Abstract: Devices for prolonging the quality of a warm food item contained within the device, the devices include an enclosure, a convection heat source, a ventilation system, and a radiant heat source. The enclosure is configured to receive the warm food item. The convection heat source is mounted inside the enclosure and configured to direct heated air within the enclosure. The ventilation system is mounted to the enclosure and configured to move air through the enclosure. The radiant heat source is mounted inside the enclosure in a position to irradiate the warm food item received in the enclosure. In some examples, the devices include an enclosure, a convection heat source, and a radiant heat source with the convection heat source configured to direct heated air within the enclosure from a plurality of positions along a sidewall from a back to a front of the enclosure.

Abstract: Devices for prolonging the quality of a warm food item contained within the device, the devices include an enclosure configured to receive the warm food item, the enclosure including a floor, a ceiling opposite the floor, sidewalk extending from the floor to the ceiling and defining an opening, the sidewalls, the floor, and the ceiling collectively defining an interior void of the enclosure, and a door operatively connected to the sidewalk in a position covering the opening in a closed position and configured to selectively move to an open position to provide access to the interior void through the opening, a convection heat source mounted inside the enclosure and configured to direct heated air within the enclosure, and a ventilation system mounted to the enclosure and configured to move air through the enclosure.

Abstract: Methods for prolonging the quality of a warm food item after the warm food item is prepared, the methods including the steps of placing the warm food item in a thermally insulated enclosure, maintaining the temperature in the thermally insulated enclosure within a predetermined temperature range based on the type of warm food item, maintaining the temperature in the thermally insulated enclosure by blowing heated air over the warm food item, and maintaining the moisture level within the thermally insulated enclosure within a predetermined moisture range based on the type of warm food item.

Abstract: Devices for prolonging the quality of a warm food item contained within the device, the devices include an enclosure configured to receive the warm food item, the enclosure including a floor, a ceiling opposite the floor, sidewalk extending from the floor to the ceiling and defining an opening,the sidewalls the floor, and the ceiling collectively defining an interior void of the enclosure, and a door operatively connected to the sidewalk in a position covering the opening in a closed position and configured to selectively move to an open position to provide access to the interior void through the opening, a convection heat source mounted inside the enclosure and configured to direct heated a within the enclosure, and a ventilation system mounted to the enclosure and configured to move air through the enclosure.