Abstract: In a cooking apparatus such as a fryer or the like for frying food having an oil tank filled therein with cooking oil to be maintained in heated condition, a humidity detector is provided to detect an amount of vapor rising from the food after the food has been thrown into the heated cooking oil. An electric circuit is provided to decide frying completion of the food when the detected amount of vapor becomes smaller than a predetermined amount of vapor after maintained larger than the predetermined amount of vapor, and an elapsed amount of time.

Abstract: An automatic rice cooking apparatus including a rice washing section supplied with a predetermined amount of rice from a rice box via a measuring cup and adapted to wash the rice by a water supplied at a uniform water pressure and a rice cooker adapted to receive the washed rice and a water for boiling the rice controlled in quantity by a water supply time and achieve a cooking operation and a warmth-keeping operation. The apparatus includes a control circuit capable of automatically achieving all rice cooking procedures of measuring the amount of rice to be cooked, washing the rice, adjusting the quantity of water for boiling the rice, cooking the rice and keeping the cooked rice warm in accordance with a selected specification of a user. The control circuit also informs various operation states of the apparatus so that the user uses the apparatus conveniently and simply.

Abstract: An apparatus to heat or toast tortillas, and uses adjustable food support arrays and heating element arrays, forming a single food enclosure or a plurality of food enclosures, to change the proximity of the heating elements to the food items being heated so that the device can be used for heating or toasting a variety of food items in addition to tortillas.

Abstract: A bread baking apparatus having a bread container, a mixer for mixing ingredients in the container to form a dough, and an oven for baking the dough, and further having a storage unit for storing a plurality of bread types, bread recipes and bread processing operating times, a display unit for displaying the plurality of bread types, a selection unit for selecting one of the displayed bread types, with the display unit further displaying the recipe of the selected bread type, a control unit for controlling the time of operation of the apparatus, and a start unit for starting the mixing and baking. A method of baking bread utilizing such baking apparatus.

Abstract: Equipment for cooking a plurality of containers of food has parallel rails for defining positions for each container in the cooking chamber, has a sensor arrangement for determining the presence of a container at a position, a timer for receiving the output of the sensor arrangement to start timing of the cooking duration and creating an output signal at the end of the cooking duration which is applied to a display to indicate the completion of the cooking of the particular container in that position.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a cooking appliance 10 is disclosed comprising heating element 14 in thermal communication with a cooking medium 12 for cooking food, temperature sensing element 18 for detecting a cooking medium temperature and control 20 connected to the temperature sensing element 18 for receiving the cooking medium temperature, wherein the control 20 is operable to generate a working temperature which may differ from the cooking medium temperature in order to account for a thermal transit time between the heating element 14 and the temperature sensing element 18, and further operable for regulating the heating element 14 in accordance with the working temperature. Other devices, systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A toaster is disclosed capable of retaining a fire within the body of the toaster should such a fire commence for any reason, the toaster comprising an outer housing, an inner enclosure defining a toasting compartment, an open access slot enabling access to the toasting compartment, movable flameproof member means either closing the access slot or opening same, movable carriage means in the toasting compartment to carry a product to be toasted, and latch means to hold the movable flameproof member means closed until manually released thereby ensuring a person is at the toaster should a fire have commenced in the toasting chamber.

Abstract: A rethermalization system for rethermalizing refrigerated foods in an institutional food service setting is disclosed. A rethermalization cart is provided with a plurality of trays for supporting food items to be served. The trays are supported on heater shelves including heating elements located under the portions of the trays corresponding to locations of food items to be heated. A loaded cart is placed in a refrigerator and is attached to a power supply and controller. A serving time is programmed into the system and the controller provides power to the cart a predetermined interval before the desired serving time. Heater microcontrollers are associated with the heater shelves and control power to the heating element on the shelves in accordance with at least one rethermalization program.

Abstract: A method and an oven are disclosed which provide reduced baking times for pizza. The method includes the step of impinging the toppings portion of the pizza with jets of heated air. These jets of heated air have a velocity at the point of contact with the pizza sufficient to cause temporary displacement within the toppings portion. As a result, the time needed to properly bake the pizza is reduced. The oven includes means for impinging the toppings portion with jets of heated air at a velocity sufficient to cause temporary displacement within the toppings portion. The oven also preferably includes means for moving the pizza in relation to the jets of heated air. Preferably, the method is practiced and the oven is provided by modifying a commercially available pizza impingement/conveyor oven to produce the requisite heated air velocities.

