Abstract: The invention provides a rotary processor which uses a linear motion detector to measure the deflection of the rotary processor as the rotary processor is heated.

Abstract: A rack for grilling chicken legs in a barbecue and the like comprises a metal surface having downwardly extending support members at both ends and a plurality of predetermined slots to hold chicken legs upside down. The support members position the rack at a spaced distance above a cooking source or fire providing sufficient space for the legs to hang vertically substantially perpendicular to the fire. The slots comprise a plurality of parallel apertures, each including a central circular aperture for insertion of the legs and a pair of narrow elongated slots leading in opposite directions from the circular aperture. The rack may be pivotally mounted to the barbecue so that it moves into position above the fire when the lid is opened or it may be manually placed on the open barbecue. In operation, the chicken legs are inserted through the circular aperture, slid along the slot, and locked in place by the bone at the lower joint.

Abstract: An oven for cooking with light having wavelengths in the visible, near visible, and infra-red spectral ranges cooks food items for periods that are predetermined for given food items. When prolonged use of the oven increases the oven temperature, a thermistor detects the temperature increases and delivers a signal representing the increase to a microprocessor. The microprocessor is programmed to compensate for increases in the oven temperature by lowering the cooking time for a given food item below the predetermined period. Some of the heated air that accumulates in the oven is withdrawn by an evacuation device.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to mass-produce fried food of high quality having no unevenly fried spots by making uniform the amount of cooking oil for frying food fed to food and the temperature distribution of the oil. A plurality of stacked pan-like trays (10) are received in a closable processing tank (1) and heated cooking oil is rapidly fed into the trays (10) through the side wall thereof by oil feed nozzles (41) so that the oil flows on the bottoms of the trays (10) at a given flow rate, the excess oil being allowed to overflow from the side opposite to the oil feed side to flow downwardly of the trays (10). The stacked trays (10) are individually fed with oil by the oil feed nozzles (41) so that none of the oil flowing from upper trays enters lower trays. The oil feed nozzles (41) are slidable back and forth relative to the trays (10), and the processing tank (1) is pressurized or evacuated according to the cooking conditions for articles of food a.

Abstract: A rotisserie apparatus and method of cooking food items are provided. The rotisserie apparatus includes a housing containing a heat source for supplying heat to an area above the housing. A plurality of spit supports are positioned on the housing, and extend vertically upwardly from the housing. A plurality of horizontally-disposed spits are carried by the spit supports, and located in vertically-spaced relation above the heat source for holding respective food items to be cooked. Counter-rotating sprockets are operatively connected to the plurality of spits for rotating adjacent spits in opposite directions during cooking, and permitting contacting adjacent food items to counter-rotate away from each other after engaging without being inadvertently forced off the spits.

Abstract: Two types of disposable pans made from a paper sheet material by press means are disclosed, particularly designed to prevent its paper configuration from easily deforming and/or to prevent its bottom portion from easy burning or scorching. The one type includes at least two parts, a bowl-like concave part having a bottom portion and an opening divergent part extended upwards from said concave parts. This type necessitates a specific supporting means when used with a cooking oven. The another type additionally includes a flange part interposed between said two parts and can be used without any supporting means. In order to prevent the paper configuration from easy deforming, a plurality of folds are provided on the opening divergent part to have the overlapped width small, and/or a synthetic resin is laminated on said paper sheet material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means for pathogenic risk management utilizing a clamshell grill cooking and staging process for transferring heat to food articles sealed within heat conducting containers comprising the step of placing at least one food article sealed within a heat conducting container between a top cover plate and a bottom plate spaced apart and in alignment with one another, and the top cover plate is hingeably mounted to a frame of the cooking and staging grill by a floating hinge. The heat transfer fluid contained within a reservoir of the clamshell cooking and staging grill is heated to a selected temperature of less than 212.degree. F. The temperature of the heat transfer fluid is controlled at a selected temperature of .+-.5.degree. F.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a novel cooking utensil for use in cooking food together with a conventional cooking vessel such as a covered skillet. The cooking utensil comprises a thin, substantially planar food-supporting cooking member having a bottom surface shaped substantially identically to a lower, inner surface of the conventional cooking vessel so that the food supporting member will substantially completely cover the lower, inner surface of the cooking vessel in flush contact therewith when the food supporting member is placed in the vessel, and handle means integrally connected to a central portion of an upper surface of the food supporting member for lifting and handling the food supporting member. The food supporting member preferably has a uniform thickness significantly smaller than the thickness of a bottom wall portion of the cooking vessel, and a continuous surface so that fluid cannot pass therethrough during a cooking operation.

