Inventors:
Chad S. Erickson - Plymouth MN
Wesley C. Drumm - Manitowoc WI
Assignee:
The Metal Ware Corporation - Two Rivers WI
International Classification:
A23N 1200
US Classification:
426466, 34371, 34576, 34586, 34591, 993235, 99474, 99483, 426467
Abstract:
A roasting apparatus for roasting nuts, cocoa beans, coffee beans, and other small food stuffs comprising a base, a motor and afterburner assembly attached to the top of the base on one side thereof, a roasting assembly attached to the top of the base on the other side thereof, and a top cover assembly removably attached to the tops of the motor and afterburner assembly, and the roasting assembly. The apparatus further includes a blower assembly coupled to an electric motor for providing airflow through the roasting assembly, a fan coupled to the motor for providing airflow through the afterburner assembly, a drive assembly also coupled to the motor for driving an auger positioned within a roasting chamber of the roasting assembly, a roasting chamber heating assembly for heating the airflow from the blower assembly prior to entering the roasting chamber, a chaff collection assembly and filter positioned above the roasting chamber, and a digital control assembly for controlling and programming operation of the roasting apparatus. The afterburner assembly preferably includes an afterburner intake member for receiving exhaust gases from the roasting assembly, a catalyst heating element for heating the exhaust gases before entering a catalyst, and a catalyst heat shield surrounding the catalyst.