The invention is related to an apparatus and method for controlling a steam flaking operation. In an embodiment, the invention is a steam flaking system including at least one sensor to measure the flow of material in the steam flaking system, a steam chest, a peg feeder, disposed at the bottom of the steam chest, and an automatic control unit, wherein the automatic control unit receives data from the at least one sensor and controls the peg feeder. In an embodiment, the invention is a steam flaking system including a steam chest, at least one sensor to measure the flow of material in the steam chest, a peg feeder, and an automatic control unit, wherein the automatic control unit receives data from the at least one sensor and controls the peg feeder. In an embodiment, the invention is a method for automatically controlling the residence time of a product in a steam chest including the steps of calculating a residence time (Tr) of a product, calculating a desired peg feeder RPM based on a calibration curve relating RPM and residence time, and adjusting the RPM of the peg feeder to the desired amount.