Abstract: A three-stage cooking apparatus and method for automatically cooking food products are provided. The three-stage cooking apparatus has a housing, a first conveyor within the housing for transporting a food product to be cooked thereon, a heating element located above the first conveyor and a condiment dipper located at an end of the first conveyor. The condiment dipper is constructed and arranged to receive the food products from the first conveyor for dipping the food products in a condiment contained therein. A second conveyor is located at an output of the condiment dipper to receive dipped food products thereon. A second heating element may be located within the housing below the first conveyor and above the second conveyor to cook the food products on each conveyor. Another heating element may be located beneath the second conveyor to cook the food products while the same are traveling on the second conveyor. In addition, a method for automatically cooking food products is provided.

Abstract: A lightwave oven cooking method and apparatus using power and pulsed power applied to a plurality of high-power lamps which provide radiant energy in the electromagnetic spectrum and having wavelengths including the visible and near-visible ranges wherein irradiation is applied to the food by applying power to the lamps for a specified period of time without vaporizing all of the surface water on the food, and then applying reduced irradiation to the food to complete the cooking cycle without producing an overly browned surface which inhibits deep penetration of radiation in the near-visible and visible ranges. The reduced power can be at a reduced duty cycle which can be done in a sequence of one or more reducing steps in the duty cycle or a continuous reduction of the duty cycle of the power applied to the lamps. A change in the food temperatures can be sensed to reduce power.

Abstract: A method of processing potatoes or vegetables to dehydrated hash browns or other forms is disclosed where cooked and cooled potato slices are subjected to a second cooking time to improve flavor, texture and composition. The potato slices are further cooled to a chilled temperature which modifies the starch content of the potato so that the potato can be easily processed to smaller sizes, shapes or dimensions. When processed to a smaller size, shape or dimension, the potato material is contacted with a lubricating substance devoid of water which reduces or prevents the potato pieces from sticking together and improves the composition of the dehydrated potato pieces. The process of the present invention improves the flavor, texture and composition of the potatoes, both during the processing steps and at later rehydration. The process of the present invention also merely modifies the starch content of the potatoes without having to remove the starch and/or add the starch back in at a later time.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing bread products comprises the sequential steps of subjecting dough pieces to baking, the baking conditions being such that the crumb of each piece is fully developed but not the crust thereof in order to obtain partially baked bread pieces; exposing the partially baked bread pieces to a vacuum cooling stage; and, after a delay, subjecting the partially baked bread pieces to further heating, whereby the crust is fully developed and baked bread products result.

Abstract: The food component transfer sheet of this invention comprises(i) a water- and heat-resistant base sheet in the form of a continuous ribbon extending in one direction,(ii) a layer of granules, powders and/or chips of a food component to be transferred as disposed repeatedly along the length of said ribbon with a ligation interval between repeats, and(iii) a glue layer made of an edible water-soluble macromolecular substance as disposed between said base sheet and said food component layer.Casings fabricated from this food component transfer sheet can be easily gathered and mechanically clipped with the same clips as used for conventional casings so that the production of ham and other food items is greatly facilitated.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wafer comprises a series of steps. First, one proceeds with baking a mixture of flour and water to form sheets of bread. The sheets of bread are then thoroughly hydrated. The hydrated sheets are passed through a pair of roll cutters having complementary cutting surfaces, to cut a plurality of wafers, and a quantity of scrap. One then sorts the cut, hydrated wafers from the scrap by passing the wafers and scrap through a sorting drum to separate the wafers from the scrap. One then proceeds, arranging the wafers in a single horizontal layer on a surface that is substantially transparent to radiant heat, and exposes the single layer of wafers to radiant heat from above and below, to dry said wafers evenly and substantially without warping or bulging.

