Abstract: A food product carrier for use in an automatic food cooking machine having opposed integral retaining wire arch members for accepting retractable pins thereby locking a pivotal wire lid to a wire basket in a closed position which is mounted to the cooking machine and further including an external latch for securing the lid in a closed position while removed from the cooking machine.

Abstract: An automatic food cooker having a tubular frame used as an air conduit system for delivering air to the fuel source. When the attached fan is turned on air is blown through the tubular frame and out the exhaust on the vertical frame members. The exhaust ports are adjacent the lower longitudinal frame near the fuel source. Therefore, regardless of the wind condition the fuel source may be fed sufficient air to promote burning. Use of the tubular frame as air conduits minimizes the cost involved in providing the air delivery system for the cooker. A portion of the frame is used as hot air conduits for drawing heated air from the cooker interior and delivering it to an upper chamber for heating or cooking food products contained therein.

Abstract: An automatic food cooker machine having a plurality of food product carriers attached to an endless conveyor. The food carriers are attached and detached from the conveyor at opposite ends of the cooker. A plate is provided between the heat source and conveyor to catch grease and other debris falling from the food products. A plurality of restraining bars extend across the plate in one embodiment to minimize buckling of the plate when heated.

Abstract: An automatic food cooker machine having a plurality of food product carriers attached to an endless conveyor. The food carriers are attached and detached from the conveyor at opposite ends of the cooker. A plate having side rails is provided between the heat source and conveyor to catch grease and other debris falling from the food products. A pair of vents are formed at each end between the cooker doors and top wall to provide a safe escape for steam and promote the proper ignition of the flammable gas exiting the gas burner ports. A pair of dip tanks are positioned at each end of the conveyor so that as the food product is pulled through the cooker it is immersed in a flavored sauce.

Abstract: A grease and liquid drainage member which includes a peripheral frame carrying a continuous peripheral trough. The frame is used to support a separate removable barbeque cooker having overlaping side parts which allow grease and other liquids formed during the cooking process to drain into the trough.

Abstract: An oven in a cooking machine has a pair of spaced parallel endless conveyor chains mounted therein and driven by a motor. Pivotally supported baskets for holding food are connected normal to the conveyor chains. Electrical heating elements disposed between and above the baskets are supported in the oven for cooking the food products. Guide rails maintain the baskets horizontally disposed as the baskets move adjacent to the heating elements. A sauce tank disposed in one end of the oven receives the baskets containing the food products. Each of the baskets is immersed in the sauce once during each cycle of operation. During the cooking process, a spray of water or a water base fluid is discharged from nozzles disposed in the cooking machine for increasing the humidity to obtain optimum cooking conditions. Maximum discharge of the water also is used to control grease fires.

Abstract: An oven in a cooking machine has a pair of spaced parallel endless conveyor chains mounted therein and driven by a motor. Pivotally supported baskets for holding food are connected normal to the conveyor chains. Electrical heating elements disposed between and above the baskets are supported in the oven for cooking the food products. Guide rails maintain the baskets horizontally disposed as the baskets move adjacent to the heating elements. A sauce tank disposed in one end of the oven receives the baskets containing the food products. Each of the baskets is immersed in the sauce once during each cycle of operation. To remove the cooked food products from the oven, spaced runners are shifted over the sauce tank to prevent the baskets of food products from being dipped into the sauce. A movable collar connects and disconnects the conveyor chains to the motor. A door at the front of the oven has counterweights to facilitate opening and closing of the door by an operator.