Drying apparatus for coffee beans and similar crops

A method for drying coffee beans or similar crops comprising the steps of

• placing said beans and similar crops into a container, said container comprising a continuous bottom and sidewall surface configured so as to define an interior volume suitable for containing said coffee beans and other crops, at least one inlet port, at least one exhaust port, and an airway structure oriented within said container so as to define a uniformly distributed network of convective airways when said container is filled with said beans or similar crops, said container configured to admit said airflow in through said inlet port into said network and out of said network through said exhaust port,
• generating a heated airflow, and
• directing said airflow into said inlet port through said container and out said exhaust port.

A convective airflow dryer system for drying coffee beans and similar crops comprising

• means for generating a heated airflow,
• a container for holding said coffee beans and similar crops during said drying, said container comprising a continuous bottom and sidewall surface configured so as to define an interior volume suitable for containing said coffee beans and other crops, at least one inlet port, at least one exhaust port, and an airway structure oriented within said container so as to define a uniformly distributed network of convective airways when said container is filled with said beans and similar crops, said container configured to admit said airflow in through said inlet port into said network and out of said network through said exhaust port.