Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices may include a toaster device. The toaster may include a toaster body having a housing having a top outer surface, a bottom outer surface, and a side outer surface extending between the top and bottom outer surfaces. The toaster device may include a control system comprising a power supply and a switch configured to cut power to the heating element when in a cut-power state. The toaster device may include a toaster cover comprising an actuation element. The toaster cover may be alterable between a detached state in which the toaster cover is separated and remote from the toaster body and an assembled state in which the toaster cover rests atop the toaster body to cover the bread slot and the actuation element of the toaster cover actuates the switch into the cut-power state.

Abstract: A radiation grill unit (1) comprises (i) a food support unit (100), (ii) a radiation unit (200) that includes a reflector (210) (with reflector opening (223)) hosting an IR radiation heater (220), wherein the radiation unit (200) is configured to provide IR radiation (201) in a direction of the food support unit (100), and (iii) a radiation grill unit cavity (3) configured to host a drip tray (300). The reflector comprises (i) an upper part having a parabolic shape with an upper part edge and (ii) a lower part with a lower part edge, wherein the lower part includes (a) only one face, (b) two faces, or (c) more than two faces, wherein each face includes a straight segment shape.

Abstract: A grill or BBQ appliance that is generally intended for outdoor use has a pivoting hood disposed in hinged connection with a grill body, both of which are raised above a firebox that receives a food support grate. A downward facing IR burner may be housed in an upper portion of the grill above the food support grate.

Abstract: A cooking device includes a lower grill unit having a lower grill surface, and an upper grill unit cooperating with the lower grill surface to define a cooking space. A support member includes a pivoting end portion pivotally connected to the lower grill unit, and a supporting end portion opposite to the pivoting end portion. The support member is operable to move between a folded state, where the supporting end portion is received in the lower grill unit so that the latter can be horizontally placed on a flat surface, and an unfolded state, where the supporting end portion is pivoted downwardly and forwardly relative to and cooperating with the lower grill unit to obliquely support the cooking device on the flat surface.

Abstract: An Outdoor Barbeque Grill includes a housing within which is located an oven. The oven may include louvers for admitting heated gases into the oven and an adjustable outlet vent. In one embodiment the grill may include plural cooking surfaces with individual hoods for isolating cooking areas. One or more gas burners are positioned horizontally offset from the cooking area so that drippings from the food do no directly impinge on the burner thus avoiding flare-ups.

Abstract: A vertical grill (11) for cooking food items is disclosed wherein the vertical grill is comprised of a body (12) containing at least one vertical grilling area disposed between at least two sources of radiant heat energy (24), and wherein the body (12) is adapted to direct fats and breakaway solids generated during the cooking of the food into an external receptacle (32) via the external opening (22). It achieves this by including (Evacuation Slides) guides (28) and (30) which are contained within the body (12) of the grill (11) and arranged in various shaped assemblies such that food and fats falling on (Evacuation Slide) guide 28 travels down until it is collected by (Evacuation Slide) guide (30) which delivers the food and fats to the external receptacle (32) where they are not in any danger of catching fire.

Abstract: A countertop multi-function oven. The oven, comprising: an internal compartment; a door for the compartment; at least five heating elements; the fifth heating element being located between two top heating elements; a controller coupled to the heating elements for providing a variable wattage; a user interface coupled to the controller, wherein upon user operation of the interface an oven mode is selected from one or more predetermined oven modes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a toaster. The toaster comprises a thermally insulating box, a mobile housing to receive a slice or piece of bread, and at least one heat element. Each one of the side walls of the thermally insulating box comprises two transparent plates and a space being provided between the two plates to form a wall. The heating element utilizes infrared radiation and is equipped with at least one means for preventing a portion of the radiation from diffusing towards the bread.

Abstract: A compact portable heating device adapted to heat multiple food products simultaneously is provided. The heating device includes at least one heating element positioned opposite at least one other heating element to form a slot between heating surfaces of the elements for receiving food product. One heating element is mounted to move linearly along a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the heating surfaces. Preferably, a first set of movable heating elements are meshed with a second set of heating elements to form an alternating arrangement. One or more heat generators, e.g. steam generators, are positioned to provide heat while minimizing the size of the device.

