Abstract: Food heaters for heating food such as hot dogs, sausage links, bratwurst, and the like, and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a food heater can include a roller assembly pivotally coupled to a base. The roller assembly can include a drive unit, a plurality of elongate heaters extending outwardly therefrom and generally parallel to one another, and a plurality of rollers removably positioned over corresponding ones of the heaters. The drive unit can include a drive system configured to rotate the rollers to rotate food placed thereon, while the heaters heat the rollers to heat the food. The roller assembly can be rotated away from the base to facilitate removal and cleaning of the rollers.

Abstract: Popcorn machines having easily removable popping kettle assemblies are described herein. In some embodiments, a popcorn machine configured accordance with the present technology includes a cabinet and a pair of kettle supports mounted within the cabinet. A kettle assembly is configured to be positioned on the kettle supports and to pop popcorn placed in a kettle of the kettle assembly when the kettle assembly is in a popping position, and to discharge the popcorn when the kettle assembly is moved from the popping position to a dumping position. The kettle assembly can be lifted off the kettle supports in the popping position to facilitate removal of the kettle assembly from the cabinet for maintenance, cleaning, repair, replacement, etc. In some embodiments, the kettle assembly can be stopped in the dumping position.

Abstract: Popcorn machines having process chambers of increasing volume, and associated systems and methods of operation are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a popcorn machine includes a tube, a heating element positioned to heat the tube, and an auger positioned at least partially within the tube. The auger can include a central portion extending along a longitudinal axis from a first end to a second end. The central portion decreases in diameter from the first end to the second end, and the central portion and the tube at least partially define an annular popping chamber that increases in volume from the first end toward the second end. A flight extends around the central portion in a helical pattern between the central portion and an inner wall of the tube. In operation, the auger rotates about the longitudinal axis to move ingredients through the heated tube via the flight.

Abstract: Popcorn machines having easily removable popping kettle assemblies are described herein. In some embodiments, a popcorn machine configured accordance with the present technology includes a cabinet and a pair of kettle supports mounted within the cabinet. A kettle assembly is configured to be positioned on the kettle supports and to pop popcorn placed in a kettle of the kettle assembly when the kettle assembly is in a popping position, and to discharge the popcorn when the kettle assembly is moved from the popping position to a dumping position. The kettle assembly can be lifted off the kettle supports in the popping position to facilitate removal of the kettle assembly from the cabinet for maintenance, cleaning, repair, replacement, etc. In some embodiments, the kettle assembly can be stopped in the dumping position.

Abstract: Food heaters for heating food such as hot dogs, sausage links, bratwurst, and the like, and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a food heater can include a roller assembly pivotally coupled to a base. The roller assembly can include a drive unit, a plurality of elongate heaters extending outwardly therefrom and generally parallel to one another, and a plurality of rollers removably positioned over corresponding ones of the heaters. The drive unit can include a drive system configured to rotate the rollers to rotate food placed thereon, while the heaters heat the rollers to heat the food. The roller assembly can be rotated away from the base to facilitate removal and cleaning of the rollers.

Abstract: Popcorn machines having process chambers with variable heating profiles, and associated systems and methods of operation are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a popcorn machine includes a tube having an upper tube portion and a lower tube portion. The upper tube portion and the lower tube portion form a circumferential boundary of a tubular process chamber for popping popcorn. A first heating element can be positioned to heat a first heating zone, and a second heating element can be positioned to heat a second heating zone. A first thermocouple can be positioned to measure a temperature at a transition point between the first heating zone and the second heating zone, and a second thermocouple can be positioned to measure a temperature in the second heating zone. A rotatable auger can be positioned at least partially within the tube to move ingredients through the process chamber.

Abstract: Popcorn machines having popping kettles in direct fluid communication with exhaust ducts are described herein. The effluent produced as a byproduct of corn popping travels directly from the kettle into an exhaust system of the popcorn machine via an exhaust duct that extends through a kettle cover or lid. The exhaust systems can include one or more filters configured to remove smoke, odors, and/or other particulate matter before venting the effluent into the surrounding area as filtered exhaust.

Abstract: Popcorn machines and associated methods of manufacture and use are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a popcorn machine includes a housing, and a corn mover and a trough positioned within the housing. The corn mover is rotatably mounted within the trough, and the trough can be fixed relative to the housing. The popcorn machine can further comprise a heat source and an air mover positioned within the housing. In operation, the air mover is configured to direct heated air from the heat source toward corn kernels moved through the trough by the corn mover.

Abstract: Popcorn machines having fan assemblies and heat sources are described herein. The fan assemblies and the heat sources can be configured to provide heat to unpopped corn kernels to produce popcorn without the use of cooking oil. The popcorn machines can be configured for commercial use and can be mounted onto support structures that allow operators to rotate the popcorn machines. In some embodiments, the operator rotates the popcorn machine about an axis that extends parallel to the rotational axis of the fan assembly. In these embodiments, rotating the popcorn machine while the fan is rotating does not induce substantial stress on the fan assembly due to the rotational inertia of the fan.

