Abstract: A combined refrigerator-oven (20) includes an enclosed chamber (28) having a top wall (22), a bottom wall (24), and vertical side walls (26). The refrigerator-oven (20) further includes a heating unit (50) and a refrigeration unit (70). A controller (118) is in communication with the heating unit (50) and the refrigeration unit (70). When a cooling mode is selected, the controller (118) activates the refrigeration unit (70) to deliver cool air (62) into the enclosed chamber (28). When a heating mode is selected, the controller (118) activates the heating unit (50) to produce heat (66) in the enclosed chamber (28).

Abstract: A microwave oven using a dual clock allows a microcomputer to have two operation modes, preserves a memory data of a microwave oven in case of a power failure, and minimizes a power-consumption of a battery. The microwave oven having a power-supply part, a load driver and a display part includes an oscillation part for generating many clocks having a different frequency, a control unit for setting at least one among many clocks from the oscillation part as an operation clock according to a power-supply of the power-supply part; and an auxiliary power-supply part for providing a power-supply to the control unit if the power-supply part does not generate a power-supply. If a power-supply is normally applied to a microwave oven, a dual mode is set, and a general mode of using the main clock and the sub clock as an operation clock is set. If a power-supply is not provided to a microwave oven, the main clock is turned off, a power-saving mode of using the sub clock as an operation clock is set.

Abstract: A programmable cooking system including a plurality of programmable cooking devices and at least one data key. The, or each, data key is provided with a data memory for storing program data corresponding to sequences of cooking operations, and the data memory is divided into a plurality of parts each corresponding to a respective one of the cooking devices. Each programmable cooking device includes a programmable control means for controlling the cooking device to carry out sequences of cooking operations each of which may use a different cooking power and cooking time duration. Each programmable cooking device further includes a key aperture adapted to receive one of the data keys and a data reader arranged to read from the data key program data from that part of the data memory corresponding to the cooking device, and pass the program data to the programmable control means of the cooking device thus making the appropriate sequences of cooking operations available to the cooking device.

Abstract: An electronic cooker time switch (1) having a display panel, input elements for time data and switching times, a control circuit, a relay for automatically switching an electric load on and off, and a change-over switching device for switching over from an automatic to a manual mode, wherein there are provided a display portion (2) which has a time switch with digital display and a circuit board (15) with mains unit and control electronics, and an operating portion (3) which is arranged separately from the display portion. This modular design unit that it is possible to use different kinds of operating portions (3) with one and the same display portion (2).

Abstract: A microwave oven is installed above a cooking counter such as a kitchen stove counter. The microwave oven has its housing covered by an oven case, and incorporates a fan. By driving the fan, the microwave oven can have the hot air generated at the cooking counter inhaled from beneath the oven case and discharged from a front opening. The front opening is formed at the front face of the oven case. An operation display device is provided at the front face of the oven case. By one operation of a predetermined key on the operation display device, the drive of the fan is initiated and then automatically terminated at an elapse of a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes).

Abstract: A method for compensating cooking time of a microwave oven which sets an exact reference voltage and automatically controls cooking time in accordance with variation of an input voltage, includes the steps of: setting the reference voltage based on the input voltage regulated to a rated voltage in a state that power is applied or a load is driven and storing the reference voltage in a memory; checking a level of a currently input voltage; and calculating compensating time in accordance with a difference value between the currently input voltage and the reference voltage. Thus, it is possible to minimize dissatisfaction of a user due to voltage variation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an interpretive BIOS machine for controlling the cooking of food in a microwave oven or the conduct of a physical, chemical, or thermodynamic process stream wherein the microwave oven or process stream functionally operates by user independent commands. The interpretive BIOS machine is implemented by a microprocessor or computer having a memory for the storing of a program that contains the operating instruction for the present invention. Data is received into the interpretive BIOS machine from a data entry mechanism. The data is specific code that represents a plurality of desired cooking or process instructions selected by the user of the microwave oven or process stream. The present invention interprets the received data and transforms the data into time duration(s) and scaled power level(s) settings for the microwave oven or process stream. The present invention monitors and adjusts the work performed on a specimen disposed within the microwave oven or process stream.