Abstract: A toaster having a body portion engageable over a housing with slots sized for bread passage therethrough aligned with cavities on said house sized to accommodate the bread for toasting. Individually controlled heating elements on each side of each cavity to allow users to independently control the amount of toasting of each side of each inserted piece of bread. The exterior of the body is preferably porcelain to provide resistance to heat transference to the body of the user and to provide a plurality of colors available for the housings.

Abstract: A countertop multi-function oven has a baking and a toasting mode. The oven uses a rotating input dial as a function selector. A second rotating input dial is used to allow a user selection of a bake time or a toasting load.

Abstract: A charbroiler having both heated grids and at least one radiant heater and a method of charbroiling a food product are disclosed. Each heat source of the charbroiler can be an independently regulated heat source. The independently regulated heat sources can be adjusted to each contribute to the overall cooking of a food product in a cooking cycle. Each of the independently regulated heat sources can be many types of heat sources capable of being regulated either manually or automatically by a cooking control system.

Abstract: A charbroiler having both heated grids and at least one radiant heater and a method of charbroiling a food product are disclosed. Each heat source of the charbroiler may be an independently regulated heat source. The independently regulated heat sources may be adjusted to each contribute to the overall cooking of a food product in a cooking cycle. Each of the independently regulated heat sources may be any heat source capable of being regulated either manually or automatically by a cooking control system.

Abstract: A bread toaster includes an outer cover, a toaster base, a toaster frame mounted on the toaster base, a first sliding member slidably provided on a predetermined side of the toaster frame, a second sliding member also provided on the same predetermined side of the toaster frame, a front supporting frame and a rear supporting frame provided at a front side and a rear side of the toaster frame respectively, a lid arrangement, and a control circuitry, wherein the lid arrangement is arranged to be operated between a closed position and an opened position for closing and opening the toasting slots of the bread toaster.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for cooking food on a grill having opposed upper and lower platens wherein a gap spacing between the platens is adjusted in an initial stage and in subsequent stages of the cooking time for the meat. The method includes causing the food to be located between two opposed platens, the opposed platens each having opposed cooking surfaces and the opposed cooking surfaces defining a gap spacing that is adjustable, and adjusting the gap spacing between the platens so that during an initial stage of the cooking the gap spacing is equal to or less than the nominal initial uncooked thickness of the food, and during one or more subsequent stages of the cooking, after the initial stage, the gap spacing between the platens is varied.

Abstract: A compact portable heating device adapted to heat multiple food products simultaneously is provided. The heating device includes at least one heating element positioned opposite at least one other heating element to form a slot between heating surfaces of the elements for receiving food product. One heating element is mounted to move linearly along a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the heating surfaces. Preferably, a first set of movable heating elements are meshed with a second set of heating elements to form an alternating arrangement. One or more heat generators, e.g. steam generators, are positioned to provide heat while minimizing the size of the device.

Abstract: A charbroiler having both heated grids and at least one radiant heater and a method of charbroiling a food product are disclosed. Each heat source of the charbroiler can be an independently regulated heat source. The independently regulated heat sources can be adjusted to each contribute to the overall cooking of a food product in a cooking cycle. Each of the independently regulated heat sources can be many types of heat sources capable of being regulated either manually or automatically by a cooking control system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooking food, such as meat, protein, vegetable, or soup is disclosed. In one embodiment, the food items are supplied in a flexible polymer package that can withstand the temperature needed to cook the item. The cooking apparatus has two cooking surfaces in the form of heated platens, which may be arranged in a vertical orientation. These platens come together to simultaneously contact both sides of the food item. The cooking apparatus further includes a controller, configured to prepare the food using various control system algorithms. The apparatus cooks the food item from both sides to affect rapid and even cooking. It uses a combination of temperature, time, food thickness, platen force and a cooking code that is unique for each food type. The control system algorithm uses some or all of these parameters to determine precisely when the food item is cooked correctly.

