Abstract: A device for controlling opening and closing of jaws mounted on a cover of a cooking vessel, the vessel having a central axis and the jaws being movable by drive arms over a radial path relative to the central axis between a locking position in which the cover is locked to a container of the vessel and an unlocking position in which the cover can be removed from the container, the device including a control element mounted on the cover for movement relative to the cover in a radial direction relative to the central axis, the element, during its movement relative to the cover, engaging the drive arms in a manner to control displacement of the drive arms over the radial path.

Abstract: In a cooking apparatus such as a fryer or the like for frying food having an oil tank filled therein with cooking oil to be maintained in heated condition, a humidity detector is provided to detect an amount of vapor rising from the food after the food has been thrown into the heated cooking oil. An electric circuit is provided to decide frying completion of the food when the detected amount of vapor becomes smaller than a predetermined amount of vapor after maintained larger than the predetermined amount of vapor.

Abstract: An automatic cooking apparatus includes a plurality of mechanisms for supplying, based on input data, plural kinds of food stuffs to cook various foods. A control circuit for the automatic cooking apparatus is formed of an operating device for operating the plurality of mechanisms, a first DC power supply connected to a utility power supply for supplying electric power to the operating device, a driving device for controlling the operating device, and a second DC power supply connected to the utility power supply supplying electric power to the driving device. Even if a noise voltage is generated in either the operating device or the driving device, the noise voltage is not supplied to the other of the operating device or the driving device.

Abstract: A pressure cooking device includes a column securely disposed to a floor and a bowl is fixedly disposed to the column, an arm and a bar respectively disposed to the column, the arm having a cap disposed thereto and a threaded shaft threadedly engaged through the arm and engaged to the cap, the bowl having a pair of lugs, each lug extending diametrically opposite with each other and the arm further having a stirrup integrally formed thereto wherein a first tip, a second tip and an arcuate periphery extending therebetween to define a substantially arcuate recess, two extension portions extending separately from the first tip and the second tip such that the arm can be pivoted above the bowl and the cap is securely mounted to the bowl by rotating downward the threaded shaft, the bar having a lifting device disposed thereto so as to put a steamer or food into the bowl.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system to warn of early removal of food from a cooking medium. The system is a combination of a frypot, a basket sensor and an alarm where the frypot is a container holding a cooking medium such as oil or shortening. Food items to be cooked are placed in a control zone in the cooking medium and held by a basket that holds the food submersed in the cooking medium. The basket sensor is installed to detect the presence of a basket in the container. The basket sensor is monitored by a cooking computer that controls the alarm, activating the alarm if there is no basket in the frypot when a cook cycle is initiated or when the basket is removed before the cook cycle is completed. The cooking computer monitors the cooking cycle by using a preprogrammed cook time and adjusting the time based on variations measured in the cooking medium temperature or other factors.

Abstract: A remote control cooking apparatus with stackable cookers including a base. The base has an outer wall, an inner wall and is supported by three support legs. Included is a heating element between the outer wall and the inner wall. An electrical conductor prong is provided. The electrical conductor prong is in communication with the heating element and has a top prong and a bottom prong. Also, included is a rheostat timer. The timer has and a female receptacle capable of coupling with the bottom prong of the electrical conductor prong of the base. A top cylindrical cooker is provided. The cooker has a side wall with an upper cooking plate therebetween. The top cooker has a top rheostat. A cover for placement over the top cooker is included. Lastly, three cylindrical cookers are provided.

Abstract: A cooking utensil having three layer member includes a thermal retaining space between the intermediate member and the outer member, an air passage formed vertically in a part of the circumference between the side walls of the outer member and the intermediate member, and which is communicated with the heat retaining space, and a thermal retaining activator mounted on the exit of the air passage, and which selectively communicates the space with the atmosphere or not. Air in the heat retaining space is heated by heat transmitted from the outer member and the intermediate member made of material having high thermal conductively is indirectly heated by heat transmitted from the air in the space. Therefore heat energy of the intermediate member is uniformly spread out throughout the whole surface thereof so that heat is not focused at any part of the intermediate member and the food in the inner member which is closedly contacted with the intermediate member is not scorched or burned.

