michael continues to recommend the FZ94 to any café serious about roasting and values the partnership he’s built with Coffee-Tek to keep it running smoothly. If you’re ever in Vancouver, make sure you stop in and check out Sweet Barrel Roastery’s roasting setup and delicious coffee. Or, follow their journey on their Instagram.
Ready to Bring Roasting In-House?
If you’re exploring roasting for your café or coffee business, the FZ94 Evo shop roaster offers a proven solution trusted by shop owners across North America. Reach out to our team at Coffee-Tek to learn more about how this electric shop roaster can fit your space, your workflow and your goals.