A food dehydration device which can dry comestibles as well as other items utilizing electric and/or solar power. Drying trays may be disposed vertically or horizontally. Units may be stacked vertically to expand capacity. For food storage, drying trays may fit into standard zip plastic bags, without need of unloading. Drying trays may be sized similar to standard dinner plates to fit more easily into dishwashers, over countertop cabinets. Variable venting resists rain and other liquids from the drying cavity. A hand-operated pusher device may be used to impale foods onto posts to load the drying trays. Trays may include orthogonal posts to impale and/or open-air suspend on the tips of posts, articles being dried, such as fruit rollup trays, yogurt cups, herbs, seeds, or nuts. Embodiments may be stored on their side to reduce storage shelf height requirements suitably including nonstick coating.

The present disclosure relates to a flowable edible product dispensing apparatus, including: a programmable controller; a touchscreen interface including an indicator of at least one edible item for selection, the operator interface in communication with the programmable controller a dispensing system in communication the operator interface; the programmable controller, being wirelessly connected to the internet, and being operable to associate the at least one edible item with the least one flowable edible and/or inedible product; and the dispensing system dispenses an amount of the at least one flowable edible and/or inedible product associated with the selected edible item when the at least one edible and/or inedible item is selected.

Refined poultry fat comprising less than about 300 ppm of minerals and metals, wherein the refined poultry fat is resistant to bacterial growth when challenged with a bacterial species. The refined poultry fat is prepared from rendered poultry fat by a process comprising introducing moisture into the rendered poultry fat product to form a hydrated poultry fat product; (b) agitating and heating the hydrated poultry fat product such that droplets of water are dispersed throughout and coalesce with water-soluble impurities and/or particulate impurities in the hydrated poultry fat product to form a plurality of water-laden particles; and (c) removing the plurality of water-laden particles. The refined poultry fat can be used as an ingredient in the animal food industry, or can be used in the renewable energy industry.

Techniques for utilizing excess heat generated by an oven to generate electricity are provided. In one example, an oven can comprise a coolant pathway positioned adjacent to a hollow space within the oven, wherein the hollow space can contain heat. The oven can also comprise a chamber in fluid communication with the coolant pathway. The oven can further comprise a turbine in fluid communication with the chamber and an outlet. Moreover, the oven can comprise a generator connected to the turbine, wherein rotation of the turbine can power the generator.

Techniques for utilizing excess heat generated by an oven to generate electricity are provided. In one example, an oven can comprise a coolant pathway positioned adjacent to a hollow space within the oven, wherein the hollow space can contain heat. The oven can also comprise a chamber in fluid communication with the coolant pathway. The oven can further comprise a turbine in fluid communication with the chamber and an outlet. Moreover, the oven can comprise a generator connected to the turbine, wherein rotation of the turbine can power the generator.

The present disclosure relates to a flowable edible product dispensing apparatus, comprising: a programmable controller; a touchscree interface including an indicator of at least one edible item for selection, the operator interface in communication with the programmable controller a dispensing system in communication the operator interface; the programmable controller, being wirelessly connected to the internee, and being operable to associate the at least one edible item with the least one flowable edible and/or inedible product; and the dispensing system dispenses an amount of the at least one flowable edible and/or inedible product associated with the selected edible item when the at least one edible and/or inedible item is selected.

The present disclosure relates to a beverage and/or flowable edible product dispensing apparatus, including: a programmable controller; a touchscreen interface including an indicator of at least one edible item for selection, the operator interface in communication with the programmable controller a dispensing system in communication the operator interface, the programmable controller, being wirelessly connected to the internet, and being operable to associate the at least one edible item with the least one beverage and/or flowable edible and/or inedible product; and the dispensing system dispenses an amount of the at least one beverage and/or flowable edible and/or inedible product associated with the selected edible item when the at least one edible and/or inedible item is selected.

The present disclosure relates to a flowable edible product dispensing apparatus, comprising: a programmable controller; a touchscreen interface including an indicator of at least one edible item for selection, the operator interface in communication with the programmable controller a dispensing system in communication the operator interface; the programmable controller, being wirelessly connected to the internet, and being operable to associate the at least one edible item with the least one flowable edible and/or inedible product; and the dispensing system dispenses an amount of the at least one flowable edible and/or inedible product associated with the selected edible item when the at least one edible and/or inedible item is selected.

Techniques for utilizing excess heat generated by an oven to generate electricity are provided. In one example, an oven can comprise a coolant pathway positioned adjacent to a hollow space within the oven, wherein the hollow space can contain heat. The oven can also comprise a chamber in fluid communication with the coolant pathway. The oven can further comprise a turbine in fluid communication with the chamber and an outlet. Moreover, the oven can comprise a generator connected to the turbine, wherein rotation of the turbine can power the generator.

Disclosed are packaging systems and method useful in extending the storage-life of foodstuff such as fresh fish. The packaging systems and methods can be used to transport or store the foodstuff for an extended period of time. The packaging systems preferably use a fuel cell to maintain a reduced oxygen level in the environment surrounding the foodstuff.