Abstract: A stainless steel sheet metal housing has three sets of supports which are vertically disposed, with respect to each other. One or more burners are mounted on the lower most support. A heat distribution member or members are mounted on the intermediate support. Grids or griddles are mounted on the upper most support. All of the burners, heat distribution members, grids and griddles may be lifted in or out of said housing whereby different combination of components may be provided. The heat distribution means may be either a plurality of ceramic briquettes or a radiant metal plate. This way, the charbroiler may be configured in many different ways to accommodate the changing tastes of customers, either in the short term over the course of a day or in the long term over a number of weeks, months or years.

Abstract: An electrically heatable toaster includes at least one bread holder which is held in toasting position by an electromagnet. The electromagnet has a tripping device which is actuated manually as well as electrically by a timing control. The timing control includes a clock pulse actuated counting circuit connected to a frequency-determining charging capacitor and a voltage divider. The voltage divider includes a temperature-dependent resistor for compensating the influence of the toasting degree temperature and for triggering the electromagnet tripping device after a preset degree of toasting is reached. An oscillator with two complementary transistors combined in a programmable unijunction transistor circuit operates the counting circuit. The transistors are connected on the input side to a charging current circuit of the frequency determining capacitor and on the output side through a dividing point of the voltage divider with the temperature-dependent resistance to a clock input of the counting circuit.

Abstract: The electronic grill control employs a microprocessor-based circuit which monitors cooking temperature, cooking time, fuel level and the presence or absence of flame. The fuel level may be displayed alternately as a percentage or fraction of the full tank capacity or in terms of the burning time remaining in the tank. A dual electrode ignition circuit eliminates noise problems in the microprocessor circuitry by establishing the appropriate sparking voltage between the two electrodes instead of between a single electrode and the casting ground. A fuel presence sensor comprising one of the two electrodes measures resistance or conductance of the ionized gases within the flame to provide the microprocessor with an indication that the flame has failed to ignite or has blown out. All information is displayed on an alphanumeric display with audible alarms provided for certain conditions.

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: A bread toaster comprising a comparator circuit with a sensor responsive to infrared radiation to determine the toasting time of an object to be toasted is extended by a control circuit. The latter detects automatically, whether the bread toaster is used for toasting an object to be toasted that is introduced through a loading and unloading opening into its toasting chamber (toasting operation) or for warming up a respective item which is placed on top of the loading and unloading opening (warming-up operation). The control circuit controls during the toasting operation the operating time of the bread toaster in dependence upon the toasting degree adjusted by the user, while it puts the bread toaster into operation for a fixed period of time during the warming-up operation.

Abstract: An expansion thermostat adapted for regulating the temperature of a cooking surface. One end of the cooking surface is secured at one end of a container. Mounted to the other end of the container is a switch which controls the heat. When the cooking surface is heated, the cooking surface expands causing the other end of the cooking surface to release the switch. Releasing the switch turns off heat to the cooking surface. As the cooking surface cools, the switch is pressed. Pressing the switch turns on heat to the cooking surface. The heat to the cooking surface is thus cycled to provide a substantially constant cooking temperature.

Abstract: The invention proposes a temperature measuring device for a bread toaster, with a sensing element (1) which is in communication with the toasting chamber (25) through a radiation guide channel (A, B, C, D). The radiation guide channel (A, B, C, D) is formed of several passageways (11, 12, 13) arranged in spaced apart serially disposed partition walls (4, 6, 8).

Abstract: Electric household appliance (1) which combines toasting of bread (A) and cooking or heating of dishes (B) by an appliance (1) which comprises separate elongated compartments (2, 3) extending in parallel relation respectively for toasting (2) and cooking (3), each of these compartments being provided with its own heater (15, 16). The appliance (1) is provided with bearings (4a, 4b; 5a, 5b) for tilting the compartments (2, 3) into positions located substantially at right angles to each other and corresponding to their normal respective operating positions. Utilization for toasting and for cooking all food products.

Abstract: A cooking grid system comprises a cover holder and a replaceable cover which can be fitted to the holder and substantially secured by a pivotal retainer. The holder comprising a grid and a pivotal retainer. The grid comprises a plurality of elongated rectangular shaped bars being aligned parallel to one another on an equal plane, spaced equally apart and supported by two elongated rectangular shaped crossbars. The retainer comprises a plurality of relatively thin elongated bars having uniform circular cross sections throughout their lengths. They are aligned parallel to one another on an equal plane, spaced equally apart and held in place by two crossbars located perpendicular to and at the ends of said retainer bars and are made of the same stock as said retainer bars. The retainer being supported at its back end by fitting the rear retainer crossbar in notches provided at the back end of a portion of the grid bars and being secured in the notches by two small spring wire retainers.

