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.

A popcorn pot having a curvilinear body providing a paraboloid-shaped cavity for gravitationally concentrating a quantity of un-popped kernels and a depth of oil over a bottom center of the popcorn pot. The curvilinear body provides volumetric containment inside the paraboloid cavity. Integral footing along a lower portion of the popcorn pot stabilizes the curvilinear body over a flat-top heat source so that the bottom center is disposed centrally thereover. The popcorn pot may include a domed lid for covering the opening communicating to the paraboloid-shaped cavity, wherein the lid is adapted to effectuate convection heating within the cavity, thereby providing natural efficiency and universal accessibility with more predictable results than a flat-bottomed pot, while using less oil for healthier results.

A popcorn pot having a curvilinear body providing a paraboloid-shaped cavity for gravitationally concentrating a quantity of un-popped kernels and a depth of oil over a bottom center of the popcorn pot. The curvilinear body provides volumetric containment inside the paraboloid cavity. Integral footing along a lower portion of the popcorn pot stabilizes the curvilinear body over a flat-top heat source so that the bottom center is disposed centrally thereover. The popcorn pot may include a domed lid for covering the opening communicating to the paraboloid-shaped cavity, wherein the lid is adapted to effectuate convection heating within the cavity, thereby providing natural efficiency and universal accessibility with more predictable results than a flat-bottomed pot, while using less oil for healthier results.

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 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 bulk material processing system and method for operation of such a system is provided. In one example, the bulk material processing system may include a conveyor assembly including, a conveyor with a conveyor surface supporting a plurality of constituents of the bulk material received from a bulk material source and a motor configured to generate conveyor movement. The bulk material processing system also includes a heating assembly including a first heater configured to generate heat at a first heating zone on the conveyor surface, and a coating application assembly including a first coating source configured to provide a first liquid coating to a first spray nozzle configured to spray the first liquid coating onto a portion of the plurality of constituents of the bulk material in the first heating zone while the first heater is activated.

A bulk material processing system and method for operation of such a system is provided. In one example, the bulk material processing system may include a conveyor assembly including, a conveyor with a conveyor surface supporting a plurality of constituents of the bulk material received from a bulk material source and a motor configured to generate conveyor movement. The bulk material processing system also includes a heating assembly including a first heater configured to generate heat at a first heating zone on the conveyor surface, and a coating application assembly including a first coating source configured to provide a first liquid coating to a first spray nozzle configured to spray the first liquid coating onto a portion of the plurality of constituents of the bulk material in the first heating zone while the first heater is activated.

A method of increasing the accessibility of higher molecular weight beta-glucan in beta-glucan-containing products includes microwave treating kilned groats at a power and for a period of time to increase the volume of the groats from about 5% to about 80% with a resulting viscosity of the oat beta-glucan is greater than about 500 cP as measured by Rapid Visco Analyzer. The method can further include tempering the kilned groats prior to microwave treating to increase the moisture content of the groats to a range from about 15% to about 25%.

A method of increasing the accessibility of higher molecular weight beta-glucan in beta-glucan-containing products includes microwave treating kilned groats at a power and for a period of time to increase the volume of the groats from about 5% to about 80% with a resulting viscosity of the oat beta-glucan is greater than about 500 cP as measured by Rapid Visco Analyzer. The method can further include tempering the kilned groats prior to microwave treating to increase the moisture content of the groats to a range from about 15% to about 25%.

A popcorn popper is provided having a cabinet including a popcorn popping chamber, a kettle positioned within the popcorn popping chamber, at least one inlet provided in the top wall of the popcorn popping chamber configured to receive effluent from the kettle when popping popcorn and a recirculation passage in fluid communication with the at least one inlet that is configured to receive effluent from the at least one inlet. A filter is positioned in the recirculation passage and a blower including a housing in fluid communication with the recirculation passage is provided with an outlet of the housing being configured to direct filtered effluent into the popcorn popping chamber through the top wall and downwardly generally parallel to one of the side walls. A method of operating a popcorn popper is also provided.