Abstract: An electric circuit operating on a single-phase power supply system for controlling the heat output of at least two heating resistances which are electrically connected in parallel and are installed in electric household appliances, particularly toasters, wherein the control is being effected in compliance with flicker standards and without feeding interference back into the power supply system. A switch is connected in series with each heating resistance, wherein the switches are activated by an electronic energizing arrangement. During a heating phase, the switches of the circuit are repetitively asymmetrically cycled in such a way that always only one switch is closed and all other switches are open, wherein the switch which is closed at a given time exclusively permits the through-passage of full waves from the power supply system.

Abstract: A process-controlling device enables the prevention of process deviation from preset standardized operations and the occurrence of abnormal effects, even if the baking machine is accidentally started without setting up the processing time. The process-controlling device alters the preset processing times by inputting external input data, performing successively each step of the process in accordance with each of the altered processing times allocated to each step of the preset process. A time data-inputting device for inputting time data equivalent to the difference between each of the preset processing times and each processing time to be altered, and a processing time-altering device for increasing or decreasing the time data against the preset processing time and altering the preset processing time to the new processing time.

Abstract: A toasting machine comprising heating elements, an on/off switch for initiating a toasting cycle, a toast colour selection knob for setting a selected time period for a toasting cycle, a timing circuit arranged to measure the elapsed time since a previous toasting cycle and including time booster means, a control circuit responsive to the toast colour selection setting and the timing circuit, a connection line and plug for connecting the toasting machine to an electrical power supply so as to supply power to the heating elements on initiation of a toast cycle by the on/off switch and under control of the control circuit, a temperature measuring device arranged to measure the temperature of the toasting machine and supply a temperature representing signal to the control circuit, the control circuit being arranged to control the timing of a current toasting cycle in dependence both on the setting of the toast colour selection switch and on the timing circuit, so that the toasting cycle time period during which

Abstract: A device and method for regulating a cooking apparatus. In order to obtain an effective servocontrol of the desired temperature with a cooking surface, when cooking for example by induction, a servocontrol curve is used in the plane (i.e., temperature, variation of the temperature as a function of time). Each time the curve is crossed the heating power is cut off or reduced. The device and method applies principally to monitoring of the heating device. The device according to the present invention is particularly well adapted to cooking surfaces and especially to cooking surfaces wherein cooking is done by induction.

Abstract: A cooking and holding food preparation unit is disclosed having one or more food receiving compartments each including a door and a gasket for hermetically sealing the compartment when the door is closed. An open-topped tray for holding water is located near the bottom of the compartment and has therebeneath electrical heating strips for heating water in the tray. A thermostat is coupled to the tray and to the heating strips for maintaining the temperature of the tray at an operator selected temperature typically well below the temperature at which water boils under standard conditions. A vacuum pump selectively reduces the air pressure within the compartment while a vacuum release valve selectively couples the compartment to the exterior atmosphere. There is a timer for measuring elapsed time after cooking is begun which functions to open the vacuum release valve upon the expiration of an operator determined time interval.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus disclosed herein includes a vat storing cooking medium for cooking food items placed therein, a heater for heating the cooking medium, and a temperature sensor for sensing cooking medium temperature. A cooking control comprises an interface circuit connected to the heater and the temperature sensor. A programmed processor is connected to the interface circuit for controlling the heater during a cooking cycle in response to sensed temperature in accordance with a programmed algorithm. The algorithm uses a preselected cooking energy profile for a typical batch of a food product to be cooked during the cooking cycle. The profile identifies predetermined times during the cooking cycle at which the heater is turned on or off. The algorithm periodically compares sensed oil temperature to the stored profile and in response to deviations from the stored profile dynamically modifies the cooking energy profile for use during the remainder of the cooking cycle.

Abstract: A cooking device, comprises a base; a fulcrum mounted on the base; a support for carrying a pan, the support being mounted on the fulcrum and including first and second portions extending respectively from each side of the fulcrum a substantial distance; device for mounting the pan on the first portion; and an actuator operably associated with the second portion for periodically accelerating and decelerating rapidly the first portion about the fulcrum between first and second positions, thereby causing the pan to move upwardly and downwardly with the first portion and propel food placed therein into the air upon rapid upward deceleration and downward acceleration of the first portion and causing the food to be turned for uniform heating of different portions of the food.

