RoastSource has three Display Modes. Each one shapes how the app looks and feels — what modules appear in your navigation, how much data surfaces during a roast, and how detailed the interface gets. Your roast data is identical in all three. Nothing is deleted or locked when you switch — Display Mode is a lens, not a filter.
Craft — Roast by Sight, Smell, and Sound
Craft is for roasters who trust their senses. You know what first crack sounds like. You judge development by color and aroma. You don't need a chart to tell you a roast went well — you know because it smelled right and tasted great.
What you see: Inventory, Roasting, Brewing, and Java Geek (Coffee Expert). The interface is clean and focused — no data panels or analytics competing for your attention during a roast.
During a roast: Quick Roast defaults to Minimal or Guided information mode. Timer, milestones, sensory cues. The app stays out of your way while you roast.
Who it's for: Beginners who want a simple start. Experienced roasters who roast intuitively. Anyone who finds too much data distracting rather than helpful.
What you can still do: Craft mode has a "Discover more" toggle on the home screen that temporarily reveals all modules without changing your mode. So if you want to peek at Ratings or Blending, you can — without switching away from Craft permanently.
Journey — Add Data as You Learn
Journey is for roasters who are building their skills and want the app to grow with them. You're past your first few roasts, you're starting to compare results, and you want to understand why some roasts turn out better than others.
What you see: Everything in Craft, plus Ratings & Cupping, Blending, and Roasting Equipment. More tools for analyzing and improving your process.
During a roast: Quick Roast defaults to Guided information mode with sensory cues, phase names, and first crack countdown. Adaptive Roast shows DTR% and development time as you roast.
Who it's for: Intermediate roasters who are dialing in specific beans. People who want recipes, tasting notes structure, and light data without drowning in analytics. Anyone who wants to track what worked and reproduce it.
Science — Full Control, Full Data, Full Analysis
Science is for roasters who want every tool the app has. Charts, DTR tracking, detailed quality scoring breakdowns, roast comparison, and (coming soon) real-time probe data. Nothing is hidden.
What you see: Every module. Every analysis tool. Every data point.
During a roast: All three information modes are available, with Detailed as the natural fit — live DTR%, development time, roast quality indicators updating in real time.
Who it's for: Data-driven roasters. People with temperature probes. Roasters who log every 30 seconds. Anyone who roasts professionally or wants professional-level feedback. If you're the kind of person who exports your roast data to a spreadsheet, Science mode is your home.
How It Gets Set
When you first open RoastSource, the welcome flow asks five quick questions:
- What brings you to RoastSource? (Just starting / Dialing in my coffees / I roast professionally)
- What roaster do you use?
- How do you log temperature? (By senses only / Read off my roaster's display / External probe / USB probe / My roaster's app captures the curve)
- How long have you been roasting?
Based on your answers, the app suggests a Display Mode — but you can override it with one tap before finishing setup.
How to Change It
Open Settings → Display Mode. Tap the mode you want. That's it — one tap, instant switch. Your roast history, inventory, ratings, and everything else stays exactly the same. You're just changing which parts of the app are front and center.
If you haven't gone through the welcome flow yet, Settings also has a button to open it.
My Recommendation
Start with whatever the app suggests. If it feels too simple, move up. If it feels overwhelming, move down. There's no penalty for switching — try all three and settle where you're comfortable. Most people find their mode within a week of roasting.
Which mode are you using? Did the app suggest the right one for you?