Abstract: A barbecue grill includes a fire bowl for supporting a plurality of grids, two pairs of legs extending from the fire bowl for supporting the barbecue grill above the ground, a lid with a grip in the center, top portion thereof, a resilient handle secured on the opposite sides of the fire bowl via two fixation blocks each defining an L-shaped channel for receiving the handle and an aperture in the corner of the L-shaped channel for the handle to extend therethrough and couple with the fire bowl so that a user may expand the resilient handle and pivotally adjust a position of the handle and the lid may be retained in a vertical position among the fire bowl, one pair of the legs, and the handle when the handle is in a horizontal position.

Abstract: An inverter cooker with a high voltage/low voltage separating device, which can protect the user from accident and prevents the inverter cooker from malfunctioning by separating a low voltage circuit portion from high voltage circuit portion regardless of the performance of signal transmission. According to the inverter cooker, the signal intercommunicating between the high voltage circuit portion such as an inverter controller or a current detector and the low voltage circuit portion such as a function key input device or a system controller is performed through the high voltage/low voltage separating device which has a plurality of photo-couplers.

Abstract: A device for inhibiting an increase in temperature in a gas cooker including a cooker body, a combustion chamber defined in the cooker body and provided with an upper burner and a lower burner both constituting a grille, a manipulation unit disposed at a front portion of the cooker body, and a flue communicated with the combustion chamber, the device comprising a plurality of air intake ports provided between the grille and the manipulation unit, an air passage communicated at one end thereof with the air intake ports and at the other end thereof with the duct, the air passage being disposed above the combustion chamber, an insulating member disposed between the air passage and the combustion chamber, and an exhaust port communicated with an outlet of the combustion chamber and the duct, whereby a natural convection type cooling construction utilizing a heat generated by a combustion carried out in the combustion chamber is obtained.

Abstract: A toaster is disclosed capable of retaining a fire within the body of the toaster should such a fire commence for any reason, the toaster comprising an outer housing, an inner enclosure defining a toasting compartment, an open access slot enabling access to the toasting compartment, movable flameproof member means either closing the access slot or opening same, movable carriage means in the toasting compartment to carry a product to be toasted, and latch means to hold the movable flameproof member means closed until manually released thereby ensuring a person is at the toaster should a fire have commenced in the toasting chamber.

Abstract: A pressure cooker has a lid displaceable in the vertical direction with respect to the cooker to reduce the residual pressure in the cooker and to permit opening of the cooker without any rotary movement. Tongues projecting downwards between the dome edge and the cooker edge, in conjunction with guide slots provided in clips which hold together the cooker and the lid ensure radial opening and closing movements of the clips. A centering ring located in the dome and extending into the cooker facilitates the engagement of the lid on the cooker. The centering ring carries the sealing ring and the tongues and is based away from the dome by springs supported on the dome. The dome and the centering ring are guided on one another by interengaging elements and can be locked together in the open position.

Abstract: A multipurpose cooker, which includes a cooker body a cover hinged to the cooker body, an inner casing fixedly mounted within the cooker body, an electric heater supported on springs inside the inner casing, a heating control circuit, an inductor disposed inside the inner casing, an inner pan received within the inner casing and supported on the electric heater, wherein the inner pan is forced by the cover to contact the inductor when the cover is closed, causing the heating control circuit to turn on the electric heater; the electric heater is lifted by the springs to move the inner pan away from the inductor when the cover is opened, causing the heating control circuit to turn off the electric heater.

