A device (I) for preparing foods received in a vessel (2), in particular ready meals, the device (1) including a steam generator unit for generating steam, and a steam delivery unit (4) which is connected to the steam generator unit in a steam-conducting manner via a steam feed line (23) and which has a steam probe (5) with at least one steam discharge opening, wherein the device (1) has a coupling mechanism (10) which includes a locking mechanism and which releasably connects the steam delivery unit (4) to the steam feed line.

A cooking system for cooking food is provided, the system including a housing defining a hollow chamber configured to receive a food container. The housing has an upper portion defining an opening to the hollow chamber. A lid is configured to cover the upper portion of the housing and the opening to the hollow chamber in a closed position. The lid is moveable to an open position where the lid does not cover the opening to the hollow chamber. At least one heating element is associated with at least one of the housing and the lid. The cooking system is operable in a plurality of modes including a pressure cooking mode and a dry cooking mode. In the pressure cooking mode, the cooking system is operable as a pressure cooker and in the dry cooking mode, the cooking system is operable as a dry cooker.

A cooking system for cooking food is provided, the system including a housing defining a hollow chamber configured to receive a food container. The housing has an upper portion defining an opening to the hollow chamber. A lid is configured to cover the upper portion of the housing and the opening to the hollow chamber in a closed position. The lid is moveable to an open position where the lid does not cover the opening to the hollow chamber. At least one heating element is associated with at least one of the housing and the lid. The cooking system is operable in a plurality of modes including a pressure cooking mode and a dry cooking mode. In the pressure cooking mode, the cooking system is operable as a pressure cooker and in the dry cooking mode, the cooking system is operable as a dry cooker.

The present invention relates to a process for continuous of drying or removing the water phase from wet material, such as organic material and for regulating or controlling the drying mechanisms using heating and drying components in a mechanic set up for drying material. The steam generated in the pre-dryer in the process is sufficient to sustain the energy need of the system as the different components of a meal factory are set up as a closed system.

The present invention relates to a process for continuous of drying or removing the water phase from wet material, such as organic material and for regulating or controlling the drying mechanisms using heating and drying components in a mechanic set up for drying material. The steam generated in the pre-dryer in the process is sufficient to sustain the energy need of the system as the different components of a meal factory are set up as a closed system.

A toaster with a steam system comprises a casing and a chassis. A slot for a bread slice is defined by the chassis. A pop-up mechanism is within the casing and supported by the chassis, the pop-up mechanism configured for supporting a bread slice received via the at least one slot, and for raising the bread slice to project partially out of the slot at an end of a toasting/steaming process. Heating element(s) in the casing are for generating toasting heat. A steam system within the casing is configured for producing steam and feeding the steam to a steam vessel in the chassis during the toasting/steaming process. A closing system has flap(s) to close the at least one slot during the toasting/steaming process, and to open the at least one slot at completion of the toasting/steaming process.

A toaster with a steam system comprises a casing and a chassis. A slot for a bread slice is defined by the chassis. A pop-up mechanism is within the casing and supported by the chassis, the pop-up mechanism configured for supporting a bread slice received via the at least one slot, and for raising the bread slice to project partially out of the slot at an end of a toasting/steaming process. Heating element(s) in the casing are for generating toasting heat. A steam system within the casing is configured for producing steam and feeding the steam to a steam vessel in the chassis during the toasting/steaming process. A closing system has flap(s) to close the at least one slot during the toasting/steaming process, and to open the at least one slot at completion of the toasting/steaming process.

A steam cooking system includes a steam cooking chamber and a steam generator plumbed to deliver steam to the steam cooking chamber. The steam generator includes a tank structure providing a heating chamber for holding water, a heater associated with the tank structure for heating water within the heating chamber so as to generate steam, at least one water level sensor associated with the tank, a fill line for selectively adding water to the tank, and a controller configured to control the heater and the fill line. The controller is configured to control a power level of the heater based at least in part upon a water level in the tank as indicated by the at least one water level sensor, so as to increase steam generator temperature prior to water add.

A steam cooking system includes a steam cooking chamber and a steam generator plumbed to deliver steam to the steam cooking chamber. The steam generator includes a tank structure providing a heating chamber for holding water, a heater associated with the tank structure for heating water within the heating chamber so as to generate steam, at least one water level sensor associated with the tank, a fill line for selectively adding water to the tank, and a controller configured to control the heater and the fill line. The controller is configured to control a power level of the heater based at least in part upon a water level in the tank as indicated by the at least one water level sensor, so as to increase steam generator temperature prior to water add.

The present invention relates to a steam system for a steam cooking appliance. The steam system includes a steam generator and a precipitator. The precipitator is arranged above the steam generator. The steam generator comprises two vertical heating pipe sections. Upper ends of the heating pipe sections are connected to a bottom side of the precipitator. Lower ends of the heating pipe sections are connected by a transverse pipe section. At least the heating pipe sections are at least partially enclosed by one of more heating elements. An inlet pipe is connected to the transverse pipe section at one end and connected or connectable to a water reservoir or water pump at another end. A return pipe is interconnected between the bottom side of the precipitator and the transverse pipe section. Further, the present invention relates to a corresponding steam cooking appliance.