One embodiment provides an apparatus for cooking lignocellulosic material, comprising a pressurizable, inclined top separator including a sluicing liquor inlet for receiving a sluicing mixture comprising impregnated lignocellulosic material and sluicing liquor, a hot black liquor inlet, an excess liquor outlet, and an impregnated lignocellulosic material outlet; a continuous digester vessel including an impregnated lignocellulosic material inlet in communication with the impregnated lignocellulosic material outlet, and a warm black liquor outlet; and a black liquor circulation and heating loop including a warm black liquor inlet in communication with said warm black liquor outlet, a heater for heating warm black liquor to produce hot black liquor, and a hot black liquor outlet in communication with said hot black liquor inlet. Methods of making and using the apparatus are also provided.