Abstract: A microprocessor controlled grill apparatus for simultaneous two-sided cooking of food items. The grill apparatus includes a stationary lower cooking platen, and an upper cooking platen which is raised and lowered by a unique linear actuator. This actuator provides for two distinct types and phases of movement. The upper platen is lowered from its uppermost, angled open position first by an arcing movement which rotates the rear edge of the upper platen about a slide or thrust bearing and arcs the front edge of the upper platen downward until the upper platen is substantially parallel to but raised, or floating, above the lower platen and uncooked food. Next, the linear actuator lowers the upper platen toward the food, while keeping the upper platen horizontal and parallel to the lower platen.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled grill apparatus for simultaneous two-sided cooking of food items. The grill apparatus includes a stationary lower cooking platen, and an upper cooking platen which is raised and lowered by a unique linear actuator. This actuator provides for two distinct types and phases of movement. The upper platen is lowered from its uppermost, angled open position first by an arcing movement which rotates the rear edge of the upper platen about a slide or thrust bearing and arcs the front edge of the upper platen downward until the upper platen is substantially parallel to but raised, or floating, above the lower platen and uncooked food. Next, the linear actuator lowers the upper platen toward the food, while keeping the upper platen horizontal and parallel to the lower platen.

Abstract: An induction broiler which includes a non-metallic support plate and a hot grate for broiling food thereon. The grate includes a plurality of spaced apart elongated metallic bars. Each elongated metallic bar has a base portion disposed above and adjacent to the non-metallic support plate and a food heating surface opposite the base surface. The induction broiler further includes at least one induction heating coil connected to a power supply and mounted below and adjacent to the non-metallic support plate. During operation, the induction heating coils generate an alternating magnetic field which is coupled into the grate across the support plate. As a result, current flow is induced through the elongated bars which, in turn, results in the heating of the food heating surface of each elongated bar.

Abstract: An oven assembly having a housing enclosing a cooking compartment and a blower compartment, and having a blower for circulating air within the cooking compartment, a door mounted to the housing, and a failsafe switch that is capable of deactivating the blower when the door is opened beyond a set point in the range between at least about 10% to 50%.

Abstract: A unique instant-on feature for a cooking device that allows microprocessor control of the device after a period of idling. When activated, the instant-on enabler switch sends a signal to the microprocessor, which checks an internal clock to determine the amount of time the device has remained idle since the last cook cycle. This information is sent back to the instant-on enabler switch, which then selects among an appropriate array of cooking times. These times, longer than the initial pre-set cooking time, are based on testing and compensate for the degree of heat zone stratification in the cooking medium or surface caused by the extended idling. The instant-on enabler program immediately supplies additional heat to the cooking surface upon activation cooking cycle or operator input, allowing the maximum time for the cooking surface to reach proper cooking temperature.

Abstract: A gas fired convection cooking oven is provided with an improved air delivery and heat exchange structure for creating within the oven's cooking chamber a recirculating flow of heated air to cook food items supported therein. The structure includes a combustion box adapted to receive hot products of combustion from a gas burner, and extending into the cooking chamber through a lower portion of a vertical boundary wall thereof. Removably secured to the combustion box, and extending upwardly along the inner side of the boundary wall is a hollow baffle structure having a front mixing chamber communicating with the interior of the combustion box through spaced apart hollow legs with a discharge opening formed therebetween. Perforated skirt walls extending rearwardly from the mixing chamber define with the boundary wall a fan chamber which surrounds a motor-driven centrifugal fan impeller supported on the inner side of the boundary wall.

Abstract: A gas fired convection cooking oven is provided with an improved air delivery and heat exchange structure for creating within the oven's cooking chamber a recirculating flow of heated air to cook food items supported therein. The structure includes a combustion box adapted to receive hot products of combustion from a gas burner, and extending into the cooking chamber through a lower portion of a vertical boundary wall thereof. Removably secured to the combustion box, and extending upwardly along the inner side of the boundary wall is a hollow baffle structure having a front mixing chamber communicating with the interior of the combustion box through spaced apart hollow legs with a discharge opening formed therebetween. Perforated skirt walls extending rearwardly from the mixing chamber define with the boundary wall a fan chamber which surrounds a motor-driven centrifugal fan impeller supported on the inner side of the boundary wall.

Abstract: A gas fired convection cooking oven is provided with an improved air delivery and heat exchange structure for creating within the oven's cooking chamber a recirculating flow of heated air to cook food items supported therein. The structure includes a combustion box adapted to receive hot products of combustion from a gas burner, and extending into the cooking chamber through a lower portion of a vertical boundary wall thereof. Removably secured to the combustion box, and extending upwardly along the inner side of the boundary wall is a hollow baffle structure having a front mixing chamber communicating with the interior of the combustion box through spaced apart hollow legs with a discharge opening formed therebetween. Perforated skirt walls extending rearwardly from the mixing chamber define with the boundary wall a fan chamber which surrounds a motor-driven centrifugal fan impeller supported on the inner side of the boundary wall.