Abstract: An oven according to some embodiments includes an oven chamber in which food is cooked, a heating element, a fan, a sensor for sensing the temperature of the oven chamber, a remote input device, and a controller configured to receive a signal from the remote input device and to change the fan or heating element based at least in part upon the signal received from the remote input device. In a method of operating the oven according to some embodiments, the oven enters an operating mode from an energy-savings mode responsive to receiving an signal from a remote device.

Abstract: A compact portable heating device adapted to heat multiple food products simultaneously is provided. The heating device includes at least one heating element positioned opposite at least one other heating element to form a slot between heating surfaces of the elements for receiving food product. One heating element is mounted to move linearly along a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the heating surfaces. Preferably, a first set of movable heating elements are meshed with a second set of heating elements to form an alternating arrangement. One or more heat generators, e.g. steam generators, are positioned to provide heat while minimizing the size of the device.

Abstract: A dual-sided cooking device is provided that determines whether the upper and lower cooking platens are substantially parallel to each other when in a cooking position. In addition, the method and device in accordance with the invention are capable of identifying a type of food item placed on a lower cooking platen of a two-sided cooking grill.

Abstract: A motorized toaster with heating elements has a user input that communicates with an electronic device that controls an electric motor. A reciprocating toast carriage is under the influence of the motor. A user activated control is adapted to cause an inspection subroutine, the subroutine being the motorized elevation of the carriage and without further user input and a returning of the carriage to the lower position during a toast cycle.

Abstract: An oven according to some embodiments includes an oven chamber in which food is cooked, a heating element, a fan, a sensor for sensing the temperature of the oven chamber, a remote input device, and a controller configured to receive a signal from the remote input device and to change the fan or heating element based at least in part upon the signal received from the remote input device. In a method of operating the oven according to some embodiments, the oven enters an operating mode from an energy-savings mode responsive to receiving an signal from a remote device.

Abstract: An internally electric heated barbecue comprising a cabinet with at least one upper opening is provided in the present invention. The cabinet has electric heating units on both sides inside it; the opening has rack supporting part to support the barbecue rack, and the opening is 55 mm-100 mm wide; the barbecue rack consists of a barbecue frame and a support rod holder, the barbecue frame is within the opening, and the support rod holder is on the supporting part; the barbecue rack is equipped with food skewers, and the food skewer comprises a handle, a support locating part and a food fixing part. The internally electric heated barbecue provided in the present invention is characterized in that the operation is simple, safe and cleanness, and that it can effectively reduce the energy consumption and control the barbecue quality.

Abstract: A toaster in which spaced, vertically oriented heating assemblies are nested within a cover that pivots between open and closed positions. In the open position, an consumer can add food slices to or remove toasted food slices from baskets in the toaster remotely from the heating assemblies. When the cover closes, the heating assemblies pivot to be positioned on both sides of the baskets. When energized, the heating assemblies toast the food slices.

Abstract: One embodiment of a food heating device includes a platen (101) and an opening (103) disposed in the platen (101). The opening (103) is arranged and sized to receive a food product (203) from a first side of the platen (101) and to output the food product (203) to a second side of the platen (101). Alternative embodiments involve diagonally guiding a food product (203) along a different arrangements of platens (801, 901, 1001, 1101, 1401).

Abstract: A dual-sided cooking device is provided that determines whether the upper and lower cooking platens are substantially parallel to each other when in a cooking position. In addition, the method and device in accordance with the invention are capable of identifying a type of food item placed on a lower cooking platen of a two-sided cooking grill.

Abstract: A countertop toaster oven has an internal compartment heated by at least four heating elements and a door for the compartment. At least two of the heating elements are top elements, located adjacent to a ceiling of the compartment. Two of the heating elements are lower elements, located along a floor of the compartment. At least one of the elements is controllable to provide a variable wattage including one or more operational wattages that are for at least a portion of the heating cycle, intermediate between zero power and full power.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a relay switch arrangement for a toaster, the arrangement has an actuating member releasably engaged to the engaging metal positioned above the electromagnet, and shifted between a power-on position and a power-off default position. A homing spring is provided biasing against the actuating member for maintaining the actuating member in the power-off position. Electrical contacts are respectively provided onto a pair of power slabs for selectively completing the circuit, wherein in the power-on position, the actuating member drives two contacts approach with each other complete the circuit to charge the electromagnet attracting the engaging metal, in the power-off default position, the circuit is powered off enabling the electromagnet to release the engaging metal, the homing spring will upwardly push the actuating member thus driving the engaging metal tilt up so as to disengage the pair of contacts for security purposes.

