Open throat blancher with support braces

A blancher comprising:

• (a) a tank having an inlet end and an outlet end;
• (b) an inlet end plate adjacent the inlet end of the tank and having an inlet opening;
• (c) a discharge end plate adjacent the outlet end of the tank and having an outlet opening;
• (d) a support core received within the tank having one end adjacent the outlet end plate and its other end adjacent the inlet end plate and terminating downstream of the inlet opening such that there is a gap between the end of the core and the inlet plate to allow food product to enter through the inlet opening;
• (e) an auger carried by the support core;
• (f) a perforate generally cylindrical wall enclosing the auger and extending from the inlet end plate to the discharge end plate;
• (g) at least two support channels extending between and connecting the inlet end plate to the discharge end plate wherein the end plates, perforate cylindrical wall, and support channels define a drum rotatably received in the tank;
• and
• (h) at least two braces connecting the core to the inlet end plate while spacing the core from the end plate with each brace having a first portion extending generally radially outwardly from the core and a second portion extending to the inlet end plate for providing sufficient space within the drum adjacent the inlet opening for substantially unobstructed entry of food product into the drum.

A blancher comprising:

• (a) a tank having an inlet end and an outlet end;
• (b) an inlet end plate adjacent the inlet end of the tank and having an inlet opening;
• (c) a discharge end plate adjacent the outlet end of the tank and having an outlet opening;
• (d) a support core received within the tank having one end adjacent the outlet end plate and its other end adjacent the inlet end plate and terminating downstream of the inlet opening such that there is a gap between the end of the core and the inlet plate to allow food product to enter through the inlet opening;
• (e) an auger carried by the support core;
• (f) a perforate cylindrical wall enclosing the auger and extending from the inlet end plate to the discharge end plate;
• (g) at least two support channels extending between and connecting the inlet end plate to the discharge end plate wherein the end plates, perforate cylindrical wall, and support channels define a drum rotatably received in the tank;
• and
• (h) at least two braces connecting the core to the inlet end plate while spacing the core from the inlet end plate with each brace being of non-straight construction for spacing the brace where it is attached to the inlet end plate radially outwardly away from the outer radial edge of the inlet opening for providing sufficient space within the drum adjacent the inlet opening for permitting substantially unobstructed entry of food product into the drum.