Abstract: The cooking vessel comprises a container (1) and a lid consisting of an inner lid (3) and an outer lid (5). The container comprises a bent peripheral container rim (2) wherein twelve individual hook-like lock elements (21) are effective locking the cooking vessel. The lock elements (21) are arranged peripherically and swivellingly along the inner lid rim (4) so that through pressing the upper lid (5) against the lock elements (21) a swivel movement of said lock elements is obtained. The lock elements are C-shaped with a hook part (32), such that in the swivel position corresponding to the closed state, the ends of this hook part (32) grip under the outer container rim (2). In the swivel position corresponding to the opened state, the ends of said hook part (32) are in a distance from said container rim (2) allowing an unhindered lifting of the inner lid (3) from the container (1).

Abstract: A cover for a toaster capable of retaining flame from a fire within the body of the toaster. The cover comprises a first wall adapted to overlie an access opening to a toaster compartment within the toaster, the first wall having a plurality of slot-like apertures formed therein with a second member partially or fully overlying each slot-like aperture but being located in a plane spaced from that of the first wall. The slot-like apertures are disposed transversely to a longitudinal axis of the toasting compartment whereby flame within the toasting compartment is substantially prevented from passing through the cover but convection heat from within the toasting compartment is capable of passing through the slot like apertures.

Abstract: By providing a fully integrated timer controlled actuation and locking system that automatically prevents access to the heating chamber whenever the system is engaged, a unique multi-purpose, automatic toy oven is achieved. In the preferred embodiment, the toy oven incorporates a forced air cooling assembly for substantially reducing the time period required for cooling of the heating chamber and product. In addition, the locking system of the present invention preferably prevents access to the heating chamber until both the desired heating and cooling time have expired and both the heating chamber and the heated product can be safely accessed. In addition, the actuation system automatically engages and sequentially times the heating and cooling cycles, to provide an oven which is easy to use and enjoy.

Abstract: A fryer having a readily mountable or demountable protective cover for preventing the deposit of spray on the mechanisms for controlling the heater. The mechanisms are mounted on a control panel on the front of the cabinet of the fryer. The protective cover is a hood-like integral structure including a channel member covering the front and sides of the control panel and a top for covering the top of the panel. The top has a lip which effectuates the protective function by the cover. The protective cover has slots for engaging slideably the upper edges of the side walls of the cabinet extending from the panel to suspend the protective cover removably from the cabinet.

Abstract: A locking-unlocking device for a cooking vessel having a vertical center axis and composed of a container and a cover, for securing the cover to the container, the container having a side wall with an upper peripheral edge defining an open top, the device including a plurality of locking jaw assemblies mounted on the vessel at locations spaced apart about the center axis of the vessel, each locking jaw assembly including locking jaws which are movable into a locking position for securing the cover to the container; and an unlocking element linked to the locking jaws for moving the locking jaws to an unlocking position in which the cover is separable from the container.

Abstract: Device for controlling a flow limiting valve mounted in a cover of an appliance for cooking under pressure, the appliance further including a container to be closed by the cover, the cover having a central axis and the valve being movable between an open position for permitting flow of fluid out of the appliance and a closed position for blocking flow of fluid out of the appliance, the device comprising a cover handle and a bolt mounted in the cover handle for movement between first and second end positions along a line passing through the central axis, the bolt being operatively associated with the valve for permitting free displacement of the valve when the bolt is in the first end position and for preventing the valve from moving to the closed position when the bolt is in the second end position, and wherein: the bolt comprise biasing for elastically urging the bolt toward the first end position; and the device further comprises defining an automatic locking-unlocking system coupled with the bolt for contr

Abstract: A microwave radiation source is introduced into a fry basket within the fry tank of a deep fat fryer to reduce the cooking time of food products within the fry basket. Microwave energy is generated outside the fry tank and coupled into the fry basket by a microwave tuned transition, waveguide and antenna. Microwave chokes seal the basket top cover and microwave antenna to basket interface to confine the microwave energy to the fry basket. An electrical safety interlock prevents generation of microwave energy unless the fry basket is sealed.

