Design and development of mini roaster for cashew nut processing

Abstract Cashew nut roasting before shelling is an important treatment since this roasting operation helps to shell the nuts to extract the kernels easily without damaging the edible kernels. For large scale processing, mechanized/semi‐mechanized roasters are available, but for low capacity processors, getting an economical and low capacity roaster is a challenge. For low‐capacity processing, processors opt for open pan/flame roasting method, which causes over roasting (burnt) or under roasting of cashew nuts. The aim of this article was to design and fabricate a low‐cost, simple to operate mini cashew nut roaster, which would be applicable for small scale cashew nut processors. A drum roaster was designed and fabricated, on which the experimental trials were conducted by varying the roasting time between 1 and 7 min to determine the best roasting time, where the drum roaster surface temperature was 275 ± 25 °C. From the roasting trials, it was found that fabricated cashew nut roaster was suitable for roasting cashew nuts within 2.5 min. It was low in cost and required no skilled labors for its operation. Sensory analysis of cashew nut, roasted by developed mini cashew nut roaster was found to be acceptable. The developed small capacity roaster was found suitable to address the needs of small‐scale cashew nut processors. Practical applications The developed roaster was found suitable for roasting cashew nuts for small capacity processing. Based on the design provided in the paper, one could fabricate the roaster in any mechanical workshop having basic tools and welding facility.