Abstract: A cooking enclosure is configured to hold food being cooked. The enclosure includes a surrounding, generally vertical, sidewall, projecting upward from a base. The base includes a floor bridging a bottom of enclosure, and the enclosure is capped by a vertically moving ceiling. The vertical moving ceiling secures a cooking heat source which is in thermal communication with the enclosure interior. The moving ceiling is configured to move up and down within the sidewall to vary, up and down, a volume of the cooking enclosure. The cooking enclosure is configured to have both a smaller cooking enclosure volume, suitable for quickly cooking small foods, and larger cooking enclosure volume necessary to cook larger foods.

Abstract: A cooking enclosure is configured to hold food being cooked. The enclosure includes a surrounding, generally vertical, sidewall, projecting upward from a base. The base includes a floor bridging a bottom of enclosure, and the enclosure is capped by a vertically moving ceiling. The vertical moving ceiling secures a cooking heat source which is in thermal communication with the enclosure interior. The moving ceiling is configured to move up and down within the sidewall to vary, up and down, a volume of the cooking enclosure. The cooking enclosure is configured to have both a smaller cooking enclosure volume, suitable for quickly cooking small foods, and larger cooking enclosure volume necessary to cook larger foods.

Abstract: A system and method for cooking food items with radiant energy includes a radiant heat fryer having a cooking support rack that can selectively dispose a food item at an angle. The radiant heat fryer includes a radiant heat element that can be disposed over the food item to cook the food item. The cooking support rack is configured in a substantially horizontal configuration for a first cooking cycle to partially cook the food item. The cooking support rack is reconfigured to dispose the food item at an angle and the food item is then cooked for a second cooking cycle.

Abstract: Modular shelving systems for mounting foods within a food preparation environment, including mounting multiple levels of stacked shelves, and mounting inclined shelves which may be advantageous in cooking fowl and other tapered food articles. Radiant energy and moving hot air oven embodiments with efficient adjustable volume cooking cavities, economical construction details, and reduced volume storage. Manually powered spit food mounting embodiments, utilizing horizontal and inclined spit rods to facilitate, among other things, cooking of tapered food articles, such as, by way of non-limiting and non-exhausted examples, fowl and leg of lamb. Powered spit food mounting embodiments utilizing horizontal and inclined rods. Modular cooking cavity extensions which expand to meet cooking requirements. Safety interlocking switching features, which also make embodiment use more versatile. Vertical axis horizontal turntable.

Abstract: Embodiments teaching appliance base constructions which increase stability, using both static and dynamic base extending elements. Methods to enhance coloring of the fried foods. Food support structures which utilize two-hand manipulation to increase safety and control. Removable handle construction, which decreases storage space. Peripheral feet on appliance base, to increase safety and stability. Various means for securing unitary food items, including fowl, during cooking. Structures which help prevent accidental deep fryer oil overflow onto supporting surfaces. Lid constructions, which keep a lid in place to protect the user, even while loading oversized, vertically extending foods. Food drainage opening assist device, to help drain fowl cavities after deep frying. Collapsible food support devices, used for cooking, serving, carving, and other purposes. Movable partitions within a food support, to compartmentalize, contain, cap, and space apart foods being cooked.

Abstract: The subject application is directed to a food processing device to extract juice. The device includes an inlet coupled to a disintegrator. The inlet is configured to accept food items and the disintegrator configured to disintegrate food items passed through the inlet. The device further includes a separator that accepts the disintegrated food items and separates out the liquid components from the food item. The device further includes a reservoir that is coupled to the separator for accepting and holding the liquid components. The reservoir includes a translucent member for viewing of liquid levels within the reservoir, and a valved outlet. The valved outlet is configured to allow or prevent the flow of liquid from the reservoir through the valved outlet.

Abstract: The subject application is directed to a food processing device to extract juice. The device includes an inlet coupled to a disintegrator. The inlet is configured to accept food items and the disintegrator configured to disintegrate food items passed through the inlet. The device further includes a separator that accepts the disintegrated food items and separates out the liquid components from the food item. The device further includes a reservoir that is coupled to the separator for accepting and holding the liquid components. The reservoir includes a translucent member for viewing of liquid levels within the reservoir, and a valved outlet. The valved outlet is configured to allow or prevent the flow of liquid from the reservoir through the valved outlet.

