Abstract: A steam processor for preparing or warming food items. The processor includes a cooking chamber having a steam inlet and outlet, and an adjacent steam generator for supplying steam to the chamber. The steam generator includes a water level control system for maintaining a water level within the generator within predetermined limits and an immersion heater for vaporizing the water. A steam control is provided that regulates the heater to control the rate at which steam is produced and flows into the cooking chamber. The processor includes an automatic drain feature which discharges any water within the steam generator whenever power to the processor is terminated. A steam condenser that condenses steam exhausted by the chamber is disposed near the outlet of the cooking chamber. The condenser precipitates a sub-atmospheric pressure at the outlet which serves to purge air from the chamber and enhance the flow of steam into the chamber.

Abstract: A convection steamer apparatus and method having improved heat-transfer characteristics for rapidly and effectively processing food items or the like at atmospheric pressure and at a relatively low constant steam temperature comprising a steam generator and distribution system for delivering steam in a turbulent controlled path to a heating chamber. A diffuser device acts to introduce substantially dry steam into the distribution system and a pressure differential generator device communicates with the chamber for continuously inducing a pressure differential to continuously purge air and/or unused steam from said chamber to maintain turbulent, generally orbital flow of dry steam in heat-transfer relation around the food items to be processed.The invention further contemplates an improved construction for an atmospheric closure for fluid and heat sealing of the heating chamber during the processing of such food items or the like.

Abstract: A tiltable cooking receptacle apparatus which includes a frame and a receptacle supported on the frame for tilting movement toward one side of the receptacle between an upright position and a tilted position. A lever assembly is mounted on the frame for tilting the receptacle. The lever assembly includes a tilt arm which acts on the side of the receptacle in the direction of tilting movement for tilting the receptacle in said direction. The tilt arm is mounted for movement relative to the frame between a lowered non-tilted position and a raised tilted position, and is mounted for pivotal movement in the direction opposite to the direction of pivotal movement of the receptacle. Selectively actuatable drive means is operably connected to the tilt arm for moving the tilt arm between the lowered and raised positions to move the kettle between the upright position and the tilted position.