Abstract: A combination pressure and open frying apparatus includes at least one selectively closeable frypot and a cover configured to selectively close the frypot. The selectively closeable frypot is configured to operate as a pressure frying platform when the cover is closed and configured to operate as an open frying platform when the cover is open. The apparatus includes a clamping mechanism with a spindle that includes a shaft and a handle that is configured to be selectively mounted to the shaft in a plurality of positions relative to the shaft. The apparatus may also include at least one second frypot that can operate at least as an open frying platform, with a common filtration system for the frypots having a selector valve and a failsafe valve, which prevents flow of cooking medium into at least one selectively closeable frypot when the selectively closeable frypot is pressurized.

Abstract: A combination pressure and open frying apparatus includes at least one selectively closeable frypot and a cover configured to selectively close the frypot. The selectively closeable frypot is configured to operate as a pressure frying platform when the cover is closed and configured to operate as an open frying platform when the cover is open. The apparatus includes a clamping mechanism with a spindle that includes a shaft and a handle that is configured to be selectively mounted to the shaft in a plurality of positions relative to the shaft. The apparatus may also include at least one second frypot that can operate at least as an open frying platform, with a common filtration system for the frypots having a selector valve and a failsafe valve, which prevents flow of cooking medium into at least one selectively closeable frypot when the selectively closeable frypot is pressurized.

Abstract: Systems are disclosed for cleaning a fryer using a washing element coupled to a bottom wall of a cooking chamber. An upper portion of the washing element extends above the bottom wall of the cooking chamber and includes a plurality of spray jet nozzles that are separated at predetermined angles relative to one another around a periphery of the upper portion of the washing element to orient the plurality of spray jet nozzles so as to spray a plurality of pressurized streams of the cooking medium to predetermined areas of the cooking chamber, including at least one corner of the cooking chamber. Also disclosed is a fryer that includes a spreader bar that maintains an electric heating coil in the serpentine pattern. The spreader bar is coupled to the upper surface of the electric heating coil and is disposed at a predetermined distance away from the bottom wall.

Abstract: Systems are disclosed for cleaning a fryer using a washing element coupled to a bottom wall of a cooking chamber. An upper portion of the washing element extends above the bottom wall of the cooking chamber and includes a plurality of spray jet nozzles that are separated at predetermined angles relative to one another around a periphery of the upper portion of the washing element to orient the plurality of spray jet nozzles so as to spray a plurality of pressurized streams of the cooking medium to predetermined areas of the cooking chamber, including at least one corner of the cooking chamber. Also disclosed is a fryer that includes a spreader bar that maintains an electric heating coil in the serpentine pattern. The spreader bar is coupled to the upper surface of the electric heating coil and is disposed at a predetermined distance away from the bottom wall.

Abstract: Systems are disclosed for cleaning a fryer using a washing element coupled to a bottom wall of a cooking chamber. An upper portion of the washing element extends above the bottom wall of the cooking chamber and includes a plurality of spray jet nozzles that are separated at predetermined angles relative to one another around a periphery of the upper portion of the washing element to orient the plurality of spray jet nozzles so as to spray a plurality of pressurized streams of the cooking medium to predetermined areas of the cooking chamber, including at least one corner of the cooking chamber. Also disclosed is a fryer that includes a spreader bar that maintains an electric heating coil in the serpentine pattern. The spreader bar is coupled to the upper surface of the electric heating coil and is disposed at a predetermined distance away from the bottom wall.

Abstract: A combination pressure and open frying apparatus includes at least one selectively closeable frypot and a cover configured to selectively close the frypot. The selectively closeable frypot is configured to operate as a pressure frying platform when the cover is closed and configured to operate as an open frying platform when the cover is open. The apparatus includes a clamping mechanism with a spindle that includes a shaft and a handle that is configured to be selectively mounted to the shaft in a plurality of positions relative to the shaft. The apparatus may also include at least one second frypot that can operate at least as an open frying platform, with a common filtration system for the frypots having a selector valve and a failsafe valve, which prevents flow of cooking medium into at least one selectively closeable frypot when the selectively closeable frypot is pressurized.