Abstract: An electric toaster wherein the housing defines a toasting chamber for slices of bread or other goods and the chamber has an outlet for toasted goods at or close to its lowermost portion. The chamber is flanked by two ceramic panels which can store substantial amounts of heat and transmit infrared radiation. Each panel defines with a semicylindrical reflector a compartment for one or more halogen lamps which emit radiation directly against the respective panel or indirectly as a result of deflection by the corresponding reflector. Gravitational descent of goods from the chamber can be blocked by a gate- or rod-like barrier which is movable into the outlet by hand or automatically in response to completion of a toasting operation.

Abstract: A combination oven and popcorn popper unit usable to cook or heat food items and to pop popcorn kernels. A lower oven section has internal walls defining a food-receiving compartment, and a food supporting member is located in the compartment for supporting food items to be cooked or heated. A container above the oven section is provided for receiving kernels of corn to be popped, and heating means is provided below the food supporting means for providing heat for the oven section and also for heating the kernels of corn in the container, during use of the device as a popcorn popper. Deflector means communicates with the container for deflecting popped kernels of corn along a predetermined path of travel out of the unit.

Abstract: A microwave toaster including a rectangular block of microwave transparent material including a plurality of parallel and aligned slots therein for receiving cards of material which absorb microwave energy and subsequently dissipates heat therefrom. A piece of bread is positioned next to the material to absorb the heat dissipated therefrom for subsequently turning into browned toast.

Abstract: An electric heating element assembly for a bread toaster having a resistance element disposed in a tortuous configuration on a plate of insulating material and having a heat conducting, electrically insulating sheet secured in parallel relation to said plate to sandwich said element against said plate. The heating element being mounted in a toaster in closer proximity to the bread slice position than the elements of a conventional toaster.

Abstract: An electric toaster has heating elements, at least one toast well into which the toast is fed through a loading and unloading opening, and a multi-walled housing. The multiple housing walls are separated from one another and form a meander-shaped flow channel for an air stream introduced from outside. An air stream enters the flow channel through an air inlet opening and cools the outer walls of the housing by convection as it passes through the meander-shaped flow channel and emerges through an air outlet opening into the toast wall. The meander-shaped flow channel includes reversing curve portions located in top and bottom areas of the meander-shaped flow channel structure such that the air stream flows in an upward direction in one portion and in a downward direction in another portion of the meander-shaped flow channel.

Abstract: A bread toaster having toasting heaters facing a toasting chamber formed below a bread receiving slot. The slot merges into a notch which is formed in the upper end portion of an outer shell panel which continues integrally from the top panel. The toaster has bread supports pivotally carried by a pivot bearing which is inwardly positioned adjacent to the outer shell panel and below the notch. With this arrangement, it is possible to simplify the construction of movable parts of the toaster, including the bread supports, and, also, to stabilize the operation of the bread supports.

Abstract: The cooking grill disclosed has a series of inverted U-shaped channels for trapping hot convection gases beneath a substantially flat cooking surface. The channels are held together by one or more cross stringers which pass through sidewalls of each channel in apertures adjacent to a channel base and are secured to the channel base by securing means of various types. Sidewalls may be flared and exterior surfaces coated with an easily cleaned material. The stringers may be of various cross sections.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus for barbecuing or smoking includes a cooking container, a support collar, and a support base which are removably secured together. The support base and the cooking container are each provided with a central air opening, and the cooking container and the support base are clamped against the support collar by a stud which extends through the air openings. The clamping force provided by the stud is transmitted to the cooking container and to the support base by compressible and resilient spring plates within the cooking container and the support base, and each spring plate is provided with an air passage to permit air to flow from the base, through the central air openings, and into the cooking container. A burner assembly may be removably secured to the spring plate in the cooking container by the stud.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooking or otherwise heating food held in a container which includes upper and lower housing portions. Heating elements are located in the respective housing portions, and the opposed inner walls of the housing portions are adapted to be moved into contact with the food container. The heating elements are positioned immediately adjacent these walls, and these elements are substantially insulated from other portions of the housing. The intimate contact between the inner walls and the associated heating elements causes the food to act as a heat sink whereby the food is rapidly heated in a highly effective manner. The apparatus is particularly useful for the cooking of frozen food located in an appropriate container. Means are provided for retaining the upper housing in spaced apart relationship with the lower housing to permit baking and similar heating.

