POPCORN POPPING MACHINES AND OTHER MACHINES HAVING FLOW THROUGH DECKS FOR POPPING POPCORN AND PRODUCING OTHER TYPES OF EXPANDED FOOD

摘要

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.