A heated air popcorn popper and related methods of popping popcorn in which unpopped kernels are retained in a heating zone and are prevented from being expelled before they have been exposed to a heated air stream for sufficient time to result in popping of the kernels. The popcorn popper can have a popping portion including a retention mechanism capable of moving in response to physical contact with popped kernels that experience a dramatic volumetric increase in size following popping. As the number of popped kernels within the popping portion increases, the level of the popped kernels rises until they physically contact the retention mechanism, whereby the retention mechanism is forced to transition from a covering disposition to an open disposition in which popped kernels are allowed to exit the heating zone.

A device for making popcorn. A heating element and a fan are contained within a base housing. The base housing includes an agitator and convection unit unit having a bottom and a side portion located above the heating element and fan. The side portion includes louvers configured to allow heated air provided by operation of the heating element and fan to circulate around the agitator and convection unit and cause corn kernels added to the agitator and convection unit to be heated so as to form popcorn. A bowl surrounds the base housing such that the base housing, agitator and convection unit and bowl have a common axis. A canopy is removably mated to the base housing and is configured so that when popcorn is expelled from the agitator and convection unit, it strikes a bottom surface of the canopy and is guided into the bowl.

The disclosure relates to products and methods for improving the performance of cereal manufactured with silk solutions and powders containing silk fibroin obtained from silk inputs. The coatings, or otherwise incorporated silk fibroin, can be used to improve the shelf life of cereals, reduce the glycemic index of cereals, and to improve the performance of those cereals in areas valued by consumers.

The disclosure relates to products and methods for improving the performance of cereal manufactured with silk solutions and powders containing silk fibroin obtained from silk inputs. The coatings, or otherwise incorporated silk fibroin, can be used to improve the shelf life of cereals, reduce the glycemic index of cereals, and to improve the performance of those cereals in areas valued by consumers.

The disclosure relates to products and methods for improving the performance of cereal manufactured with silk solutions and powders containing silk fibroin obtained from silk inputs. The coatings, or otherwise incorporated silk fibroin, can be used to improve the shelflife of cereals, reduce the glycemic index of cereals, and to improve the performance of those cereals in areas valued by consumers.

The disclosure relates to products and methods for improving the performance of cereal manufactured with silk solutions and powders containing silk fibroin obtained from silk inputs. The coatings, or otherwise incorporated silk fibroin, can be used to improve the shelflife of cereals, reduce the glycemic index of cereals, and to improve the performance of those cereals in areas valued by consumers.

An oil distribution system for a food machine includes a first and second pump, a fluid junction, and a selector switch. The first pump includes first inlet and outlet ports. The second pump includes second inlet and outlet ports. The fluid junction includes first and second input ports and an output port. The first input port is fluidly coupled to the first outlet port. The second input port is fluidly coupled to the second outlet port. The output port is in fluid communication with the first input port and the second input port. The selector switch is configured to selectively activate either the first pump or the second pump. Activation of the first pump directs oil from the first outlet port to the first input port of the fluid junction. Activation of the second pump directs oil from the second outlet port to the second input port.

An oil distribution system for a food machine includes a first and second pump, a fluid junction, and a selector switch. The first pump includes first inlet and outlet ports. The second pump includes second inlet and outlet ports. The fluid junction includes first and second input ports and an output port. The first input port is fluidly coupled to the first outlet port. The second input port is fluidly coupled to the second outlet port. The output port is in fluid communication with the first input port and the second input port. The selector switch is configured to selectively activate either the first pump or the second pump. Activation of the first pump directs oil from the first outlet port to the first input port of the fluid junction. Activation of the second pump directs oil from the second outlet port to the second input port.