Abstract: A cooking system in the form of a fryer is provided to reduce and/or optimize the amount of cooking medium required to operate the fryer, while improving the reliability of movement of food product through the cooking system during a cooking process. To this end, the cooking vat of the system is designed with one or more heating elements positioned to avoid generation of turbulent flow in the cooking medium. Moreover, the movement of food product along the cooking vat and/or out of the cooking vat is done reliably and in such a manner to avoid turbulent flow in the cooking medium. The automatic cooking system provides improved cooking medium life span as well as reduced overall oil volume use.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for controlling a fryer. In response to determining a filtration cycle is scheduled to occur after a current cooking cycle, a temperature set-point for a cooking medium is increased to pre-heat the cooking medium prior to the end of the cooking cycle. A heating element used to heat the cooking medium may be deactivated prior to entering the filtration cycle, and reactivated during the filtration cycle in response to the filtered cooking medium in the fry pot reaching a predetermined level. Activating the heating element during the filtration cycle may further heat the cooking medium prior to starting the next cooking cycle, thereby reducing the total time needed for filtration and reheating for a subsequent cooking cycle.

Abstract: An automatic fryer apparatus and method of frying food products includes a cooking chamber, a heating mechanism disposed in the cooking chamber, and a pump disposed at an end of the cooking chamber to circulate cooking medium within the cooking chamber. Food product is added to the cooking chamber and flows along with the cooking medium in a flow direction. A controller controls a plurality of gates by individually actuating each gate. The controller stores data regarding predetermined time periods, which regulate when to raise and lower each gate. Food product moves downstream of each gate along a flow direction when each respective gate is raised. Food product is automatically transferred to a holding station when it reaches an outlet end of the cooking chamber.

Abstract: A gas fryer and associated methods of cooking food products are disclosed. The gas fryer includes an infrared burner and a fry pot including an interior casing defining a cooking chamber, with the interior casing including a bottom wall and opposing sidewalls that extend upwardly from the bottom wall. The opposing sidewalls include lower, central, and upper sidewall panels that are angled from one another to define a tapered profile that narrows towards the bottom wall. The tapering of a well defined at a lower chamber portions of the cooking chamber allows for a shallow depth at this portion of the fry pot and easy visibility and access for cleaning. Furthermore, the opposing sidewalls and a rear end wall of the interior casing include heat exchange fins on an external surface.

