The Probat Museum: A Journey Through Coffee Roasting History

If you’ve ever wondered how coffee went from being roasted in a pan over a kitchen fire to being precisely cooked in computer-controlled machines capable of processing five tons an hour, the answer lies in a small German town near the Dutch border. The Probat Museum in Emmerich holds the physical history of coffee roasting technology — more than a thousand artifacts that trace every major development in how we roast coffee today.

In short: The Probat Museum in Emmerich, Germany, displays over 1,000 items including 100+ years of commercial and home coffee roasters, grinders, and related machinery — with the oldest dating back to 1870. The collection spans coal-fired ball roasters, early gas-powered machines, and even battery-operated sample roasters from the 1900s.

The Origins of Commercial Coffee Roasting

The story begins in 1877, when German company Emmericher Maschinenfabrik & Eisengießerei — today known as Probat — secured a patent for a commercial coffee roasting machine. The design, created by 28-year-old engineer Theodor von Gimborn, was for a ball roaster (Ball Roaster), a significant upgrade over the unstable, hard-to-control pan-roasting methods used earlier. This innovation laid the foundation for consistent, controllable coffee roasting.

From Wartime Destruction to Museum Genesis

World War II nearly erased Probat’s legacy. In 1944, Allied bombing destroyed 98% of Emmerich, including Probat’s original factory. By 1946, the company faced the challenge of rebuilding without blueprints or equipment records. To recover, Probat reached out to former customers to redraw machine designs and even repurchased old machines to study and replicate. Over time, these salvaged and restored machines were stored in warehouses — dusty reminders of coffee’s industrial past. Eventually, the idea emerged to turn them into a museum.

The Museum Itself: What’s Inside

Officially established in 1978, the Museum of Coffee Technology sits on the grounds of Probat’s current industrial campus, near the Rhine River. The 600-square-meter space houses a collection that has grown steadily over the decades, now exceeding 1,000 items. The exhibits include:

• More than 100 years of roasting technology, from the 1870s ball roaster to modern computerized systems.
• Around 50 different commercial and industrial grinders.
• Shop and sample roasters, including one marking Probat’s 100,000th unit produced in 1931.
• Battery-powered sample roasters from the early 1900s.
• Over 600 vintage home coffee grinders, many with decorative designs for 19th- and early 20th-century kitchens.

Historic Highlights

Among the most notable pieces:

• The oldest commercial roaster in the collection is an 1870s 5-kilo capacity ball roaster, manually operated with coal or coke fuel. Roasting took around 40 minutes, with samples taken during the process and the batch cooled on a sieve using a rake.
• An SB drum roaster from the early 1900s, powered by a motorized roller and coke fuel, was in continuous use by one company from 1900 to 1981 — likely the longest-serving roaster in history. Probat acquired it when the owner decided to retire the machine.
• A 1930s-era two-bag-capacity coke-fired drum roaster with a built-in cooling system, displayed outside the museum along with a 1900s one-bag ball roaster.

Global Competitors and Domestic Roasting

The museum doesn’t focus solely on Probat. It also includes machines from historic competitors such as Jabez Burns, a major American manufacturer that grew during the U.S. Civil War when coffee became essential for soldiers. The collection features a Burns No. 1 model, a coal-fired roaster capable of handling two bags (about 120 kilograms) at a time.

Also on display are numerous 18th- and 19th-century home roasting devices — simple pans and rollers used on kitchen stoves across Europe. These remained common until the early 20th century. A reconstructed early 1900s kitchen scene shows a woman hand-cranking a domestic roller roaster over a flame, while her husband examines a hand-turned grinder.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Probat Museum located?

The Probat Museum is located in Emmerich, Germany, on the premises of Probat’s current industrial campus near the Rhine River and the German-Dutch border.

What is the oldest roaster in the museum?

The oldest commercial roaster in the museum is an 1870s ball roaster with a 5-kilo capacity, originally coal- or coke-fired, manually operated, and took around 40 minutes per batch.

How did the museum start?

The museum began after World War II, when Probat had to rebuild following the destruction of its factory and records. To recreate its machines, the company recovered old equipment from customers, redrew designs, and eventually started collecting and preserving historic roasters, leading to the museum’s founding in 1978.

What other coffee equipment is displayed?

Besides roasters, the museum displays around 50 types of commercial and industrial grinders, battery-powered sample roasters from the 1900s, shop and sample roasters, and over 600 vintage home coffee grinders, many with ornamental designs.

Are there any international machines in the collection?

Yes, the museum includes roasters and grinders from Probat’s competitors, such as the American Jabez Burns company, including a Burns No. 1 coal-fired roaster from the 1800s that could roast two bags (approx. 120 kg) at once.

What can visitors see outside the museum building?

Outside, there are 1930s-era two-bag coke-fired drum roasters with built-in cooling and a 1900s one-bag ball roaster. The building’s exterior is also decorated with parts from historic roasting machines.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Roasting History Fans

Explore the roots of modern roasting with FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe — bright, floral, and juicy with notes of blueberry and citrus, ideal for appreciating the impact of precise roasting profiles. Pair it with Colombia Huila, a balanced medium roast with caramel and almond sweetness, showcasing how traditional techniques evolved into today’s artistry. For deeper complexity, try Sumatra Mandheling, with its earthy, spicy profile that reflects older roasting traditions. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.