Abstract: A rotation activated circuit breaker with a leading auxiliary switch, in which the auxiliary contacts of the auxiliary switch are actuated before the main contacts. An actuator element is provided, which contains a drive pinion that is rotation actuated by an actuating mechanism and a longitudinally movable first gear rack, which engages with the drive pinion and actuates the auxiliary switch. Furthermore, a second gear rack, which lags behind the first gear rack in the closing direction, and an output pinion, assigned to the second gear rack, which is connected to a drive shaft for the breaking mechanism of the circuit breaker, are provided. The tooth pitch of the output pinion and the second gear rack is greater than the tooth pitch of the drive pinion and the first gear rack so that the total rotation angle of the drive pinion and output pinion is the same over the full closing motion of the actuating mechanism.

Abstract: An electric appliance has a timer for calculating the remaining time, an operation member operated by being rotated, an adjuster for adjusting the remaining time, and a display for displaying the remaining time. When the operation member is operated while the timer is counting time, the adjuster adjusts the remaining time, and the display displays the adjusted remaining time.

Abstract: A method for controlling a cavity lamp of a microwave oven has a step of determining whether a door is opened. A cooking state is identified by determining whether a cooking key of a key input portion is selected when the door is opened. Whether the cooking cancellation key of the key input portion is selected when the door is not opened in the cooking state is identified. A cavity lamp is turned off when the cooking cancellation key is selected. Whether an open time of the door passes beyond an established predetermined time in advance is determined. The cavity lamp is turned off when the open time of the door passed beyond the predetermined time. Therefore, the cavity lamp which is turned on when a door is opened is turned off automatically or manually so that life of the cavity lamp is lengthened and loss of electric power is reduced.

Abstract: A device and method for elimination of contamination during transfer of materials either into or from bioreactors, food containers, or other microbially vulnerable systems. Using microwave power, thermal sterilizations of mating fixtures are achieved simply, reliably, and quickly by the volatilization of small quantities of water to produce superheated steam which contacts all exposed surfaces.

Abstract: A temperature compensation method for a microwave oven, and more particularly a method capable of compensating for a detected temperature error of a food which is caused by electromagnetic wave noise when a heating operation of microwave oven is controlled by an infrared sensor. The method includes a first step of comparing a detected temperature with a predetermined cooking temperature, a second step of halting the heating operation when the detected temperature is higher than the cooking temperature, a third step of comparing a real detected temperature of the food with the cooking temperature as heating operation is stopped, and a fourth step of compensating the real temperature of the food by resuming the heating operation when the real temperature of food is lower than the cooking temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed is a control panel of a microwave oven comprising a panel body, a timing device, a time control knob, and a power control knob assembly. The power control knob assembly has a pinion assembled with the power control shaft, a rack engaged with the pinion, and a knob installed slidably along a guiding recess formed on the panel body so as to move the rack linearly. As the knob is slide along the guide recess of the panel body of tie panel, the rack moved by the knob rotates the pinion. Accordingly, the output control shaft is rotated, and thereby the output power degree of the microwave is set. As described, knob of the power control knob assembly for controlling the output power of the microwave is linearly moved. Accordingly, the user can easily distinguish the power control knob from the time control knob.

Abstract: A microwave oven includes a heating chamber containing a magnetron for heating and cooking food S, a body with a door provided in front of the heating chamber, and a control circuitry provided on the body for controlling driving of the magnetron. The control circuitry includes a switch key for switching either to a cooking time input mode for setting and inputting time period for driving magnetron or to an optional timer input mode for setting and inputting time period for an optional timer, input ten keys for inputting the time period of the set input mode, a timer body for separately counting time periods of respective input modes input by the ten keys, a display portion for displaying time count of either one of the input modes switched by the switch key, and a start key for starting time count for the input time period on display portion.

Abstract: A microwave oven having a silent cooking mode and a method for operating the microwave oven are disclosed. The microwave oven has a magnetron driving section connected to a secondary winding of a high voltage transformer which receives an external power source via a primary winding thereof. A fan motor ventilates a cooking chamber of the microwave oven and a silent cooking mode selecting key selects the silent cooking mode. Voltage dividing section divides the voltage of the external power source. Switching section supplies the external power source to the fan motor at a normal cooking mode and supplies the external power source of which the voltage is divided by the voltage dividing section to the fan motor at the silent cooking mode. Control section controls the switching section in response to a key signal from the silent cooking mode selecting key. Accordingly, when the user selects the silent cooking mode, a noise generated from the fan motor is reduced remarkably.

Abstract: An operation control method of a microwave oven by which a completion preparation sound is generated before a cooking completion time to notify a user a cooking process state and a cooking completion is notified in advance to provide an allowance time for the user to prepare the cooking completion to the benefit thereto.