Abstract: Apparatuses for melting sugar and similar ingredients for use in the production of sugar-coated popcorn and/or other expanded food products are described herein. In various embodiments, a sugar melter can include a rotating, heated auger that moves sugar through the melter causing it to melt evenly without forming unmelted portions that may clog the melter and/or lead to waste. Various configurations of machines that can produce sugar-coated popcorn with the disclosed sugar melters are also described herein.

Abstract: Popcorn machines having process chambers of increasing volume, and associated systems and methods of operation are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a popcorn machine includes a tube, a heating element positioned to heat the tube, and an auger positioned at least partially within the tube. The auger can include a central portion extending along a longitudinal axis from a first end to a second end. The central portion decreases in diameter from the first end to the second end, and the central portion and the tube at least partially define an annular popping chamber that increases in volume from the first end toward the second end. A flight extends around the central portion in a helical pattern between the central portion and an inner wall of the tube. In operation, the auger rotates about the longitudinal axis to move ingredients through the heated tube via the flight.

Abstract: Popcorn machines having process chambers with variable heating profiles, and associated systems and methods of operation are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a popcorn machine includes a tube having an upper tube portion and a lower tube portion. The upper tube portion and the lower tube portion form a circumferential boundary of a tubular process chamber for popping popcorn. A first heating element can be positioned to heat a first heating zone, and a second heating element can be positioned to heat a second heating zone. A first thermocouple can be positioned to measure a temperature at a transition point between the first heating zone and the second heating zone, and a second thermocouple can be positioned to measure a temperature in the second heating zone. A rotatable auger can be positioned at least partially within the tube to move ingredients through the process chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for popping corn, cooking candy, and mixing candy and popcorn is disclosed herein. A multi-purpose kettle can include one or more rotatable stir assemblies that can be positioned at the bottom of the kettle to mix the popcorn and/or the popcorn and candy. The kettle can be heated to a first temperature to pop corn kernels and produce popcorn, and heated to a second temperature to cook the candy. In some embodiments, the kettle can be positioned at an angle to mix the popcorn and the candy.

Abstract: Popcorn machines having automatic sifting systems, and associated methods of operation are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a popcorn machine includes a cabinet for receiving popcorn and unpopped corn kernels. The popcorn machine also includes an automatic sifting system having a sifting component positioned at least partially within the cabinet to receive the popcorn and the unpopped corn kernels. The sifting component can include a plurality of perforations, and an agitator can be positioned to move the sifting component to agitate the popcorn and unpopped corn kernels. The agitation of the popcorn and the unpopped corn kernels moves the unpopped corn kernels toward and through the perforations.

Abstract: Heated air roller cookers and methods for cooking hot dogs are disclosed herein. An embodiment of a roller cooker configured in accordance with the present disclosure includes a plurality of rollers and a heating element positioned to heat air. A blower can be positioned to direct the heated air through the rollers.

Abstract: Systems, methods and machines for producing popcorn and other types or expanded food are disclosed herein. A machine in accordance with one embodiment includes a flow through cooking deck and a plurality of heating elements that extend along the length of the cooking deck. An agitating assembly having a plurality of paddles can be positioned above the cooking deck. A corn hopper can dispense corn kernels onto the cooking deck and the paddles of the agitating assembly can transport and agitate the corn kernels on the cooking deck. The paddles can be positioned at an angle to their direction of travel and can move the corn kernels from side to side as they move the corn kernels along the length of the cooking deck.

Abstract: An apparatus for popping corn, cooking candy, and mixing candy and popcorn is disclosed herein. A multi-purpose kettle can include one or more rotatable stir assemblies that can be positioned at the bottom of the kettle to mix the popcorn and/or the popcorn and candy. The kettle can be heated to a first temperature to pop corn kernels and produce popcorn, and heated to a second temperature to cook the candy. In some embodiments, the kettle can be positioned at an angle to mix the popcorn and the candy.

Abstract: A hot dog grill for cooking hot dogs or similar food products is disclosed. The grill can include a plate having a heating surface. A grill assembly can be positioned proximate to the plate and can be moveable relative to the plate. A cam can be operably coupled to a motor and a first end portion of a connecting rod can be movably received within a groove in the cam. A second end portion of the connecting rod can be operably coupled to the grill assembly. Operation of the motor can rotate the cam and drive the connecting rod to move the grill assembly back and forth along the heating surface.

Abstract: Heated air roller cookers and methods for cooking hot dogs are disclosed herein. An embodiment of a roller cooker configured in accordance with the present disclosure includes a plurality of rollers and a heating element positioned to heat air. A blower can be positioned to direct the heated air through the rollers.

Abstract: Machines for popping corn and producing puffed snacks and other expanded foods are described herein. In one embodiment, a flow-through popper circulates unpopped corn kernels through a popping chamber by use of a plurality of vanes that directionally control a flow of high velocity, high temperature and high pressure air. In this embodiment, the air in the popping chamber causes the unpopped corn kernels to circulate as they move through the length of the popping chamber without the need for an auger or other moving apparatus.