Abstract: A method for reducing energy consumption in a steam cooker that includes a steam cooking cavity, a steam generator for delivering steam along a steam path to the steam cooking cavity, a steam outlet from the steam cooking cavity to a first flow path leading to a drain path. The method involves: (a) utilizing a second flow path from the steam outlet to a vent stack to deliver excess steam flows from the steam cooking cavity up the vent stack rather than down to the drain box; (b) sensing temperature within the vent stack; and (c) utilizing sensed temperature within the vent stack to regulate power of a heating unit of the steam generator to produce steam in a controlled manner that reduces flows of excess steam out of the steam cooking cavity.

Abstract: A method for reducing energy consumption in a steam cooker that includes a steam cooking cavity, a steam generator for delivering steam along a steam path to the steam cooking cavity, a steam outlet from the steam cooking cavity to a first flow path leading to a drain path. The method involves: (a) utilizing a second flow path from the steam outlet to a vent stack to deliver excess steam flows from the steam cooking cavity up the vent stack rather than down to the drain box; (b) sensing temperature within the vent stack; and (c) utilizing sensed temperature within the vent stack to regulate power of a heating unit of the steam generator to produce steam in a controlled manner that reduces flows of excess steam out of the steam cooking cavity.

Abstract: A steam cooking system includes a steam cooking chamber having an access door and a drain for draining condensate from the steam cooking chamber along a drain path. A steam generator unit heats water to generate steam. The steam generator unit is connected for delivery of steam from the steam generator to the steam cooking chamber via a first steam path during a cooking operation. The steam generator unit is also connected for delivery of steam from the steam generator to the drain path via a second steam path during a steam flushing operation.

Abstract: A food cooking device includes a cooking structure defining a volume for receiving food product to be cooked, and a heating arrangement for heating food product within the volume. The heating arrangement includes a gas burner system that includes a blower and fuel gas flow feed device arranged such that operation of the blower draws in ambient air and the flow of ambient air through the blower in turn draws fuel gas from the fuel gas flow control device such that a ratio of fuel gas to ambient air remains substantially the same regardless of blower speed. A burner is connected to receive the fuel gas and ambient air mixture from the blower. A controller is connected for controlling blower speed, the controller configured to vary the blower speed between at least two different non-zero blower speeds.

Abstract: A stacked steam oven construction with a nested stacking component is described.

Abstract: A steam oven includes a cooking cavity for receiving food product and a water reservoir for receiving water to be heated to generate steam, the water reservoir defined in part by a bottom wall structure of the cooking cavity. A heater plate located adjacent the bottom wall structure delivers heat through the bottom wall structure to water in the water reservoir. A spring-loaded heater plate mount arrangement supports the heater plate adjacent the bottom wall structure while permitting some movement of the heater plate.

Abstract: A steam cooker includes a steam generator including a heating chamber defining a volume for holding water. A heat exchanger is associated with the heating chamber so as to generate steam. A steam superheater superheats steam traveling from the heating chamber to a steam cooking chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for producing steam in a heating unit, and a method of designing a heating unit for producing steam. The method relates to receiving a liquid including impurities at a predetermine flow rate within an entry port of a monotube in the heating unit, where the monotube has a lumen of a predetermined size. The received liquid is converted into a two phase flow including turbulent and laminar flow. At least the turbulent flow is passed through the lumen at a velocity sufficient to carry the impurities through an exit port of the monotube and produce steam. The velocity of the turbulent is responsive to at least the predetermined flow rate and predetermined size of the lumen.

Abstract: A steam oven includes a cooking cavity for receiving food product and a water reservoir for receiving water to be heated to generate steam, the water reservoir defined in part by a bottom wall structure of the cooking cavity. A heater plate located adjacent the bottom wall structure delivers heat through the bottom wall structure to water in the water reservoir. A spring-loaded heater plate mount arrangement supports the heater plate adjacent the bottom wall structure while permitting some movement of the heater plate.

Abstract: A steam generator includes a heating chamber for holding water. The heating chamber has a water inlet, a steam outlet, and a water draining outlet. A nozzle is in communication with the water inlet and is positioned to direct incoming water into the water draining outlet. A heating system is associated with the heating chamber for heating water to generate steam and a control system is operable to control filling and draining of the heating chamber.

Abstract: A stacked steam oven construction with a nested stacking component is described.

Abstract: A steam cooking system includes a steam cooking chamber having an access door and a drain for draining condensate from the steam cooking chamber along a drain path. A steam generator unit heats water to generate steam. The steam generator unit is connected for delivery of steam from the steam generator to the steam cooking chamber via a first steam path during a cooking operation. The steam generator unit is also connected for delivery of steam from the steam generator to the drain path via a second steam path during a steam flushing operation.

Abstract: A steam cooker includes a steam generator including a heating chamber defining a volume for holding water. A heat exchanger is associated with the heating chamber so as to generate steam. A steam superheater superheats steam traveling from the heating chamber to a steam cooking chamber.

Abstract: A steam cooker includes a steam generator including a heating chamber defining a volume for holding water. A heat exchanger is associated with the heating chamber so as to generate steam. A steam superheater superheats steam traveling from the heating chamber to a steam cooking chamber.

Abstract: A steam oven includes a heating chamber or boiler in which steam is generated. Water fill and refill operations of the heating chamber are controlled in attempt to account for water expansion and/or to enable substantially regular production of steam.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for producing steam in a heating unit, and a method of designing a heating unit for producing steam. The method relates to receiving a liquid including impurities at a predetermine flow rate within an entry port of a monotube in the heating unit, where the monotube has a lumen of a predetermined size. The received liquid is converted into a two phase flow including turbulent and laminar flow. At least the turbulent flow is passed through the lumen at a velocity sufficient to carry the impurities through an exit port of the monotube and produce steam. The velocity of the turbulent is responsive to at least the predetermined flow rate and predetermined size of the lumen.

Abstract: A steam generator for use with a steam cooker includes a heating chamber defining a volume for holding water. A heating system is associated with the heating chamber that is configured to heat water in the heating chamber so as to generate steam. An external probe housing unit is in communication with the heating chamber. The external probe housing unit includes a housing part defining a cavity therein. The housing part includes a first end through which water passes to and from the heating chamber, a second end opposite the first end, a top, a bottom and sides extending between the ends. A first probe support surface is located at a first probe receiving portion at the top of the housing part and a second probe support surface located at a second probe receiving portion at the top of the housing part.

Abstract: A steam generator includes a heating chamber for holding water. The heating chamber has a water inlet, a steam outlet, and a water draining outlet. A nozzle is in communication with the water inlet and is positioned to direct incoming water into the water draining outlet. A heating system is associated with the heating chamber for heating water to generate steam and a control system is operable to control filling and draining of the heating chamber.

Abstract: A steam oven construction and method of assembly utilizing a modular cavity unit is described.

Abstract: A steam cooker includes a steam cooking chamber including left, right, top, bottom and rear walls, a front access opening and a door moveable between an open position to allow access to the steam cooking chamber and a closed position to inhibit access to the steam cooking chamber through the access opening. A steam inlet path extends through one of the cooking chamber walls. A stationary nozzle unit is located within the cooking chamber and alongside the one of the cooking chamber walls for receiving steam from the steam inlet path. The nozzle unit includes multiple steam delivery nozzles disposed at stationary positions relative to the one of the cooking chamber walls. The multiple steam delivery nozzles are arranged and configured to emit steam substantially parallel to the one of the cooking chamber walls.