Abstract: A turntable (19) for an oven comprising a surface for heating a food item (27, 75) placed on the turntable (19), wherein the turntable (19) is provided with integral heating means (29). The turntable may be incorporated into an oven cavity (17, 67) of an oven.

Abstract: A radiant electric heater (2) for use in an oven (4) comprises a base layer (8) of thermal insulation material, at least one heating element (12) supported relative to the base layer (8), and a peripheral wall (16) of thermal insulation material. A covering sheet (20) of fabric material overlies the at least one heating element (12) and the peripheral wall (16) and an apertured member (26) overlies the covering sheet (20). Spacer means (22; 24; 32), such as in the form of an air gap or a substantially moisture-impermeable component, or a substantially moisture non-absorbent component, is provided between the covering sheet (20) and the apex (18) of the peripheral wall (16) and/or between the covering sheet (20) and the apertured member (26).

Abstract: An oven (2), such as a microwave oven comprises an oven cavity (6) having therein a rotatable turntable (8) for supporting one or more items (30, 32), such as food, to be heated. A radiant electric heater (10) is located above the turntable and overlies at least a major part of a substantially semi-circular portion (12) of the turntable (8), including a peripheral region (14) thereof and a central, or near central, region (16) thereof. The heater (10) incorporates at least one heating element (22) adapted and arranged (26, 28) to provide a higher power density over the peripheral region (14) of the turntable (8) than over the central, or near central, region (16) of the turntable (8).

Abstract: A microwave oven (1) comprises an oven cavity (3) containing a rotatable turntable (4) for supporting one or more items to be heated. A radiant electric heater (5) is arranged for location above the turntable (4) and comprises at least one first heating element (6) and at least one second heating element (7). The at least one first heating element (6) overlies only a proportion of the total upper surface area of the turntable (4) such that, in operation, for each complete rotation of the turntable substantially all parts of the upper surface of the turntable are heated for substantially the same duration of time, the at least one first heating element (6) providing a first power density.

Abstract: An electric oven (1) has an oven cavity (2) for receiving one or more items to be heated, and a radiant electric heater (3) incorporating at least one heating element (6). The heater (3) is supported at a wall (4) of the cavity and has a face (5) directed towards the cavity (2) for radiating heat into the cavity from the at least one heating element (6). The face (5) of the heater is covered by a light-permeable sheet (10) spaced from the heating element (6), the sheet being in the form of a fabric which may comprise filaments or a lattice of glass, ceramic, or metal. An electric lamp (13) is provided behind the sheet (10) and additional to the at least one heating element (6) and is arranged to provide illumination of the oven cavity (2) through the sheet.