Abstract: An automated cooking system is provided for adding time and labor efficiencies in food production environments such as restaurants. The automated cooking system includes at least a fryer, a dispensing freezer, a hot holding station, a plurality of baskets, and a gantry system. The gantry system includes a gantry control for a gantry, configured to engage and move each of the baskets. A method for managing basket workflow during food preparation at an automated cooking system is described. Further, a method for managing basket workflow at a dispensing freezer during food preparation at an automated cooking system is described. The automated cooking system and methods provide repetition of basket loading and discharge cycles such that the gantry can fully manage and automate cooking using up to 6 or more baskets at the fryer, thereby maximizing food product throughput in the standard footprint space for the fryer.

Abstract: A combination pressure and open frying apparatus includes at least one selectively closeable frypot and a cover configured to selectively close the frypot. The selectively closeable frypot is configured to operate as a pressure frying platform when the cover is closed and configured to operate as an open frying platform when the cover is open. The apparatus includes a clamping mechanism with a spindle that includes a shaft and a handle that is configured to be selectively mounted to the shaft in a plurality of positions relative to the shaft. The apparatus may also include at least one second frypot that can operate at least as an open frying platform, with a common filtration system for the frypots having a selector valve and a failsafe valve, which prevents flow of cooking medium into at least one selectively closeable frypot when the selectively closeable frypot is pressurized.

Abstract: An automated cooking system is provided for adding time and labor efficiencies in food production environments such as restaurants. The automated cooking system includes at least a fryer, a dispensing freezer, a hot holding station, a plurality of baskets, and a gantry system. The gantry system includes a gantry control for a gantry, configured to engage and move each of the baskets. A method for managing basket workflow during food preparation at an automated cooking system is described. Further, a method for managing basket workflow at a dispensing freezer during food preparation at an automated cooking system is described. The automated cooking system and methods provide repetition of basket loading and discharge cycles such that the gantry can fully manage and automate cooking using up to 6 or more baskets at the fryer, thereby maximizing food product throughput in the standard footprint space for the fryer.

Abstract: An automated cooking system for adding time and labor efficiencies has a fryer including a plurality of fryer vats, heating elements, and a vertical transport assembly associated with each of the fryer vats. The vertical transport assembly is configured to support and move a basket of food product into and out of the cooking medium at the fryer vat, and optionally also with reciprocating shaking movements as well. The vertical transport assembly includes a lift base, a platform support hanger, and a basket support platform. The basket support platform includes a tray-shaped platform portion defined by a wire rack construction that circumferentially surrounds a bottom portion of the basket to retain the basket, the platform portion having an angled entry taper to correct any misalignments of the basket and the basket support platform as a gantry moves the basket onto the basket support platform.

Abstract: An automated cooking system for adding time and labor efficiencies in food production environments such as restaurants. The automated cooking system includes at least a fryer, a dispensing freezer, a hot holding station, a plurality of baskets, and a gantry system. The gantry system includes a gantry control for a gantry, configured to engage and move each of the baskets. The basket and gantry include interface elements for enabling precise movements and rapid opening and closing of baskets at the system. Aspects of an automated cooking system and a corresponding method for discharging cooked food product help to avoid the problems associated with manually operating a cooking system. Specifically, the system described herein provides for apparatuses and methods to cook and dispense food product in a more efficient manner with regard to both time and labor considerations within food production environments.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for controlling a fryer having a high limit module. The high limit module selectively decouples a heater of the fryer from an energy source in response to a signal received from a high limit temperature probe indicating a maximum allowable temperature has been exceeded at a hard trip condition. A controller monitors signals received from an operational temperature probe and the high limit temperature probe. Based on these signals, the controller determines if the high limit module is approaching the hard trip condition. If the controller determines the high limit module is approaching the hard trip condition, it preemptively adjusts the output of the heater to avoid the hard trip condition. The controller may thereby prevent the fryer from being completely deactivated by the high limit module.

Abstract: A holder block for retaining a temperature sensor includes a base portion configured to operatively engage a portion of the temperature sensor and a portion of a heating element. The holder block also includes a cap portion removably attachable to the base portion, the cap portion being configured to operatively engage a portion of the temperature sensor and a portion of the heating element. The base portion and cap portion are moveable relative to each other such that movement of the base portion and cap portion toward each other provides a first clamping action on the heating element and a second clamping action on the temperature sensor to define a clamped position of the holder block. When in the clamped position, the base portion and cap portion provide conductive thermal paths and define apertures providing convective thermal paths between the heating element and the temperature sensor.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for controlling a fryer having a high limit module. The high limit module selectively decouples a heater of the fryer from an energy source in response to a signal received from a high limit temperature probe indicating a maximum allowable temperature has been exceeded at a hard trip condition. A controller monitors signals received from an operational temperature probe and the high limit temperature probe. Based on these signals, the controller determines if the high limit module is approaching the hard trip condition. If the controller determines the high limit module is approaching the hard trip condition, it preemptively adjusts the output of the heater to avoid the hard trip condition. The controller may thereby prevent the fryer from being completely deactivated by the high limit module.