Abstract: A toaster (1) of the horizontal type comprises a bottom housing element (11) accommodating bottom heating elements (20) and a top housing element (13) accommodating top heating elements. The top housing element (13) is arranged at a higher level than the bottom housing element (11), in a normal operative orientation of the toaster (1). Foodstuff to be toasted is arranged between the housing elements (11, 13). In order to have a great visibility to the foodstuff, the top housing element (13) has smaller horizontal dimensions than the bottom housing element (11) which has certain horizontal dimensions in view of the fact that the foodstuff is indirectly supported on the bottom housing element (11). Hence, a horizontally oriented heating surface which is defined by the top heating elements is also smaller than a horizontally oriented heating surface which is defined by the bottom heating elements (20).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a toaster (1) comprising a number of side panels (2), each provided with a number of heating elements (14), a number of end panels (3, 4) and a base part (5), where the side panels (2) and the end panels (3, 4) are connected to the base part (5), wherein each of the side panels (2) at a lower edge part is pivotally hinged to the base part (5) and adapted to be unfolded and folded between vertical and horizontal positions of use, respectively.

Abstract: Provided is a toaster chassis, comprising at least one heating chamber, a pair of steel meshes, a bread-elevating mechanism, a pair of supporting plates, a pair of grooves, a pair of sliding rods and an extension spring; wherein the supporting plates are disposed on both ends of the heating chamber, the grooves are disposed on the supporting plate, the sliding rods are disposed on the steel mesh, pass through the supporting plate and abut against the grooves, the extension spring is disposed below the bread-elevating mechanism, and both ends of the extension spring are connected to the sliding rods. The invention is applicable for breads with different thickness and capable of ensuring uniformity of heat and consistency of colors on both sides and the upper and lower portion of each thereof.

Abstract: A charbroiler having both heated grids and at least one radiant heater and a method of charbroiling a food product are disclosed. Each heat source of the charbroiler may be an independently regulated heat source. The independently regulated heat sources may be adjusted to each contribute to the overall cooking of a food product in a cooking cycle. Each of the independently regulated heat sources may be any heat source capable of being regulated either manually or automatically by a cooking control system.

Abstract: A toaster for heating a food stuff to a selected shade, includes a housing having at least one wall, at least one heating chamber within the housing for receiving the food stuff to be heated and at least one heating element for heating the food stuff in the heating chamber. A window is provided in the wall and a control knob is provided for controlling the time period that the food stuff is heated. The control knob is rotatable between a first end position at which the food stuff is heated for a short time period to provide a light food stuff shade, a second end position at which the food stuff is heated for a long time period to provide a dark food stuff shade and a plurality of intermediary positions between the first and second end positions it which the food stuff is heated for a selected time period between the short and long time periods to provide a food stuff shade between light and dark.

Abstract: An electric baking oven includes an open mesh vertically oriented baking basket to hold food while the food is baked in air by a programmed combination of radiant and convective and conductive energy transfer. An electrical programming control controls the energy from vertically oriented toaster heating elements located juxtaposed to the large vertical faces of the basket and from at least one elongated heating member located below the vertical baking basket with the axis of the elongated heating member oriented nominally horizontal and parallel to the longer horizontal axis of the vertically oriented baking basket.

Abstract: A compact combined toaster and cooker includes in a single housing a toaster and a cooker that has first and second food-heating locations. The toaster is in most ways conventional, having at least one slot and at least one electrical heating element. The cooker has a separate electrical heating element. The first food-heating location of the cooker is recessed within the housing above the cooker's heating element. This first food-heating location opens upwardly from the housing to receive a cooking pan. The first food-heating location also opens through an opening in a face of the housing. The cooking pan has a handle that projects through this opening. The second food-heating location is within the housing and below the heating element. The second food-heating location receives a warming receptacle through a slot in the wall of the housing. The cooking pan handle is pivotally attached to the pan and locks in either an outwardly extended position or in a downwardly pivoted, contracted storage position.

