Corn roaster
A corn roaster is a large grill for cooking large batches of ears of corn at the same time. The term "corn roaster" can also refer to a person who roasts corn.[1][2][3] Corn roaster machines have existed in the United States since at least 1900.[4] Corn roasters are used by concession vendors at festivals, fairs, events, parties, and holidays, such as the Fourth of July in the United States.[5][6] Roasted corn is a very popular festival food in the American South, Southwest, and Northwest. Corn roasters can also cook foods such as turkey legs, potatoes, and sweet potatoes. They may also be used by street food vendors.[7][8] Street vendors may operate seasonally, per the seasonality of corn crops.[8] Some organizations that operate corn roasters at events, such as fairs, donate their proceeds to charities.[9]
Many commercial corn roasters come mounted on a trailer. The corn roasters use LPG for fuel. Smaller versions exist, such as rotary corn roasters that can be placed on a table,[10] and some corn roasters are homemade.[3][6][11]
Manufacturers
[edit]There are several different manufactures who make corn roasters in the United States. A company that produces corn roasters is Holstein Manufacturing.[12] A brand of corn roaster is named "Roast-O-Matic".[13] Some corn roasters can roast up to 1,200 ears of corn per hour.[14]
Use at events
[edit]At the annual Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights, Minnesota, a group of up to 50 to 55 personnel produces significant quantities of roasted corn, which can vary daily.[5] This variance can range between 10,000 and 18,000 ears of roasted corn a day.[5] Approximately 180,000 ears of roasted corn are produced for the duration of the fair.[5] Roasted corn at the Minnesota State Fair has been described as "one of the fair’s most popular foods for more than 28 years".[5] At the Yakima Valley Fair in Yakima, Washington, the Grandview Rotary Club has been operating a corn roaster for 40 years, and donates the proceeds to various local needs.[9]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ Lempert, Phil (2002). Being the Shopper: Understanding the Buyer's Choice. John Wiley & Sons. p. 141. ISBN 0471263737
- ^ "The Corn Roaster". National Geographic. Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
- ^ a b Barnard, Elissa (September 21, 2013). "At The Galleries: Pointed, playful and political". The Chronicle Herald. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
- ^ Annual Report of the Commissioner of Patents for the Year. United States Patent Office. 1900. p. 713.
- ^ a b c d e Nyhus, Natalie (August 30, 2011). "A Day In The Life Of A Fair Corn Roaster". CBS Minnesota. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
- ^ a b Eichman, Brianne (June 20, 2011). "'A family thing'". Herald Argus. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
- ^ Kauffman, Jonathan (May 29, 2008). "Corn Roasters Are All Over the Place". Seattle Weekly. Archived from the original on 4 September 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
- ^ a b Cleary, Elizabeth (August 23, 2013). "For Taos man, corn is the crop". The Taos News. Archived from the original on August 30, 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
- ^ a b "Shake-up on Yakima Valley Fair board". Daily Sun News. July 28, 2009. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
- ^ "Rotary Corn Roaster". Asia-Pacific Magazine. 2011. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
- ^ Fitzgerald, Barb (contributor), (2006). Food Booth: The Complete Guide to Starting and Operating a Food Concession Business. Carnival Press. p. 110. ISBN 0976570319
- ^ Brown, Douglas Robert (2007). The Restaurant Manager's Handbook. Atlantic Publishing Company. ISBN 0910627975
- ^ Rural Enterprise, Volumes 1-6. 1986. p. v.
- ^ "Pennsylvania Farm Specializes in Adding Value". Fruit Growers News. April 7, 2007. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
External links
[edit]| External videos | |
|---|---|
 "A Day In The Life Of A Fair Corn Roaster". CBS Minnesota |
How to Start Your Own Corn Roasting Business. A guide to making a full year's income in just a few months of summer