Provided are cleaning devices adapted for a microwave oven. A head cap of the cleaning device includes multiple through holes, and thus steam generated by heating a cleaning liquid can flow out of the through holes in a faster and more concentrated mode. Using the cleaning device of this disclosure, the cleaning operation for the microwave oven is more convenient, and safety hazard such as explosion or splashing is also prevented as well.

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.

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 cooking appliance that uses steam to heat a food item includes a cooking chamber; a steam generator that generates steam to heat the food item; a heating element that generates heat to heat the food item; an outlet that fluidly connects the cooking chamber to a first external environment outside of the cooking chamber; and an active inlet that fluidly connects the cooking chamber to a second external environment outside of the cooking chamber. The active inlet has a blocking member that prevents a fluid from the second external environment from entering the cooking chamber though the active inlet, and an actuator that moves the blocking member between a closed position in which the blocking member prevents the fluid from entering the cooking chamber through the active inlet, and an open position in which the blocking member allows the fluid to enter the cooking chamber through the active inlet.

A food heating device includes a placement unit and a heating unit. The placement unit includes a housing and a placement board, wherein the placement board is disposed in the housing and is for placing a food item. The heating unit includes a water injection element and a microwave element, wherein the water injection element connects to the housing and is communication with an internal space of the housing, and the microwave element connects to the housing. The microwave element is for heating by microwave the water injected into the internal space of the housing through the water injection element and producing steam therefrom.

A cooking appliance includes a frame that defines a cooking chamber, a steam generator coupled to the frame and configured to generate steam, and a steam supply port that is connected to the steam generator, that extends through a sidewall of the frame to the cooking chamber, and that is configured to guide steam from the steam generator to the cooking chamber. The steam supply port includes a first pipe having a first diameter, a second pipe located inside of the cooking chamber, the second pipe having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, and a connection pipe configured to connect the first pipe to the second pipe.

A steam oven having a housing, a cooking chamber located within the housing, a water tank receptacle connected to the housing, the water tank receptacle comprising: a reservoir, an inlet fitting positioned above the reservoir, a false bottom positioned above the reservoir, and a reservoir outlet extending through a bottom of the reservoir. A water tank is selectively positionable on the water tank receptacle above the false bottom, the water tank having an outlet fitting configured to fluidily connect to the inlet fitting upon positioning the water tank on the water tank receptacle.

Provided herein are a food mold for use in food processing and a method for food processing using the food mold. The food mold includes a bottom portion, a sidewall and a protruding structure. The bottom portion includes a peripheral edge and a bottom surface. The peripheral edge surrounds the bottom surface. The sidewall includes a lower edge and an upper edge opposite to the lower edge. The sidewall surrounds the bottom portion. The lower edge is connected to the peripheral edge. The protruding structure is disposed on the bottom surface.

A heating cooker includes a heating chamber that houses food, a heating unit that heats the food, an imaging unit that acquires image data on the food after the food has been housed in the heating chamber, a setting unit that accepts a user input relating to heating control content defining a heating operation, a storage unit that stores control information in which the image data and the heating control content corresponding to the food specified from the image data are associated with each other, a heating start button that orders the start of the heating operation, and a storage update unit that associates the image data and the heating control content with each other and updates the control information within the storage unit, when the setting unit accepts the user input and then the heating start button orders the start of the heating operation.