Abstract: In the operation of a thoroughly heating course of a microwave oven, when an ordinary temperature food having a weight of less than 500 g is heated to a desired finishing temperature of 75.degree. C., heating is performed until the temperature of the food reaches 75.degree. C. by a normal output of 650 W (a first mode). After time t.sub.1 at which 75.degree. C. is reached, the food is heated and kept warm at 90.degree. C. higher than 75.degree. C. by a lower output of 350 W (a second mode). As a result, the food can be surely and thoroughly heated to the inside.

Abstract: An electronic control timer of microwave oven capable of establishing a total cooking period by different time units is disclosed. The electronic control timer includes a gear having a first gear segment and a second gear segment. A switch installed adjacently to the gear generates a pulse signal in accordance with a rotation displacement of the gear. The gear driving device is activated when the switch is activated, and then rotates the gear in an opposite direction to an initial rotating directioon of the gear and returns the gear to an initial state thereof. The first gear segment includes a first gear teeth having a first gear pitch corresponding to a first time unit and a second gear teeth having a second gear pitch corresponding to a second time unit. The second gear segment has a toothless shape. The switch is activated when it is brought into contact with the first gear segment so that the switch generates the pulse signal.

Abstract: An oven with high power radiant cooking elements which are capable of operating at different intensities is disclosed for cooking food quickly with infrared radiation. The conduction of this infrared radiant energy varies substantially from food to food. Accordingly, the user of the oven must develop a unique data base or recipe for each food. A recipe consists of a number of stages each of which defines the output intensity of each cooking element for a period of time. A method is disclosed for the real time development of a recipe by varying the intensity of the cooking elements during the cooking cycle, optimizing the developed recipe to reduce the number of stages, storing the optimized recipe in memory and retrieving the optimized stored recipe for future use.

Abstract: A microwave oven prevents an overcooking of small food portions. The oven includes a weight sensing device for sensing the weight of food to be cooked. If the sensed food weight is greater than a reference weight, then a cooking time is set, e.g., manually or automatically on the basis of a selected cooking mode and/or the sensed food weight. If the sensed food weight is less than the reference weight, then a maximum cooking time is automatically set which is the same, regardless of the amount by which the food weight is less than the reference weight. The cooking time cannot exceed that maximum time period, thereby ensuring that the food will not be overcooked.

Abstract: After the initial temperature T0 of a heating chamber is sensed (S34), heating by microwaves is conducted until the sensor output of a humidity sensor exhibits a prescribed humidity change amount of 1.0 V (S35-S39). Then, an additional time period is operated based on initial temperature T0 and a time period passed for the elevation of 1.0 V (S40-S42, S50). Heating by microwaves is conducted for the additional time period (S43, S51), and then heating by a heater is conducted. As a result, the moisture included in the food is evaporated and finished crisp. In other words frozen precooked food may be thawed and cooked into a tasty state.

Abstract: Since, food sealed tightly in a packaged does not permit steam to be released from the food during heating, conventional microwave ovens using a hygrometer cannot identify the type of food, and an automatic heating is therefore impossible. A microwave oven of the present invention includes: a temperature detector for detecting the temperature at the top of the lid of the package of a packaged food; a first calculating unit for calculating a first parameter representing a degree of rise in the detected temperature during a period of time since the heating is started until a predetermined change in the detected temperature is attained; a second calculating unit for calculating a second parameter representing a degree of rise in the temperature after the predetermined change in the temperature is attained. A controller judges the amount of food in the packaged food based on the first parameter, and judges the packing state of the packaged food based on the second parameter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting the presence or absence of a container cover and for determining how much food is present in a microwave oven. The apparatus includes a sensor for sensing the state of an exhaust from the heating chamber in the microwave oven, and a sensor output processor for processing a signal from the sensor, calculating cooking information according to the signal, and identifying the presence or absence of a container cover and determining how much food is present by utilizing the cooking information and inputted cooking time information to provide a control signal for controlling a heating time of said heating chamber.

Abstract: A method for converting standard conventional oven cook times and temperatures to convection oven cook times and temperatures to operate a thermal convection oven is provided. The method has the steps of providing a thermal convection oven having an oven cavity, a heating element, a control panel for inputting cooking parameters, a converter for converting a standard conventional oven cook time and temperature to a convection oven cook time and temperature, the converter being connected to the input control panel, and having controls connected to the converter and also connected to the heating element for operating the thermal convection oven.