Abstract: Deep fryers and associated accessories providing increased efficiency and convenience in the production of deep-fried foods. Preferred embodiments herein also may be versatile enough to, besides deep frying foods, be able to steam and boil foods. Preferred embodiments may employ multiple cooking cycles and versatile food support means to fully cook foods. These may provide special advantages for larger unitary foods, such as by way of nonlimiting example, a Thanksgiving turkey. Preferred embodiments may provide advantages including, but not limited to: minimizing countertop usage; reduction in the use of frying oil; compact storage; reduced shipping costs; lowering of warehousing costs; reduced manufacturing costs; and being lighter and more easy to handle in the kitchen. Preferred embodiments of accessory items may simplify and facilitate production of deep fried foods, including cutting foods into shapes appropriate to produce French fries and blooming onions.

Abstract: Embodiments teaching appliance base constructions which increase stability, using both static and dynamic base extending elements. Methods to enhance coloring of the fried foods. Food support structures which utilize two-hand manipulation to increase safety and control. Removable handle construction, which decreases storage space. Peripheral feet on appliance base, to increase safety and stability. Various means for securing unitary food items, including fowl, during cooking. Structures which help prevent accidental deep fryer oil overflow onto supporting surfaces. Lid constructions, which keep a lid in place to protect the user, even while loading oversized, vertically extending foods. Food drainage opening assist device, to help drain fowl cavities after deep frying. Collapsible food support devices, used for cooking, serving, carving, and other purposes. Movable partitions within a food support, to compartmentalize, contain, cap, and space apart foods being cooked.

Abstract: Deep fryers and associated accessories providing increased efficiency and convenience in the production of deep-fried, steamed and boiled foods. Multiple cooking cycles and versatile food support means to fully cook foods are provided. Special advantages for larger unitary foods, such as for example, a large turkey, are provided. Advantages include without limitation minimizing countertop usage; reduction in the use of frying oil; compact storage; reduced shipping costs; reduced warehousing and manufacturing costs; and being lighter and more easy to handle in the kitchen. Accessory items simplify and facilitate production of deep fried foods, including cutting foods into shapes appropriate to produce French fries and blooming onions. Other accessories facilitate the transference and maintenance of frying oil including: returning frying oil to original containers for storage and disposal; and filtering frying oil to prolong its useful life.

Abstract: A combination food steamer and deep fryer cooking apparatus includes a vessel, a heat source, and first and second support structures. The vessel is configured to hold, at different times, associated water and associated cooking oil therein. The heat source is configured to heat the associated water within the vessel to a first selected temperature sufficient to boil the associated water held within the vessel. The heat source is further configured to heat the associated cooking oil within the vessel to a second selected temperature sufficient to deep fry associated food submerged in the associated cooking oil. The first support structure is separate from the second support structure and supports the associated food while submerged within the heated cooking oil which is contained within the vessel. The second support structure supports the associated food while being steamed by the boiling water.

Abstract: Deep fryers and associated accessories providing increased efficiency and convenience in the production of deep-fried, steamed and boiled foods. Multiple cooking cycles and versatile food support means to fully cook foods are provided. Special advantages for larger unitary foods, such as for example, a large turkey, are provided. Advantages include without limitation minimizing countertop usage; reduction in the use of frying oil; compact storage; reduced shipping costs; reduced warehousing and manufacturing costs; and being lighter and more easy to handle in the kitchen. Accessory items simplify and facilitate production of deep fried foods, including cutting foods into shapes appropriate to produce French fries and blooming onions. Other accessories facilitate the transference and maintenance of frying oil including: returning frying oil to original containers for storage and disposal; and filtering frying oil to prolong its useful life.

Abstract: Enclosed rotisserie with added convenience, including a countertop resting box-like enclosure housing a safety rear mounted heating element and a power rotated dual rod spit assembly. The gear driven spit assembly may be easily inserted and removed straight into and out of the enclosure without need for angling or coupling the assembly to a power drive socket. The spit assembly may also be mounted at various distances from the heating element to decrease cooking times. The open front of the enclosure is from time to time covered by an inclined glass panel door which may be opened in various ways to facilitate food insertion into and removal from the enclosure, and which may be easily removed for cleaning or other purposes.

