By Kai Nakamura · Production roaster & equipment editor · Updated 2026-09-17
Loring S15 Kestrel vs Probat P12 III
Closed-loop convection against open-drum tradition
Loring cuts gas 30–35% per OEM claims — Probat still wins on technician familiarity.
Also searched: probat p12 iii vs loring s15 kestrel
Decision picker
Specification matrix
| Spec | Loring S15 Kestrel | Probat P12 III |
|---|---|---|
| Batch capacity | 15 kg | 12 kg |
| Heat source | 350,000 BTU/h gas | 420,000 BTU/h gas |
| Drum / chamber | Single-wall steel | Cast-iron drum |
| Batch time (typical) | 12 min | 15 min |
| Throughput (modelled) | 56.3 kg/h | 37.9 kg/h |
| Street price band | $185,000 USD | $110,000 USD |
| Exhaust | 800 CFM | 950 CFM |
| Lead time | 28 wks — confirm with dealer | 20 wks — confirm with dealer |
| Automation | Smart Roast PLC | Probatronic 800 optional |
| Service hub | USA | Germany |
Batch capacity
Loring
15 kgProbat
12 kgHeat source
Loring
350,000 BTU/h gasProbat
420,000 BTU/h gasDrum / chamber
Loring
Single-wall steelProbat
Cast-iron drumBatch time (typical)
Loring
12 minProbat
15 minThroughput (modelled)
Loring
56.3 kg/hProbat
37.9 kg/hStreet price band
Loring
$185,000 USDProbat
$110,000 USDExhaust
Loring
800 CFMProbat
950 CFMLead time
Loring
28 wks — confirm with dealerProbat
20 wks — confirm with dealerAutomation
Loring
Smart Roast PLCProbat
Probatronic 800 optionalService hub
Loring
USAProbat
GermanyQualitative scores — verify against your roast program
Why this split
Loring S15 Kestrel leads on the weighted score for most boutiques we modelled.
Probat stays competitive when century-old engineering outweighs the price gap.
Deep dives
Recirculation vs open exhaust
Loring S15 Kestrel recirculates hot gas — exhaust temperature drops and afterburner load shrinks.
Open-drum platforms vent more heat per batch. Model your gas meter at 50% and 75% charge before signing.
Verify with vendor
- • Request OEM combustion efficiency curve
- • Confirm AHJ afterburner requirement for your address
IR radiant heat transfer
Diedrich IR drums radiate through a double-wall — different first-crack timing than convection.
Operators switching from Probat or Giesen need 15–20 calibration batches, not a copied profile.
- Log development time ratio across 3 charge weights
- Compare ground colour at same end temp
What to verify with your dealer
Neither OEM publishes binding street prices — quotes move with queue and freight.
Verify with vendor
- • Confirm Loring S15 Kestrel lead time and freight to your dock
- • Confirm Probat P12 III install kit and probe package included
- • Ask for three references at similar elevation and batch size
Side-by-side
Loring strengths & gaps
- Low NOx afterburner standard
- 35% gas savings vs conventional
- Premium price
Probat strengths & gaps
- Century-old engineering
- Global parts network
- Traditional gas hog