Abstract: A bake stuff cooker 10 includes: a main body case 1; a mount plate 2 attached on an upper surface of the main body case 1 for mounting a cook stuff; a heating plate 3 pivotally switchable between a facing position facing the mount plate 2 to form a gap corresponding to the thickness of the cook stuff above the mount plate 2 and a separating position separating from the facing position; the heating plate 3 forming a heating face on an upper surface and/or a lower surface thereof; a lid 5 for forming another gap corresponding to the thickness of another cook stuff above the heating plate 3 and for covering the heating face 31a on the upper surface of the heating plate 3; an induction heating coil 11 for heating the heating face; a control unit 9 for controlling to drive and stop the induction heating coil 11; and a thermistor 92 for detecting a temperature of the heating face, wherein the control unit 9 is provided with a drive time setting circuit 93 for setting a drive time of the induction heating coil 11 in

Abstract: Disclosed is an operational switch for a microwave oven using a pair of gears and a pair of micro switches in order for a magnetron and a heater of a microwave oven to operate. At the rear surface of a control panel, a first switch for turning on/off the magnetron and a first gear having a pair of pushing pieces for controlling the first switch are installed. At an edge of the first gear a second switch for controlling the heater is provided. A second gear for controlling the second switch is provided while meshing together with a power controlling gear of a timer body. A pair of pushing pieces are protrudingly formed on the surface of second gear. The first gear further includes a stopper and a pair of impeding pieces for limiting the rotation range and a pair of elastic pieces and a ring type guiding member for guiding the rotation.

Abstract: A heating apparatus such as a microwave oven includes a magnetron supplying microwaves into a heating chamber so that food accommodated in it is heated and a microcomputer-based control circuit. The control circuit discriminates the food among three conditions, that is, a first condition in which the food is not wrapped in a wrap film, a second condition in which the food is wrapped in a wrap film, and a third condition belonging neither to the first nor to the second condition. Based on the results of discrimination, the control circuit calculates a remaining heating time.

Abstract: A microwave oven and a method of controlling the operation thereof in which an algorithm is provided to operate the microwave oven virtually. The microwave oven comprises a control unit including a microcontroller for storing a program therein, an operating panel including a plurality of keys for inputting key signals regarding various functions of a cooking operation, a display unit for displaying the contents inputted through the operating panel, and a magnetron for generating a microwave under the control of the control unit. The microwave oven further comprises a key select device for selecting a desired one of the plurality of keys on the operating panel to operate the microwave oven virtually, and a simulated operation change device for changing the operation of the microwave oven to a simulated operation in response to the key being selected by the key select device.

Abstract: A microwave oven has a switch mechanism for selecting first and second cooking functions and activating/deactivating a magnetron of the microwave oven. The switch mechanism comprises first and second rotary switches actuable by respective coaxial knobs for generating encoded signals to establish the first and second cooking functions, respectively. One of the knobs can be pushed axially to activate/deactivate the magnetron.

Abstract: A barbecue appliance capable of cooking a variety of foods by disposing a rotary grill in which food is held vertically within a cooking chamber between heating members provided therein and rotating the rotary grill between the heating members, so that an optimum cooking state is obtained. The barbecue includes a cooking unit and a rotary grill which may be inserted into the cooking unit. The cooking unit has an outer casing provided with an elongated top opening and having a removable drip reservoir provided in the bottom thereof, a main frame encased by the outer casing and having a bottom wall and side walls defining therewithin a vertical cooking chamber opened and its top, heating members disposed on both sides of the cooking chamber, a drive section having a driving gear extended to the inside of the cooking chamber, a solenoid-releasable lifting and lowering mechanism for lifting and lowering the rotary grill in the cooking chamber.

Abstract: An improved heating time control apparatus and method thereof for a microwave oven capable of advantageously computing an optimum cooking time without controlling the amount of food to be cooked. The invention includes: a sensor for detecting a predetermined physical, i.e.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for automatic control of a microwave oven which can make precise cooking control available by classifying the cooking control into cases when cooking is completed below the boiling point of water, such as thawing or warming up, and cases when cooking is completed above the boiling point of water. For types of cooking which are complete without water boiling, the invention sets the initial cooking time period by determining the time it takes for the output voltage of a temperature detection sensor to reach a rise starting point. For types of cooking which include water boiling, the invention sets the initial cooking time period by determining the time it takes for the output voltage of the temperature detection sensor to reach a maximum rise point. The invention then sets an additional time period equivalent to the initial time period multiplied by a cooking constant corresponding to the type of cooking that is desired.

