An appliance management system for facilitating the dispersal of parts of a chore among users may include an appliance configured to be controlled at least partially automatically according to a routine created by a primary user, who will be away from the appliance (e.g., out of the house) during at least part of the time the routine is being carried out. The routine includes at least one task to be performed by a secondary user, who is in the same general location as the appliance. The task comprises at least one action that cannot practically be performed remotely. Remote control of the appliance is assigned to the primary user in response to the task being completed. Accordingly, the secondary user performs a task that the remote primary user cannot practically perform, but has little or no input into other parts of the chore.

An appliance management system for facilitating the dispersal of parts of a chore among users may include an appliance configured to be controlled at least partially automatically according to a routine created by a primary user, who will be away from the appliance (e.g., out of the house) during at least part of the time the routine is being carried out. The routine includes at least one task to be performed by a secondary user, who is in the same general location as the appliance. The task comprises at least one action that cannot practically be performed remotely. Remote control of the appliance is assigned to the primary user in response to the task being completed. Accordingly, the secondary user performs a task that the remote primary user cannot practically perform, but has little or no input into other parts of the chore.

A combination outdoor ventless fireplace and brick oven system includes a main body with a framework assembly. A fireplace firebox is formed in the framework assembly. An oven firebox is formed in the framework assembly and suspended above the fireplace firebox. A chimney flue is disposed above the oven firebox in the framework assembly. The framework assembly is covered by a refractory heat resistant mortar. The fireplace firebox has an aperture. The system also has a gas line disposed in the framework assembly below the aperture. The gas line is configured to connect the aperture with a gaseous fuel source. A burner pan may be disposed in the aperture.

A combination outdoor ventless fireplace and brick oven system includes a main body with a framework assembly. A fireplace firebox is formed in the framework assembly. An oven firebox is formed in the framework assembly and suspended above the fireplace firebox. A chimney flue is disposed above the oven firebox in the framework assembly. The framework assembly is covered by a refractory heat resistant mortar. The fireplace firebox has an aperture. The system also has a gas line disposed in the framework assembly below the aperture. The gas line is configured to connect the aperture with a gaseous fuel source. A burner pan may be disposed in the aperture.

A continuous fire suppression system includes a fire suppressing vapor cooking medium circulating within a cooking chamber of a spiral oven; a temperature analyzer arranged to monitor a temperature of the fire suppressing vapor cooking medium; finned heating elements in communication with the temperature analyzer and arranged to heat the fire suppressing vapor cooking medium; a humidity analyzer arranged to monitor a relative humidity of the fire suppressing vapor cooking vapor medium; and a fire suppressing vapor cooking medium injector in communication with the humidity analyzers. the at least one fire suppressing vapor cooking medium injector arranged to inject the fire suppressing vapor cooking medium into the cooking chamber as needed to maintain a relative humidity equal to or greater than a relative humidity of no more than 10% vol. dry air with the remaining volume being the fire suppressing vapor cooking medium.

A continuous fire suppression system includes a fire suppressing vapor cooking medium circulating within a cooking chamber of a spiral oven; a temperature analyzer arranged to monitor a temperature of the fire suppressing vapor cooking medium; finned heating elements in communication with the temperature analyzer and arranged to heat the fire suppressing vapor cooking medium; a humidity analyzer arranged to monitor a relative humidity of the fire suppressing vapor cooking vapor medium; and a fire suppressing vapor cooking medium injector in communication with the humidity analyzers. the at least one fire suppressing vapor cooking medium injector arranged to inject the fire suppressing vapor cooking medium into the cooking chamber as needed to maintain a relative humidity equal to or greater than a relative humidity of no more than 10% vol. dry air with the remaining volume being the fire suppressing vapor cooking medium.

A cooking appliance includes a cooking chamber having a loading opening which is closable by a door. A light pattern projector is arranged in a fixed manner relative to the cooking chamber and configured to generate and radiate a light pattern into the cooking chamber. A camera captures images from a region being irradiated by the light pattern projector when the cooking chamber is closed, and is arranged in a fixed manner relative to the cooking chamber, Coupled to the camera is an analysis facility which repeatedly calculates a three-dimensional shape by light pattern analysis of an object located in the region being irradiated by the light pattern projector during operation of the cooking appliance.

In a Method for maintenance of a non-computing appliance, such as a kitchen appliance, the steps are a2) identifying a datum representative of the lifetime of at least one component of the appliance, and determining a threshold value of the said datum beyond which a risk of malfunction of the component may occur, b2) monitoring the current value of the said datum of an appliance in a user's site, c2) performing a maintenance operation in respect of the appliance as soon as the current value exceeds the said threshold value, with a view to undertaking for example the replacement of the said component. in step a2), sub-steps are obtaining a reference value of the datum, obtaining information for one and the same component of several identical or similar appliances in users' sites, and calculating the threshold value on the basis of the reference value and the said information.

In a Method for maintenance of a non-computing appliance, such as a kitchen appliance, the steps are a2) identifying a datum representative of the lifetime of at least one component of the appliance, and determining a threshold value of the said datum beyond which a risk of malfunction of the component may occur, b2) monitoring the current value of the said datum of an appliance in a user's site, c2) performing a maintenance operation in respect of the appliance as soon as the current value exceeds the said threshold value, with a view to undertaking for example the replacement of the said component. in step a2), sub-steps are obtaining a reference value of the datum, obtaining information for one and the same component of several identical or similar appliances in users' sites, and calculating the threshold value on the basis of the reference value and the said information.

A food preparation and delivery system can include a plurality of cooking units such as ovens, each containing one or more prepared, but partially or completely uncooked, food items. The food items in the cooking units are for delivery to each of a corresponding plurality of consumer delivery destinations. The cooking units are loaded into a cargo compartment of a delivery vehicle for delivery to the plurality of consumer delivery destinations. The cooking conditions within the cooking unit are controlled such the each food item is cooked prior to arrival at the consumer destination location. In at least some embodiments, the estimated delivery time for each consumer destination location can be dynamically updated and the cooking conditions within the cooking unit adjusted.