How are the Nano 7 and LINK different?

Collaboration and Development

The LINK roaster and the Kaffelogic Nano 7, while seemingly similar in appearance, are the result of distinct collaborations and development processes that cater to different segments of the coffee roasting community.

The world of coffee roasting offers a diverse array of tools designed to cater to the varying needs of coffee enthusiasts and professionals alike. Among these, the LINK roaster and the Kaffelogic Nano 7 stand out as two distinct machines that, while sharing a similar physical design, serve different purposes within the coffee community.

Kaffelogic, a pioneering company in the realm of home coffee roasting, has long been recognized for its innovative approach to creating accessible and high-quality roasting solutions. Their expertise in designing user-friendly home roasting machines – in particular, the Nano 7 roaster – caught the attention of Nucleus Coffee Tools, a company with a mission to elevate the coffee experience through cutting-edge tools.

Recognizing a gap in the market for a professional-grade sample roaster that could bridge the needs of producers, exporters, buyers, and roasters, Nucleus Coffee Tools’ Director, Sam Corra saw an opportunity to collaborate with Kaffelogic. This partnership aimed to combine Kaffelogic’s robust hardware design with Nucleus Coffee Tools’ vision for a technologically advanced and affordable sample roaster.

The result was a new roasting unit – the LINK roaster – a collaborative product that embodies the strengths of both companies, offering a unique solution that enhances the quality and consistency of sample roasting across the global coffee industry.

Technology across the industry

The LINK roaster is a collaborative project between Nucleus Coffee Tools and Kaffelogic, designed with a focus on professional sample roasting. This partnership was born out of the need to bridge the gap between producers, exporters, buyers, and roasters by offering a reliable and consistent sample roasting solution. The LINK roaster aims to empower users across the global coffee industry by providing a tool that is both technologically advanced and affordable.

On the other hand, the Kaffelogic Nano 7 was developed solely by Kaffelogic for many applications and in a range of settings across the coffee industry. It was designed with the home enthusiast in mind, offering a more accessible entry point into the world of coffee roasting.

While both machines share the same hardware, their development paths diverged significantly in terms of firmware, programs, and methods for profile selection, resulting in two distinct products that serve different purposes within the coffee roasting community.

At the heart of the technological differences between the LINK roaster and the Kaffelogic Nano 7 is their approach to roasting profiles and user interaction. The LINK roaster boasts an impressive array of over 850 roasting profiles, categorised into four main styles: cupping, filter, espresso, and omni-roast. This extensive range of profiles is designed to optimise the roasting process for various coffee types and preferences, providing users with tailored recommendations through the LINK App.

In contrast, the Kaffelogic Nano 7 offers 15 core profiles with 60 possible roasting degree settings for each. While it provides a wide range of flexibility for home roasters, the Nano 7’s technology is more centred around the community aspect of profile sharing. Users can create and share custom profiles with others, fostering a collaborative environment among home roasting enthusiasts – a large portion of these profiles are shared via Kaffelogic’s Community Forum and Facebook community.

Both roasters also utilise an open bean sensor, known as a naked thermocouple, for temperature measurement, ensuring accurate, responsive and consistent roasting results.

Key differences and similarities

Many people see the Nano 7 and LINK roasters, and notice the similarities between the two roasting units. As they share the same hardware (i.e moving parts), they are physically almost identical. However, the internal software for each roaster is entirely different, built for different purposes and in the LINK’s case, with algorithmic profiling. With these differences, the LINK roaster and the Kaffelogic Nano 7 cater to different user needs and preferences, resulting in distinct usage scenarios for each machine.

The LINK roaster was designed to make the knowledge required for a successful roast more accessible by digitising complex roasting theories into easy-to-apply solutions through simple user input. Initially developed for sample roasting with cupping profiles, it has since expanded to support a broader range of roasting options, including filter, espresso, and omni-roasts. With a recommended batch size of 50-100g, the LINK provides a reliable and consistent platform for evaluating coffee roasting, making it an invaluable tool for coffee professionals and enthusiasts seeking more guidance and advice through analytical suggestions and data outputs. This helps users achieve a near-perfect roast tailored to their taste, regardless of their experience level, whether in a professional setting or for personal consumption. 