Abstract: Systems are disclosed for cleaning a fryer using a washing element coupled to a bottom wall of a cooking chamber. An upper portion of the washing element extends above the bottom wall of the cooking chamber and includes a plurality of spray jet nozzles that are separated at predetermined angles relative to one another around a periphery of the upper portion of the washing element to orient the plurality of spray jet nozzles so as to spray a plurality of pressurized streams of the cooking medium to predetermined areas of the cooking chamber, including at least one corner of the cooking chamber. Also disclosed is a fryer that includes a spreader bar that maintains an electric heating coil in the serpentine pattern. The spreader bar is coupled to the upper surface of the electric heating coil and is disposed at a predetermined distance away from the bottom wall.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for controlling a fryer having a high limit module. The high limit module selectively decouples a heater of the fryer from an energy source in response to a signal received from a high limit temperature probe indicating a maximum allowable temperature has been exceeded at a hard trip condition. A controller monitors signals received from an operational temperature probe and the high limit temperature probe. Based on these signals, the controller determines if the high limit module is approaching the hard trip condition. If the controller determines the high limit module is approaching the hard trip condition, it preemptively adjusts the output of the heater to avoid the hard trip condition. The controller may thereby prevent the fryer from being completely deactivated by the high limit module.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering a cooking medium in a cooking apparatus are disclosed. A delivery system includes a rotary valve having a rotary inlet and a plurality of rotary outlets. The rotary inlet is configured to be in fluid communication with a source of cooking medium and the plurality of rotary outlets are configured to be in fluid communication with a corresponding plurality of receptacles. A rotary position sensor generates a signal, having continuous angular position resolution, based on an angular position of the rotary valve. A controller receives the signal generated by the rotary position sensor and selectively places the rotary inlet in fluid communication with one of the plurality of rotary outlets based on the signal generated by the rotary position sensor. The rotary position sensor may include a Hall-effect sensor that functions at elevated operating temperatures associated with the cooking medium.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for cleaning a fryer using a washing element coupled to a bottom wall of a cooking chamber. An upper portion of the washing element extends above the bottom wall of the cooking chamber and includes a plurality of spray jet nozzles that are separated at predetermined angles relative to one another around a periphery of the upper portion of the washing element to orient the plurality of spray jet nozzles so as to spray a plurality of pressurized streams of the cooking medium to predetermined areas of the cooking chamber, including at least one corner of the cooking chamber. Also disclosed is a fryer that includes a spreader bar that maintains an electric heating coil in the serpentine pattern.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering a cooking medium in a cooking apparatus are disclosed. A delivery system includes a rotary valve having a rotary inlet and a plurality of rotary outlets. The rotary inlet is configured to be in fluid communication with a source of cooking medium and the plurality of rotary outlets are configured to be in fluid communication with a corresponding plurality of receptacles. A rotary position sensor generates a signal, having continuous angular position resolution, based on an angular position of the rotary valve. A controller receives the signal generated by the rotary position sensor and selectively places the rotary inlet in fluid communication with one of the plurality of rotary outlets based on the signal generated by the rotary position sensor. The rotary position sensor may include a Hall-effect sensor that functions at elevated operating temperatures associated with the cooking medium.

Abstract: A holder block for retaining a temperature sensor includes a base portion configured to operatively engage a portion of the temperature sensor and a portion of a heating element. The holder block also includes a cap portion removably attachable to the base portion, the cap portion being configured to operatively engage a portion of the temperature sensor and a portion of the heating element. The base portion and cap portion are moveable relative to each other such that movement of the base portion and cap portion toward each other provides a first clamping action on the heating element and a second clamping action on the temperature sensor to define a clamped position of the holder block. When in the clamped position, the base portion and cap portion provide conductive thermal paths and define apertures providing convective thermal paths between the heating element and the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A cooking system in the form of a fryer is provided to reduce and/or optimize the amount of cooking medium required to operate the fryer, while improving the reliability of movement of food product through the cooking system during a cooking process. To this end, the cooking vat of the system is designed with one or more heating elements positioned to avoid generation of turbulent flow in the cooking medium. Moreover, the movement of food product along the cooking vat and/or out of the cooking vat is done reliably and in such a manner to avoid turbulent flow in the cooking medium. The automatic cooking system provides improved cooking medium life span as well as reduced overall oil volume use.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for cleaning a fryer using a washing element coupled to a bottom wall of a cooking chamber. An upper portion of the washing element extends above the bottom wall of the cooking chamber and includes a plurality of spray jet nozzles that are separated at predetermined angles relative to one another around a periphery of the upper portion of the washing element to orient the plurality of spray jet nozzles so as to spray a plurality of pressurized streams of the cooking medium to predetermined areas of the cooking chamber, including at least one corner of the cooking chamber. Also disclosed is a fryer that includes a spreader bar that maintains an electric heating coil in the serpentine pattern.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for controlling a fryer. In response to determining a filtration cycle is scheduled to occur after a current cooking cycle, a temperature set-point for a cooking medium is increased to pre-heat the cooking medium prior to the end of the cooking cycle. A heating element used to heat the cooking medium may be deactivated prior to entering the filtration cycle, and reactivated during the filtration cycle in response to the filtered cooking medium in the fry pot reaching a predetermined level. Activating the heating element during the filtration cycle may further heat the cooking medium prior to starting the next cooking cycle, thereby reducing the total time needed for filtration and reheating for a subsequent cooking cycle.