This disclosure relates to the field of energy recovery systems, and more particularly to exhaust heat recovery devices and exhaust flow control devices.

This disclosure relates to the field of energy recovery systems, and more particularly to exhaust heat recovery devices and exhaust flow control devices.

A process and apparatus for heating an oven using nebulized water particles and compressed air including the steps of heating water contained in reservoir that is located outside of a cooking chamber by transferring water within the reservoir through a water heater to reach a desired end point temperature that is less than boiling, heating compressed air by sending compressed air through an air heater that is submerged within the water of the reservoir, conveying the heated water and the heated compressed air to a nebulizer, nebulizing the heated water into heated water particles and introducing the heated water particles into the cooking chamber via the heated compressed air.

A cooking appliance for commercial kitchens has a fat collection device with at least one fat collection container, at least one fat extraction line, at least one suction pump and at least one fat discharge line. The fat extraction line extends from the fat collection container to the suction pump. The suction pump conveys a fat-water mixture via the fat extraction line into the fat discharge line. A cleaning device is provided which conveys water at least via the fat extraction line and the fat collection container into a cooking chamber outlet of the cooking appliance.

A cooking appliance for commercial kitchens has a fat collection device with at least one fat collection container, at least one fat extraction line, at least one suction pump and at least one fat discharge line. The fat extraction line extends from the fat collection container to the suction pump. The suction pump conveys a fat-water mixture via the fat extraction line into the fat discharge line. A cleaning device is provided which conveys water at least via the fat extraction line and the fat collection container into a cooking chamber outlet of the cooking appliance.

A cooking oven has a cooking cavity and a steam generating system. The steam generation system includes a water reservoir received and support in a reservoir-receiving space of a reservoir rack inside the cooking cavity. Thermal energy is provided to the water reservoir by a heater inside the cooking cavity. The heater can include thermal block made of a thermally conductive material in thermal communication with a heating element. The heater can be positioned such that it intimately contacts the water reservoir to deliver thermal energy thereto to convert water contained therein to steam, which can be used to cook a food item inside the cooking cavity.

A cooking oven has a cooking cavity and a steam generating system. The steam generation system includes a water reservoir received and support in a reservoir-receiving space of a reservoir rack inside the cooking cavity. Thermal energy is provided to the water reservoir by a heater inside the cooking cavity. The heater can include thermal block made of a thermally conductive material in thermal communication with a heating element. The heater can be positioned such that it intimately contacts the water reservoir to deliver thermal energy thereto to convert water contained therein to steam, which can be used to cook a food item inside the cooking cavity.

A steam generating system for an appliance includes a first tank positioned at a first vertical position and having an upper water outlet and a lower water outlet. A second tank is positioned at a second vertical position that is lower than the first vertical position of the first tank. A first and second interconnecting members respectively connect the upper and lower water outlets of the first tank to the second tank. Together, the first and second interconnecting members fluidically connect the first and second tanks. A valve assembly is positioned along the second interconnecting member to selectively provide access to the second tank from the first tank. Inlet and outlet pumps are respectively coupled to the first and second tanks to supply and discharge water from the steam generating system. The appliance further includes a retractable hose for connecting the steam generating system to a water source.

A steam generating system for an appliance includes a first tank positioned at a first vertical position and having an upper water outlet and a lower water outlet. A second tank is positioned at a second vertical position that is lower than the first vertical position of the first tank. A first and second interconnecting members respectively connect the upper and lower water outlets of the first tank to the second tank. Together, the first and second interconnecting members fluidically connect the first and second tanks. A valve assembly is positioned along the second interconnecting member to selectively provide access to the second tank from the first tank. Inlet and outlet pumps are respectively coupled to the first and second tanks to supply and discharge water from the steam generating system. The appliance further includes a retractable hose for connecting the steam generating system to a water source.

A steam generating system for an oven includes an upper tank having an upper water outlet and a lower water outlet. A lower tank is positioned at a vertical position that is lower than a vertical position of the upper tank. A first hose is coupled to the upper water outlet of the upper tank and further coupled to the lower tank. A second hose is coupled to the lower water outlet of the upper tank and further coupled to the lower tank. A valve assembly is positioned along the second hose and operable between open and closed conditions. An inlet pump is coupled to the upper tank and an outlet pump is coupled to the lower tank to provide and discharge water from the system. A method of filling and emptying the steam generating system and generating steam is also provided.