Its extensive selection of profiles and algorithmic-based recommendations ensure that users can use the LINK to achieve the ideal roast for their coffee, regardless of origin or processing method. This emphasis on more intuitive roasting suggestions is further enhanced by the LINK’s integration with the LINK App and LINK Studio, which offer additional features for profile selection, roast management, and customisation.

On the other hand, the Kaffelogic Nano 7 is tailored for home roasters and enthusiasts of all levels. With a recommended out-of-the-box batch size of 120g, the Nano 7 offers an accessible and user-friendly platform for those looking to explore and experiment with roasting. Its community-driven approach to profile sharing fosters a supportive environment where users can learn from one another. For added flexibility, the Nano 7 includes an option to purchase the Boost Kit accessory, allowing batch sizes to increase up to 180-200g, depending on the coffee – though this feature is not recommended for the LINK roaster.

While the LINK roaster and the Kaffelogic Nano 7 share a common hardware foundation, their unique features, technologies, and intended uses set them apart. Each roaster serves its audience with precision, whether professionals seeking a high-level sample roasting experience or home enthusiasts looking to explore the art of roasting.

Software

Kaffelogic Studio and LINK Studio are sophisticated software platforms designed to complement their respective coffee roasters, the Nano 7 and the LINK roaster. These studios serve as digital interfaces that allow users to monitor, manage, and customise their coffee roasting processes, enhancing the overall roasting experience through advanced features and user-friendly design. While both serve as powerful software platforms for their respective roasters, differ significantly in their features and intended user experiences.

Kaffelogic Studio is designed to cater to roasters using the Nano 7, offering a user-friendly interface that allows individuals to explore and customise their roasting profiles. It provides users with the ability to adjust key parameters, such as temperature and time, to create personalised roasting experiences. This version of the studio simplifies profile data points into easy-to-manipulate increments known as Levels. The software encourages a community-driven approach, where users can share their custom profiles with others, fostering a collaborative environment among home roasting enthusiasts. This focus on community and customization makes Kaffelogic Studio an excellent tool for those who enjoy experimenting with different roasting techniques and learning from a network of fellow coffee lovers.

The LINK Studio, adapted from the Kaffelogic Studio to meet the requirements of the LINK roaster, is tailored for professional use with the LINK roaster and provides a more comprehensive set of features designed to meet the needs of coffee professionals. It offers live viewing and recording of each roast, allowing users to monitor their roasting process in real-time and make precise adjustments as needed. Link is designed to work in DTR (Development Time Ratio), which is seen to be a more familiar operating control for the data points of professional roasting.  The software also includes capabilities for analysis, comparison, export, and documentation of roasts, ensuring that users can maintain detailed records of their roasting activities.

Additionally, LINK Studio enables the creation and modification of roasting profiles and parameters in advance, offering a high level of control over the roasting process. This makes it an invaluable tool for professionals who require consistency and precision in their sample roasting endeavours. Furthermore, LINK Studio includes options for free firmware updates, ensuring that the LINK roaster remains at the cutting edge of technology. Users can seamlessly update their roaster’s firmware through the software, benefiting from the latest advancements and improvements.

While both Kaffelogic Studio and LINK Studio are designed to enhance the roasting experience, their differences reflect the distinct audiences and purposes each software platform serves, highlighting the versatility and innovation that both Kaffelogic and Nucleus Coffee Tools bring to the world of coffee roasting.

The LINK App

The LINK App is an integral component of the LINK sample roaster ecosystem, designed to enhance the precision and efficiency of the roasting process. Its primary function is to recommend the most suitable roast profile for each coffee sample by utilising an algorithmic selection process.

Users input specific details about their coffee, such as density, processing information, altitude, and batch size, and the app provides tailored recommendations for the ideal Profile Pack, Power Curve, Suggested Development Range, Fan Action, and Expected First Crack. This ensures that each roast is optimised for the coffee’s unique characteristics, allowing users to achieve consistent and high-quality results. The LINK App also offers features for altitude calibration and advanced roast details, making it a powerful tool for both novice and experienced roasters. By streamlining the profile selection process, the LINK App empowers users to explore the full potential of their coffee with ease and confidence.