Abstract: A household toaster is operated at will asymmetrically, e.g. at one side, or at low power, or so as to keep a toast warm after a given toasting cycle. The toaster has a power control circuit which includes a power stage which controls heating resistors of the toaster. The power stage comprises two triacs, tripped at zero passage due to a provision of a zero passage detector. The higher or lower power supplied to the resistors in the various operating modes is always carried out by means of full cycles of the system, either continuously in the case of top output, or by means of cycle trains, controlled by a power control, a selector circuit and a heat holding timer. The toaster is provided with a start button and an ejector-and-stop button as well as a toaster control timer, indicators and actuators.

Abstract: An automatic bread-making device comprises a housing, a cooking vessel removably arranged therein and provided at its bottom with a rotating shaft, a kneading blade removably attached to the rotating shaft, and a driving means for rotating the kneading blade through the rotating shaft. The kneading blade is providing with at least one crescent-shaped projection at a wall surface of a bore for attachment of the blade to the rotating shaft, while the rotating shaft is provided at its upper portion with at least one groove extending in the direction parallel to a line which intersects the axis of the shaft to form a head with a figure similar to that of an opening formed between the inner wall of the bore and a free end of the projection. The kneading blade is attached to the rotating shaft so that the head of the rotating shaft is engaged with the projection of the blade when the head of the shaft is arranged in the bore of the blade.

Abstract: A toaster with one control system for toasting one slice of bread and another control system for toasting two different slices of bread in which the one slice control system and the two slice control system can be operated independently and together so that between one to three slices of bread can be toasted.

Abstract: A pressure cooker with a humidity sensor or gas sensor, wherein a micro-computer reliably detects the point at which the internal pressure of a pressure cavity reaches a prescribed value by using this sensor by detecting the point at which a pressure control valve begins to operate and begins to discharge a large quantity of excess vapor or gas etc. from the pressure cavity to the outside, with a result which is equivalent to that of a direct measurement of the internal pressure with a pressure sensor, thereby attaining an accurate measurement without bringing the humidity or gas sensor into contact with the pressure cavity.

Abstract: A cooking device and method for selectively automatically cooking and rotating a plurality of food products is disclosed. Cooking information for several cook cycles can be stored and later used to cook selected food products automatically based on the stored cooking information. According to one embodiment, at least sear, cook and hold modes may be programmed to automatically sear, cook and a hold a food product in a rotisserie cooking device. According to another aspect of the invention, automatic fan control during a hold mode is used to selectively operate a fan in a continuous or pulsed mode to minimize product dry out and increase the amount of time a product can be held without lowering the quality of the cooked food product. Another aspect of the invention is related to determining the feasibility of reinitiating an interrupted cooking cycle based on a temperature comparison.

Abstract: Toaster comprising a housing (1), a heating resistance controlled by a switch (2) associated with a timer, a breed carriage (3) guided within the housing and adapted to occupy at least two positions, namely a toasting position in which the carriage (3) closes the switch (2) actuating the timer, and in which the carriage (3) is moved by the user and maintained during the toasting cycle by a catch (5) operated by an electromagnet (6) which comes into engagement with an abutment (7) of the carriage (3), or a rest position into which the carriage (3) is moved by a return spring (8), at the end of the toasting cycle, when the catch (5) frees the abutment (7).

Abstract: A salamander-type overhead broiler/cooler has a base on a support adapted to hold a foodstuff to be heated, a heating unit vertically displaceable on the support energizable to radiate heat downward at the support, and a horizontal light curtain at a predetermined spacing fixed relative to and below the heating unit so that the light curtain can be broken by a foodstuff on the base when the unit is lowered. A motor is connected between the unit and the support for vertically displacing the unit and the light curtain on the support and a controller connected between the light curtain and the motor means arrests downward displacement of the unit when the light curtain is broken by a foodstuff on the base.

