The Roaster Desk

By Kai Nakamura · Production roaster & equipment editor · Updated 2026-09-21

Mill City MCR-6 vs San Franciscan SF-6

Batch capacity, utilities, and roast-style fit

→ Mill City 6kg

Mill City 6kg wins on installed cost — confirm San Franciscan Roaster Co. dealer support in your region before ruling it out.

Capital outlay → MillHourly throughput → MillAutomation depth → Mill

Also searched: san franciscan sf-6 vs mill city 6kg

Decision picker

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

Specification matrix

Batch capacity

Mill City MCR-6

6 kg

San Franciscan SF-6

6 kg

Heat source

Mill City MCR-6

200,000 BTU/h gas

San Franciscan SF-6

195,000 BTU/h gas

Drum / chamber

Mill City MCR-6

Carbon steel drum

San Franciscan SF-6

Hand-built steel drum

Batch time (typical)

Mill City MCR-6

11 min

San Franciscan SF-6

12 min

Throughput (modelled)

Mill City MCR-6

24 kg/h

San Franciscan SF-6

22.5 kg/h

Street price band

Mill City MCR-6

$32,000 USD

San Franciscan SF-6

$58,000 USD

Exhaust

Mill City MCR-6

480 CFM

San Franciscan SF-6

500 CFM

Lead time

Mill City MCR-6

8 wks — confirm with dealer

San Franciscan SF-6

14 wks — confirm with dealer

Automation

Mill City MCR-6

Optional RT logging

San Franciscan SF-6

Manual

Service hub

Mill City MCR-6

USA

San Franciscan SF-6

USA

Manufacturer specs and dealer quotes. Throughput model uses SCA 4-minute cooling allowance. Verify all numbers with OEM before purchase.

Strengths & trade-offs

Mill City Roasters strengths & gaps

  • Best price-per-kg in US
  • Short lead time
  • Basic controls

San Franciscan Roaster Co. strengths & gaps

  • Artisan build quality
  • Distinctive roast character
  • Limited automation

Deep dives

What to verify with your dealer

Neither OEM publishes binding street prices — quotes move with queue and freight.

FAQ

Looking for san franciscan sf-6 vs mill city 6kg?
Same comparison — Mill City 6kg is listed first by convention. Verdict and spec matrix are identical either way.
What throughput can I expect?
Modelled: 24 kg/h (Mill City 6kg) vs 22.5 kg/h (San Franciscan SF-6) including a 4-minute charge/cool cycle.
What street price should I budget?
Mill City 6kg: $32,000 USD (As quoted Q1 2026, US factory). San Franciscan SF-6: $58,000 USD (As quoted Q1 2026, US artisan build). Request refreshed quotes — neither includes install.
Which supports Cropster logging?
Mill City 6kg: Yes with RT bridge — confirm with dealer. San Franciscan SF-6: Yes with RT bridge — confirm with dealer.

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