In addition to its robust profile recommendation capabilities, the LINK App offers a suite of advanced features that further enhance the roasting experience. One such feature is the Heirloom Cupping function, which is particularly beneficial for those roasting Ethiopian heirloom and landrace coffees. This function helps users select the most appropriate profile for these unique coffee varieties, ensuring that their distinct flavours and aromas are preserved. Additionally, the All Species mode allows for profiling of a range of non-Arabica species, including Racemosa, Liberica, Eugenoides, and more.

Moreover, the LINK app’s Advanced Roast Details option allows users to fine-tune their roast profiles based on specific batch sizes and development percentages, providing additional control over the roasting process. With its comprehensive set of tools and user-friendly interface, the LINK App not only simplifies the complex task of profile selection but also opens up new possibilities for experimentation and discovery in the world of coffee roasting.

Technical comparisons

• Roasting Profiles:
  • LINK Roaster: Offers over 850 roasting profiles across cupping, filter, espresso, and omni-roast categories.
  • Kaffelogic Nano 7: Comes with 15 core profiles, each with 60 possible roasting degree settings.
• Batch Size:
  • LINK Roaster: Recommended batch size of 50-100g.
  • Kaffelogic Nano 7: Recommended out-of-the-box batch size of 120g, with an optional Boost Kit for up to 200g (not recommended for LINK).
• Technology:
  • LINK Roaster: Utilizes a specialised app for algorithmic profile selection based on various coffee parameters.
  • Kaffelogic Nano 7: Focuses on community-driven profile sharing and customization.
• Software and Integration:
  • LINK Roaster: Integrates with the LINK App and LINK Studio for enhanced roast management and customization, as well as live roasting, profile editing and export.
  • Kaffelogic Nano 7: Relies on a community-based approach for profile sharing and experimentation, and the Kaffelogic Studio for live roasting and profile editing.

• Roasting System:
  • LINK Roaster: Utilizes a pulsating fluid bed system for even roasting.
  • Kaffelogic Nano 7: Also employs a fluid bed system.
• Temperature Measurement:
  • LINK Roaster: Features an open bean sensor (naked thermocouple) for precise temperature readings.
  • Kaffelogic Nano 7: Also uses an open bean sensor for temperature accuracy.
• Batch Size:
  • LINK Roaster: Designed for 50-100g of green coffee.
  • Kaffelogic Nano 7: Recommended for 90-120g, with a Boost Kit option for up to 200g.
• Roasting Profiles:
  • LINK Roaster: More than 850 profiles across four categories (cupping, filter, espresso, omni roast).
  • Kaffelogic Nano 7: 14 core profiles with 60 roasting degree settings each.
• Cooling Time:
  • LINK Roaster: Typical cooling time of 2-4 minutes.
  • Kaffelogic Nano 7: Typical cooling time of 4 minutes.
• Automation:
  • LINK Roaster: Features PID control based on pre-set temperature curves, with algorithmic profile selection via the LINK App.
  • Kaffelogic Nano 7: Also uses PID control but focuses on manual selection and community-shared profiles.
• Software:
  • LINK Roaster: Integrates with LINK App and LINK Studio for profile selection, live roasting, and customization.
  • Kaffelogic Nano 7: Does not have a dedicated app but encourages profile sharing within a community. Uses the Kaffelogic Studio for live roasting and customisation.

• Transport and storage: 
  • LINK Roaster: The LINK roaster comes with a military-grade, high-quality, shock-absorbent, and water-resistant travel case. This case is designed to protect the roaster during transport, making it an ideal companion for professionals who need to assess coffee samples on the go. The robust construction ensures that the roaster remains secure and undamaged, regardless of travel conditions.
  • Kaffelogic Nano 7: A fabric shell carry case for the Nano 7 is currently in development.

The ongoing partnership between Nucleus Coffee Tools and Kaffelogic exemplifies a shared vision to revolutionise the world of coffee roasting through innovation, collaboration, and dedication to quality. Their joint efforts in creating the LINK roaster have provided a cutting-edge solution for professional sample roasting and set a new standard for what is possible in the industry.

This collaboration underscores both companies’ commitment to pushing the boundaries of coffee technology and making advanced roasting tools accessible to a wider audience. As we continue to innovate and refine their offerings, Nucleus Coffee Tools and Kaffelogic remain steadfast in their mission to enhance the coffee roasting experience for professionals and enthusiasts alike, ultimately contributing to the elevation of coffee quality worldwide.