Abstract: A baking mold for baking goods includes an upper movable and substantially conical part provided with independently slidable guide part which has a plurality of steam vents providing a free passage for the steam upon displacing the upper part into a lower part while baking the goods.

Abstract: Apparatus or device for the preparation of fowl which has been dressed, comprising a heat transfer member having an exterior configuration which substantially conforms to the interior cavity of the dressed fowl and which, when inserted into the cavity, makes substantially total contact with the interior wall such that when the heat transfer member, with fowl mounted thereon, is placed in a heated environment, the fowl is initially seared in the interior cavity and thereafter cooked for human consumption in accordance with the method prescribed herein.

Abstract: A stable and non-separable composition comprised of starch and oil can be prepared in the absence of external emulsifying or dispersing agents by thoroughly solubilizing an aqueous dispersion of the starch at elevated temperatures and incorporating the oil into the non-retrograded starch under conditions of high turbulence. The resulting dispersions form soft gels that can be easily converted to pourable fluids by the application of heat. Upon drying, these dispersions yield solid compositions that are easily redispersed in water to form smooth, stable dispersions that are nongreasy, yet slippery to the touch. These compositions are useful as thickening agents, suspending agents, fat substitutes, and seed coatings. They are receptive to the addition of a variety of water-immiscible materials, such as volatile and essential oils, food flavorants, medicinals, agricultural chemicals, and the like.

Abstract: A lightwave oven cooking method and apparatus using power and pulsed power applied to a plurality of high-power lamps which provide radiant energy in the electromagnetic spectrum and having wavelengths including the visible and near-visible ranges wherein irradiation is applied to the food by applying power to the lamps for a specified period of time without vaporizing all of the surface water on the food, and then applying reduced irradiation to the food to complete the cooking cycle without producing an overly browned surface which inhibits deep penetration of radiation in the near-visible and visible ranges. The reduced power can be at a reduced duty cycle which can be done in a sequence of one or more reducing steps in the duty cycle or a continuous reduction of the duty cycle of the power applied to the lamps. A change in color, in water vapor concentration emitted from the surface, in the food temperatures and/or in the generation of steam to a predetermined degree can be sensed to reduce power.

Abstract: An enhanced hydration extrusion cooking system, method and extruded product are provided which utilize a conventional extrusion cooking system with a material feed bin feeding material to a conditioning cylinder, from which it is fed to a cooking or forming extruder. An enhanced hydration subsystem is provided for providing a high-starch slurry to the conditioning cylinder, which can be gelatinized immediately prior to or promptly upon entry to the conditioning cylinder. The enhanced hydration subsystem includes a make-up tank receiving high-starch powder and water, which are mixed therein to form a slurry. The slurry is transferred to a pumping tank, from which metered amounts of the slurry are pumped to the conditioning cylinder. The slurry provides a source of pre-gelatinized starch which facilitates the extrusion cooking process and provides a number of desirable characteristics in the extruded product.

Abstract: Mass corn--based products, e.g., tortilla chips and taco shells, are produced by admixing and heating a coarse ground corn component with water and lime to hydrate the coarse corn component at a temperature below the gelatinization temperature of corn starch, admixing the hydrated coarse corn component with a fine ground starchy component, heating the mixture to form a dough, forming the dough into pieces and baking and/or flying the pieces.

