Diedrich IR-5 / DR-5

Infrared drum heating for even roast development at a batch size that suits a first wholesale-capable roastery. Diedrich's infrared line is one of the most commonly referenced "first real roaster" purchases among micro-roasters scaling past the hobby stage. Diedrich currently markets this model as the DR-5; you may still see it listed as the IR-5 on older or resale listings, confirm current naming with the retailer before buying.

See the full roasting equipment comparison for all 7 roasters we cover.

Vigilant Score

9.4/10

Batch	~5.5–11lb (full 5kg batch, half-batch capable)
Heat	Infrared, gas
Typical price	~$15,000+

See Official Page

Buy This If

You’re scaling past the hobby stage into a first wholesale-capable roastery
You want infrared drum heating for even roast development at a mid-commercial batch size
You’re comfortable confirming current naming (DR-5 vs. older IR-5 listings) with the retailer before buying

Consider Something Else If

You’re not yet ready for wholesale-scale production, this is priced and sized for a real production roastery, not a hobbyist step-up

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Vigilant Score Breakdown

Criterion	Weight	Finding	Score
Roast control	35%	Established commercial drum platform, official site confirmed	9.5
Build & durability	25%	Long-standing reputation for commercial-grade construction	9.5
Warranty & parts	20%	Established commercial support network; terms not individually re-verified	9.0
Capacity fit	20%	Mid-commercial batch range well-matched to its tier	9.5

Full methodology and how this compares to the other 6 roasters we cover: full roasting equipment comparison.

Sources and verification

Where This Information Comes From

Diedrich IR-5 / DR-5 — official manufacturer page. Research-based comparison: built from published manufacturer specifications, documented warranty terms, and publicly available owner and professional feedback, not hands-on lab testing. See our editorial standards for what that means.