Abstract: An enhanced convection heat-treatment system and method is configured to direct airflow with a plurality of air-paths past product, such as loaves of bread, to impart heat to the product and past a heating system to impart heat to the air. The enhanced system operates in a first mode with airflow along each of the plurality of air-paths in a first direction. The enhanced system operates in a second mode with airflow reversed although substantially along each of the same plurality of air-paths in an opposite second direction to assist in uniform heat-treatment of the product. For instance, as a convection oven, the enhanced convection heat-treatment system could distribute airflow evenly over a baked product resulting in an even bake of the product.

Abstract: A rack oven having an oven interior, an access door, a baking chamber, a passive steam generator, and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a chamber containing burners, an undivided exhaust collection plenum positioned above the burner chamber, and a plurality of straight heat exchange tubes extending upwardly between and communicating with the burner chamber and the collection plenum. A blower circulates air within the oven interior among the heat exchange tubes, the steam generator and the baking chamber, and the steam generator produces steam using the circulating air heated by the heat exchange tubes.

Abstract: A broiler assembly connectable to a cooking apparatus and provided with a broiler surface that generates a substantially even heat distribution pattern for cooking. The broiler assembly has a broiler housing defining a broiler interior area. Plenum members defining a plenum in the broiler interior area, wherein the plenum is connectable to a gas source and adapted to receive combustion gas from the gas source. A lower one of the plenum members is a burner tile holder that retains one or more burner tiles that define a broiler surface. The burner tiles have a plurality of burner apertures therein that communicate with the plenum to channel the combustion gas from the plenum to the broiler surface for ignition. The burner tiles form a burner portion having an outer set of burner apertures extending therethrough, an inner set of burner apertures extending therethrough, and a middle set of burner apertures between the outer and inner sets of burner apertures.

Abstract: A conversion broiler assembly to adapt a single-sided cooking apparatus to a double-sided cooking apparatus. The conversion broiler assembly has a rear housing that is mountable to the single-sided cooking apparatus. The rear housing movably receives left and right stanchions that are pivotally attached to left and right support arms with a broiler positioned therebetween. The left and right stanchions and support arms are generally hollow and provide passageways for combustion air, exhaust air, gas lines and electrical lines to and from the broiler. A rail system having two rails with running surfaces and one rail with an inclined running surface support rollers on the left and right stanchions to provide for smooth and easy lateral translation of the broiler relative to the rear housing. The conversion broiler assembly has a flue system for directing air flow and high temperature exhaust away from the assembly when in use while maintaining a substantially cool rear wall of the assembly.

Abstract: A conversion broiler assembly to adapt a single-sided cooking apparatus to a double-sided cooking apparatus. The conversion broiler assembly has a rear housing that is mountable to the single-sided cooking apparatus. The rear housing movably receives left and right stanchions that are pivotally attached to left and right support arms with a broiler positioned therebetween. The left and right stanchions and support arms are generally hollow and provide passageways for combustion air, exhaust air, gas lines and electrical lines to and from the broiler. A rail system having two rails with running surfaces and one rail with an inclined running surface support rollers on the left and right stanchions to provide for smooth and easy lateral translation of the broiler relative to the rear housing. The conversion broiler assembly has a flue system for directing air flow and high temperature exhaust away from the assembly when in use while maintaining a substantially cool rear wall of the assembly.

Abstract: An oven for cooking a food product that is exactly controlled for various cooking parameters, including cooking time, temperature, cooking elements used and cooking element duty cycle. Top and bottom cooking elements are provided in the oven. Temperature sensors are placed between each cooking element and the food product. The oven temperature is sensed when the food product is placed in the oven. The type of food product placed in the oven is indicated by the baker a control panel. Previously stored data indicates the cooking parameters to provide the best possible food product. The microprocessor controls the cooking elements to cook the food product according to the cooking parameters. As the correct cooking temperature is approached, the duty cycle of the cooking elements is lowered to ensure that the proper temperature is not exceeded. Once the correct cooking temperature is reached, the cooking elements operate at a predetermined duty cycle for the remaining cooking time.