A popcorn popper including a cooking surface with at least one elevated support and a pattern of contiguous grooves. Each of the contiguous grooves is equal to or larger in width than an average size of an unpopped popcorn kernel and smaller than an average size of a popped popcorn kernel. Each of the elevated supports has a height that is equal to or greater than the average size of an unpopped popcorn kernel. The elevated supports are formed in substantially concentric rings on the cooking surface.

A popcorn popper including a cooking surface with at least one elevated support and a pattern of contiguous grooves. Each of the contiguous grooves is equal to or larger in width than an average size of an unpopped popcorn kernel and smaller than an average size of a popped popcorn kernel. Each of the elevated supports has a height that is equal to or greater than the average size of an unpopped popcorn kernel. The elevated supports are formed in substantially concentric rings on the cooking surface.

A popcorn popper including a cooking member having a cooking surface with at least one elevated support and at least one groove. Each of the contiguous grooves is equal to or larger in width than an average size of an unpopped popcorn kernel and smaller than an average size of a popped popcorn kernel. Each of the elevated supports has a height that is equal to or greater than the average size of an unpopped popcorn kernel. The cooking member has a bottom on a side opposite the cooking surface that is concave.

A popcorn popper including a cooking member having a cooking surface with at least one elevated support and at least one groove. Each of the contiguous grooves is equal to or larger in width than an average size of an unpopped popcorn kernel and smaller than an average size of a popped popcorn kernel. Each of the elevated supports has a height that is equal to or greater than the average size of an unpopped popcorn kernel. The cooking member has a bottom on a side opposite the cooking surface that is concave.

Popcorn machines having automatic sifting systems, and associated methods of operation are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a popcorn machine includes a cabinet for receiving popcorn and unpopped corn kernels. The popcorn machine also includes an automatic sifting system having a sifting component positioned at least partially within the cabinet to receive the popcorn and the unpopped corn kernels. The sifting component can include a plurality of perforations, and an agitator can be positioned to move the sifting component to agitate the popcorn and unpopped corn kernels. The agitation of the popcorn and the unpopped corn kernels moves the unpopped corn kernels toward and through the perforations.

A popcorn popping unit has a heating element and a blower fan, and a cooking surface adapted to receive kernels of corn. The popping unit is configurable for two flow paths of pressurized air through the popping unit. In the first path, pressurized air is configured to flow over the heating element, flow over the cooking surface, cook the kernels of corn, and move the cooked kernels of corn to a serving dispenser. In a second path, pressurized air is configured to flow over the cooking surface, and move un-popped seeds into a seed collection bin.

A popcorn popping unit has a heating element and a blower fan, and a cooking surface adapted to receive kernels of corn. The popping unit is configurable for two flow paths of pressurized air through the popping unit. In the first path, pressurized air is configured to flow over the heating element, flow over the cooking surface, cook the kernels of corn, and move the cooked kernels of corn to a serving dispenser. In a second path, pressurized air is configured to flow over the cooking surface, and move un-popped seeds into a seed collection bin.

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.

A food dispensing machine includes a housing, a tray, an auger, and a motor. The housing defines an interior and includes a front wall that defines a dispensation opening adjacent to the interior. The tray is disposed in the interior and defines a trough that is disposed adjacent to the dispensation opening. The auger is disposed in the trough and is selectively rotatable about a rotational axis. The motor is operably coupled with the auger for powering rotation of the auger.