Abstract: An oven, is provided that includes multiple heat transfer means, including convection and microwave heat transfer means. The oven includes a cooking chamber, a blower and at least a shelf disposed within the cooking chamber. The shelf is designed to act as a food support as well as a conduit through which heated air passes into the cooking chamber. The microwave heating means comprises a microwave source and wave guide through which microwaves travel. The wave guide includes a plurality of openings through which microwaves can pass into said cooking chamber. In the preferred embodiment, the openings in the wave guide are positioned to correspond with the predetermined minima or maxima for the microwave wavelength propagating within the wave guide. An electric heating element may also be disposed within the cooking chamber to provide an alternative heating source.

Abstract: A novel thermal treatment apparatus is provided that includes at least one thermal treatment section (212) having a plurality of individual thermal treatment sections. The apparatus further includes: (a) an air supply duct (356) with at least one supply port (258) associated with each said individual thermal treatment section through which temperature controlled air passes into each said individual thermal treatment section and (b) at least one air return port (357) for each individual thermal treatment section through which said temperature controlled air exits the individual thermal treatment sections. A barrier (312) is provided between each individual thermal treatment section, preferably in the form of a removable food tray.