Abstract: The cover lock/safety device (1) of a pressure cooker (2) substantially comprises a cover handle (10) hinged onto the cover (3), which handle his formed by a first, hook-shaped element (16), and a second element (17) extending from the extension of said first, hook-shaped element. The first element (16) gets engaged in (12) to the side surface of the cooker body (4), tightly closing the said cover (2).When the cooker operates, the inner pressure inside the cooker (2) pushes outwards a pin element (11) which, in said extended position, engages the free end of said second element (17). Thus, the handle (10) results to be locked when the cooker is under pressure. The device is hence easy to use and, simultaneously, safe.

Abstract: A heating apparatus by heating cooking materials in a water contained pan includes a heating device and an electronic circuit which controls the heating device. The temperature of the pan is detected, and the temperature rise characteristics of the pan contents are detected from when heating the pan starts until the contents boils. The quantity of the contents being cooked is determined from the temperature rise characteristics at a relatively low temperature range. The type, such as the size of the contained solids, of the contents being cooked is determined at a relatively high temperature range near the boiling point. The heat output of the heating device is then regulated based on these determinations according to the selected cooking operation after the materials boil, and the cooking apparatus thus provides automated cooking control.

Abstract: A pressure cooker includes a container intended to hold cooking produce and which can be closed pressure tight with a cover that can be set on a rim of the container and locked thereto. The cover includes closing members movable between radially inward open positions, whereat the cover can be removed from the container, and radially outward locking positions, whereat the circumference of the cover is pressed against a region of the container rim with a circumferential sealing ring therebetween. The inside of the wall of the container in the region of the container rim includes a locking shoulder directed, for example, toward the container bottom, and a sealing shoulder directed, for example, toward the container opening. In the radially outward locking positions, the closing members are braced against the locking shoulder, thus pressing the sealing ring against the sealing shoulder.

Abstract: A cooling vessel has a container with an outwardly bent rim and a lid which can be set on the container, as well as a closure device with at least one closure element arranged on the lid, preferably in the region of a rim of the lid. The closure element can swivel about a swivelling axis approximately parallel to an outer edge or to tangent to the outer edge of a rim of the container from an open position which releases the lid from the container into a locking position in which the closure element grips under the container rim, thus forming a pressure-tight seal between the lid and the container. The closure element is designed as a hollow body with an essentially cylindrical or prismatic wall essentially parallel to the direction of the swivelling axis. The wall extends over only a part of the periphery of the hollow body and has a locking wall section which can be pivoted from an open position into a closing position. The closure element rests on a shaped body.

Abstract: A pretzel oven with electronic heat control bakes a plurality of pretzel-like bakery products in a continuous baking process. The pretzel oven includes a microprocessor-based control, a solid state relay for reduced maintenance and improved bakery production, an over heat temperature electrical source in the event of fire or other over temperature conditions. A caustic soda heater and thermostat regulate the temperature of a soda bath. A universal joint isolates the main drive motor from side loads and permits a tilting or angling thereof for enhanced lubricating properties. The salt box for salting the bakery products is separately controllable.

Abstract: Self venting automatic food frying and dispensing apparatus is disclosed which provides apparatus which is capable of deep frying small portions of various food products without the need for external venting and without exposing the operator to hot oil. In one embodiment, the food frying apparatus includes an upright cabinet with a fan assembly mounted to exhaust air through the top of the cabinet while drawing air in through and from the lower portion of the cabinet. A removable sealing system and a removable one piece filter is in the air path to remove smoke, odors and particulate matter from the air before being exhausted back into the room. The container for holding a supply of cooking oil is configured to minimize splashing during cooking and is a fully removable unit.

