This paper presents a comparison of the performance of an electric power operated yam pounding machine to traditional (manual) method of pounding yam using mortar and pestle. The comparison was done based on the pounding time using the two methods on different yam species. Selection of yams for the test samples was done randomly from new and old yams. The machine consists of a metallic casing with a variable speed electric motor. The motor is attached on a suspended floor base and connected via a direct shaft to the crushing blade. The pounding time for both the machine and manual methods were taking and recorded. Based on the results gotten, it was noted that, there is a sharp difference in the pounding time between the machine and manual operation. It took the machine operation 2 to 3 minutes to pound the yam irrespective of whether it is a new or old yam, whereas for the traditional method, it will take up to 15 or 20 minutes to complete pounding. The machine performs its operation faster, efficiently and hygienically better than the traditional (manual) method of pounding yam.

Keywords: Electric motor, Mortar, Pestle, Pounded yam, Conventional method, crushing force, pounding machine