Various aspects and embodiments of a temperature control cart (100) are disclosed. The temperature control cart (100) comprises a top portion (116) with one or more wells (202), wherein the one or more wells (202) is operable to receive one or more pans (102). The wells (202) are configured to hold pans (102), wherein the pans (102) often contain a payload, such as food or medicine, that requires temperature control. Further, the top portion (116) is disposed in a tank (108) that contains phase change material (PCM). In another aspect, a method for controlling temperature of a payload is disclosed. A temperature control cart (100) is further provided with one or more heat exchangers. Wherein the one or more heat exchangers circulate a heat exchange fluid, thereby heating or cooling the PCM disposed in the tank (108) of the temperature control cart (100) to above or below a transition temperature of the PCM.

A cooking system for cooking food is provided, the system including a housing defining a hollow chamber configured to receive a food container. The housing has an upper portion defining an opening to the hollow chamber. A lid is configured to cover the upper portion of the housing and the opening to the hollow chamber in a closed position. The lid is moveable to an open position where the lid does not cover the opening to the hollow chamber. At least one heating element is associated with at least one of the housing and the lid. The cooking system is operable in a plurality of modes including a pressure cooking mode and a dry cooking mode. In the pressure cooking mode, the cooking system is operable as a pressure cooker and in the dry cooking mode, the cooking system is operable as a dry cooker.

An apparatus and method for dehydrating a quantity of previously air popped corn so as to maintain its crunchiness includes a support ring having an upstanding continuous peripheral wall configured to nest atop an upper edge of a receptacle, the upstanding continuous peripheral wall being complementary to an open top of the receptacle and defining an interior area. A distribution conduit having a cylindrical configuration is coupled to an inner surface of the support ring and has opposed upstream and downstream ends defining a channel therebetween. The upstream and downstream ends are open and the distribution conduit has an elongate configuration and is oriented axially relative to the support ring. A blow-drying device may be releasably mounted in the upstream end of the distribution conduit for generating a heated air stream and blowing the generated heated air stream from the upstream to the downstream end when energized.

Devices for prolonging the quality of a warm food item contained within the device, the devices include an enclosure configured to receive the warm food item, the enclosure including a floor, a ceiling opposite the floor, sidewalk extending from the floor to the ceiling and defining an opening, the sidewalls, the floor, and the ceiling collectively defining an interior void of the enclosure, and a door operatively connected to the sidewalk in a position covering the opening in a closed position and configured to selectively move to an open position to provide access to the interior void through the opening, a convection heat source mounted inside the enclosure and configured to direct heated air within the enclosure, and a ventilation system mounted to the enclosure and configured to move air through the enclosure.

A method includes inserting a food item into an inner volume of a thermal container. A liquid circulating through a liquid jacket at least partially surrounding and fluidically isolated from the inner volume of the thermal container is cooled such that thermal energy from the food item is transferred to the cooled liquid. After the cooling, thermal energy from a first heating element is transferred to the liquid circulating through the liquid jacket such that thermal energy from the heated liquid is transferred to the food item. Thermal energy from a second heating element is transferred to the food item in response to a criterion being satisfied. The second heating element is different from the first heating element and is disposed in the inner volume of the thermal container.

Methods of making thermal insulation products that may be usable to provide insulation in high temperature applications. One method includes sealing a support material (e.g., a nanoporous core such as fumed silica, an aerogel powder, etc.) and at least one vapor within an interior portion of a substantially gas-impermeable envelope (e.g., a metallic and/or polymeric film), and then condensing at least a portion of the vapor after the sealing step to reduce the pressure within the gas-impermeable envelope from a first pressure before the condensing to a lower second pressure after the condensing. The disclosed methods limit or eliminate the need for pumping mechanisms to draw the vacuum within the products, drying of the core before the sealing, and the like.

An air fryer comprises a main body and a lid assembly. The lid assembly is operable to removably cover the main body. The air fryer comprises a support structure removably assembled to the lid assembly; wherein the support structure is operable to be seated on a working surface for supporting the lid assembly, thereby providing convenient placement of the lid assembly.

A cooking unit includes a cooktop, a hood assembly, a duct assembly, and a fan. The cooktop defines a slot at least partially extending along a peripheral edge of the cooktop. The hood assembly includes a hood support extending upward from the cooktop and a hood coupled to the hood support. The hood support defines a conduit. The hood defines an intake and a hood chamber connecting the intake to the conduit of the hood support. The duct assembly includes ducting extending beneath the cooktop. The ducting connects the conduit to the slot. The fan is positioned to drive air into the intake, through the hood chamber, through the conduit, through the ducting, and out of the slot. At least a portion of the air exiting the slot returns to the intake such that an air curtain is generated between the slot and the intake.

A holding apparatus comprises a tray configured to hold food product therein, a holding portion configured to hold the tray therein, and a cover configured to cover the tray held in the holding portion. The cover comprises a covering portion, a pair of flange portions, the covering portion being disposed between the pair of flange portions, and a channel formed in each of the flange portions. The channel comprises a first portion extending from an edge of each of the flange portions, a supporting portion, and a second portion formed between the first portion and the supporting portion. The holding apparatus further comprises a projecting portion disposed on the holding apparatus and configured to be coupled to the channel such that the cover is suspended in the holding portion via contact between the projecting portion and the supporting portion of the channel.

A food locker includes a housing, a food support member, a first door, a second door, and a lock. The housing includes a front wall a front wall, a rear wall, and a chamber. The front wall includes a first opening in communication with the chamber. The rear wall includes a second opening in communication with the chamber. The food support member is disposed within the chamber. The first door is supported by the housing and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The food support member is accessible through the first opening when the first door is in the open position. The second door is supported by the housing and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The food support member is accessible through the second opening when the second door is in the open position. The lock is operatively coupled to at least one of the housing and the first door and is actuatable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. The lock is operable to (i) permit the first door to move from the closed position to the open position when the lock is in the unlocked configuration and (ii) prevent the first door from moving from the closed position to the open position when the lock is in the locked configuration.