Abstract: An automatic bread-making device comprises a housing, a cooking vessel, a kneading apparatus for kneading ingredients for bread in the vessel, a heating apparatus for heating the cooking vessel, and a control system for controlling the kneading apparatus and heating apparatus in sequence. The control system comprises a control memory for storing a sequence of standard operations for a bread-making process, a time-setting apparatus for manually setting a time at which a step to be executed in the bread-making process is proceeded to the next step, a storage apparatus for storing a sequence of operations set by the time-setting apparatus, and a control apparatus responsive to the program stored in the control memory apparatus or the program stored in the storage apparatus.

Abstract: A safety device for a heating apparatus detects the errors of the input power-supply voltage, failures of the respective heating device and control device, and displays the detected failure and safety stops the associated apparatus. The safety device quickly and safely stops only a faulty heating function if the heating apparatus further has a plurality of heating functions, and allows the other normal heating functions of the heating apparatus to be used.

Abstract: A cooking grill having dual heating platens for cooking meats, poultry, fish and like products; the grill having a stationary lower grill platen superposed by a top grill platen selectively moveable to and between four operating positions about one or two pivotal axes; the grill platens being formed with longitudinal lands and grooves to facilitate speed of cooking and moisture release from the cooking products; the lands serving to char spaced areas of the cooked product to emulate charcoal broiling thereof.

Abstract: A cooking device and method for selectively automatically cooking and rotating a plurality of food products is disclosed. Cooking information for several cook cycles can be stored and later used to cook selected food products automatically based on the stored cooking information. According to one embodiment, at least sear, cook and hold modes may be programmed to automatically sear, cook and a hold a food product in a rotisserie cooking device. According to another aspect of the invention, automatic fan control during a hold mode is used to selectively operate a fan in a continuous or pulsed mode to minimize product dry out and increase the amount of time a product can be held without lowering the quality of the cooked food product. Another aspect of the invention is related to determining the feasibility of reinitiating an interrupted cooking cycle based on a temperature comparison.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a computerized control system for use with a deep fat fryer to provide maximum operating flexibility to a user so that consistent food quality may be maintained and efficient and economical operation of the fryer may be realized.

Abstract: Cooking apparatus, for example, a pressure fryer having a closed cooking vat, which includes a pressure-control system for terminating pressure introduction into the fryer and for releasing pressure therein slightly before the cooking cycle is complete to deter an operator from opening the cooking vat before pressure is released therefrom.

Abstract: An electric oven such as a toaster oven according to this invention includes in addition to a heating chamber, a heater for the heating chamber and a temperature detector for measuring the temperature therein, a control device serving to automatically determine a target temperature on the basis of the initial temperature inside the heating chamber so that a desired degree of heating can be effected independently of the initial temperature inside the heating chamber by switching off the power supply when the detected temperature reaches the target temperature thus set.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric toaster with toasting time control by means of a timer and a lifting device for the bread carrier. The lifting device consists of at least one spring having the so-called memory effect and operatively connected to the bread carrier.

Abstract: A food cooking device for cooking Oriental dishes is disclosed comprising a base and a cooking pan support means pivoted to the base. An acceleration and deceleration means is provided for rapidly accelerating upwardly from a starting position to at least the rear portion of the support means at an initial high velocity followed by a subsequent rapid deceleration, whereby when the cooking pan is positioned on the support means, it will move upwardly with the support means and propel food placed therein into the air upon rapid deceleration of the support means, thereby causing the food to be turned for uniform heating of different portions of the food.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a recessed area adapted to receive an associated fluid container for cooking soup and similar food products. Means for heating the recessed area as well as insulating means therearound minimizes heat loss and effectively heats the fluid container. Means for mixing the soup held in the container preferably includes an air pump and a flow passage disposed between the base and the container. Means for sensing the temperature in the fluid container is coupled with a control means for monitoring the soup temperature and, in response, controlling the heating means. Various timing means provide an automated cooking cycle which reduces the soup temperature to a lower temperature after cooking for a preselected time period, and actuates an indicating means for either automatic or manual shutoff.

Abstract: A machine for the rapid and simultaneous cooking of separate quantities of pasta consists of a cabinet containing a number of cooking pots. Each load of pasta is suspended in a pot by means of a perforated basket. The apparatus includes supplies of hot water and of steam. A valve assembly operated by a controller charges each pot with hot water and then injects steam into the water to maintain it at a boiling temperature to cook the pasta. After an appropriate cooking time, determined either by the controller or manually, the supply of steam is stopped and the pot is drained. The basket with the cooked pasta can be removed from the pot for serving.

