An assembly for preparing and/or cooking food for a kitchen appliance, includes at least in a first configuration: a bowl for preparing and/or cooking food including a first cooking and/or preparation inner volume, the bowl further having at least one handle extending outside of the first inner volume, a cooking basket shaped so as to be positioned inside the first cooking inner volume, the cooking basket having a second cooking inner volume, the basket having at least one gripping member, a cap shaped so as to close the first volume. The assembly has a housing configured to house at least partially the gripping member of the basket, the housing being arranged outside the first inner volume and outside the second inner volume.

The present invention provides a steamer system and method for efficiently steam cooking or heating food items and avoiding unnecessary usage stoppages or delays. The steamer system comprises an enclosed cooking space cavity, a water boiling apparatus for generating steam, a drain system, a power source, a processor, a display, and a graphical user interface accessible by a user via the display. The steamer system further comprises a series of water detection sensors positioned within the water boiling apparatus water reservoir at progressively higher points and electrically connected to the system processor. When a first water detection sensor is fouled, the system processor is configured to relinquish control to a second water detection sensor and initiate a shut down clock to allow limited continued use of the steamer before cleaning. If a third water detection sensor senses water at any time, the steamer system shuts down.

An oven (10) having a body (15) that includes a base (20), a ceiling (25), and a wall (30) extending between the base (20) and the ceiling (25), the wall (30) at least partly surrounding a cooking cavity (35), the base (20) including a base cavity (50) and an opening (55) that extends between the base cavity (50) and the cooking cavity (35); the oven (10) further including a removable container (65) having a floor (81) and sidewalls (82) that define a chamber (85) to hold fluids therein, the base cavity (50) adapted to receive the removable container (65), the removable container (65) being movable relative to the base cavity (50) between a storage position in which the removable container (65) is retained in the base cavity (50); and an open position in which the removable container (65) is at least partially exposed relative to the base cavity (50), the oven (10) further including an interface assembly (150) providing a connection between a fluid outlet (97) of the removable container (65) and the cooking cavity (35), the interface assembly (150) including: a receptacle (155) mounted above the base (20) and having an open top (156) that is exposed to the cooking cavity (35), the receptacle (155) further including a fluid inlet (165); a plumbing assembly (170) connecting the fluid outlet (97) of the removable container (65) and the fluid inlet (165) of the open receptacle (155), the plumbing assembly (170) including a fluid pump (185) operable to direct a flow of fluid from the fluid outlet of the removable container (65) into fluid inlet (165) of the receptacle (155); and a heating assembly (205) mounted to an underside (230) of the receptacle (155), the heating assembly (205) being adapted to heat fluids in the receptacle (155) for evaporation of said fluids into the cooking cavity (35).

The steam generation device includes a steam generation container, a lid portion, and a water level sensor. The steam generation container heats water. The lid portion covers an upper opening portion of the steam generation container. The water level sensor detects a water level in the steam generation container. The water level sensor includes a first electrode rod, a second electrode rod, a bracket, and silicone rubber. The first electrode rod is fixed to the lid portion in a state where the first electrode rod penetrates the lid portion. The bracket is configured integrally with the second electrode rod, inserted into an opening portion provided in the lid portion, and fixed to a peripheral edge portion of the opening portion. The silicone rubber is interposed between the bracket and the lid portion.

A steamer accessory for steam-heating and/or -cooking food contained in a container, the steamer accessory including a steam generator including a steam production chamber connected to at least one steam distribution outlet provided in a lower part of the steam generator, the steamer accessory including a ring carrying the steam generator, the ring having a lower surface and an upper surface. The ring provides, if so required, with the steam generator, at least one vent bringing the lower surface into communication with the upper surface.

A device (I) for preparing foods received in a vessel (2), in particular ready meals, the device (1) including a steam generator unit for generating steam, and a steam delivery unit (4) which is connected to the steam generator unit in a steam-conducting manner via a steam feed line (23) and which has a steam probe (5) with at least one steam discharge opening, wherein the device (1) has a coupling mechanism (10) which includes a locking mechanism and which releasably connects the steam delivery unit (4) to the steam feed line.

The present invention relates to a process for continuous of drying or removing the water phase from wet material, such as organic material and for regulating or controlling the drying mechanisms using heating and drying components in a mechanic set up for drying material. The steam generated in the pre-dryer in the process is sufficient to sustain the energy need of the system as the different components of a meal factory are set up as a closed system.

A toaster with a steam system comprises a casing and a chassis. A slot for a bread slice is defined by the chassis. A pop-up mechanism is within the casing and supported by the chassis, the pop-up mechanism configured for supporting a bread slice received via the at least one slot, and for raising the bread slice to project partially out of the slot at an end of a toasting/steaming process. Heating element(s) in the casing are for generating toasting heat. A steam system within the casing is configured for producing steam and feeding the steam to a steam vessel in the chassis during the toasting/steaming process. A closing system has flap(s) to close the at least one slot during the toasting/steaming process, and to open the at least one slot at completion of the toasting/steaming process.

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 cooking system includes a steam cooking chamber and a steam generator plumbed to deliver steam to the steam cooking chamber. The steam generator includes a tank structure providing a heating chamber for holding water, a heater associated with the tank structure for heating water within the heating chamber so as to generate steam, at least one water level sensor associated with the tank, a fill line for selectively adding water to the tank, and a controller configured to control the heater and the fill line. The controller is configured to control a power level of the heater based at least in part upon a water level in the tank as indicated by the at least one water level sensor, so as to increase steam generator temperature prior to water add.