Abstract: An improved heating time control apparatus and a method for a microwave oven capable of detecting food temperature using an infrared ray coming from food being heated, whereby better heating time control can be possible, which includes a key input circuit for inputting a cooking menu and a food kinds; an infrared sensor circuit for detecting a surface temperature of food in accordance with the amount of infrared rays coming from food being cooked and for converting the detected temperature into a predetermined electric signal; a microprocessor for outputting a first heating time previously set in accordance with a selected menu and a second heating time previously set in accordance with a food kinds and for monitoring an output signal outputted from the infrared sensor and for outputting a result obtained by multiplying an output signal difference between points of a first heating time completion and a second heating time completion by a predetermined coefficient as a third heating time; and an output control

Abstract: An oven using one or more quartz tungsten light bulbs capable of producing 1.5 kW of radiant energy of which a significant portion is light energy in the 0.4 to 0.7 .mu.m wavelength range impinges high intensity visible light wave radiation directly onto a food item. Light sources can be positioned above and below the food item and the inner walls of the oven are preferably highly reflective to reflect light energy onto the food. The intensity of the visible light source is automatically controllable and can be varied throughout the cooking cycle.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for controlling a ventilation motor of a microwave oven which is provided to control the ventilation motor automatically according to a setting time by a user.

Abstract: A combined oven for cooking foodstuffs having a control panel having, on the one hand, a selection device (11) for a heating sequence to be used, of a type of foodstuff and of its weight, and, on the other hand, a control device (8) connected to data processing device (9) which includes a principal computer (10) determining a heating time as a function of the selection device. The data processing device (9), on the one hand, is connected to a display device (12) and, on the other hand, includes a slave computer (13) connected to the principal computer (10) by a bidirectional bus (14) and to which are connected the selection device (11), a storage memory (15) containing information selectable by the selection device (11) and the display device (12) to display the selectable data.

Abstract: A heat cooking apparatus includes a gas burner, and a temperature sensor for sensing a food correlative temperature. A microcomputer determines a category of the food on the basis of a time necessary for raising a temperature of the food by a predetermined temperature, and sets a termination temperature according to the category. If the time is more than a predetermined value, the microcomputer determines that the food is "boiled food", and sets a boiled food termination temperature. If the time is less than a predetermined value and a temperature drop occurs during temperature raising, the microcomputer determines that the food is "fried food", and sets a fried food upper limit temperature. If the time is less than a predetermined value and no temperature drop occurs during temperature raising, the microcomputer determines that the food is "deep-fried food", and sets a deep-fried food upper limit temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microwave power controlling device having a reduced production cost and an improved assembling work efficiency by using a simple structure and the reduced number of components. A supporting stepped portion is formed on an inner surface portion of a control panel having a rotating through hole formed at a central portion thereof into which a knob axis for controlling the microwave power is inserted. An elastic piece and a pair of stoppers are formed on an upper surface of the supporting stepped portion. On an opposite surface of the supporting stepped portion, a microwave power controlling gear is mounted. The microwave power controlling gear has an engaging jaw for defining a rotating range thereof and a ring-shaped guide portion having plural notched grooves engaged with the elastic piece. The microwave power controlling gear is meshed with a coupling gear meshed with a microwave power controlling circuit gear of a timer body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for performing a delay start regardless of the open/close state of the microwave oven door, where the present time Tp is continually counted after a warning signal telling a user to close the door is produced, even if the door is opened during the pre-cooking start time stage or the door is opened during the post-cooking time stage, whereby further cooking is interrupted after the warning signal is produced until the door is closed. Therefore, cooking can be started at a pre-determined time even if the door is opened during the execution of the delay start.

Abstract: A control control system for a heating apparatus such as a microwave oven. Manipulation, that is, selection of one of various menus and start of the operation thereof substantially completed by manipulating only one manipulating knob without using keys which are widely distributed on a manipulation panel, consequently, it is possible to simplify selection of a menu.

Abstract: A heating apparatus such as microwave ovens includes a heater heating food contained in a cooking chamber and a temperature sensor sensing the temperature in the cooking chamber. An initial temperature is detected at an initial stage of the cooking on the basis of the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor. An intermediate temperature is further detected a predetermined time period after the start of the cooking. Based on the difference between the detected initial and intermediate temperatures, a suitable cooking period of time is determined.

