A review of basic concepts in rice‐drying research

Rice‐drying research is international, diffuse, important, and deceptively difficult. This review presents current thinking, background, entrance citations to the literature, and critical analysis for each of the most significant problems in rice‐drying research, as well as an overview summary and general recommendations. Discussion is limited to mechanical drying with hot air. The literature examples are divided into four groups by research approach: within‐kernel experimental, small‐sample experimental, theoretical, and dryer design. While all areas have contributed and are expected to continue to do so, the small‐sample experimental approach is cited as appearing to have an untapped potential for bringing about a quantum advance. Problems discussed include: uniformity, fissuring sequence, stress and plastic flow, diffusion mechanisms, temperature and other environmental factors, kernel vs. husk, controlled drying rate, chemical changes, dryer design, timing of harvest, trade‐offs, reliability of data, and experimental design or approach.