A laboratory device for peanut skin removal was designed and constructed to give maximum blanchability with a minimum of split kernels. Skin removal was accomplished by directing a stream of air into a 250 g. mass of peanuts held in an inclined-screen container rotating inside a plastic cylinder. The mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic components that make up the sample blancher were described. The operational features were discussed and results were presented relative to the blanching factors, split kernels, unblanched kernels, whole blanched kernels, blanching loss, and preheating loss.

The effects of air pressure, blanching time, and preheating time on the blanching factors provided a basis for selecting the proper pressure and time to give maximum blanchability with a minimum of split kernels. Virginia-type peanut breeding lines were evaluated for blanchability with this device.