Abstract: Surface water, potato pieces and starch particles are removed from raw potato slices as they are transferred from a water bath to a cooker on a perforate conveyor belt. Streams of air against the topside of the belt place the slices in turbulent motion and air suction through a grid on the bottom side of the belt extracts water and starch particles into a suction stream from which the particles are separated.

Abstract: The cooking process comprises the steps of providing a food treatment chamber equipped with a vapor pervious conveyor; preparing a moving stream of a process vapor at a temperature having a lower range of between 165.degree. F. to 212.degree. F.; circulating the stream along the conveyor; injecting water vapor into the moving stream of process vapor and supplying heat to the moving stream to control the temperature and moisture content of the process vapor; placing the food product in discrete pieces upon the conveyor; and moving the product continuously in its original position on the conveyor through the treatment chamber.

Abstract: An oven for treatment of solid foods includes an elongated, double-walled housing divided into a cooking chamber and a heating chamber containing heating means. Fan means in the heating chamber create a draft into which water vapor is introduced and the draft is circulated through both chambers. The product is carried on a vapor pervious conveyor through the cooking chamber.The cooking process comprises the steps of providing a food treatment chamber equipped with a vapor pervious conveyor; preparing a moving stream of a process vapor at a temperature above 212.degree.F.; circulating the stream along the conveyor; injecting water vapor into the moving stream of process vapor and supplying heat to the moving stream; placing the food product in discrete pieces upon the conveyor; and moving the product continuously in its original position on the conveyor through the treatment chamber.