A method includes inserting a food item into an inner volume of a thermal container. A liquid circulating through a liquid jacket at least partially surrounding and fluidically isolated from the inner volume of the thermal container is cooled such that thermal energy from the food item is transferred to the cooled liquid. After the cooling, thermal energy from a first heating element is transferred to the liquid circulating through the liquid jacket such that thermal energy from the heated liquid is transferred to the food item. Thermal energy from a second heating element is transferred to the food item in response to a criterion being satisfied. The second heating element is different from the first heating element and is disposed in the inner volume of the thermal container.

The present invention provides a novel raw material that can improve the texture of food products and also can impart a new function to food products. The present invention relates to a starch composition for food products, the starch composition having a type-B viscometer viscosity (Pa.Math.s) of 2-100 Pa.Math.s, the viscosity being determined when a slurry that is obtained at 20° C., by mixing into the starch composition for food products an edible oil/fat in the amount of two times greater than the starch composition in terms of mass and water in the amount of seven times greater than the starch composition in terms of mass, in this order and without heating, is subjected to a viscosity measurement under the condition of 30 rpm for 30 seconds. The starch composition also has a type-B viscometer viscosity (Pa.Math.s) that satisfies the condition of “the type-B viscometer viscosity at 0° C. is 2-30 times greater than the type-B viscometer viscosity at 90° C.” and that is determined when the slurry is cooled or heated and is subjected to viscosity measurement under the condition of 30 rpm for 30 seconds.

A system (20) for thermal processing food products (28) includes an oven 22 operating under selected parameters. A buffer area (26) receives and holds the food products heated in the oven for a selected time period before further processing. The buffer area can be heated or cooled as needed. A temperature determining system (120) determines the temperature of the food product during the thermal processing. A control system (30) receives the operational parameters of the oven and/or the buffer area and receives the temperature determination system data. The control system uses the temperature determination system data to determine over time the temperature equilibration of the interior of the food product after being heated in the oven to model the lethality of pathogenic microorganisms in the interior of the food product. The control system can adjust one or more of the operational parameters of the oven and/or buffer area as needed to achieve a desired lethality of the pathogenic microorganisms in the interior of the food product.

A connected oven, including a set of in-cavity sensors and a processor configured to automatically identify foodstuff within the cooking cavity, based on the sensor measurements; and automatically operate the heating element based on the foodstuff identity.

Disclosed herein is a cooking system for cooking food, 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 food container having a hollow container interior is positionable within the hollow chamber. An end of the food container extends above the upper portion of the housing when the container is installed within the hollow chamber. A lid is moveably attached to the housing and is moveable between a first position that covers the upper portion of the housing and the opening to the hollow chamber when the food container is installed within the hollow chamber and a second 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 said lid and said housing.

A connected oven, including a set of in-cavity sensors and a processor configured to automatically identify foodstuff within the cooking cavity, based on the sensor measurements; and automatically operate the heating element based on the foodstuff identity.

A method includes inserting a food item into an inner volume of a thermal container. A liquid circulating through a liquid jacket at least partially surrounding and fluidically isolated from the inner volume of the thermal container is cooled such that thermal energy from the food item is transferred to the cooled liquid. After the cooling, thermal energy from a first heating element is transferred to the liquid circulating through the liquid jacket such that thermal energy from the heated liquid is transferred to the food item. Thermal energy from a second heating element is transferred to the food item in response to a criterion being satisfied. The second heating element is different from the first heating element and is disposed in the inner volume of the thermal container.

A method performs sous-vide style cooking in an oven cavity of a cooking appliance, where air, not water, serves as the cooking medium. The oven cavity temperature is regulated around a desired final food temperature using a PID algorithm to control a convection heating element and associated fan.

Disclosed herein is a cooking system for cooking food, the system including a housing having a hollow interior, a lid movable relative to the housing, at least one heating element associated with one of the housing and the lid, wherein the cooking system is operable in a plurality of modes including a conductive cooking mode and a convective cooking mode, wherein in the conductive cooking mode the cooking system is operable as a conductive cooker and in the convective cooking mode the cooking system is operable as a convection cooker.

An infusion kit and a method for using said kit for infusing a base substance with an additive substance. The additive substance is deposited into a permeable container, which is itself inserted into a non-permeable container. The base substance is then added to the non-permeable container and the non-permeable container is heated to thereby infuse the base substance with the additive substance. In one embodiment, the additive substance is roasted in the permeable container before infusion begins. In some embodiments, a non-permeable casing encloses the permeable container during roasting. In a preferred embodiment, the non-permeable container is heated by immersion in a temperature-controlled liquid bath system, such as would be found in a sous-vide or similar system. However, many other heating systems may be used. The additive substance may be derived from a plant, including but not limited to cannabis.