A method of manufacturing candied popcorn, including providing: a kettle to pop popcorn kernels into popped popcorn; a drum to tumble the popped popcorn and sift out unpopped or undersized popcorn; a hopper to place the popped popcorn onto a tray; a scarf plate; and a drizzle applicator to apply an edible adhesive to the popped popcorn; preparing a volume of popped popcorn using a wet pop technique; transporting a portion of the volume of popped corn to the drum to sift out unpopped or undersized popcorn; placing the popcorn from the drum onto a tray; adjusting the height of the tray relative to a belt and placing the tray onto the belt; applying a first application of the edible adhesive onto the remaining popcorn; passing the remaining popcorn under the scarf plate to receive dry product; applying a second application of the edible adhesive onto the remaining popcorn.

A popcorn extruder includes a feeder, a popping chamber, a heating device, an unloading device, and a discharge tube. The chamber is a vertical cylindrical barrel. Said heating device and said unloading device are installed on top of the barrel and at the bottom of the barrel, respectively. Said feeder has a discharge end connected with the upper-end side wall of the chamber. Said discharge tube has one end installed at the upper-end side wall of the chamber. Said unloading device has a conical structure. Said conical structure is located in the chamber, and said conical structure has the tapered end facing up. Said heating device includes a fan, an air duct and a heater installed in the air duct; said fan is connected with one end of the air duct; and said air duct has the other end inserted in the chamber and is adjacent to the conical structure.

A popcorn extruder includes a feeder, a popping chamber, a heating device, an unloading device, and a discharge tube. The chamber is a vertical cylindrical barrel. Said heating device and said unloading device are installed on top of the barrel and at the bottom of the barrel, respectively. Said feeder has a discharge end connected with the upper-end side wall of the chamber. Said discharge tube has one end installed at the upper-end side wall of the chamber. Said unloading device has a conical structure. Said conical structure is located in the chamber, and said conical structure has the tapered end facing up. Said heating device includes a fan, an air duct and a heater installed in the air duct; said fan is connected with one end of the air duct; and said air duct has the other end inserted in the chamber and is adjacent to the conical structure.

A liquid-oil based fat system for use in microwave popcorn products is described to prevent wicking and leaking of oil from microwave popcorn packaging. In an aspect, a microwave popcorn product includes a charge of popcorn and a slurry including a liquid-based oil, a structuring ingredient, and a seasoning for introduction to a microwave popcorn package that expands during the popping process in a microwave.

A liquid-oil based fat system for use in microwave popcorn products is described to prevent wicking and leaking of oil from microwave popcorn packaging. In an aspect, a microwave popcorn product includes a charge of popcorn and a slurry including a liquid-based oil, a structuring ingredient, and a seasoning for introduction to a microwave popcorn package that expands during the popping process in a microwave.

A method of popping popcorn in a microwave includes operating an energy source to provide energy to a cooking chamber and detecting, by a microphone sensor, sound waves in the cooking chamber and providing an output signal indicative of the detected sound waves to a control unit. The control unit can determine that the output signal is indicative of a popping sound generated by popcorn kernels popping and control the energy source to stop providing energy to the cooking chamber based on the detected popping sounds.

A method of popping popcorn in a microwave includes operating an energy source to provide energy to a cooking chamber and detecting, by a microphone sensor, sound waves in the cooking chamber and providing an output signal indicative of the detected sound waves to a control unit. The control unit can determine that the output signal is indicative of a popping sound generated by popcorn kernels popping and control the energy source to stop providing energy to the cooking chamber based on the detected popping sounds.

A self-contained popcorn popper has an open side provided with an air-flow curtain extending at least partially across the open side and directed inwardly. Effluent from popping flows upwardly into a “U”-shaped vent, through an effluent filter and flows into said air flow curtains to reduce particulate-bearing effluent emitted from the popper cabinet. Heated air is recirculated in a lower warming bin to maintain heat in popped corn dumped from a popping kettle and that air is recirculated in the bin, also to reduce emission of particulars into the environment surrounding the popper.

A self-contained popcorn popper has an open side provided with an air-flow curtain extending at least partially across the open side and directed inwardly. Effluent from popping flows upwardly into a “U”-shaped vent, through an effluent filter and flows into said air flow curtains to reduce particulate-bearing effluent emitted from the popper cabinet. Heated air is recirculated in a lower warming bin to maintain heat in popped corn dumped from a popping kettle and that air is recirculated in the bin, also to reduce emission of particulars into the environment surrounding the popper.

Disclosed is a heated air popcorn popper which provides a heating base assembly and popping pitcher having an interior popping volume which is detachable from the base assembly for introduction of popcorn kernels. The base assembly providing heated air to the popping pitcher causing unpopped kernels to pop and form popped popcorn. The detachable popping pitcher includes a pitcher lifting handle such that the popping pitcher can be lifted away from the heating base assembly to permit any remaining unpopped or popped kernels to be emptied from the detachable popping pitcher for cleaning.