The Roaster Desk

By Kai Nakamura · Production roaster & equipment editor · Updated 2026-09-17

San Franciscan SF-25 vs Probat P25 III

Production throughput under real utility constraints

→ San Franciscan SF-25

San Franciscan SF-25 wins on installed cost — confirm Probat dealer support in your region before ruling it out.

Capital outlay: WinnerAutomation depth: Close
Lowest street price → San Franciscan Roaster Co.Faster batches → ProbatIR radiant profile → Diedrich drum physics

Also searched: probat p25 iii vs san franciscan sf-25

Decision picker

What is your primary constraint?
Batch size you roast most often?
Is gas already permitted on-site?

Specification matrix

Batch capacity

San

25 kg

Probat

25 kg

Heat source

San

720,000 BTU/h gas

Probat

750,000 BTU/h gas

Drum / chamber

San

Hand-built steel drum

Probat

Cast-iron drum

Batch time (typical)

San

16 min

Probat

16 min

Throughput (modelled)

San

75 kg/h

Probat

75 kg/h

Street price band

San

$145,000 USD

Probat

$195,000 USD

Exhaust

San

1250 CFM

Probat

1300 CFM

Lead time

San

20 wks — confirm with dealer

Probat

22 wks — confirm with dealer

Automation

San

Manual

Probat

Probatronic 800 standard

Service hub

San

USA

Probat

Germany
Airflow ctrlThermal stab.Drum speedAutomationCapex value
SF-25III

Qualitative scores — verify against your roast program

Why this split

San Franciscan SF-25 leads on the weighted score for most boutiques we modelled.

Probat stays competitive when production volume outweighs the price gap.

Airflow path through a commercial drum roaster from burner to cyclone
Typical drum roaster airflow: burner → drum → cyclone chaff collector

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 San Franciscan SF-25 lead time and freight to your dock
  • Confirm Probat P25 III install kit and probe package included
  • Ask for three references at similar elevation and batch size

Side-by-side

San Franciscan Roaster Co. strengths & gaps

  • Production artisan build
  • Unique roast signature
  • Premium for manual operation

Probat strengths & gaps

  • Production volume
  • Probat service worldwide
  • High gas usage

FAQ

Looking for probat p25 iii vs san franciscan sf-25?
Same comparison — San Franciscan SF-25 is listed first by convention. Verdict and spec matrix are identical either way.
What throughput can I expect?
Modelled: 75 kg/h (San Franciscan SF-25) vs 75 kg/h (Probat P25 III) including a 4-minute charge/cool cycle.
What street price should I budget?
San Franciscan SF-25: $145,000 USD (As quoted Q1 2026, US artisan build). Probat P25 III: $195,000 USD (As quoted Q1 2026, EU/US dealer). Request refreshed quotes — neither includes install.
Which supports Cropster logging?
San Franciscan SF-25: Yes with RT bridge — confirm with dealer. Probat P25 III: Aftermarket probe required.

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