A system includes a first unit configured to generate and apply radio frequency (RF) energy to a load positioned in the first unit during a first time period, wherein the load is at a first temperature at a start of the first time period and at a second temperature different from the first temperature at an end of the first time period; and a second unit configured to receive the load at the second temperature and to cause heat transfer by impingement to the load during a second time period different from the first time period, wherein the load is at a third temperature at an end of the second time period. A processing yield associated with the load is higher than if the load undergoes impingement processing to change from the first temperature to the third temperature.

A microwave whisk assembly for mixing food while in the microwave includes a whisk body having a top end and a bottom end. The bottom end has a receiving cavity extending towards the top end. A suction cup is coupled to the top end and is configured to selectively engage a roof of a microwave. Each of a plurality of whisk attachments comprises an engagement shaft and a mixer extension. The engagement shaft has an upper end and a lower end. The engagement shaft conforms to, and is selectively engageable with, the receiving cavity of the whisk body. The mixer extension is coupled to the lower end of the engagement shaft and is configured to mix the contents of a bowl rotating within the microwave.

A granule preheating device, which preheats a granular food material stored at a low temperature to a predetermined preheating temperature suitable for processing before processing the granular food material with a food processing machine, includes: a housing that accommodates the granular food material, a stirring shaft that rotates a stirring blade to stir the granular food material in the housing, a microwave irradiation device that irradiates microwaves from above the granular food material in the housing, and a control device that controls at least the microwave irradiation device so as to preheat the granular food material being stirred by the stirring shaft until the temperature is uniformly increased to the predetermined preheating temperature of 25 C. or higher and 30 C. or lower suitable for processing within a predetermined preheating time of 10 minutes or less.

The disclosure relates to 433 MHz solid state microwave heating cavity and industrial defrosting system. The 433 MHz solid state microwave heating cavity and industrial defrosting system includes a sample conveying device, a metal detector, a microwave processing system, and a motor, provided on a machine frame. An upper part and a bottom part of a microwave processing module are provided with a microwave source separately. Microwave sources are connected to bell mouths through wave guide tubes. Two bell mouths are connected to a heating cavity through microwave windows. The microwave source is a 433 MHz solid-state microwave source. The high-power-density 433 MHz microwave is used to penetrate meat products to make a uniform temperature inside and outside after defrosting, the defrosting takes only 2-4 minutes from 18 C. to 2 C., color and nutrients of the meat products after the defrosting are basically the same as those of fresh meat.

In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a radio frequency (RF) generator that is to generate a RF signal, first and second electrodes, and an impedance match module in series between the RF generator and the first electrode. The RF generator detects reflected power from the RF signal applied to a load electrically coupled between the first and second electrodes to change a temperature of the load, the RF signal to be applied to the load until the reflected power reaches a particular value.

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 shape 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 microwave heating system configured for heating a plurality of articles is provided. One or more of the microwave launchers can be offset slightly, such that the microwave energy introduced into the heating chamber is discharged at a launch tilt angle of at least 2. Additionally, each launcher can include a microwave-transparent window disposed between the microwave chamber and the one or more launch openings and at least 50 percent of the chamber-side surface of the window can be oriented at an angle of at least 2 from the horizontal.

Provided is a continuous process to thaw salmon, by means of microwaves, where the salmon, once thawed, maintains its organoleptic, physical and biochemical characteristics, identical or superior to that of fresh salmon, obtaining a temperature in its thermal center of between 26.60 to 30.20 F. (3 C. to 1 C.). The process is carried out in a thawing tunnel that has an entrance and an exit, between which a conveyor belt is located, on which are deposited the boxes. The process includes the steps of (a) place said boxes into the tunnel at an initial temperature between 3.2 to 12.20 F. (16 C. and 11 C.); (b) advance said boxes towards the interior of the tunnel at a speed between 1,800 and 2,500 mm/min; (c) irradiating the boxes with microwaves at a power of between 35 to 70 Kilowatts for 1.5 to 2.4 minutes.

A process and system for microwave cooking food products with humidified air control. In an exemplary embodiment, the system includes a microwave cooking enclosure; a source of microwave energy that transmits microwave radiation into an interior of the enclosure; a microwave-shielded sensor positioned within the interior of the enclosure; a nozzle connected to provide steam and/or water mist to the enclosure to form humidified air therein; and a control connected to receive a signal from the microwave-shielded sensor indicative of the wet-bulb temperature within the enclosure and in response modulate a flow of steam and/or water mist into the enclosure to maintain the wet-bulb temperature of the humidified air therein at or above a predetermined value and to actuate the source of microwave energy to transmit the microwave radiation into the interior of the enclosure, whereby the microwave radiation and the humidified air simultaneously cook the food products and kill microorganisms in the interior of the microwave cooking enclosure and on the surface of and within the food products.

In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a radio frequency (RF) generator that is to generate a RF signal, first and second electrodes, and an impedance match module in series between the RF generator and the first electrode. The RF generator detects reflected power from the RF signal applied to a load electrically coupled between the first and second electrodes to change a temperature of the load, the RF signal to be applied to the load until the reflected power reaches a particular value.