Abstract: A steam cooker has an insulated housing that surrounds an internal cooking compartment accessible through a door. In one form, a supply of water is held in the compartment and immerses a plate-like resistance heating element mounted at the floor. Water is automatically added to this supply when both 1) a water level sensor indicates a refill, and 2) a door switch signals that the door is open. these signals together open a normally-closed solenoid valve in a water feed line. A steam outlet located above the maximum water level is in fluid communication with and adjacent another electrically-operated solenoid valve that is normally open to atmosphere. In one mode of operation, a temperature sensor in close physical proximity to the steam outlet and the solenoid valve closes the solenoid wherein the sensed steam temperature is at or above a set level.

Abstract: A connectionless steam cooker has an insulated housing that surrounds an internal cooking compartment accessible through a door. A supply of water is held in the compartment and immerses a plate-like heating element mounted at the floor, preferably of the electrical resistance type. A steam outlet located above the maximum water level is in fluid communication with and adjacent an electrically-operated solenoid valve that is normally open to atmosphere. A temperature sensor in close physical proximity to the steam outlet and the solenoid valve closes the solenoid wherein the sensed steam temperature is at or above a set level. The outlet steam is also connected to a pair of water column pressure-responsive microswitches. One microswitch controls power to the heating element. It is set closely, e.g. to cycle between ON and OFF in response to a sensed pressure range of 1 and 3 inches of water W. C.) The second microswitch responds to a higher set pressure (e.g. 9 inches W. C.

Abstract: A connectionless steam cooker has an insulated housing that surrounds an internal cooking compartment accessible through a door. A supply of water is held in the compartment and immerses a plate-like heating element mounted at the floor, preferably of the electrical resistance type. A steam outlet located above the maximum water level is in fluid communication with and adjacent an electrically-operated solenoid valve that is normally open to atmosphere. A temperature sensor in close physical proximity to the steam outlet and the solenoid valve closes the solenoid wherein the sensed steam temperature is at or above a set level. The outlet steam is also connected to a pair of water column pressure-responsive microswitches. One microswitch controls power to the heating element. It is set closely, e.g. to cycle between ON and OFF in response to a sensed pressure range of 1 and 3 inches of water W.C.) The second microswitch responds to a higher set pressure (e.g. 9 inches W.C.