Abstract: A method and device for manufacturing food products where the product material, initially in a substantially liquid state, is fed into the device and through the supply of heat or cold is given its final, substantially solid state, the device comprises elements capable of being moved apart as well as brought together, having at least one recess on at least one side of each element so that the sides facing each other are mounted close to each other and define between them at least one product-forming space.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus for automatically cooking and rotating a food product which comprises: a cooking chamber; a planetary assembly disposed within the cooking chamber which is capable of rotating the food product about the cooking chamber; a heater or burner disposed within the cooking chamber for cooking the food product; a venting damper disposed within the cooking chamber which is capable of releasing excess energy contained within the cooking chamber; a temperature sensor used for detecting the temperature in the cooking chamber; and a microprocessor which is capable of cooking the food product for a predetermined cooking time and maintaining the temperature in the cooking chamber in accordance with a predetermined cooking temperature by means of controlling the heater or burner and the venting damper such that the heater or burner remains in the "on" position during the entire cooking time while the venting damper is opened and closed as necessary to maintain the predetermined cooking temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for cooking bacon bits which uses a continuous cooker. Bacon and bacon fat are delivered to the cooker which uses an auger to move the bacon from one end of the cooker to the other. The cooker is heated, for example, using a steam supply to heat a jacket on the outside of the cooker. The auger moves the bacon and bacon fat from the beginning point of the cooker to the exit point of the cooker. The heated jacket provides the heat needed to cook the bacon. Steam is injected in the casing to bubble through the oil and product.

Abstract: An improved wire rack for supporting food such as chicken in a Henny Penny pressure fryer and subsequently displaying the fried food in either a single bunn pan or a double bunn pan. The improved rack is capable of being used in all three environments (fryer, single plan and double pan) largely because it has a lower rectangular peripheral edge with a shorter length and width relative to the length and width of the upper rectangular peripheral edge.

Abstract: A modulated steam cooker in which food to be cooked is received in an oven chamber having an access door associated with a door switch, steam being fed directly into the oven by a steam generator having an electric heater immersed in a pool of water. The heater is connected through the door switch to a power source whereby the generator is powered only when the door is shut. The pressure of steam draining from the oven is sensed by a pressure-responsive switch interposed between the heater and the power source, the pressure switch intermittently interrupting the power supplied to the heater only when the sensed pressure exceeds a predetermined level somewhat above atmospheric pressure, thereby modulating the generation of steam supplied to the oven as a function of the quantity and temperature of food therein to effect efficient cooking of the food. Mounted on the steam generator is a spray head supplied with water only when the door is opened.

Abstract: An oven for cooking a food item with radiant energy typically having a significant portion of radiant energy in the visible light range of the electromagnetic spectrum is disclosed. The desired cooking time for the given food item is set in or already stored in the oven controller, and radiation is initiated for cooking the food item for that desired cooking time. At a given time before the end of the desired cooking time, a signal is triggered indicating that a determination must be made as to whether the food item is cooked to the desired degree. Once the food item is cooked to the desired degree, the radiation is either stopped before the end of the desired cooking time, terminated at the end of desired cooking time or maintained beyond the desired cooking time.

Abstract: Food product fibers containing moisture, particularly fiber residues obtained from extraction procedures or from a hydrolysis procedure, are milled, dehydrated and deodorized by projecting fiber residues towards a wall surface for attrition milling and simultaneously, propelling air heated to a temperature of from 200.degree. C. to 400.degree. C. towards the projected fiber residues so that the projected fiber residues are projected against the wall surface for obtaining attrited fiber and the heated air is propelled towards the projected fiber residues and attrited fiber for dehydrating and deodorizing the projected fiber residues and for entraining dehydrated, deodorized attrited fiber for collection. In a case of treating fiber residues resultant from hydrolysis of a plant substance, the dehydrated, deodorized attrited fiber is mixed with ingredients to obtain a mixture for preparing a breadcrumb product, and then, the mixture is extrusion-cooked.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for baking slices of cake, bread or other bakery products to produce a product that has the appearance of a sliced piece of cake or bread. The device includes a baking container with dimensions corresponding to a cake or bread slice. The device also includes a paper liner positionable in the baking container for receiving bread or cake batter.

Abstract: Cooking of wheat flour dough tortillas is effected with a considerably reduced cooking time and with the preservation of the characteristics of tortillas obtained by the traditional manual cooking methods, by applying to the uncooked tortillas infrared radiation waves within a wavelength band possessing a maximum absorption factor simultaneously perpendicularly directed on both faces of the tortilla in order to quickly cook both surfaces of the same thus forming outermost capping layers that retain moisture within the body of the tortilla and prevent the dehydration of the same in the cooking cycle.

