Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for grease separation during a cooking cycle of a food product in a cooking device. The methods and apparatuses perform grease separation by bifurcating the cooking cycle. In a first portion of the cooking cycle, in which the system is closed to ingress of the atmosphere by creating a water barrier in a collector box to seal a cooking chamber in which the food product is cooking, all cooking fluids exiting the cooking device pass into the water barrier. In a second portion of the cooking cycle, the collector box is emptied and the system is opened to capture all cooking fluids exiting the cooking device in the collector box. During the open portion, a grease/cooking fluid interface is monitored and the captured cooking fluids, containing a high percentage of grease, are pumped out of the collector box.

Abstract: A cleaning system for cleaning a cavity of food or beverage preparation device. The cavity is connected with a pipe system. The pipe system supplies a fluid through the pipe system to the cavity. When the fluid flow stops, any remainder of the fluid in the pipe system is removed by passing a gas (for example, air) through the pipe system or by a valve disposed at a high location of the pipe system.

Abstract: A cooking device comprising a first interior chamber, a second interior chamber being fluidly connected with the first interior chamber via a drain and comprising a first water reservoir, the drain and the first water reservoir forming a first air trap, and a device outlet downstream of the second interior chamber, whereby said air trap is adapted to be opened or closed by lowering or lifting the first water reservoir between the first interior chamber and the second interior chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for grease separation during a cooking cycle of a food product in a cooking device. The methods and apparatuses perform grease separation by bifurcating the cooking cycle. In a first portion of the cooking cycle, in which the system is closed to ingress of the atmosphere by creating a water barrier in a collector box to seal a cooking chamber in which the food product is cooking, all cooking fluids exiting the cooking device pass into the water barrier. In a second portion of the cooking cycle, the collector box is emptied and the system is opened to capture all cooking fluids exiting the cooking device in the collector box. During the open portion, a grease/cooking fluid interface is monitored and the captured cooking fluids, containing a high percentage of grease, are pumped out of the collector box.

Abstract: A valve structure includes a housing having an interior chamber, a first conduit connecting the interior chamber with a cooking chamber of a cooking device and having a first discharge cross-section, a second conduit connecting the interior chamber with the outside environment and having a second discharge cross-section, and at least one valve seat within the interior chamber having at least one valve seat opening which cooperates with at least one valve disc. The at least one valve disc moves between a closed position on the valve seat opening, and an open position spaced apart from the valve seat opening by changes in pressure in the cooking chamber. The valve operates to allow bidirectional flow of fluid to relieve over pressure and underpressure conditions, and enables automatic balancing of low pressure or vacuum in the cooking chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed are cooking devices and methods for measuring and controlling the humidity content using a temperature/humidity probe in the cooking devices. The temperature/humidity probe operates in a closed system so that heat and humidity is not lost excessively to the outside environment. The temperature/humidity probe confers energy savings and efficiency to the operation of the cooking devices. One embodiment provides a closed system in which the end of a drain pipe disposed between the cooking chamber of the cooking device and a condenser outside of the cooking chamber is below a water level in the condenser so as to form a closed system such that heated and humid air in the cooking chamber cannot exit the cooking chamber without passing through the water level, and the temperature/humidity probe is disposed in the condenser in an air space above the water level and proximal the drain pipe.

Abstract: A cleaning system for cleaning a cavity of food or beverage preparation device. The cavity is connected with a pipe system. The pipe system supplies a fluid through the pipe system to the cavity. When the fluid flow stops, any remainder of the fluid in the pipe system is removed by passing a gas (for example, air) through the pipe system or by a valve disposed at a high location of the pipe system.

Abstract: A cooking device comprising a first interior chamber, a second interior chamber being fluidly connected with the first interior chamber via a drain and comprising a first water reservoir, the drain and the first water reservoir forming a first air trap, and a device outlet downstream of the second interior chamber, whereby said air trap is adapted to be opened or closed by lowering or lifting the first water reservoir between the first interior chamber and the second interior chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a valve arrangement which includes a housing having a first conduit having a first discharge cross-section, a second conduit having a second discharge cross-section, and at least one valve seat within the interior chamber of the housing having at least one valve seat opening which cooperates with at least one valve disc. The valve disc is moveable between a closed position seated on the valve seat opening, and an open position spaced apart from the valve seat opening. There can be also provided an actuator for moving the valve disc between the open and closed positions. The valve seat opening has a cross-section that is larger than the discharge cross-section of the first conduit and/or the discharge cross-section of the second conduit. The cross-section of the valve disc is greater than the valve seat opening.