Sorry I meant this more in terms of "learning about every aspect of coffee" .. I did roast my own beans in the past. More out of curiosity, though. All you need to try/start is a cast iron pan and green beans .. but I would recommend reading a book about the roasting process or doing a comprehensive barista course that includes roasting, first.

It's possible to do this with just your home oven, green beans, a tray and a timer.

A cheap (<$100) step up from that is a hot air popcorn popper, and the sky is the limit. Check out http://drinks.seriouseats.com/2013/12/why-you-shouldnt-roast... for a quick overview of what you're getting into and some recommended further reading. TL;DR it's not really worth it but can be a fun hobby which can yield good results with practice.

Popcorn machine is another popular option.

You'd need some serious ventilation. I also recommend starting with a popcorn popper outside.

> You'd need some serious ventilation.

I think this part hasn't been written of enough. How much smoke does coffee roasting create? Is it almost like a barbecue?

Yeah, the smoke is considerable, and smells delicious. Definitely an outdoor activity (or be near an open window w/ a fan).

Yikes. I was quite close to purchasing and roasting some green beans in a not-very-well-ventilated cooking area. Thanks for the heads up!