Abstract: A microwave oven comprising a number of IR-sensors elements for obtaining temperature information from discrete sensing areas within the cooking zone of the oven and for generating a two-dimensional temperature image of the cooking zone. Based on said temperature image necessary load parameters may be calculated for controlling automatic heating procedures in the oven, thereby facilitating operation of the oven and securing a good cooking result.

Abstract: A method and device for determining when a food (9) has thawed in a microwave oven (1) are provided. The food (9) is placed above an element (14) constructed of a microwave sensitive material and shields the element (14) from the microwaves to a different extent according to its degree of thawing. The temperature increase in the material resulting from its absorption of the microwaves is measured by a transducer (18) which receives a signal operationally related to the temperature and which on the basis for the signal halts the thawing when the temperature has reached a suitable value. The element (14) is associated with a food support (8) which thermally isolates it from the food (9), the element being in direct or indirect contact with the transducer (18). The transducer (18) can be disposed either in the food support (8) or in the bottom wall (7) of the oven thawing chamber (4) below the support (8).

Abstract: A microwave oven for heating food, in which power control is by pulsing a microwave source during a sequence of operation periods. The start moment of the microwave source is sensed during each operation period, and the switch on time of the microwave source during each operation period is calculated from the sensed start moment. Start moment related variations in supplied average power level are eliminated.