A fryer unit combination includes a frying fluid vat and an associated heat exchange system whereby increased or greater efficiencies and/or heat transfers can be obtained and realized. The heat exchange system includes a first heat exchanger arrangement at least in part disposed within the frying fluid vat and a second heat exchanger arrangement disposed externally to the frying fluid vat. In the first heat exchanger arrangement, a heat exchange tube is in heat flow communication with a combustion chamber wherein an associated gaseous fuel burner is at least in part housed. The second heat exchanger arrangement includes at least a first side heat exchanger disposed externally adjacent the first side of the frying fluid vat. The side heat exchanger(s) may permit intake of an oxygen-containing gas such to preheat the oxygen-containing gas prior to entrance into the combustion chamber.

A cooking system includes a grill, a first arm assembly and a second arm assembly. An electronic hardware controller is in signal communication with the at least one grill, the first arm assembly and the second arm assembly. The controller operates the first arm assembly to transfer a prepared product to the grill, and operates the second arm assembly to transfer a cooked product from the grill.

An automated cooking system is provided for adding time and labor efficiencies in food production environments such as restaurants. The automated cooking system includes at least a fryer, a dispensing freezer, a hot holding station, a plurality of baskets, and a gantry system. The gantry system includes a gantry control for a gantry, configured to engage and move each of the baskets. A method for managing basket workflow during food preparation at an automated cooking system is described. Further, a method for managing basket workflow at a dispensing freezer during food preparation at an automated cooking system is described. The automated cooking system and methods provide repetition of basket loading and discharge cycles such that the gantry can fully manage and automate cooking using up to 6 or more baskets at the fryer, thereby maximizing food product throughput in the standard footprint space for the fryer.

A portable kitchen assembly for cold storage and cooking of food items includes a housing, which defines an interior space. A power module is engaged to the housing. A cooktop is engaged to an upper facet of the housing and is operationally engaged to the power module. An oven is engaged to the housing and is positioned in the interior space so that a door of the oven is accessible from a front of the housing. Food items can be heated on the cooktop or baked or cooked in the oven. A cooling unit is engaged to the housing and is positioned in the interior space so that a door of the cooling unit is accessible from the front of the housing. The cooling unit provides cold storage for a food item. A set of wheels is engaged to a lower facet of the housing allows for locomotion of the housing across a surface.

An article for facilitating and encouraging proper disposal of cooking oils includes an aesthetic body shaped in the appearance of at least a portion of a monkey having at least an open mouth; a mount for attaching the aesthetic body to a portion of a waste receptacle; a funnel disposed substantially within the open mouth of the monkey and leading to a cooking oil conduit, which is disposed substantially within the interior space of the aesthetic body and is provided at its distal end with internal threading that is sized and shaped to accept and dependently support a container for collecting cooking oil. At least one stabilizing means for holding a frying pan, skillet, sauce pot or the like in place about the open mouth of the monkey is provided. A solids screen and an air conduit ensure rapid and unimpeded flow through the conduit of cooking oil.

Food preparation includes utilizing food immersion into low temperature cooking fluids, high temperature cooking fluids, or a combination of applications thereof. Foods are generally closely wrapped in vented, pliable, formidable outer skins. An example construction of such an outer skin is provided, as are examples of food preparation processes.

A mechanical filter for a deep fryer having a fry pot. The mechanical filter comprises a filtering membrane support comprising a plurality of links pivotally connected to one another. The filtering membrane support has a longitudinal axis. The mechanical filter also comprises a filtering membrane engageable with the plurality of links and defining transversally extending particle retaining cavities therewith. The filtering membrane extends along the longitudinal axis of the filtering membrane support. A filtering membrane support is also provided.

Food holding, mounting, and/or positioning devices, with particular application to, although not necessarily limited to, supporting unitary articles of food, including, but not necessarily limited to, deep frying large fowl, including Thanksgiving Day sized turkeys. A simplified cooking liquid filtering apparatus. A method and apparatus to simplifies, and makes more accurate, cooking liquid dispensing, and measurement. Example devices use liquid to cook foods, with particular application to, but not limited to, deep frying large unitary food articles, including, but not limited to, large fowl, including Thanksgiving Day sized turkeys. Further example devices store, dispense, and measure pourable materials, including both liquid and dry materials. An informational device, with particular applications to, but not limited to, provides instructions, and more particularly, although not limited to, providing operating instructions for household cooking devices.

A robotic kitchen assistant for frying includes a robotic arm, a fryer basket, and a robotic arm adapter assembly allowing the robotic arm to pick up and manipulate the fryer basket. The robotic arm adapter includes opposing gripping members to engage the fryer basket. A utensil adapter assembly is mounted to the handle of the fryer basket, and the opposing gripper members are actuated to capture a three-dimensional (3D) feature of the utensil adapter assembly. The robotic arm adapter assembly can include an agitator mechanism to shake the fryer basket or another utensil as desired. Related methods are also described.

A turkey stand for use in deep frying a turkey or other fowl. The stand includes a rod which is threaded on a first end and flattened on the opposite end. The threaded end is received through central holes in 2 of 3 legs and threaded into a collar secured to the third. Each of the three legs has V-shaped bends near each end forming 2 feet, with the bends increasing in depth to accommodate the variation in distance from the support surface. Thus, each of the feet engages the bottom of the fry pot without any rocking.