Abstract: For a kitchen utensil, a handle comprising a fastening ring fastened on the body of a kitchen utensil, a locating plate mounted on said fastening ring with two opposite pairs of lugs extended outwards, a handle body secured to said opposite pairs of lugs by screws and gaskets, and a guard plate secured between said handle body and the body of said kitchen utensil, said guard plate having projecting strips set in front notches and stopped against inner flanges on said handle body, wherein said two opposite pairs of lugs of said locating plates define a space therebetween for dissipating heat.

Abstract: An air filter is provided for a food cooking apparatus to avoid the necessity for venting same within a building and permitting the use of a free standing independently movable structure capable of receiving a movable cooking apparatus or accommodating a fixed cooking apparatus such as a grill.An air filter assembly for filtering exhaust air from cooking devices is illustrated as having filter elements in vertically aligned stacked relation accessibly positioned in an imperforate housing.

Abstract: Automatic forced air food heating apparatus having an automatic feeding bin for automatically feeding french fries or the like into a rotary heating basket, a warming compartment for maintaining foods heated in the heating basket at serving temperature for extended periods of time, automatically-operated means for automatically dropping the heated food into the warming compartment, automatically-operated means for shielding the operator from direct contact with the heating basket, and automatic cooling means for cooling the apparatus in preparation for the manual cleaning thereof, etc.

Abstract: Gas-fired cooking apparatus comprising a combined griddle and broiler unit, including a hinged broiler heat source which can be selectively raised or lowered over the cooking surface of the griddle is disclosed. The heat source is ignited by an electro-mechanical system responsive to the position of the broiler top, and which ignites the heat source only when the top is lowered. An exhaust system is provided for removing combustion products from the cooking surface.

Abstract: A nozzle extends through an opening in the side wall of the vessel of a pressure fryer and normally is disposed in an inactive position in which discharge ports in the nozzle are sealed with respect to and are protected from the contents of the vessel. If a fire occurs, pressurized fire suppressant first extends the nozzle into the interior of the vessel to render ineffective the seal at the discharge ports. The suppressant then sprays through the discharge ports of the extended nozzle to extinguish the fire in the vessel.

Abstract: An entirely uniformly heated responsive cooker comprising an inner pot and an outer pot, wherein the inner pot neither directly touches the heating source nor the wall portion of the outer pot by means of exhalation valve means capable of adjusting proper pressure and thermal energy existing in the outer pot according to the cooking requirements of different foods, resulting in the food in the inner pot being entirely and evenly heated by thermal energy so that the cooking time is reduced, safety is ensured, and the original flavor of food is preserved to effectively achieve the object of energy-saving and economy.

Abstract: It has been found that an air filter may be provided for a food cooking apparatus to avoid the necessity for venting same within a building and permitting the use of a free standing independently movable structure capable of receiving a movable cooking apparatus or accommodating a fixed cooking apparatus such as a grill.

Abstract: A low-water element safety control for use with a steam generator. A steam cooker having a plurality of cooking compartments includes a steam-generator pressure vessel. An electric element within the vessel heats the water, causing steam to be directed to the compartment. A low-water sensor within the vessel is connected to a relay coil with contacts interrupting the flow of electrical energy to the heating element when water is beneath the level of the sensor. A second sensor located externally of the vessel and within a coupling in fluid communication with the vessel serves as a backup safety device and is connected to a second relay coil also having contacts interrupting the flow of electrical energy to the heating element when the water level is below the outside sensor.

Abstract: A salamander-type overhead broiler/cooler has a base on a support adapted to hold a foodstuff to be heated, a heating unit vertically displaceable on the support energizable to radiate heat downward at the support, and a horizontal light curtain at a predetermined spacing fixed relative to and below the heating unit so that the light curtain can be broken by a foodstuff on the base when the unit is lowered. A motor is connected between the unit and the support for vertically displacing the unit and the light curtain on the support and a controller connected between the light curtain and the motor means arrests downward displacement of the unit when the light curtain is broken by a foodstuff on the base.