Abstract: Dual zone cooking process and apparatus are provided for cooking a wide variety of different snack food products in a continuous manner, the apparatus being arranged in modular form for conversion from one cooking process to another. Products are cooked either in two tandem but separated cook zones or in a final cook zone at cook times and temperatures applicable for the particular products. Oil volumes are variable in the cooking apparatus.

Abstract: A utensil body 1 and a lid 2 are made of a metallic magnetic material which generates heat when eddy currents are induced therein in order to cook food with heat which is applicable to any of boiling, steaming, sauteing, frying, casseroling, and baking or roasting, which utilizes the utensil body 1 applicable to both gas combustion heating and eddy-current heating, and which allows cooking to be performed using water, oil or air as a cooking medium.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method for transferring heat to food articles for cooking or staging ensuring bacteriological safety in the fast food production of hamburgers and other protein or farinaceous food articles. The process provides a means to initially cook frozen food articles sealed in heat conducting containers, such as a flexible pouch to cook raw food articles or previously cooked food articles, and to stage same for prolonged time periods at optimum product quality at a selected low temperature, thereby assuring precision, time and temperature-related, pathogenic risk management and food safety for public consumption. The process provides a means of holding the patties and/or other food articles encased in suitable plastic packages for prolonged time periods at an equilibrated, safe internal temperature range, selectable between 130.degree. and 185.degree. F., which temperature range is optional and maintained in order to guarantee bacteriological food safety by achieving 99.

Abstract: Cooking of food products and particularly of dough-based food products such as corn tortillas is effected with a considerably reduced cooking time by applying to the uncooked food product infrared radiation waves simultaneously on both sides of the food product in order to quickly cook both surfaces of the same thus forming capping layers that retain a high degree of moisture within the body of the food product without unduly drying the same. The infrared radiation waves are preferably applied by means of an optical arrangement formed by two parallel arrays of infrared emitters, one on each side of the food product, said arrays of emitters having a plurality of resistive elements to generate said infrared radiation and optical reflectors to direct said radiation perpendicularly to both sides of the food product.

Abstract: The energy conserving automatic insulated thermal cooker comprises an inner pot having a cover, and an outer insulated container having an insulated cover. The outer container also houses an electric heater, a thermal sensor, a microprocessor control and timer unit, an electric power plug, and a front control panel. Operation of the cooking apparatus is fully automatic with clear display of boiling time, cooking time and the active heating and adiabatic cooking modes.

Abstract: A cooking-extruding apparatus and method for the cooking-extrusion of biopolymers for the production of thermally treated food granulates, snack products, cereals or similar products. The cooker-extruder having a feeding hopper, a conveying screw, an exit nozzle, and at least one spatula-pump disposed between the conveying screw and the exit nozzle. Each spatula-pump includes a spatula element and plate having a matrix of holes. In operation, the spatula element assists the material being processed through the plate having a matrix of holes. An embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention includes the use of two conveying screws. The spatula-pumps are arranged serially such that the material being processed passes through one spatula-pump to the next until it is passed through the exit nozzle of the apparatus.

Abstract: An improved convection/impingement oven for continuously cooking food. The oven has a wire link type belt which moves through an elongated cooking chamber. Hot air is blown on the upper surface of the food to be cooked. A separately controlled hot air source is blown on the lower surface of the food. Hot air impingement units are placed along the length of the oven and the cooking vapors are not recirculated but instead pass along the elongated cooking chamber and are exhausted at the end. Preferably a color development and sealing section has upper and lower burners which heat the food and the heat from these burners also pass the entire length of the cooking chamber before being exhausted. Also preferably steam or a water spray is used to regulate the humidity and this may be regulated in several different sections of the cooking chamber.

