An identification apparatus for identifying a degree of degradation of oil, including a sensor configured to detect a substance arising from oil contained in an oil tank, and a controller configured to determine a degree of degradation of the oil based on information related to the substance detected by the sensor and a type of food that is cooked with the oil.

The present invention provides a deep fat fryer separating the flue from the splash back panel and with a flue opening directed not upwardly, but rearwardly from the flue. By arranging the flue opening on the rear wall, the opening is protected from grease fallback (e.g., dripping from an overhead exhaust hood) or other foreign objects falling into the opening. The splash back panel further provides a seamless curved design that is easy to clean and also insulated from the heat of the flue. A baffle installed within the flue allows the combustion products to mix, cool, and slow upon exiting the baffle opening and entering the atmosphere reducing the exit temperature and also reducing the heating of the splash back panel.

A deep fat fryer (1) comprising: a housing (2), a pot (3) adapted to contain a cooking medium, one or more heating elements (4a, 4b), external to said pot (3), for heating a cooking medium contained in said pot (3), a temperature sensor (5) adapted to measure the temperature of a cooking medium contained in said pot (3), a control unit (9), controlling the electrical components of the deep fat fryer (1). The deep fat fryer (1) comprises one or more heat-shield elements (6a, 6b) arranged for slowing down the heat transfer from said one or more heating elements (4a, 4b) to a cooking medium contained in said pot (3).

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.

Systems and methods are disclosed for cleaning a fryer using a washing element coupled to a bottom wall of a cooking chamber. An upper portion of the washing element extends above the bottom wall of the cooking chamber and includes a plurality of spray jet nozzles that are separated at predetermined angles relative to one another around a periphery of the upper portion of the washing element to orient the plurality of spray jet nozzles so as to spray a plurality of pressurized streams of the cooking medium to predetermined areas of the cooking chamber, including at least one corner of the cooking chamber. Also disclosed is a fryer that includes a spreader bar that maintains an electric heating coil in the serpentine pattern.

A fryer and method for cooking food products is provided that automates the movement of baskets carrying the food products. The fryer includes a cooking chamber with a heating element located therein for heating cooking medium in the cooking chamber. The fryer also includes at least one vertical transport assembly that selectively engages with and moves the basket vertically into and out of the cooking medium. A horizontal transport assembly selectively engages with and moves the basket horizontally between different positions. The horizontal transport assembly hands off the basket to and from the vertical transport assembly, and first and second hooks on the horizontal transport assembly engage with front and rear receiving mechanisms on the basket to continuously maintain at least two points of contact with the basket. This allows for controlled pivotal movements of the basket when food products are to be added or removed from the basket.

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.

A holder block for retaining a temperature sensor includes a base portion configured to operatively engage a portion of the temperature sensor and a portion of a heating element. The holder block also includes a cap portion removably attachable to the base portion, the cap portion being configured to operatively engage a portion of the temperature sensor and a portion of the heating element. The base portion and cap portion are moveable relative to each other such that movement of the base portion and cap portion toward each other provides a first clamping action on the heating element and a second clamping action on the temperature sensor to define a clamped position of the holder block. When in the clamped position, the base portion and cap portion provide conductive thermal paths and define apertures providing convective thermal paths between the heating element and the temperature sensor.

A cooking appliance unit has a movable cooking appliance base frame, by which the cooking appliance attached thereto is height-adjustable, more specifically as a function of the operating situation of the cooking appliance. Furthermore, a cooking appliance base frame is described.

A transfer conveyor for food process lines is equipped with hardware to enable pivoting in place and other hardware to enable and reversible expansion and contraction of the transfer conveyor, or at least the upper, food-product carrying run of the endless conveyor belt therefor.