Food preparation apparatus and associated methods. In one method, dough is proofed in an oven compartment and then baked in the same oven compartment. Temperature and/or humidity can be controlled during proofing and/or baking cycles. A blower may be used, for example, to exhaust gas to ambient to reduce heat and/or moisture in the compartment. For example, the blower may be used between proofing and baking cycles to prepare an environment in the oven compartment for the baking cycle.

An oven for baking a food product includes a housing having a ceiling, a floor, first and second opposing side walls, at least one internal heating zone defined by the ceiling, the floor and the first and second opposing side walls, and at least one heating source for providing heat to the at least one internal heating zone. The ceiling is formed of carbon steel. At least a surface of the ceiling facing the at least one internal heating zone is formed as a high emissivity chemical conversion coating.

A seal system and method for a bolted track such as a baking system conveyor track. The seal system provides a seal between a pair of track pieces being coupled end-to-end to one another. The seal system includes flanges attached near the ends of the track pieces and a gasket compressed between the flanges when the track pieces are coupled to form a seal. In example embodiments, the gasket is attached to a track plate. The track plate is coupled between the flanges and is configured to shield the gasket from heat and direct flame. The seal system optionally also includes a joint cover affixed to the bottom of the coupled flanges to form a secondary seal.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method for cleaning a cooking chamber is provided. The method comprises applying a cleanser composition and water to the cooking chamber followed by incubating the cooking chamber. The cleanser composition comprises components that aid in loosening soil and debris during the steam cleaning and also provides a pleasant aroma. The cleanser composition aids in loosening soil and debris by effervescence.

A device for storing, baking, and discharging bakery goods includes a plurality of stations with each station having a housing. The plurality of stations include a storage station for receiving a carrier loaded with bakery goods, a baking station for baking the bakery goods located on the carrier, and a discharging station on which bakery goods can be presented and removed. A robot transports the carrier between the plurality of stations. A carrying device provides suspended mounting of the robot, and the carrying device is supported by at least two of the plurality of stations.

The disclosure discloses a gas valve and an oven, where the gas valve includes an intake valve assembly and at least two outlet valve assemblies, the intake valve assembly includes an intake valve body and an intake valve core, the intake valve body is internally provided with a gas inlet, the intake valve core is configured to control the gas inlet to be opened or closed, each outlet valve assembly includes an outlet valve body and an outlet valve core, each outlet valve body is internally provided with a gas outlet, the gas outlet is respectively communicated with the gas inlet, and the outlet valve core is respectively configured to control the corresponding gas outlet to be opened or closed.

The disclosure discloses a gas valve and an oven, where the gas valve includes an intake valve assembly and at least two outlet valve assemblies, the intake valve assembly includes an intake valve body and an intake valve core, the intake valve body is internally provided with a gas inlet, the intake valve core is configured to control the gas inlet to be opened or closed, each outlet valve assembly includes an outlet valve body and an outlet valve core, each outlet valve body is internally provided with a gas outlet, the gas outlet is respectively communicated with the gas inlet, and the outlet valve core is respectively configured to control the corresponding gas outlet to be opened or closed.

Device (10) for treating products (100), in particular bakery products, comprising: at least one treating unit (40), comprising at least one storage belt (41) and arranged to process the products (100); at least one dispensing unit (50), comprising at least one storage belt (51) and arranged to dispense the products (100); at least one operating device (20), arranged to transport the products (100); wherein the operating device (20) comprises at least one operating belt (21) and at least one coupling device (30); wherein the operating belt (21) is arranged to store the products (100); wherein the coupling device (30) is arranged to couple the operating belt (21) with a storage belt (41, 51) in order to exchange the products (100) with the coupled storage belt (41, 51), and wherein the operating device (20) comprises at least one operating belt (21) and at least one coupling device (30).

wherein the coupling device (30) comprises at least one drive unit (23) which is arranged to drive at least one storage belt (41, 51) coupled to the operating device (20).

Device (10) for treating products (100), in particular bakery products, comprising: at least one treating unit (40), comprising at least one storage belt (41) and arranged to process the products (100); at least one dispensing unit (50), comprising at least one storage belt (51) and arranged to dispense the products (100); at least one operating device (20), arranged to transport the products (100); wherein the operating device (20) comprises at least one operating belt (21) and at least one coupling device (30); wherein the operating belt (21) is arranged to store the products (100); wherein the coupling device (30) is arranged to couple the operating belt (21) with a storage belt (41, 51) in order to exchange the products (100) with the coupled storage belt (41, 51), and wherein the operating device (20) comprises at least one operating belt (21) and at least one coupling device (30).

wherein the coupling device (30) comprises at least one drive unit (23) which is arranged to drive at least one storage belt (41, 51) coupled to the operating device (20).

The present disclosure generally relates to articles and methods for handling food items. In one aspect, an article for receiving or holding a food item comprises: a blade; and a rim extending along at least one side of the blade. In another aspect, a method of handling a food item using an article comprises a blade and a rim extending along at least one side of the blade, the method comprising: gripping or holding a part of the rim by hand; causing the food item to be placed onto the blade; and moving the article containing the food item therein to a desired location.