Abstract: A food dispenser, components thereof, and associated methods. The food dispenser dispenses food to a food cooking device. The food dispenser includes a loader having a bed and at least one pusher for pushing food along the bed toward the food cooking device. A hopper includes a plurality of food racks holding a plurality of food items in the hopper to be transferred to the bed of the loader. The food racks hold the plurality of food items in multiple arrays, one array in front of the other, and each array includes a plurality of columns. A dispensing driver dispenses food items from the hopper to the bed of the loader.

Abstract: A vent system for venting hot gas and effluents from a cooking appliance. The vent system includes a first direct vent structure having an inlet for receiving hot gas and effluents and an outlet communicating with atmosphere. The first direct vent structure defines a first flow path. At least one effluent-removal device is positioned in the first flow path for removing effluents from the hot gas. An atmospheric flue communicates with the outlet of the first direct vent structure for venting hot gas to atmosphere after it has passed through the effluent-removal device. A damper system and integrated control system are also disclosed.