Abstract: A tray assembly includes a tray having a top side, an underside opposite the top side, and a plurality of protrusions extending from the underside. Each protrusion defines a recess in the top side and has a bottom wall and a contoured surface connecting the bottom wall to the top side. The tray assembly also includes a diffuser in the form of a plate with a plurality of apertures therethrough. The diffuser is couplable to the tray and positionable a spaced distance above the top side of the tray.

Abstract: A tray assembly includes a tray having a top side, an underside opposite the top side, and a plurality of protrusions extending from the underside. Each protrusion defines a recess in the top side and has a bottom wall and a contoured surface connecting the bottom wall to the top side. The tray assembly also includes a diffuser in the form of a plate with a plurality of apertures therethrough. The diffuser is couplable to the tray and positionable a spaced distance above the top side of the tray.

Abstract: A device, system and method for induction heating food service pans having differing depths, while maintaining the pans sufficiently closely adjacent an enclosure containing the induction heating power source.

Abstract: An induction cooking system. The induction cooking system includes a base, one or more side walls, an induction coil, and an infrared temperature sensor. The base includes a base surface associated therewith. The base surface includes a window. The window is disposed within the base surface. The one or more side walls define a well above the base surface. The well is configured to receive a vessel disposed above the base surface. The induction coil is disposed within the base. The induction coil defines a first surface that is disposed below the base surface. The induction coil also defines a second surface that is disposed opposite from the first surface. The induction coil further defines an aperture disposed adjacent to the window and extending from a first surface toward a second surface of the induction coil. The infrared temperature sensor is disposed adjacent to the window and within the aperture.

Abstract: A system for holding and warming food includes a container for holding and warming food. The container consists of 300-series stainless steel. The system further includes an induction heating unit with an induction heating circuit for induction heating the container. The induction heating circuit includes a 120 volt induction coil having 40 or more turns. The induction heating circuit operates at a frequency greater than 30 kilohertz.

Abstract: A system and method for holding and warming food held in pans or trays having a low relative magnetic permeability, such as 300-series stainless steel, using induction heating.

Abstract: A device, system and method for induction heating food service pans having differing depths, while maintaining the pans sufficiently closely adjacent an enclosure containing the induction heating power source.

Abstract: A method for holding and warming food. The method includes the steps of: using a container formed of 300-series stainless steel, wherein the container is formed by a cold working process; and applying to the container a magnetic field from an induction coil, wherein the magnetic field is sufficient to induce a current in the container to heat the container.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for warming food by controlled heating of heat retention objects such as cookware items or pellets located on a trivet positioned on a countertop, using heating control units, such as induction heating units, remotely located beneath the countertop. The preferred trivet insulates the countertop against damages, and also includes circuitry enabling the indication or display of its proper positioning on the countertop, and also indicating whether the heating unit is heating the heat retention object.