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 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 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.

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 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 microwaveable popcorn container may be fashioned from glassine or similar materials to provide a susceptor-free, biodegradable, and/or compostable container for cooking microwave popcorn. The material of the container may be translucent in order to advantageously permit inspection of contents during cooking, as well as to permit evaluation of the completeness of kernel popping after microwaving.

A microwaveable popcorn container may be fashioned from glassine or similar materials to provide a susceptor-free, biodegradable, and/or compostable container for cooking microwave popcorn. The material of the container may be translucent in order to advantageously permit inspection of contents during cooking, as well as to permit evaluation of the completeness of kernel popping after microwaving.

The present application relates to a method of cooking cereal grains comprising a first step (S1) of subjecting an initial volume of cereal grains (3) to hot air in a vessel (2) having air temperature between 150 to 250 degrees Centrigrade for between 30 to 180 second; and a second step (S2) of subjecting the expanded cereal grains (3) to boiling water and/or steam. The second step (S2) is performed subsequent to the first step (S1) whilst the expanded cereal grains remain in the vessel (2). A device for cooking cereal grains (3) is also disclosed. The invention increases the overall volume of the cooked cereal grains compared to conventional cooking methods which results in cereal grains having a lower energy density.