Abstract: Deep fryers and associated accessories providing increased efficiency and convenience in the production of deep-fried, steamed and boiled foods. Multiple cooking cycles and versatile food support means to fully cook foods are provided. Special advantages for larger unitary foods, such as for example, a large turkey, are provided. Advantages include without limitation minimizing countertop usage; reduction in the use of frying oil; compact storage; reduced shipping costs; reduced warehousing and manufacturing costs; and being lighter and more easy to handle in the kitchen. Accessory items simplify and facilitate production of deep fried foods, including cutting foods into shapes appropriate to produce French fries and blooming onions. Other accessories facilitate the transference and maintenance of frying oil including: returning frying oil to original containers for storage and disposal; and filtering frying oil to prolong its useful life.

Abstract: A device to mix and extrude various ingredients including pastas, pastries, baked goods, hors d'oeuvres, and cookies. The. device includes novel measuring, mixing and extrusion arrangements including: an automatic measuring cup; a way to continuously mix and extrude ingredients without intervening cleanings; a mixing and extrusion feed for handling different consistencies of ingredients; an integrated automatic cutter; motor cooling and extruded ingredient drying; as well as various safety devices.

Abstract: An oven is used for cooking food and comprises an enclosure having a floor, a ceiling, a back wall, and a pair of side walls. A heating element is disposed on the back wall at a distance from the floor and the ceiling and a shield is disposed between the back wall and the heating element. The shield is configured to receive radiant heat from the heating element and to re-radiate lower frequency radiant heat towards the food. The enclosure may further comprise a door and the side walls may be double paneled. A radial fan is coupled to one of the side walls to pull hot air from inside the enclosure and cooler air from outside the enclosure. The hot and cool air are mixed within a space defined by the double paneled side wall and is directed out over the exterior of the door to cool the door.

Abstract: An oven is used for cooking food and comprises an enclosure having a floor, a ceiling, a back wall, and a pair of side walls. A heating element is disposed on the back wall at a distance from the floor and the ceiling and a shield is disposed between the back wall and the heating element. The shield is configured to receive radiant heat from the heating element and to re-radiate lower frequency radiant heat towards the food. The enclosure may further comprise a door and the side walls may be double paneled. A radial fan is coupled to one of the side walls to pull hot air from inside the enclosure and cooler air from outside the enclosure. The hot and cool air are mixed within a space defined by the double paneled side wall and is directed out over the exterior of the door to cool the door.

Abstract: Deep fryers and associated accessories providing increased efficiency and convenience in the production of deep-fried, steamed and boiled foods. Multiple cooking cycles and versatile food support means to fully cook foods are provided. Special advantages for larger unitary foods, such as for example, a large turkey, are provided. Advantages include without limitation minimizing countertop usage; reduction in the use of frying oil; compact storage; reduced shipping costs; reduced warehousing and manufacturing costs; and being lighter and more easy to handle in the kitchen. Accessory items simplify and facilitate production of deep fried foods, including cutting foods into shapes appropriate to produce French fries and blooming onions. Other accessories facilitate the transference and maintenance of frying oil including: returning frying oil to original containers for storage and disposal; and filtering frying oil to prolong its useful life.

Abstract: Deep fryers and associated accessories providing increased efficiency and convenience in the production of deep-fried, steamed and boiled foods. Multiple cooking cycles and versatile food support means to fully cook foods are provided. Special advantages for larger unitary foods, such as for example, a large turkey, are provided. Advantages include without limitation minimizing countertop usage; reduction in the use of frying oil; compact storage; reduced shipping costs; reduced warehousing and manufacturing costs; and being lighter and more easy to handle in the kitchen. Accessory items simplify and facilitate production of deep fried foods, including cutting foods into shapes appropriate to produce French fries and blooming onions. Other accessories facilitate the transference and maintenance of frying oil including: returning frying oil to original containers for storage and disposal; and filtering frying oil to prolong its useful life.

Abstract: A device to bake farinaceous foods such as cakes, cookies, breads, pies, and pizzas more rapidly and flavorfully, with retention of desire food textures and reduced risk of burning by the use of intermittent application of radiant energy. The preferred embodiment rotates farinaceous ingredients in front of a radiant heat source. The preferred embodiment may control oven temperatures by regulating the amount of outside cool air fan forced into the oven cavity.