Abstract: A cooking appliance has several sensors to detect which attachment has been placed in a cooking compartment. When a door to the compartment is closed and a start switch is operated within ten seconds, the appliance automatically starts cooking in a mode determined by the attachment detected by the sensors. After the door has been closed for ten seconds, even though the start switch is operated by accident, the appliance will not start cooking.

Abstract: A method for controlling a power relay for actuating a magnetron of a microwave oven in which contacts thereof are closed at various points of time or phase of an AC sinusoidal waveform input thereto with an equal probability, thereby preventing a transfer of the contacts of the power relay. According to the present invention, a count number of a relay counter is incremented periodically upon application of power, until a start key signal is inputted. The count number of the relay counter is then incremented by 1 whenever the start key signal is inputted and the power relay is toggled from its off state to its on state. An interrupt number is incremented periodically as the count number of the relay counter whenever an internal or external interrupt routine is performed. When the count number of the relay counter and the interrupt number are the same, the contacts of the power relay are closed at a phase or a point of time corresponding to the same number, so as to actuate the magnetron.

Abstract: A cooking appliance has a cooking compartment accessed by a door. After cooking is finished, a sensor detects the temperature within the cooking compartment. Then a cooling fan cools components in the cooking appliance for a period of time dependent on the detected temperature. A control circuit changes the period for cooling in accordance with the time that the door is open while the fan is on.

Abstract: An automatic cooking appliance has a magnetron to cook the food. The cooking appliance has a dial, which is rotatable and capable of being pressed, on an operation panel thereof. A cooking mode in the menu is selected due to the rotation of the dial. The cooking mode is determined by pressing of the dial. The cooking appliance controls the magnetron in accordance with the determined cooking mode. This enables the dial to be used for multiple purposes to thereby save space on a control panel.

Abstract: A programmable cooking system has a programming mode for reading an identifying code on a food product and for storing a user selected recipe as a function of the code. The system also has a cooking mode for reading an identifying code on a food product and for recalling and implementing a recipe stored for the code during the programming mode. The system includes an optical code reader for reading the code. A keypad is used by the operator to input recipes during the programming mode and to input cooking variables during the cooking mode. A microprocessor stores and recalls the identifying codes and recipes in a compressed format and controls the operation of a cooking device, such as a microwave oven.

Abstract: A microwave oven having a pulsed magnetron comprises a timing circuit which determines a cooking time and the pulse duration when the magnetron is pulsed. By means of a time and power setting device, the cooking time and the pulse duration are adapted to a food introduced into the oven chamber. At least one operation parameter affecting the magnetron output is measured and compared with the nominal value of the parameter. In the event of a difference between the measured and the nominal parameter value, the cooking time and/or the pulse duration is/are corrected in relation to the set values in order to eliminate the effect of this difference on the total quantity of energy supplied during cooking.

Abstract: A microwave oven has a magnetron 26 cooled by a fan 30 which generates a flow of air which is admitted to the oven cavity 10 through an inlet aperture 32, leaving the cavity through an outlet aperture 36. A grill element 22 is located in the upper part of the cavity 10 and a turntable 24 is positioned in the lower part of the cavity 10. Where the air respectively enters and leaves the cavity, thermocouples monitor air inlet (Ti) and air outlet (To) temperatures. After cooking commences, the air inlet and air outlet temperatures are monitored. After a time dependent on the load of the food item being cooked, the plot of air outlet temperature against time crosses the plot of air inlet temperature against time. The crossover point 44 of the air inlet and air outlet temperatures is used to control the remaining cooking time and the duration of energisation of the magnetron and the grill element during the remaining cooking time.

Abstract: A microwave oven driving circuit for stably driving a microwave oven wherein a certain output of a magnetron can be generated by controlling a microcomputer. First and second comparing portions control a voltage supplied from a power supply portion and an output of the magnetron to increase in stages so as to obtain a normal output of the magnetron. Also, the output of the magnetron is gradually decreased without being too abrupt even if the output of the generating portion must be decreased as cooking is completed, thereby improving durability and cooking efficiency of the microwave oven.

Abstract: An oven using one or more quartz tungsten light bulbs capable of producing 1.5 kW of radiant energy of which a significant portion is light energy in the 0.4 to 0.7 .mu.m wavelength range impinges high intensity visible light wave radiation directly onto a food item. Light sources can be positioned above and below the food item and the inner walls of the oven are preferably highly reflective to reflect light energy onto the food. The intensity of the visible light source is automatically controllable and can be varied throughout the cooking cycle.