Patent ID: 8216622
Filing Date: 2012-07-10
Classification: A23L

Abstract:
1. A method for popping popcorn with a popcorn popper comprising: containing corn to be popped within a kettle, the kettle having at least one heating element thermally coupled thereto to heat the kettle with only the at least one heating element delivering heat to the kettle during pre-heating of the kettle when it is initially in a cold state and during a popping cycle, the at least one heating element having an OFF state and ON state; based on selectable states of a selector switch, selecting at least one of multiple rates of heat generated by the at least one heating element, with only the at least one heating element being turned ON based on the selected state of the selector switch during pre-heating of the kettle when it is initially in the cold state and during a popping cycle; selectively controlling the rate of heat delivered to the kettle during pre-heating of the kettle when it is initially in the cold state and during the popping cycle by varying the rate of heat generated by the at least one heating element based on the selected state of the selector switch, the rate of heat delivered to the kettle being selectively controlled from when the at least one of multiple rates of heat is selected until the kettle has reached a predetermined temperature set point; sensing the temperature of the kettle; and maintaining the temperature of the kettle proximate the predetermined temperature set point through operation of the at least one heating element.