Abstract: A steam processor capable of operating in a convection or a pressure mode. The processor includes at least one insulated cooking chamber having an access door for gaining access to the interior, a steam inlet for introducing steam into the chamber and a steam outlet for discharging excess steam and condensate. A drain manifold connects the steam outlet to an ambient drain and includes a fluid pressure operated pinch valve for terminating communication of the steam outlet with the drain in order to place the cooking chamber in a pressure mode. A latch mechanism maintains closure of the access door as long as the cooking chamber is under pressure and includes a solenoid operated locking bar which blocks movement in a door opening latch member. A pressure responsive actuator monitors pressure in the cooking chamber and maintains the locking bar in its blocking position as long as the pressure in the cooking chamber is above a determined level, even if power is interrupted to the steam processor.

Abstract: A saucepan capable of setting amount of soup finally left therein, including a body having a nozzle portion communicated with inner portion thereof, and a cap provided with pressure-relieving hole and pressure valve, wherein a conduit provided with scale is extended into the nozzle portion and the position of lower opening of the conduit will determine the final level of the cooked soup, a thermal sensor being disposed at upper end of the conduit whereby when the cooked soup goes down below the lower opening of the conduit, because the pressure limit of the pressure valve is larger than the pressure existing in the conduit, the created steam will immediately alteratively escape through the conduit and the thermal sensor will sense the temperature of the escaping steam and indicate the controller to cut off power and emit warning sound so as to effectively control final amount of the soup left in the saucepan.

Abstract: A ventless hood for a commercial deep fat frying pressure cooker having a pot in which cooking is performed by the use of a heated cooking oil bath and steam under pressure derived from the moisture in the food being cooked. The hood comprises a vertical portion at the rear of the cooker and a forwardly extending open-bottom portion spaced from and overlying the pot. The forwardly extending portion of the hood supports a pair of angularly related baffle filters surmounted by a metallic mesh filter and a charcoal filter. A fan in the vertical portion of the hood draws ambient air and cooking gasses through these filters. A water tank is mounted behind the cooker together with a pump to recirculate the water in the tank through a heat exchanging radiator located between the filters and the fan to cool the water. During the cooking cycle excess steam and vaporized cooking oil are introduced into the water bath which acts as a scrubber and condenses the majority of the steam and vaporized cooking oil.

Abstract: A large capacity pressure cooker in which an open-topped vat having an upper cooking zone and a lower cool zone for collecting contaminants is provided with a counterbalanced vertically moveable lid, operator-actuatable locking means having a single operating handle being provided to lock the lid in a closed and sealed position, including latching mechanism for maintaining the lid locking mechanism in the closed position when the vat is pressurized, the latching mechanism additionally serving to depressurize the vat if the latching mechanism is accidentally released.

Abstract: An electric sausage cooker defines troughs in which sausages or the like can be placed to restrain them against the lateral deflection when axially compressed. The standard wall voltage is then applied across the sausage through two contact plates. One of the plates is movable and the other is fixed. A safety feature is incorporated, by the provision of a lid which closes over the sausages and prevents the user from touching the contact plates. As the lid swings shut, it mechanically closes a safety switch, which in turn activates the contact plates. When the lid opens the contact plates are de-activated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a computerized control system for use with a deep fat fryer to provide maximum operating flexibility to a user so that consistent food quality may be maintained and efficient and economical operation of the fryer may be realized.

Abstract: A doughball processing apparatus having cooperating press plates includes workpiece sensing means for determining the presence or absence of a workpiece on a conveyor belt for delivery to the processing position between the press plates. A control system is provided to manipulate the various components of the apparatus to insure the movable press plate does not contact the conveyor belt in the absence of a workpiece, while at the same time, insuring that belt indexing during the operation cycle is unaltered.

