The disclosure relates to products and methods for improving the performance of cereal manufactured with silk solutions and powders containing silk fibroin obtained from silk inputs. The coatings, or otherwise incorporated silk fibroin, can be used to improve the shelf life of cereals, reduce the glycemic index of cereals, and to improve the performance of those cereals in areas valued by consumers.

The disclosure relates to products and methods for improving the performance of cereal manufactured with silk solutions and powders containing silk fibroin obtained from silk inputs. The coatings, or otherwise incorporated silk fibroin, can be used to improve the shelf life of cereals, reduce the glycemic index of cereals, and to improve the performance of those cereals in areas valued by consumers.

A method and popping machine for popping different types of popcorn kernels is provided, where the different types of popcorn kernels include at least mushroom type popcorn and butterfly type popcorn. The method includes determining a selected one of the different types of popcorn kernels to be popped in a first popping cycle based upon a selection made by an operator, and then retrieving and using a first set of predetermined cooking temperature set points associated with cooking the selected one of the different types of popcorn kernels during performance of the first popping cycle. The cooking temperature set points determine several items which may include when to heat a kettle of the popping machine, when to signal an operator to take action such as loading kernels or dumping popped popcorn, and when to add sugar if a sweetened popped popcorn type is desired.

A method and popping machine for popping different types of popcorn kernels is provided, where the different types of popcorn kernels include at least mushroom type popcorn and butterfly type popcorn. The method includes determining a selected one of the different types of popcorn kernels to be popped in a first popping cycle based upon a selection made by an operator, and then retrieving and using a first set of predetermined cooking temperature set points associated with cooking the selected one of the different types of popcorn kernels during performance of the first popping cycle. The cooking temperature set points determine several items which may include when to heat a kettle of the popping machine, when to signal an operator to take action such as loading kernels or dumping popped popcorn, and when to add sugar if a sweetened popped popcorn type is desired.

An electromagnetic cooking device and method of controlling the same is provided herein. The cooking device has a cavity in which popcorn is placed and a plurality of RF feeds configured to introduce electromagnetic radiation into the cavity for popping the popcorn. A controller is provided and is configured to: analyze forward and backward power at the plurality of RF feeds to calculate efficiency; determine and monitor a coefficient of variation of the efficiency; detect a popping state of the popcorn based on changes in the coefficient of variation; and adjust a power level of the electromagnetic radiation in response to detection of the popping state.

An electromagnetic cooking device and method of controlling the same is provided herein. The cooking device has a cavity in which popcorn is placed and a plurality of RF feeds configured to introduce electromagnetic radiation into the cavity for popping the popcorn. A controller is provided and is configured to: analyze forward and backward power at the plurality of RF feeds to calculate efficiency; determine and monitor a coefficient of variation of the efficiency; detect a popping state of the popcorn based on changes in the coefficient of variation; and adjust a power level of the electromagnetic radiation in response to detection of the popping state.

A kitchen appliance for popping popcorn comprises a heating surface capable of receiving and heating a quantity of popcorn kernels, a rotating hub projecting upward through the heating surface, and at least one stir arm pivotably coupled to the hub such that the at least one stir arm is selectively pivotable between a down position for stirring the popcorn kernels and an up position for cleaning.

A kitchen appliance for popping popcorn comprises a heating surface capable of receiving and heating a quantity of popcorn kernels, a rotating hub projecting upward through the heating surface, and at least one stir arm pivotably coupled to the hub such that the at least one stir arm is selectively pivotable between a down position for stirring the popcorn kernels and an up position for cleaning.

Proposed is a grain dispenser including: a storage unit including a plurality of storage hoppers in which different kinds of grain, respectively, are stored; a stirring and washing container accommodating the kinds of grain to be dispensed from the storage unit; a water supply unit supplying water to the stirring and washing container; a water draining unit draining the water from the stirring and washing container; a container actuator rotating the stirring and washing container in different directions in order to stir and wash the kinds of grain accommodated; and a controller controlling the storage unit, controlling the container actuator, determining an amount of water for meal cooking and a macerating time, controlling the water supply unit, counting an elapsed time in a state where as much water as the amount of water for meal cooking is supplied, and providing alerting information when the multigrain mixture is completely macerated.

A popcorn popping system improves performance of a hot air popcorn popper. The system includes an air popper that pops popcorn thereby facilitating the popcorn to be consumed. A bowl is positioned on the air popper to contain the popcorn when the popcorn is popped. A screen is positioned on the bowl. The screen inhibits the popcorn from escaping the bowl when the popcorn is popped.