Abstract: A small electric oven includes a base unit and a lid unit hinged to close over the base unit. A lower heat transmissive cooking platen is supported by the base unit and arranged such that any liquid on the platen drains in use towards one end of the platen. An upper heat transmissive cooking platen is supported inside the lid and fits over the lower cooking platen to define a heat transmissive cooking chamber that completely encloses a food item without direct contact with an upper portion of the food item. Electric heating elements are provided for each of the platens.

Abstract: A direct probing temperature regulation and overheat protection system for immersion heater includes a bimetal device adapted to receive thermal energy that is stored in the probe type temperature sensor. The bimetal device opens an electrical contact when the temperature of the bimetal device is reached. The displacement of the bimetal device that drives the electrical contact is a function temperature of the bimetal device that is a function of the resultant heat energy stored in the probe type temperature sensor. The probe type temperature sensor is immersed vertically in the operation liquid that gains heat from the heating element of the immersion heater. In the normal operating condition the displacement of the bimetal device is a function of heat gain from the operation liquid heat loss to surrounding and heat gain from the heating element. In the boil dry operating condition, the displacement of the bimetal device is mainly a function of heat gain from the heating elements that increase rapidly.

Abstract: A small oven has a removable corrugated bottom platen. Bases of grooves formed by the corrugations slope towards one end of the platen when the platen is supported in the oven for use. As a result hot fat and other juices released during cooking drain off the platen making the platen less prone to contamination caused by burnt-on fat and therefore the platen easier to keep clean. The platen may have a planar cooking surface, in which case the platen is supported in the oven with the planar surface sloping towards the one end.