Abstract: A pre-cooking operation pre-cooks a pasta product for a time substantially less than required to bring it to serving consistency. Pre-cooking is quenched with cold water and a measured weight of the drained product is sealed in a single-serving container with a measured amount of excess water. The pasta absorbs the excess water to achieve a water content approximating that of a freshly cooked pasta. Heating, dispensing a sauce on the pasta and delivering the product to a purchaser are performed in a rapid automatic sequence. Heating is accelerated by jets of hot water entering a strainer containing the pasta. Walls of a heating pot are double-walled with hot water continuously circulating therethrough to further accelerate the heating. The strainer is raised, drained and the pasta is released into a serving container. A serving of sauce, heated in a sealed heat exchanger is dispensed over the pasta. A water jet, optionally followed by an air jet cleans the sauce nozzle after each use.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooking food includes two plates, a heating device for heating the plates, a drive for driving one of the plates relative to the other so as to apply heat and pressure to an initial food material, and the drive is formed so that the one plate moves in a stepped manner. One of the plates can be movable or even removable in a different direction to provide for easy handling. A protective element can be placed between the plates and the initial food material during cooking, and withdrawn thereafter.

Abstract: The specification relates to an automatic frying machine, including a feeder device to place materials automatically into a pan, a frying and stirring device and a mechanism to turn the pan through 180.degree. for the purpose of serving the prepared food. The machine does pan washing with a stirrer and water injectors which automatically inject water. The device can be operated in a single process with the operations including material feeding, frying, serving and pan washing.

Abstract: A pressure smoker having a stainless steel cooking vessel including a smoke generating cavity, the cooking vessel being heated by electric heating elements positioned to heat the walls of the vessel while creating a cool area at the bottom of the vessel, the smoke generating cavity having a separate heating element, the controls for the smoker including separate controls for the heating elements for the vessel and the heating element for the smoke generating cavity, and pressure responsive valves to control both heat and pressure within the cooking vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling and adjusting heat output during the heating phase of a cooking vessel. The cooking vessel is heated by an electric heating element and the temperature inside the cooking vessel is measured. The heating element is provided with a control circuit and two program memories which operate as a function of the temperature increase characteristics during the simmer or warming cycles, whereby in the simmer cycle, both the first and second program memories are operative whereas in the warming cycle only the second program memory is operative in a similar manner as during the simmer cycle and over the same temperature differential but at different temperature values.

Abstract: A custom cone machine for the use on or off the place of dispersement for use of edible containers to serve varying types of food, such as dairy products, salads, etc. fresh and of varying ingredients commensurate with the type of food served. The machine is fully automatic in the timing, cooking and ejection of the finished cone. The injection of the batter requiring approximately 3 seconds, is with a hand held batter injector that does not require any particular skill in its use. Due to is being automatic in all phases of the cooking and ejection cycle, eliminates the handling of hot cones and equipment by the operator and is a distinct safety advantage over the present on-site cone making machines.Due to its unique injection and cycling action varying shapes, designs and sizes of food or dairy products, edible serving containers can be produced in a like manner as of the cones by the design and shape of the cooking heads.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a commercial deep-fryer cooker as used in preparing fried chicken or other food products. The controller (11), according to the invention, has been designed to control essentially all aspects of the cooking process and includes a number of features which enhance the flexibility of the system, allow it to be operated with greater efficiency and provide increased safeguards against accident or machine malfunction.Among the features provided by the invention is the capability of lengthening or shortening or changing the ending temperature of a cooking cycle without changing the overall cooking cycle. This permits fast changes to be made in a cooking cycle, even while it is in progress.The system also provides protection against a power failure by saving essential data relating to an interrupted cooking cycle so that the cycle can be resumed if the power is restored within a prescribed period of time.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically turning hot dogs upon a conventional griddle which has an easily attachable and detachable motor drive unit and continuously turns the hot dogs and cooks them properly on the griddle. The turner has a grid which slidably rests upon the griddle and has a plurality of laterally elongated openings for receipt of the hot dogs. A portable, detachable drive unit rests upon a surface which is adjacent to the griddle. A releasable coupling means drivingly, but detachable connects the drive unit to the grid for driving the grid in longitudinal reciprocation so that the hot dogs are rotated in alternate directions for even cooking.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the cooking process in a cooking vessel placed on an electric heating element, particularly a stovetop burner, comprising signal transmitter controlled by the temperature in the cooking vessel, a signal receiver in communication with the signal transmitter by a transmitter for activating a control circuit to adjust the heat output of the heating element, and a switch for turning the apparatus on and off. During the entire cooking operation and when the heating element is set at full heating capacity, a periodical surveillance is effected to determine whether the temperature varies, remains steady or decreases. If a temperature increase is measured during a monitoring cycle, the heating element is not turned off, but if the temperature remains constant or falls, the heating element is turned off.

