A multi-component package is provided which enables simultaneous heat cooking of a food product which does not require a long cooking time and a food product which requires a longer cooking time. The multi-component package includes a lower container including a bottomed, lower container main body for containing a first food product. The container further includes an upper container including an upper container main body for containing a second filled food product. A flange of the lower container main body and a flange of the upper container main body are engaged with each other so that the lower container and the upper container are combined integrally. A vapor vent is provided in a lower container lid material, whereby water vapor generated upon heating of the first food product heats the second food product in the upper container.

A cooking apparatus may include a cooking chamber, a heating mechanism, a microwave generator, and a waveguide. The cooking chamber may hold cooking media. The heating mechanism may be disposed at the cooking chamber and may heat the cooking media. The microwave generator may produce microwave energy. The waveguide may be disposed on the cooking chamber and may transmit the microwave energy from the microwave generator to the cooking chamber. The microwave generator may be mounted to the waveguide at one end portion of the waveguide. An opening may be formed in an opposite end portion of the waveguide through which the microwave energy may enter the cooking chamber. The opposite end portion of the waveguide may be opposite to the one end portion of the waveguide.

A heat-cooking apparatus according to the present invention includes a heating chamber for heating a food product, a steam generator for generating steam, and a steam channel provided in the heating chamber for guiding steam generated by the steam generator. The heat-cooking apparatus further includes a loading table for disposing a heat-target object, which is raised from a bottom surface of the heating chamber to create a predetermined gap, and a loading table opening portion provided on the loading table for guiding steam from the steam channel to the heat-target object. Steam generated by the steam generator passes through the steam channel and the loading table opening portion to heat the heat-target object. Therefore, without requiring a steamer, steam cooking can easily be performed.

Methods of and device for retaining a moisture level of a food heated/reheated in a microwave oven are provided. The device includes a microwave splatter cover, a lid, or a lunch box integrated with a steam generator. The device is able to contain a steam generator capable of generating steam from added water when a microwave radiation is provided. The steam generator is able to rotatably couple with the center of the microwave cover. Water added to the cover is able to be temporary stored on the cover and subsequently flow to a dish structure underneath the cover. Alternatively, water is able to be added directly through a hole on the cover to the dish structure.

An oven may include a cooking chamber configured to receive a heat modulating material (HMM), a radio frequency (RF) heating system configured to provide RF energy into the cooking chamber, and a cooking controller configured to control the frequency of RF energy provided by the RF heating system into the cooking chamber. The MINI may be configured to contain a food product and may include a thermally active section. The thermally active section may include a base matrix and a particulate material dispersed in the base matrix.

Carriers suitable for transporting a plurality of articles through a microwave heating zone are provided. Carriers as described herein may include an outer frame and upper and lower support structures vertically spaced from one another to provide a cargo volume into which the articles are loaded. At least a portion of the upper and/or lower support structures may be formed of an electrically conductive material. Additionally, the carrier may include removable article spacing members, such as vertical spacing members and dividers, that can be selectively inserted to adjust the size and/or shaper of the cargo volume. Carriers as described herein may be configured to receive a variety of different articles, including trays and pouches, and the articles may be loaded into the carrier in a nested or overlapping manner.

A package for a food product can include an insert enclosed within a single film formable using, e.g., flow-wrapping, to enclose the food product and the insert. At least one portion of insert may be made up of an absorbent material laminated to a backing, the absorbent material adapted to absorb moisture within the package. The insert may include a base upon which the food product can be placed and two or more sides extending up from the base to contain the food product from moving in one or more directions. Fins or overlapping portions of the film may be configured on at least two edges of the single film allowing a seal to be created thereby further allowing the single film to substantially enclose the food product and the insert. Crimped seals may further be employed to completely seal the food product and the insert within the single film. One or more of the seals may be self-venting to release accumulated steam/moisture during a cooking or preparation process.

A heating appliance includes a housing having interior walls with interior surfaces defining a cooking chamber for heating food, a microwave heating source configured to generate microwave radiation for heating the food, and a hybrid easy-to-clean coating on at least a portion of the interior surfaces, the hybrid easy-to-clean coating including a microwave absorbing component and a super hydrophobic component.

One aspect of the present invention is a splatter cover for minimizing or preventing food and drink splatters inside microwave ovens. Another aspect is a splatter cover having at least one water reservoir for minimizing or preventing food and drink splatters and also for creating moisture for foods during use inside a microwave oven. A further aspect is a securing or mounting device having at least one water reservoir. An additional aspect is a splatter cover having at least one butter reservoir. The splatter cover may be manufactured of one or more pieces or sections. Another aspect is a splatter cover apparatus that includes a splatter cover and at least one securing device. In general, the splatter cover and splatter cover apparatus are preferably left in place inside the microwave oven after use and when the microwave oven is not in use.

A low-pressure steam cooker comprises a base plate and low-pressure hood. The base plate has a base surface and cooking product surface opposite the base surface. The cooking product surface has a hood bearing surface having a peripheral raised retaining edge and at least one water trough for holding water. The low-pressure hood has a dish-shaped hood volume and a mounting rim, the contour of which is shaped complementary to the contour of the retaining edge of the base plate, so that the mounting rim is enclosed by the retaining edge when the mounting rim is seated on the hood bearing surface. The base plate and low-pressure hood are each formed of a non-glazed ceramic material. The surfaces of the mounting rim and the hood bearing surface facing each other are formed so that a steam outlet gap remains therebetween, at least in sections.