By Kai Nakamura · Production roaster & equipment editor · Updated 2026-09-17
Probat P12 III vs Giesen W15A
German cast-iron heritage against Dutch variable-airflow engineering
Giesen edges Probat on airflow control; Probat wins when your techs already speak Probatronic.
Also searched: giesen w15a vs probat p12 iii
Decision picker
Specification matrix
| Spec | Probat P12 III | Giesen W15A |
|---|---|---|
| Batch capacity | 12 kg | 15 kg |
| Heat source | 420,000 BTU/h gas | 380,000 BTU/h gas |
| Drum / chamber | Cast-iron drum | Steel drum |
| Batch time (typical) | 15 min | 13 min |
| Throughput (modelled) | 37.9 kg/h | 52.9 kg/h |
| Street price band | $110,000 USD | $98,000 USD |
| Exhaust | 950 CFM | 850 CFM |
| Lead time | 20 wks — confirm with dealer | 18 wks — confirm with dealer |
| Automation | Probatronic 800 optional | Giesen Software Suite |
| Service hub | Germany | Netherlands |
Batch capacity
Probat
12 kgGiesen
15 kgHeat source
Probat
420,000 BTU/h gasGiesen
380,000 BTU/h gasDrum / chamber
Probat
Cast-iron drumGiesen
Steel drumBatch time (typical)
Probat
15 minGiesen
13 minThroughput (modelled)
Probat
37.9 kg/hGiesen
52.9 kg/hStreet price band
Probat
$110,000 USDGiesen
$98,000 USDExhaust
Probat
950 CFMGiesen
850 CFMLead time
Probat
20 wks — confirm with dealerGiesen
18 wks — confirm with dealerAutomation
Probat
Probatronic 800 optionalGiesen
Giesen Software SuiteService hub
Probat
GermanyGiesen
NetherlandsQualitative scores — verify against your roast program
Why this split
Giesen W15A leads on the weighted score for most boutiques we modelled.
Probat stays competitive when century-old engineering outweighs the price gap.
Deep dives
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 Probat P12 III lead time and freight to your dock
- • Confirm Giesen W15A install kit and probe package included
- • Ask for three references at similar elevation and batch size
Side-by-side
Probat strengths & gaps
- Century-old engineering
- Global parts network
- Traditional gas hog
Giesen strengths & gaps
- Software-first workflow
- Variable drum speed
- Software learning curve