Abstract: A portable grill device of the type including a first bowl and a second bowl hingedly connected together. The bowls are movable between a closure position where the bowls overlie one another, a generally right angular use position where the second bowl is disposed substantially normal to the first bowl, and a generally horizontal use position where the first bowl and second bowl are fully opened. Novel leg bail structure is provided that offers three-legged support to both bowls when the bowls are in the horizontal use position, and that offers a support base substantially wider than the width of the first bowl when the second bowl is in the generally right angular use position relative to the first bowl. Further, the portable grill device includes novel latch structure which retains the two bowls in the generally right angular position, that latch structure cooperating with spit holder arms for restraining those spit holder arms in an elevated position over the first bowl.

Abstract: Electric toaster with a toasting chamber which has heaters on at least two broad sides and is terminated by crosswise walls on two narrow sides, wherein the heaters have insulating parts supporting heater conductors and are supported by the crosswise walls. The crosswise walls have vertical slots or slits and the heaters are placed by inserting the insulating parts of the heater into the slots.

Abstract: A temperature sensitive timing control device for a toaster appliance includes a main bimetal element and a compensating bimetal element, both mounted on a support member mounted for pivotal movement in first and second directions, but biased toward the first direction. The main bimetal element includes a trigger arm normally engaging a latch release member to maintain the member in a set position. The latch release member when released by the trigger arm, in turn releases the bread carrier latch mechanism. The free end of the compensating bimetal element rests on a limiting screw which determines the extent of movement of the support member in the first direction. A locking member, operated by the toaster bread carrier when the latter is moved into a toasting position, engages the support member to secure it against movement in the first direction. When the bread carrier is moved to the toasting position, the bimetal elements are heated.

Abstract: A door opening mechanism for partially opening a door on a toaster oven wherein the oven includes a thermal timer for controlling the operation of the oven in a toast mode. The door opening mechanism includes a first lever held in a first position by the timer wherein the first lever is released upon termination of the toast mode. The mechanism further includes a resiliently biased slide held in a first position by the first lever and released to a second position upon completion of the toast mode. The slide is mechanically coupled to a lever assembly that includes second and third levers and a cam lever. The third lever and the cam lever are mechanically coupled to the oven door and are resiliently held in a first position to hold the door closed and resiliently moved to a second, door open position upon release of the first lever. The mechanism turns the mode selector switch to the off position once the toast has been removed from the oven and the door closed.

Abstract: A toaster/oven having a door and a door frame and door jam peripherally surrounding the cooking chamber front opening. The door is pivotally mounted on two hinge pins, a first hinge pin being received in an opening on one side of the door frame and a second hinge pin being received in a slot on the other side of the door frame. The geometry of the slot and pin position on the door is such that the door is not removable except when in its fully opened position. The toaster/oven also comprises door retention means for selectively holding the door in a closed, partially open broil and a fully opened position. The pivotal movement of a lever arm operates first and second switch means which respectively cut off power to the heating elements of the toaster/oven and provide a signal to the controls of the toaster/oven when the door is open.

Abstract: A barbecue having a rotatable grid is provided with a motor and drive shaft to rotate the grid. The drive shaft is self-adjusting for use with different heights of grid and sizes of barbecue. The drive shaft may be used to adapt existing barbecues.

Abstract: A toaster adapted for compact mounting and fixing flat against a wall in inoperative position, which has a toasting portion pivotable to an operative position, and wherein the toast is ejected merely by dropping it through an outlet slot in the bottom of the toaster. This wall toaster includes a wall mounting flat portion, a flat toasting portion, a hinge pivotally connecting the toasting portion to the wall mounting portion and producing electric plugging of the toasting portion by operative abutment against the wall mounting portion and a gate is pivotally mounted over the toast outlet slot and operatively opened by an electric operator in response to predetermined toasting of the slice of bread in the toaster.

Abstract: The cooking grill disclosed has a series of inverted U-shaped channels for trapping hot convection gases beneath a substantially flat cooking surface. The channels are held together by one or more cross stringers which pass through sidewalls of each channel in apertures adjacent to a channel base and are secured to the channel base by securing means of various types. Sidewalls may be flared and exterior surfaces coated with an easily cleaned material. The stringers may be of various cross sections.