Popcorn popping machines and methods for different types of popcorn kernels and different popped popcorn types

A popping machine configured to pop different types of popcorn kernels in different popping cycles, the popping machine comprising:

• a kettle associated with heating elements and configured to receive popcorn kernels for a popping cycle;
• a heat sensor responsive to a temperature of the kettle;
• a storage device which stores a plurality of stored sets of predetermined cooking temperature set points, which are associated with cooking different types of popcorn kernels in the kettle to produce different types of popped popcorn types;
• a user interface which receives from an operator a selection of a current operating mode for the popping cycle, the current operating mode defined by a selected one of the different types of popcorn kernels and a desired popped popcorn type;
• and
• a controller operatively connected to each of the heating elements, the heat sensor, the storage device, and the user interface, wherein the controller is programmed to operate the popping machine in the popping cycle by:
• retrieving from the storage device a first set of predetermined cooking temperature set points associated with the current operating mode selected for the popping cycle, which includes a load point temperature and a dump point temperature;
• actuating heating of the kettle with the heating elements based on signals from the heat sensor indicating when the kettle reaches the load point temperature and the dump point temperature, to thereby cook kernels into popped popcorn;
• and
• prompting for loading of the kernels into the kettle at a beginning of the popping cycle and for dumping of the popped popcorn from the kettle at an end of the popping cycle.

A method of popping sweet popcorn in a kettle of a popping machine which includes a controller communicating with a heat sensor responsive to a temperature of the kettle, the method comprising:

• (a) retrieving a set of predetermined cooking temperature set points associated with cooking the sweet popcorn, the set of predetermined cooking temperature set points including at least a load point temperature, a sweet point temperature, and a dump point temperature;
• (b) heating the kettle to the load point temperature;
• (c) alerting an operator of the popping machine to load a batch of popcorn kernels into the kettle to begin a popping cycle when the kettle reaches the load point temperature, as measured by the heat sensor;
• (d) detecting when the kettle falls below the sweet point temperature after the batch of popcorn kernels are loaded into the kettle at the load point temperature;
• (e) alerting the operator to load sugar into the kettle when the kettle falls below the sweet point temperature, as measured by the heat sensor, so as to avoid burning the sugar in the kettle;
• (f) heating the kettle to the dump point temperature to cook the batch of popcorn kernels and the sugar to generate a popped sweet popcorn;
• and
• (g) prompting for the popped sweet popcorn to be dumped from the kettle when the kettle reaches the dump point temperature, as measured by the heat sensor.

A popping machine configured to pop sweet popcorn in a popping cycle, the popping machine comprising:

• a kettle associated with heating elements and configured to receive popcorn kernels and sugar during the popping cycle;
• a heat sensor responsive to a temperature of the kettle;
• a storage device which stores a set of predetermined cooking temperature set points associated with cooking the sweet popcorn;
• a user interface which provides signals to an operator when actions are required at the popping machine;
• and
• a controller operatively connected to each of the heating elements, the heat sensor, the storage device, and the user interface, wherein the controller is programmed to operate the popping machine in the popping cycle by:
• retrieving from the storage device the set of predetermined cooking temperature set points associated with cooking the sweet popcorn, which includes at least a load point temperature, a sweet point temperature, and a dump point temperature;
• actuating heating of the kettle with the heating elements based on signals from the heat sensor, to thereby cook kernels and sugar into popped sweet popcorn;
• alerting the operator to load the kernels into the kettle when the kettle reaches the load point temperature at a beginning of the popping cycle, and to load the sugar into the kettle when the kettle subsequently falls below the sweet point temperature, so as to avoid burning the sugar in the kettle during the popping cycle;
• and
• prompting for dumping of the popped sweet popcorn from the kettle when the kettle reaches the dump point temperature at an end of the popping cycle.