Abstract: Self venting food frying apparatus is disclosed which provides apparatus which is capable of deep frying small portions of various food products without need for external venting. In one embodiment, the food frying apparatus includes an upright cabinet with a fan assembly mounted to exhaust air through the top of the cabinet while drawing air in through and from the lower portion of the cabinet. A removable sealing system and a removable one piece filter is in the air flow path to remove smoke, odors and particulate matter from the air before being exhausted back into the room. The removable filter includes flat lying layers of paper and activated charcoal configured as an integral unit. A container for holding a supply of cooking oil is located in the lower portion of the cabinet. Spill tray, oil container and heating element are configured as a fully removable unit.

Abstract: Electric household appliance (1) which combines toasting of bread (A) and cooking or heating of dishes (B) by an appliance (1) which comprises separate elongated compartments (2, 3) extending in parallel relation respectively for toasting (2) and cooking (3), each of these compartments being provided with its own heater (15, 16). The appliance (1) is provided with bearings (4a, 4b; 5a, 5b) for tilting the compartments (2, 3) into positions located substantially at right angles to each other and corresponding to their normal respective operating positions. Utilization for toasting and for cooking all food products.

Abstract: A valve that opens and closes in response to changes in the physical environment of the valve. This valve is particularly suited as a relief valve in a microwave system-based, closed vessel digestion procedure. This valve includes a pressure-deformable, resilient wall member having a fluid vent port, and an obstructing member that cooperates with the wall member to open and close the valve.Also provided is a lidded vessel employing this improved valve, an apparatus that includes a microwave system and this lidded vessel, and methods using this improved valve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and to an apparatus for regulating a heat treatment of foods, particularly a cooking of meals, by means of steam or a steam/air mixture in a cooking area and by a steam supply regulatable subject to a sensor, a disturbance being forced on to a cooking area flow in the vicinity of a stationary connecting opening between the cooking area and the ambient and which contains the sensor for the purpose of forming a local vacuum.

Abstract: A device for controlling electrical consuming devices in ovens includes a function control device which can be adjusted for the control of function cycles, an evaluation circuit, a manually operated function selector switch for adjusting the function control device through a binary code connection, special manually operated input elements directly assigned to the function control device also operating for adjusting the function control device, the evaluation circuit being disposed in the function selector device for receiving the binary signals provided by the function selector switch which, upon the change of at least one of the binary codes, causes a resetting criterion for the function commands entered through the input elements.

Abstract: An improved automatic french frying machine and method uses a supply of cooking oil which remains in a cooking vat during normal operation and is heated directly in the cooking vat. A system of thermostats combines with a heating element within the cooking vat to ensure proper cooking temperature and safe operation. An automatic initialization and monitoring system ensures safe startup and operation. Preferred embodiments also include an automatic flushing cycle which is activated at predetermined intervals to clean the cooking vat and replenish the cooking oil within the vat. A specially shaped cooking vat ensures that food particles will be removed from the vat during the flushing cycle. Oil degradation is minimized by either an open-topped cooking vat or a cooking vat having a lid which remains open during cooking.

Abstract: A pressure cooker which uses an elastic C-connector to fix a cover to a cooker body in airtight manner. Loosening and tightening of the C-connector are controlled by an operating handle. The operating handle has a relief valve at one end. The relief valve has a valve body and an adjustable valve rod so that when the C-connector is in tightening condition, the valve body is located on a valve seat on the cover. Pressure can be relieved through the relief valve or edge of the C-connector after it reaches a certain level. Pressure in the cooker will raise two safety pins to restrict movement of a rod so that removal of the valve body from the valve seat is impossible and thus removal of the cover is prevented for safe operation.

Abstract: An electric oven has a number of heating elements for heating the cooking chamber. A multi-position switch is arranged to couple power to all of the heating elements, such that the chamber can be used as an oven, or to only selected heating elements such that a grilling operation can be performed. However, when grilling it is best if the door of the cooking chamber is at least partially open so that air can circulate.The invention provides a mechanical linkage between the door and the switch such that if the switch is moved into its grill operating position, the door is automatically opened. In addition, if the door of the cooking chamber is closed, the switch is automatically moved into its oven operating position.