Abstract: A solar cooking appliance comprises a solar heat collector for collecting and storing solar heat. A first solid heat storage and conducting material for storing and conducting solar heat, the solid heat storage and conducting material is placed within the solar heat collector, the solar heat collector heats the solid heat storage and conducting material to a temperature higher than the water boiling temperature. A heat insulated solar cooking utensil is positioned outside of the solar heat collector, having a cooking utensil and a heat insulation. A second heat-transferring and conducting material connected thermally to the first solid heat storage and conducting material to the heat insulated solar cooking utensil for transferring solar heat.

Abstract: A sous vide device and method for cooking food. The device including: a reservoir for retaining water; a user interface having one or more user input elements and a display element; a heating element for heating water in the reservoir; a temperature sensor element for providing a temperature signal indicative of water temperature in the reservoir; and a processor module, the processor module being coupled to the user interface for receiving user inputs; the processor module being coupled to the temperature sensor element for receiving the temperature signal; the processor module enables control of the heating element for regulating the temperature of water in the reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of converting a charcoal grill to a gas grill having a stove top and to a grill plate used in the conversion which allows the grill to have a stove top to support a cooking container for cooking foods in containers thereon while controlling the heat on the stove top.

Abstract: The oxygen transport reactor-based oven is an oven for heating articles, such as bread, using oxygen transport reactor-based combustion in order to recycle carbon dioxide, rather than releasing the carbon dioxide into the environment. The oven includes an upper furnace chamber having a plurality of oxygen transport reactors disposed therein. A mixture of fuel and gaseous carbon dioxide is delivered to the interior of each oxygen transport reactor. Pressurized air is then delivered to the upper furnace chamber, so that oxygen from the pressurized air is driven through an ion transport membrane of each oxygen transport reactor to combust with the fuel. This combustion produces carbon dioxide, water vapor and heat. The generated heat is used to heat the articles to be heated, which are received within a heating chamber positioned beneath the upper furnace chamber.

Abstract: A method of baking bread in a high temperature bake oven, comprising initiating a heating element in a lower portion of the bake oven, locating the bread on a first pizza stone located above the heating element, directing circulating heated air in the oven with a baffle around the first pizza stone to between the first pizza stone and a second pizza stone located above the first pizza stone, and directing the circulating heated air in the oven rapidly from between the first and second pizza stones out of the oven through an opening in the front of the oven.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to heating systems. In various embodiments, a tray may be supported adjacent a housing having a plurality of heating compartments configured to provide heat to food items within each of the heating compartments. In other embodiments, a vessel may be configured to be disposed in a housing having a plurality of heating compartments configured to provide heat within each of the heating compartments. In further embodiments, a housing may have a plurality of heating compartments configured to provide heat within each of the heating compartments, and the heating compartment may have open ends arranged around a circumference of the housing.

Abstract: An appliance with a Venturi based venting system is disclosed. The appliance includes a housing defining an airflow channel in flow communication with outside of the appliance, the airflow channel having a common channel with a diverging section; first and second heating units disposed in the housing; a first duct through which a first cavity of the first unit is in flow communication with the common channel, the first duct having a first outlet end disposed at least partially in the diverging section; a second duct through which a second cavity of the second unit is in flow communication with the common channel, the second duct having a second outlet end disposed in the diverging section; and a fan in flow communication with the common channel.

Abstract: A portable outdoor cooking and decorative appliance including a combustion compartment and a separate oven compartment. The appliance can burn a variety of solid, liquid, and/or gaseous fuels. Material combustion products are inhibited from contacting food items inside the oven compartment to avoid contamination and transfer of undesired tastes, smells, and materials. The appliance is constructed to more efficiently transfer heat to the oven compartment to improve cooking speed and capability and reduce fuel needed. The appliance can include transparent doors such that users can view the interior of the appliance during use, without opening the doors.

Abstract: A high temperature bake oven including a source of heat, a first stone-like plate located above the heat source receiving an item to be baked, a second stone-like plate located above the first plate and a housing enclosing the first and second plates forming a bake oven chamber between the first and second plates having a front opening directing convection heat upwardly from the heat source against the first and second plates and between the plate over an item to be baked.

Abstract: An oven rack for an oven that providing additional clearance for an object on the oven rack. The oven rack comprises a generally rectangular shape including a front member, a rear member, and side members extending between the front and rear members. A grid structure is connected to the front, rear and side members and supports objects on the oven rack. Two rear rails are connected to the rear member to help retain objects on the oven rack. The rear rails project rearwardly and upwardly from rear member and define a free space being between the rear rails providing additional clearance for objects placed on the oven rack.