Abstract: An oven for maintaining the quality of stored, heated food includes sensors for sensing the temperature of water in the oven's water reservoir and for sensing the temperature of air in the oven and a control system to compensate for the loss of heat and moisture when the door is opened by increasing the temperatures of the water and air above the set values for a period of time.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method for transferring heat to food articles for cooking or staging ensuring bacteriological safety in the fast food production of hamburgers and other protein or farinaceous food articles. The process provides a means to initially cook frozen food articles sealed in heat conducting containers, such as a flexible pouch to cook raw food articles or previously cooked food articles, and to stage same for prolonged time periods at optimum product quality at a selected low temperature, thereby assuring precision, time and temperature-related, pathogenic risk management and food safety for public consumption. The process provides a means of holding the patties and/or other food articles encased in suitable plastic packages for prolonged time periods at an equilibrated, safe internal temperature range, selectable between 130.degree. and 185.degree. F., which temperature range is optional and maintained in order to guarantee bacteriological food safety by achieving 99.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a drum for receiving the food articles to be cooked and formed with a plurality of openings smaller than the size of the food articles. The drum is rotatably mounted about a horizontal axis in the cooking compartment of the appliance such that only the lower part of the drum is immersed in the hot liquid therein, e.g., a frying oil. Also described is a method of frying food articles which includes immersing the bottom of a drum, having the food articles therein, in a quantity of hot cooking oil, and rotating the drum such that the food articles tumble into and out of the cooking oil to cause the food articles to become fried to a crisp without absorbing significant quantities of the cooking oil.

Abstract: A convertible barbecue capable of grill cooking and rotisserie cooking. The barbecue includes one or more radiant such as briquette trays for holding refractory briquettes underneath a food item to be cooked. In the grill-cooking mode, the briquette trays are supported horizontally underneath a grill rack, while in the rotisserie mode a front briquette tray is removed and a rear briquette tray is angled so as to be out from underneath a spit for rotisserie cooking of food items. In an alternative configuration both front and rear briquette trays may be repositioned toward the rotisserie spit.

Abstract: Reduced calorie, chemically leavened batters for the production of cake-type products are disclosed which incorporate preformed expanded liquid or gel mesophase emulsifier products so as to permit substantial reduction in high calorie components (e.g., shortening and sucrose) while giving organoleptically acceptable final cakes. The emulsifier products are preformed by initially mixing an emulsifier (preferably a polar and hydrophilic emulsifier such as a sucrose ester) with water, followed by optional heating and cooling to form the emulsifier product. The batters contain up to about 50% (flour weight basis) sweetening agent, which advantageously includes a high potency sweetener together with a minor amount of sucrose. A variety of bulking agents such as polydextrose can be used to give appropriate structure to the final cakes.

Abstract: This invention is a barbecue type grill that can be used either indoors or outdoors. By disposing a convertible drip pan that can be opened and closed between the food supporting rack and the cooking heat source, rapid preheating can be accomplished as well as searing of desired food products, followed by closing of the drip pan to prevent unwanted flare-ups caused by juices dripping from the food being cooked. This closing of the drip pan allows the food to cook slower than over direct heat which allows the food to retain more juices when done. This invention overcomes the slow preheating and slow initial cooking inherent in the prior art using a solid impervious drip pan. Also, since different types of heat sources can be used in conjunction with the present invention, the problem of the bottom of the housing rusting out in the area adjacent the round burner below the heat deflecting plate is effectively eliminated.

Abstract: A plurality of rolls of pliable backing material are fed through guides in which the configuration of the backing material is converted from flat to generally U-shaped strips. Unbaked dough is deposited into the strips as they feed forwardly toward a baking oven. The strips, filled with unbaked dough, are moved through the oven at a rate which enables the oven heat to bake the dough. When the strips, filled with baked dough, emerge from the oven, they are intermittently severed, advantageously by a high pressure stream of water, to create discrete baked products. These products are then conveyed for a time and distance sufficient to permit cooling, and are thereafter wrapped.

