Drier Operator Job Description:

Controls equipment, such as mixing and treating tanks, incubator (pasteurizer), and drier, to alkalize nibs (cracked roasted cocoa beans) for dutch process chocolate: Mixes measured amounts of water with potash in mixing tank to prepare alkali solution. Turns thermostat, rheostat, valves, and switches to control pasteurization process in incubator, temperature of drier, processing time cycles, and speed of conveyor carrying nibs and other materials to and from equipment. Immerses measured amounts of nibs in alkali solution in treating tank and allows tank to rotate for specified time. Releases treated nibs onto conveyor or through slide gate to admit into storage bins or to pasteurizer for specified time. Discharges pasteurized nibs onto conveyor to carry material through drier. Collects samples of dried nibs for laboratory analysis. May move and position portable incubator, using electric truck. May pregrind nibs preparatory to making chocolate liquor [Liquor-Grinding-Mill Operator (sugar & conf.)].