Abstract: A heat accumulator device for a cooking appliance, comprising a housing, which can be sealed by a door and contains an interior section with a cooking chamber, at least one heating device for generating hot air and/or steam from a steam generator, and a fan device for circulating hot air and/or steam in the cooking chamber. The heat accumulator device comprises at least one accumulator container, which at least temporarily holds a medium that is at least partially fluid above a specific temperature and at least one heat exchanger, into which at least part of the medium can be pumped at least temporarily and which extends into the interior section and the steam generator. The heating device contains the heat exchanger. The invention also relates to a cooking appliance comprising at least one heat accumulator device of this type.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooking a food item therein is disclosed. The apparatus has a housing defining an interior and includes at least first and second opposed walls. A rotating member is positioned between the first and second walls of the housing, and the rotating member is capable of engaging and rotating the food item. A drive mechanism is mounted on the apparatus for rotating the rotating member. A heating element is positioned adjacent the second wall of the housing, and a blackbody radiator is positioned between the rotating member and the heating element. The heating element heats a first side of the blackbody radiator and a second side of the blackbody radiator emits radiation in a highly effective wavelength spectrum toward the food item. The apparatus also includes a self cleaning system for cleaning the interior.

Abstract: Enclosed rotisserie with added convenience, including a countertop resting box-like enclosure housing a safety rear mounted heating element and a power rotated dual rod spit assembly. The gear driven spit assembly may be easily inserted and removed straight into and out of the enclosure without need for angling or coupling the assembly to a power drive socket. The spit assembly may also be mounted at various distances from the heating element to decrease cooking times. The open front of the enclosure is from time to time covered by an inclined glass panel door which may be opened in various ways to facilitate food insertion into and removal from the enclosure, and which may be easily removed for cleaning or other purposes. The embodiment's design makes efficient use of valuable counter space by recessing back and raising off the countertop its controls.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooking a food item therein has a housing defining an interior and includes at least first and second opposed walls. A rotating member is positioned between the first and second walls of the housing, and the rotating member is capable of engaging and rotating the food item. A drive mechanism is mounted on the apparatus for rotating the rotating member. A heating element is positioned adjacent the second wall of the housing, and a blackbody radiator is positioned between the rotating member and the heating element. The heating element heats a first side of the blackbody radiator and a second side of the blackbody radiator emits radiation in a highly effective wavelength spectrum toward the food item. The apparatus also includes a self cleaning system for cleaning the interior.

Abstract: A top section for an oven formed with an outer support shell, an intermediate insulating layer and an inner refractory lining wherein the three layers are connected by a plurality of spaced members. The spaced members are preferably formed as stainless steel pegs welded to an inner surface of the outer support shell extending across the intermediate insulating layer and fixed to the inner refractory lining as a result of the cast refractory lining setting around the pegs. The pegs may be covered at least in part by a plastic tip or coating to provide a relative expansion capacity between the pegs and the refractory lining. The outer section is preferably formed from steel, may be any suitable shape and includes one or more apertures to form doorways, flues and access ports for accessory items such as char-grilles, lights, fire retardant systems and windows. The invention extends to an oven including a top section as disclosed.

Abstract: A thermal food container comprises a receptacle having an upwardly disposed opening and a bottom and side walls; and a lid coextensive with the opening. The bottom wall includes a first pocket with a first cover operable outside the receptacle, the first pocket being adapted to receive a first thermal storage device. The lid includes a second pocket with a second cover operable outside the receptacle when the lid is secured to the receptacle, the second pocket being adapted to receive a second thermal storage device.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oven for drawing fibres at elevated temperature, which oven is on two sides opposite one another provided with guide rolls dictating a zigzag up-and-down drawing trajectory for the fibre in the oven. In the oven according to the invention the drawing trajectory is at least 20 metres long and the rolls are driven. The invention also relates to a process for drawing fibres using the oven according to the invention, in particular to a process for producing highly oriented polyethylene fibres.

Abstract: A pizza insert has at least one tile that rests on a rack that is advantageously spaced above a barbeque grill by a support structure that is connected to the rack and extends downwardly therefrom. The pizza insert also has a rim that extends upwardly from the rack and substantially prevents the tile from moving in horizontal directions. The rim extends away from the rack a distance less than the thickness of the tile so that the rim does not obstruct access to the pizza placed on the tile. Also disclosed are a kit for the pizza insert and the method of using the pizza insert.