Abstract: An apparatus plant is described which includes a continuous autoclave (1) for the heat treatment of foods measured into open containers (9) loaded onto trays (12) which are advanced through the autoclave (1) by a stepping conveyer (38). A cooling chamber (6) communicates at one end with the autoclave (1) through an air-lock tunnel (7) and at the other with a sterile assembly for sealing the containers (9) full of cooked food.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for cooking pizza which comprises (a) a pan element having a base floor and peripheral walls extending upwardly therefrom; (b) a plate element superimposed over and spaced above the base floor section of the pan element; (c) a preferably domed shaped lid element superimposed over the pan element and having an interior reflective surface; and (d) means for applying heat to said apparatus. A method of using this apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A secondary pan is positionable in a main pan in centered relationship to the main pan on top of pizza dough in the main pan to provide raised radial inner and outer peripheral dough rims of greater thickness than the central part of the pizza dough and radial inner and outer peripheral edges for decreasing the time required to bake the dough. After removing the secondary pan from the main pan, pizza topping is placed on the annular central portion of the dough or baked pizza crust and baked. Each of the pans has an inner and an outer frustoconical wall with the lower base edge of the respective wall being joined to the respective inner and outer base edge of the base of the respective pan. The minor base edges of the outer peripheral walls are joined to the respective base while the major base edges of the inner peripheral walls are joined to the respective base.

Abstract: An oven for cooking and browning foods has heated, radiant walls. Heat may be supplied by a gas burner flame in a plenum behind the walls, with products of combustion thus being isolated from the food in the oven chamber. In one embodiment food products are continuously conveyed through the oven chamber and are either cooked or simply browned in the oven by the radiant wall heat. Fats and other materials rendered from the food products, if not fully incinerated in the oven chamber, may be transferred along with exhaust air from the oven chamber to a separate combustion chamber, for incineration. Steam or other inert gas is introduced to the oven chamber to minimize oxidation and prevent flame. An alternative wall heating system uses electric resistance heat elements inside a thin ceramic wall. In another embodiment a web-like metal conveyor of a radiant wall oven is returned through the oven in order to heat the conveyor sufficiently to put grill stripes on a product being browned, such as meat.

Abstract: Bread is produced in a bread maker by first mixing/kneading the bread ingredients into a dough, allowing the dough to rest and then kneading the dough for a second cycle. During both kneading cycles, a motor driving a kneading blade is repeatedly bi-directionally rotated with intermittent pulses to give a randomness to the flight of the dough. After kneading, the dough is fermented during a first rise cycle. Next, the dough is preheated and degassed before it is fermented for a second rise cycle. After rising, the dough is baked at a high temperature for proper browning of the crust and then the temperature is lowered to complete the baking of the bread. Lastly, the bread is cooled at a gradual rate by intermittently actuating a heater and a fan.

Abstract: Meat such as poultry may be rapidly cooked in a closed and sealed pressure vessel subjected to a mixture of superheated steam and superatmospheric compressed air at a temperature of least 400.degree. F. and at an internal chamber pressure of at least 15 psig fed from an air compressor through a heat exchanger. Water is mixed with the heated superatmospheric compressed air such that a mixture of superheated steam and superatmospheric compressed air is created prior to mixture entry into the interior of the pressure vessel. Preferably, meat is cooked rapidly at a temperature within the chamber in the range of 400.degree. F. to 600.degree. F. and at pressures ranging from 15 to 150 psig. A pressure relief valve coupled to the pressure vessel exhausts the mixture of superheated steam and superatmospheric compressed air to maintain the desired gas pressurization within the chamber.

Abstract: Embodiments of a potato-on-a-stick, and methods for making the potato-on-a-stick, are disclosed. The potato-on-a-stick includes a pre-cooked potato, which is prepared by partial baking, an interruption in cooking to cool the potato, and then blanching, which allows a stick to be inserted without breakage of the potato and which causes the potato to adhere to the stick and hold the stick in place in the potato throughout further handling, freezing, thawing, finish-cooking, and eating. In one embodiment, the method of making the potato-on-a-stick product starts with the baking process for potato boats, in which whole potatoes are partially baked, cooled, cut, and scooped-out. The scooped-out potato centers are then blanched and cooled, and a wooden stick is inserted and secured by the adhesiveness of the potato contacting and holding the stick. The invented method produces a potato product which has a secured stick and has an uncrumbly, unbreaking texture and yet a pleasant, soft and palatable texture.