Abstract: Charbroilers, such as conveyorized and batch charbroilers, are disclosed wherein a single pilot flame receives gas from a gas line and is operable to ignite a plurality of burners. The charbroiler may include a housing, a conveyor removable from the housing and a shielding member removably connectable to the housing or burner and positioned between the burner and food product. The shielding member may be coated with a ceramic material and may have a color relating to a property of at least one of the shielding member and the ceramic material. In addition, the charbroiler may include a first burner and a second burner having different heating capacities. The charbroiler may also include an upper burner and lower burner positioned respectively above and below the food product and each of the upper and lower burners includes a ceramic diaphragm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric toaster comprising an outer housing, heating elements, and at least two bread toasting chambers, which are used to hold bread to toast. The heating elements are all tubular heating elements disposed on both sides of the toasting chambers. The electric toaster comprises at least one reflector, which is disposed inside the toasting region having a shape suitable for concentrating all the heat from the heating elements onto the bread-toasting chamber. The present invention can apply to electric toasters with two or more chambers with tubular heating elements, which enables bread to toast fast and safely by the use of high heating efficiency elements, such as quartz heating tubes or halogen heating tubes, etc.

Abstract: A toaster for heating a food stuff to a selected shade, includes a housing having at least one wall, at least one heating chamber within the housing for receiving the food stuff to be heated and at least one heating element for heating the food stuff in the heating chamber. A window is provided in the wall and a control knob is provided for controlling the time period that the food stuff is heated. The control knob is rotatable between a first end position at which the food stuff is heated for a short time period to provide a light food stuff shade, a second end position at which the food stuff is heated for a long time period to provide a dark food stuff shade and a plurality of intermediary positions between the first and second end positions it which the food stuff is heated for a selected time period between the short and long time periods to provide a food stuff shade between light and dark.

Abstract: A toaster composed of a case having lateral walls that constitute the outer cover of the toaster, the case containing a frame forming a toasting chamber having an opening at an upper part of the case and an opening at a lower part of the case, a base removably connectable to the case and facing the opening at the lower part of the case, and a heating unit for the chamber having heating elements situated in proximity to the chamber and connected to a device for supplying electric power and for controlling the heating elements. The base is completely removable from the case, and the base and the case have respective elements that interact with one another when the case is disposed on the base, such that withdrawal of the case from the base suppresses the interaction to prevent the supply of electric power to the heating elements.

Abstract: A toaster system having selectively removable imaging plates is provided. The system includes a toaster having at least one toast receiving compartment with heating elements disposed along both sides thereof for facing the food item to be toasted. The system also includes a plurality of metal imaging plates, each individually and selectively receivable in and removable from the toast receiving compartment at a location between one of the heating elements and the inserted food item that is to be toasted.

Abstract: In general, one embodiment of the invention is directed to food holding apparatus for holding pre-cooked food at a selected holding temperature. The apparatus comprises a cabinet having at least one holding compartment therein, and pre-cooked food in the holding compartment, the food having been previously cooked in a cooking appliance. At least one radiant heat source is spaced above the food a distance less than 12 inches for delivering radiant heat to the food. A control mechanism varies the amount of radiant heat delivered by the heat source to the food to maintain the food at the selected holding temperature. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus 10 for a toaster appliance having at least one circular-like carriage 14 forming a support element for food articles 12 such as tortillas, pita, naan and other flatbreads during a warming/toasting session. The support walls 16, 20 are comprised of wire mesh 18 with one side having a partial lower peripheral rim or lip 38 positioned flange extending thereinbetween acting as a carriage for the food article. Diametrically opposed is the other support wall that is spaced over the depending flange 38 extending from the other wall. Adjacent coplanar posts or pins 36 extend from the mesh-walls 16, 20 traveling in and through guide tracks 40 located at each end of the interior housing 24 with tensioning members 34 fastened to the post distal ends keeping the support walls compressed. One of the tracks 40 is of greater width thereby providing for variable thickness of the food article, which is held by the tensioned mesh walls 16, 20.

