Our Roastery

Toulouse

Meet Toulouse, our Kuban Supreme 6kg coffee roaster.

We know that roasters don't often do an 'about me' for their equipment but, you see, we went through quite the journey to get Toulouse up and running, so we thought it only made sense to tell you her story.

April 2023

Toulouse the first

We decided early on that we'd like our roaster to be a Kuban. They offer a great balance of value, quality, and some really cool tech in their units.

So imagine our joy when they gave us a great deal on a Supreme 6 that was going to be their demo unit for London Coffee Festival 2023! It'd be showed at the festival and then shipped straight up to us after.

What could possibly go wrong?!

May 2023

Toulouse becomes Tou-lost

Famous last words!

Unfortunately. there was a small issue during her journey from London to Shrewsbury. I say "small".. the truck she was on was in a traffic accident. That meant Toulouse took something of a tumble, all 600kg of her falling on her side.

The prognosis wasn't good, she was a write off. Thankfully she was insured, but for Full Spectrum it meant a lengthy wait while a new unit was built and a wounded Toulouse made her way back to Turkey (the responsibility for which was the subject of some VERY lengthy negotiations).

January - April 2024

two-louse

FINALLY, our shiny new roaster arrived safely into our roastery. Only 8 months behind schedule too!

It took some time for all of the pieces to fall into places, juggling gas fitters and electricians and all of the things that nobody tells you about before you start setting up a roastery.

But we got there in the end!

Was it worth the wait? Absolutely. We love her to pieces and she's the subject of endless admiration and curiosity from everyone who walks through our doors.

And so concludes the saga of Toulouse!

With just one important piece of information left to cover...

why is she called toulouse?!

  • Two Toilets

    First, my grandad. He has been a huge part of why Full Spectrum has got to the stage it has. Endlessly encouraging and generous, this simply wouldn't be happening without him. He is my best friend and partner in crime, breaking hearts and wreaking havoc since 1932.

    He was also the first of his friends to have two toilets in his house. Earning him the nickname 'Two Toilet Peter', or 'Two Loos'.

  • Lulu

    Secondly, Toulouse is named for our dearly beloved and much missed pup, Ethel. During a time when I was at my lowest, Ethel was my reason for getting out of bed, showing me the most unconditional love I could imagine. Without her, there'd be no Full Spectrum, because there'd be no Tom.

    For reasons unknown, despite it not being her name, she was often called 'Lulu', a name that she answered to more readily than Ethel. So she is the second Toulouse, or 'Two Lus'.