Abstract: Dough preparation apparatus and associated methods. The dough preparation apparatus can store and be configured to execute a plurality of dough preparation recipes. In one example, the dough preparation apparatus is configured for thawing or slacking frozen dough and conditioning the dough prior to baking. The dough preparation apparatus facilitates production of baked bread having higher and more consistent quality.

Abstract: Dough preparation apparatus and associated methods. The dough preparation apparatus can store and be configured to execute a plurality of dough preparation recipes. In one example, the dough preparation apparatus is configured for thawing or slacking frozen dough and conditioning the dough prior to baking. The dough preparation apparatus facilitates production of baked bread having higher and more consistent quality.

Abstract: A food dispenser, components thereof, and associated methods. The food dispenser dispenses food to a food cooking device. The food dispenser includes a loader having a bed and at least one pusher for pushing food along the bed toward the food cooking device. A hopper includes a plurality of food racks holding a plurality of food items in the hopper to be transferred to the bed of the loader. The food racks hold the plurality of food items in multiple arrays, one array in front of the other, and each array includes a plurality of columns. A dispensing driver dispenses food items from the hopper to the bed of the loader.

Abstract: Ovens and methods for preparing food. An oven includes a cabinet and an oven chamber in the cabinet. A fan is provided for moving gas in the oven. The oven can include a fan scroll housing having multiple fan discharge ducts defining respective gas flow paths from the fan. The oven can include a turning vane configured for turning gas flow and for heating the gas flow.

Abstract: Dough preparation apparatus and associated methods. The dough preparation apparatus can store and be configured to execute a plurality of dough preparation recipes. In one example, the dough preparation apparatus is configured for thawing or slacking frozen dough and conditioning the dough prior to baking. The dough preparation apparatus facilitates production of baked bread having higher and more consistent quality.

Abstract: Dough preparation apparatus and associated methods. The dough preparation apparatus can store and be configured to execute a plurality of dough preparation recipes. In one example, the dough preparation apparatus is configured for thawing or slacking frozen dough and conditioning the dough prior to baking. The dough preparation apparatus facilitates production of baked bread having higher and more consistent quality.

Abstract: Ovens and methods for preparing food. An oven includes a cabinet and an oven chamber in the cabinet. A fan is provided for moving gas in the oven. The oven can include a fan scroll housing having multiple fan discharge ducts defining respective gas flow paths from the fan. The oven can include a turning vane configured for turning gas flow and for heating the gas flow.

Abstract: Dough preparation apparatus and associated methods. The dough preparation apparatus can store and be configured to execute a plurality of dough preparation recipes. In one example, the dough preparation apparatus is configured for thawing or slacking frozen dough and conditioning the dough prior to baking. The dough preparation apparatus facilitates production of baked bread having higher and more consistent quality.

Abstract: Apparatus for substantially blocking flames and spreading heated gases emitted from a broiler flue. The apparatus includes a riser placed above the broiler flue for defining a pathway along which heated gases are exhausted from the flue, a catalyst support on the riser for supporting a catalyst in the pathway for flow of heated gases through the catalyst from a bottom surface of the catalyst to a top surface of the catalyst, and a plurality of baffles in the riser extending across the pathway below the catalyst support. The baffles have the shape of inverted troughs.

Abstract: A new electric broiler is disclosed. The broiler includes a housing having a cooking chamber, and a cooking surface in the housing. Upper and lower electrical heat sources are provided in the cooking chamber above and below the cooking surface. The lower heat source includes a removable heating module having an electric heating element and a quick connect/disconnect connector for quick electrical connection and disconnection of the electric heating element to and from a quick connect/disconnect connector on the housing. The broiler also includes a module holder on the housing for holding the removable heating module. The heating module is removable from the holder for quick replacement of the module.

Abstract: A new electric broiler is disclosed. The broiler includes a housing having a cooking chamber, and a cooking surface in the housing. Upper and lower electrical heat sources are provided in the cooking chamber above and below the cooking surface. The lower heat source includes a removable heating module having an electric heating element and a quick connect/disconnect connector for quick electrical connection and disconnection of the electric heating element to and from a quick connect/disconnect connector on the housing. The broiler also includes a module holder on the housing for holding the removable heating module. The heating module is removable from the holder for quick replacement of the module.

Abstract: Apparatus for substantially blocking flames and spreading heated gases emitted from a broiler flue. The apparatus includes a riser placed above the broiler flue for defining a pathway along which heated gases are exhausted from the flue, a catalyst support on the riser for supporting a catalyst in the pathway for flow of heated gases through the catalyst from a bottom surface of the catalyst to a top surface of the catalyst, and a plurality of baffles in the riser extending across the pathway below the catalyst support. The baffles have the shape of inverted troughs.

Abstract: A temperature controlled food serving bar having a cabinet with an elongate opening. At least one divider of thermally conductive material extends the length of the elongate cabinet opening and divides the interior cabinet space into a plurality of elongate, pan-receiving cavities. The divider comprises a side wall and a bottom wall and at least one of the bottom wall and the side wall having a wall thickness between about 0.1 inch and about 0.2 inch. At least one food-holding pan received in one of the pan-receiving cavities has a bottom wall and side walls. At least one of the side walls of the at least one food-holding pan is spaced from the side wall of the divider between about 0.03 inch and about 0.15 inch. A temperature control system controls the temperature of the at least one divider.

Abstract: A temperature controlled food serving bar. The food serving bar has a plurality of elongate, generally parallel, spaced apart dividers of thermally conductive material extending lengthwise of the serving bar. The dividers have side walls dividing the food serving bar into a plurality of elongate generally parallel cavities. A temperature control system controls the temperature of the side walls of the dividers. Upwardly facing surfaces on the dividers support food-holding pans in positions in which the pans extend down into the cavities adjacent the side walls of the dividers for being heated or cooled thereby. Thermal barriers below the upwardly facing surfaces inhibit the transfer of heat between the side walls of the dividers and the surfaces.

Abstract: A temperature controlled food serving bar. The food serving bar has a plurality of elongate, generally parallel, spaced apart dividers of thermally conductive material extending lengthwise of the serving bar. The dividers have side walls dividing the food serving bar into a plurality of elongate generally parallel cavities. A temperature control system controls the temperature of the side walls of the dividers. Upwardly facing surfaces on the dividers support food-holding pans in positions in which the pans extend down into the cavities adjacent the side walls of the dividers for being heated or cooled thereby. Thermal barriers below the upwardly facing surfaces inhibit the transfer of heat between the side walls of the dividers and the surfaces.

Abstract: A temperature controlled food serving bar. The food serving bar includes a cabinet having a bottom, opposite sides and opposite ends defining an interior space. A top wall and an opening in the top wall are above the interior space. A plurality of elongate, generally parallel spaced apart dividers of thermally conductive material extend lengthwise of the cabinet in or below the opening. The dividers have side walls dividing the interior space into elongate generally parallel cavities. A temperature control system for controlling the temperature of the dividers has heat transfer lines extending along the side walls of the dividers. Upwardly facing surfaces on the dividers support food-holding pans such that the pans extend down into the cavities adjacent the side walls. Thermal barriers below the upwardly facing surfaces inhibit the transfer of heat between the side walls and the upwardly facing surfaces.