Abstract: A toaster having: a frame enclosing an open heating chamber; a bread supporting carriage mounted in the chamber and vertically movable relative to the frame, the carriage being retainable in a lowered position for toasting; an extension piece fixed to the carriage; a restoring element coupled between the frame and the extension piece for urging the carriage upwardly away from the lowered position to a first bread discharge position; and a control mechanism for controlling the position for the carriage. The control mechanism includes: a lever mounted for rotation about a first axis, a crank element extending perpendicular to the first axis and connected to the lever for rotation as a unit therewith, and a cam device connected to the extension piece and engaged by the crank element at a location spaced from the first axis for converting rotational movements of the actuating lever into vertical movements of the carriage.

Abstract: An automated grill automatically transfers frozen food from a freezer component to grilling component by an automatic loading device in response to a signal. Frozen food is loaded in a loading side in the freezer component. When the signal is received indicating that the food is to be grilled, food in a feeding side is raised and delivered to the loading device. When a sensor detects that food is positioned in the loading device, the loading device removes the food from the freezer component and into the grilling component. The food is then grilled as it travels between two substantially vertical grilling structures each surrounded by a conveyor belt. Preferably, the conveyor belt is made of a non-stick coated Invar. A lateral sensor detects and compensates for lateral movement of the conveyor belts. After the food exits the grilling component, the food slides onto a heated holding area for serving.

Abstract: An open-air cooking apparatus for cooking pizza and the like, includes a horizontal, rotatable, circular turntable cooking surface, sized to support and cook several items simultaneously. The turntable should preferably structured to provide constant, even heat throughout its surface. As the oven is open-air, the cooking of the items will be primarily conduction of heat from the surface of the turntable through the bottom of the item. As the items rotate, they will pass under a static radiant heat source located above the turntable. The radiant heat source will thus direct heat towards the top of the item only periodically, i.e. at one point per rotation. This allows the item, such as a pizza, to cook thoroughly from below by way of the cooking surface, while cooking and/or browning the top portion at a different, desired degree.

Abstract: An electrical toaster includes a case unit having a laterally extending supporting wall and defining a heating chamber that is disposed below the supporting wall, at least a lower slot that is formed in the supporting wall and that is in spatial communication with the heating chamber, and a warming chamber that is disposed above the supporting wall and that is in fluid communication with the lower slot. An electrical heating unit is disposed in the heating chamber. A cover is mounted removably on the case unit for covering at least a top side of the warming chamber.

Abstract: A microwave oven incorporating a toaster (400) includes a toaster door (440) provided on a toaster panel (430) for opening and closing at least one toaster entrance (421) and a tray assembly (460). The tray assembly (460) includes a tray support (462) provided inside the toaster (400) and at least one tray securely provided on top of the tray support (462) for holding a food item. The tray (461) is declined toward a front end of the tray (461) so as to enable the food item to slide down toward the front end of the tray (461), and it includes at least one elevating bracket (465) for maintaining a predetermined angle and a predetermined distance between the tray (461) and the tray support (462). The microwave oven incorporating a toaster (400) further includes a support wall provided at the front end of the tray (461) for supporting the food item so as to prevent from falling off from the tray (461).

Abstract: The invention concerns a vertical-pit barbecue using charcoal, wood or lava rocks. The invention concerns a box-shaped barbecue (1) accessible from the top. One or both opposite side(s) of the box is/are cut out in the horizontal direction (13) and is/are equipped with fins (3) sloping somewhat downwards. The cooking racks (5), spits and fat collecting receptacles (10) are supported by arms (8), stands (9) and stems (7) foldable on either side of the box (1). The inventive barbecue is used for vertical cooking.

Abstract: A barbeque grill includes a base member having a bottom surface and a plurality of sidewalls integral therewith. The base member includes a plurality of spaced support rails slidably engageable with the bottom surface. A plurality of elongated support legs are connected to the plurality of support rails respectively. A pair of opposed side panels having top and bottom edge portions are secured to the plurality of support legs. The grill further includes a top member pivotally connected to one of the side panels. The top member includes a grill surface for supporting foodstuff thereon. A plurality of baskets are disposed substantially medially between the base member and the top member. The grill further includes a drip pan for collecting and directing grease downwardly and away from the plurality of baskets.