Abstract: A clamshell type grill having an upper cooking platen mounted on a platen support arm for swinging movement between a lower cook position overlying a lower cooking platen and a raised position inclined upwardly from the lower cooking platen. The upper platen is manually operable to its lower cook position in which an arm stop in the arm engages an arm stop abutment and a pneumatic clamp cylinder is arranged to press and hold the platen support arm in its lower cook position. The upper platen is mounted on the platen support arm for limited floating movement in a direction perpendicular to the upper platen and adjustable platen stops on the platen support arm are arranged to engage platen stop abutments on the upper platen to limit downward movement of the upper platen to a preset lower position relative to the platen support arm and thereby control spacing of the upper platen from the lower platen.

Abstract: An automatic roux maker including a pot for heating and agitating (mixing and moving) the roux during the cooking process, in which a motor-driven agitator is included and suspended within the pot for mixing the roux during cooking and for preventing scorching of the roux. At the bottom of the centrally located agitator shaft is included, for example, two diametrically opposed, paddle arms which ride and sweep on the bottom of the pot and are pivotally connected to a slotted support which is capable of floating up-and-down with respect to the agitator shaft. The flexible sweeping of the bottom of the pot prevents any of the roux from remaining on the bottom of the pot for any significant period of time, preventing scorching of the roux.

Abstract: A confectionery grill having upper and lower hinged heating elements in which the upper heating element or grill unit can be adjustably spaced at its hinge from the lower heating element or grill unit during the cooking cycle.

Abstract: The duration of the timing cycle of a selector adjusted timer controlling intermittant operation of a heating element in an electrical appliance, is reduced as an inverse function of the duration of a preceding off-time interval. A manually operable switch which turns on the appliance, simultaneously triggers operation of the timer to determine the duration of the off-time intervals affecting the compensating action reducing the duration of the timing cycle.

Abstract: This drop-down toaster has a bread support and a door at the bottom of each toasting compartment. The door has a series of vent holes for air convection which produces improved uniformity in the toast. The door and bread support are held closed by rollers on solenoid-controlled sliding bars. The rollers allow the door to swing open before the bread support is released, and they return the door and bread support to their normal condition automatically by a cam action. The bread support is cammed upwardly before release to dislodge bread from the toasting compartment guide wires. An electronic timing circuit is located in a base underneath and spaced vertically from the toasting section so that it is not affected by heat from the toasting section. The timing circuit is compensated in accordance with previous use rather than by sensing the temperature of the toasting compartment.

Abstract: An automatic cooking apparatus wherein a rotating wide-mouthed vessel closed with a lid is supported in a stationary, handle-equipped basket frame by the frame and the lid which engages driving means. Heating means are provided along a portion of the vessel circumference and are controlled to maintain food contained within the vessel at a predetermined temperature for a preset time. Means are provided to sense the temperature of the cooking food and to generate a signal to which both temperature controlling and timing means are responsive. In one embodiment of the apparatus microprocessing control means are used to achieve a desired cooking protocol.

Abstract: A clamshell type grill having an upper cooking platen mounted on a platen support arm for swinging movement between a lower cook position overlying a lower cooking platen and a raised position inclined upwardly from the lower cooking platen. The upper platen is manually operable to its lower cook position in which an arm stop in the arm engages an arm stop abutment and a pneumatic clamp cylinder is arranged to press and hold the platen support arm in its lower cook position. The upper platen is mounted on the platen support arm for limited floating movement in a direction perpendicular to the upper platen and adjustable platen stops on the platen support arm are arranged to engage platen stop abutments on the upper platen to limit downward movement of the upper platen to a preset lower position relative to the platen support arm and thereby control spacing of the upper platen from the lower platen.