Systems and methods for delivering a cooking medium in a cooking apparatus are disclosed. A delivery system includes a rotary valve having a rotary inlet and a plurality of rotary outlets. The rotary inlet is configured to be in fluid communication with a source of cooking medium and the plurality of rotary outlets are configured to be in fluid communication with a corresponding plurality of receptacles. A rotary position sensor generates a signal, having continuous angular position resolution, based on an angular position of the rotary valve. A controller receives the signal generated by the rotary position sensor and selectively places the rotary inlet in fluid communication with one of the plurality of rotary outlets based on the signal generated by the rotary position sensor. The rotary position sensor may include a Hall-effect sensor that functions at elevated operating temperatures associated with the cooking medium.

An anti-sticking conveyor belt of a frying machine includes a first transmission axle and a second transmission axle oppositely disposed, two chains, a plurality of connecting rods and a plurality of conveyor strips. Each conveyor strips is made of a high temperature resistant and anti-sticking material, and includes a conveyor belt surface for conveying fried products, a conveyor lower surface away from each conveyor belt surface, and a channel provided outwards between each conveyor belt surface and each conveyor lower surface. As each conveyor belt surface is greater than each conveyor lower surface and with cooperation of the chains, leveled progressing of the conveyor strips is maintained. At arched positions of the first transmission axle and the second transmission axle, the conveyor lower surfaces do not come into contact with one another, and the conveyor belt surfaces arranged are small to obtain an even and flat conveying plane.

A system and method utilizing a robotic arm to prepare a food product such as a meat for cooking and then subsequently assembling a sandwich from the cooked meat is disclosed. In addition, the robotic arm may also be used to wrap the assembled sandwich in a wrapper. The system may utilize a wire basket with a basket adapter, or handle, to allow the robotic arm to easily maneuver the basket and also utilize a wrapping assist device to wrap a wrapper around the assembled sandwich.

A system for transporting and measuring the quality of cooking oil in a system. The system may include a fryer unit, a feed tank, a storage receptacle, and either a pumping station, direct flow pathway from the fryer unit to the storage receptacle, or both a pumping station and a direct flow pathway from the fryer unit to the storage receptacle. At least one oil quality sensor for measuring the quality of the oil, such as by measuring the electrical properties of the oil, may be placed in one of the various lines of the pumping station, in the direct flow pathway from the fryer unit to the storage receptacle, or any combination thereof.

Provided is a method of cooking for a food-cooking appliance having a reception means designed to receive the food products, a motion-inducing means positioned inside the reception means, and at least one main heating means. The method includes: a first cooking step during which the relative rotation of the reception means and of the motion-inducing means is neutralized and at least one main heating means is operated in order to regulate the temperature to a first set-point value; and a second cooking step during which the relative rotation of the reception means and of the motion-inducing means is active and at least one main heating means is operated in order to regulate the temperature to a second set-point value higher than the first.

Systems, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for controlling a fryer. In response to determining a filtration cycle is scheduled to occur after a current cooking cycle, a temperature set-point for a cooking medium is increased to pre-heat the cooking medium prior to the end of the cooking cycle. A heating element used to heat the cooking medium may be deactivated prior to entering the filtration cycle, and reactivated during the filtration cycle in response to the filtered cooking medium in the fry pot reaching a predetermined level. Activating the heating element during the filtration cycle may further heat the cooking medium prior to starting the next cooking cycle, thereby reducing the total time needed for filtration and reheating for a subsequent cooking cycle.

A portable cooking oil distribution device for filling remote fryers with fresh cooking oil. In other embodiments the device can also collect used cooking oil from the fryer. In one embodiment, a portable device includes a fresh oil tank, a three-way valve connected by piping to the fresh oil tank, a pump connected by piping to the three-way valve, and a nozzle connected by piping to the pump, the nozzle having an outlet tube connected to the piping between the pump and the nozzle. The device may also include a used oil tank, a second three-way valve connected by piping to the used oil tank, a second pump connected by piping to the three-way valve, and piping connecting the second pump to the nozzle, where the nozzle includes a inlet tube connected to the piping between the pump and the nozzle.

The invention relates to a cooking assembly (1) which comprises an electrical cooking appliance (2) and a draining base (3), the electrical cooking appliance (2) comprising a vessel (10) provided with a draining device (60) that has a valve (61), the draining base (3) comprising a draining receptacle (70) and a cover (80) for said receptacle, the receptacle cover (80) forming a passage (80a) for discharge of the cooking bath in the draining receptacle (70), said draining base (3) having a control member (4), and the cooking assembly (1) having a draining configuration in which the draining base (3) supports the electrical cooking appliance (2) and in which the control member (4) moves the valve (610 into the open position. According to the invention, the electrical cooking appliance (2) rests on the receptacle cover (80) when the cooking assembly (1) is in the draining configuration.

Systems and methods for shaping food items are provided. The systems and methods can shape the food items into taco shapes. A system can include a basket, a tool, and an insert. The basket includes troughs and a handle. The tool includes guides that receive patties made of, for example, potatoes, meat, and/or other food items. The insert includes wedges sized and shaped to fit through the guides and into the troughs of the basket. The tool is assembled with the basket in use, and frozen patties are placed in the guides. The insert is assembled with the tool such that the wedges contact the patties. The assembly is placed in hot oil to cook the patties. As the patties cook and soften, the insert moves downward relative to the tool and basket, and the wedges urge the patties into the troughs and into a taco shape.

A portable cooking oil distribution device for filling remote fryers with fresh cooking oil. In other embodiments the device can also collect used cooking oil from the fryer. In one embodiment, a portable device includes a fresh oil tank, a three-way valve connected by piping to the fresh oil tank, a pump connected by piping to the three-way valve, and a nozzle connected by piping to the pump, the nozzle having an outlet tube connected to the piping between the pump and the nozzle. The device may also include a used oil tank, a second three-way valve connected by piping to the used oil tank, a second pump connected by piping to the three-way valve, and piping connecting the second pump to the nozzle, where the nozzle includes a inlet tube connected to the piping between the pump and the nozzle.