Abstract: A method for converting standard conventional oven cook times and temperatures to convection oven cook times and temperatures to operate a thermal convection oven is provided. The method has the steps of providing a thermal convection oven having an oven cavity, a heating element, a control panel for inputting cooking parameters, a converter for converting a standard conventional oven cook time and temperature to a convection oven cook time and temperature, the converter being connected to the input control panel, and having controls connected to the converter and also connected to the heating element for operating the thermal convection oven.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stewing and simmering food in a microwave oven wherein the control causes energization of the microwave generator for a preselected period of time at a preselected low power level correlated with other power levels in the overall heating of the food, including a start-heating, a continued-cooking, and keep-warm cycle. The simmering operation is initiated automatically upon the sensing of the food reaching a temperature slightly below the boiling temperature. The control is selectively operable to provide different times of simmering, as desired by the user.