PROBAT Tino 800-1200g Coffee Roaster: Price & How It Works

If you're looking to roast small batches of specialty coffee with consistency and control, you’ve likely come across the name PROBAT—and specifically, their compact Tino model. But what makes it worth the investment? And how does it actually perform in a hands-on roasting setup?

The PROBAT Tino is a 1.2kg-capacity drum roaster ideal for specialty coffee roasters working with batch sizes between 800g and 1200g. It offers consistent heat application, durable build quality, and ease of use, commonly priced in the commercial small-batch equipment range, though exact figures depend on configuration and region.

Brand Origins: From Railway Innovation to Global Roasting Standard

In 1864, Alexius van Gulpen, a pioneer coffee bean trader in Emmerich, Germany, faced a logistical challenge: getting freshly roasted coffee to other retailers before it lost freshness. The solution? A high-capacity coffee roaster. Working with local engineer Theodor von Gimborn, he developed the first high-yield roasting machine by 1868. This marked the birth of what became PROBAT. By 1880, the company was selling over 600 roasters annually. By 1900, more than 50,000 units had been sold worldwide. The 100,000th machine was sold in 1938, leading to the official rebranding as PROBAT-Werke. Up to 80% of those sales were exports, reaching over 60 countries.

Why PROBAT Stands Out in Roasting Equipment

PROBAT’s roasting machines—like the Tino—are built around a rotating drum system that moves coffee consistently via a combination of forward/backward and side-to-side motions, using specialized internal blades. This ensures even heat distribution throughout the roast. Heat application is split between 30% direct conductive and radiant heat, and 70% hot air convection. The drum is wrapped in insulating material to maintain stable internal temperatures, reducing heat loss and supporting repeatable roast profiles.

Beyond the roaster itself, PROBAT provides a full suite of optional equipment, including lab test tools, green coffee grading devices, and dust-handling combustion systems. Major coffee companies such as LAVAZZA and UCC rely on PROBAT machines for consistent, high-quality roasting results. Their equipment is engineered to minimize human error during roasting, with intuitive interfaces and controls that help avoid common defects like scorching or tipping.

PROBAT’s Full Range: Beyond the Tino

PROBAT manufactures a wide array of roasting machines for various batch sizes and applications:

• PROBAT SATURN: Centrifugal roasters, 32kg to 640kg per batch.
• PROBAT JUPITER: Tangential (cutting) roasters, 50kg to 750kg per batch.
• PROBAT NEPTUNE: Drum roasters, 80kg to 640kg per batch.
• PROBAT COLOMBO NOVA: Drum roasters, 120kg to 500kg per batch.
• PROBAT BASIC: General-purpose drum roasters, 150kg to 450kg per batch.
• PROBAT Specialty Series: Small-batch drum roasters, 1kg to 50kg per batch.

All models above 5kg can be connected to computerized systems to record and control roast curves automatically, offering precision roasting for specialty applications. The Tino falls under the specialty series, tailored for boutique and lab-scale roasting environments.

How the PROBAT Tino Operates

The Tino is engineered for manual control with reliable mechanical consistency. While specific digital controls may vary by configuration, the machine supports standard roasting parameters such as charge temperature, drum speed, airflow, and heat application. Its 1.2kg capacity fits the sweet spot for single-origin exploration and small-batch quality testing. Its insulation and heat retention properties allow energy-efficient operation while ensuring even development of coffee flavors through the Maillard reaction and first crack phases.

Operators can monitor and adjust key variables throughout the roast, making the Tino a strong choice for craft roasters who demand hands-on control without sacrificing consistency. The compact size also makes it suitable for lab settings, cupping preparation, and limited-production roasting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the batch size range for the PROBAT Tino?

The PROBAT Tino accommodates batch sizes between 800g and 1200g, making it suitable for small-batch specialty roasting. Its 1.2kg capacity allows flexibility for single-origin tests and limited production runs.

What makes the Tino different from larger PROBAT models?

The Tino is part of PROBAT’s specialty series, designed for smaller batch sizes (800g–1200g). Unlike larger production models (like Jupiter or Saturn), it is compact, manually operated, and ideal for boutique or lab environments. All PROBAT machines share core engineering principles such as drum rotation, hot air convection, and heat retention.

Does the Tino support computerized roast profiling?

Yes, PROBAT roasters above 5kg—including larger models—can connect to computer systems for curve recording and automated control. The Tino may offer basic manual control with optional upgrades depending on the configuration, but it is primarily designed for hands-on roast management.

What kind of heat system does the Tino use?

The Tino uses a combination of 30% direct conductive/radiant heat and 70% hot air convection. The rotating drum is designed with internal blades for constant agitation, and the exterior is insulated to improve heat retention and consistency.

How much does the PROBAT Tino usually cost?

The article does not specify an exact price for the Tino, but PROBAT equipment in this category is generally positioned in the commercial small-batch equipment price range. Pricing varies based on configuration, region, and included features.

Is the Tino used by commercial coffee roasters?

While the Tino is optimized for small-batch and lab environments, larger PROBAT models are widely used by commercial roasters such as LAVAZZA and UCC. The Tino is favored by specialty coffee professionals focusing on quality-focused, small-volume roasting.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Small-Batch Roasting

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for bright citrus and floral notes, or their Kenya Little Tomato with bold berry acidity and winey undertones—both ideal for testing roast profiles on a small batch roaster like the PROBAT Tino. For a balanced medium roast, their Yirgacheffe offers juicy stone fruit and soft spice. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.