Popcorn machines having angled paddles and/or fluid heated troughs, and associated systems and methods of operation are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a popcorn machine includes a trough, a shaft extending along the trough, and a paddle assembly coupled to the shaft. The paddle assembly includes both forward-facing paddles and backward-facing paddles that can continuously move ingredients back and forth in the trough without changing the rotation direction of the shaft. In some embodiments, a popcorn machine includes one or more heating units coupled to an external surface of a trough. Heat transfer fluid can be pumped through chambers defined by the heating units to provide heat to, without mixing with, ingredients in the trough. The temperature and the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid can be controlled to provide various heating profiles along a length of the trough.

Popcorn machines having angled paddles and/or fluid heated troughs, and associated systems and methods of operation are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a popcorn machine includes a trough, a shaft extending along the trough, and a paddle assembly coupled to the shaft. The paddle assembly includes both forward-facing paddles and backward-facing paddles that can continuously move ingredients back and forth in the trough without changing the rotation direction of the shaft. In some embodiments, a popcorn machine includes one or more heating units coupled to an external surface of a trough. Heat transfer fluid can be pumped through chambers defined by the heating units to provide heat to, without mixing with, ingredients in the trough. The temperature and the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid can be controlled to provide various heating profiles along a length of the trough.

The invention relates to the discovery of alternative carriers for adhesion of salt and flavors to popcorn during microwave popping to replace the typical unhealthy solid fat carriers, such as palm oil. Unexpectedly, water can be used as a carrier instead of fats to adhere salt and flavors to the popcorn during microwave popping. Also unexpectedly, MCT oil can be used in extremely low amounts to adhere high levels of salt and flavors to the popcorn kernels during microwave popping. Thus, MCT oil can be used to replace solid fat carriers, such as palm oil, and create a healthier popcorn, not only by replacing the palm oil with a healthier salt carrier, but also by providing a salt carrier having a lower fat content capable of providing higher salt adhesion.

The invention relates to the discovery of alternative carriers for adhesion of salt and flavors to popcorn during microwave popping to replace the typical unhealthy solid fat carriers, such as palm oil. Unexpectedly, water can be used as a carrier instead of fats to adhere salt and flavors to the popcorn during microwave popping. Also unexpectedly, MCT oil can be used in extremely low amounts to adhere high levels of salt and flavors to the popcorn kernels during microwave popping. Thus, MCT oil can be used to replace solid fat carriers, such as palm oil, and create a healthier popcorn, not only by replacing the palm oil with a healthier salt carrier, but also by providing a salt carrier having a lower fat content capable of providing higher salt adhesion.

A continuous flow popper to pop grain that can load grain and oil into a heating chamber, move the grain through the heating chamber to an outlet, and control the heat, all automatically.

A continuous flow popper to pop grain that can load grain and oil into a heating chamber, move the grain through the heating chamber to an outlet, and control the heat, all automatically.

The invention relates to the discovery of alternative carriers for adhesion of salt and flavors to popcorn during microwave popping to replace the typical unhealthy solid fat carriers, such as palm oil. Unexpectedly, water can be used as a carrier instead of fats to adhere salt and flavors to the popcorn during microwave popping. Also unexpectedly, MCT oil can be used in both high and extremely low amounts to adhere high levels of salt and flavors to the popcorn kernels during microwave popping without causing burning or scorching. Thus, MCT oil can be used to replace solid fat carriers, such as palm oil, and create a healthier popcorn, not only by replacing the palm oil with a healthier salt carrier, but also by providing a salt carrier having a lower fat content capable of providing higher salt adhesion.

The invention relates to the discovery of alternative carriers for adhesion of salt and flavors to popcorn during microwave popping to replace the typical unhealthy solid fat carriers, such as palm oil. Unexpectedly, water can be used as a carrier instead of fats to adhere salt and flavors to the popcorn during microwave popping. Also unexpectedly, MCT oil can be used in both high and extremely low amounts to adhere high levels of salt and flavors to the popcorn kernels during microwave popping without causing burning or scorching. Thus, MCT oil can be used to replace solid fat carriers, such as palm oil, and create a healthier popcorn, not only by replacing the palm oil with a healthier salt carrier, but also by providing a salt carrier having a lower fat content capable of providing higher salt adhesion.

Popcorn making systems for use with a hybrid popping process are disclosed herein. The hybrid popping process can involve using air to preheat corn kernels, then heating the preheated corn kernels in oil to pop them. In some embodiments, a popcorn making system includes a feed assembly, a preheating assembly, and a popping assembly. The feed assembly can output corn kernels at a feed rate. The preheating assembly can include a drum, a moving device disposed inside the drum, and an air mover and a heater external to the drum. The air mover and the heater can preheat corn kernels moving through the drum. The popping assembly can receive the preheated corn kernels from the preheating assembly, and can heat and thereby pop the preheated corn kernels in cooking oil.

Popcorn making systems for use with a hybrid popping process are disclosed herein. The hybrid popping process can involve using air to preheat corn kernels, then heating the preheated corn kernels in oil to pop them. In some embodiments, a popcorn making system includes a feed assembly, a preheating assembly, and a popping assembly. The feed assembly can output corn kernels at a feed rate. The preheating assembly can include a drum, a moving device disposed inside the drum, and an air mover and a heater external to the drum. The air mover and the heater can preheat corn kernels moving through the drum. The popping assembly can receive the preheated corn kernels from the preheating assembly, and can heat and thereby pop the preheated corn kernels in cooking oil.