A cooking appliance includes a body having a first cavity. A sensor is operably coupled with the first cavity to obtain a first data. A humidifier is in fluid communication with the first cavity to control a relative humidity within the first cavity. A controller is in electric communication with the sensor to receive the first data. The controller detects at least one of a surface condition and a growth condition of a food substrate using the first data.

A cooking appliance includes a body having a first cavity. A sensor is operably coupled with the first cavity to obtain a first data. A humidifier is in fluid communication with the first cavity to control a relative humidity within the first cavity. A controller is in electric communication with the sensor to receive the first data. The controller detects at least one of a surface condition and a growth condition of a food substrate using the first data.

A heat treatment monitoring system comprises a sensor unit having at least one sensor to determine current sensor data of food being heated; a processing unit to determine current feature data from the current sensor data; and a monitoring unit adapted to determine a current heating process state in a current heating process of the monitored food by comparing the current feature data with reference feature data of a reference heating process.

A heat treatment monitoring system comprises a sensor unit having at least one sensor to determine current sensor data of food being heated; a processing unit to determine current feature data from the current sensor data; and a monitoring unit adapted to determine a current heating process state in a current heating process of the monitored food by comparing the current feature data with reference feature data of a reference heating process.

Dough preparation apparatus and associated methods. The dough preparation apparatus can store and be configured to execute a plurality of dough preparation recipes. In one example, the dough preparation apparatus is configured for thawing or slacking frozen dough and conditioning the dough prior to baking. The dough preparation apparatus facilitates production of baked bread having higher and more consistent quality.

Dough preparation apparatus and associated methods. The dough preparation apparatus can store and be configured to execute a plurality of dough preparation recipes. In one example, the dough preparation apparatus is configured for thawing or slacking frozen dough and conditioning the dough prior to baking. The dough preparation apparatus facilitates production of baked bread having higher and more consistent quality.

A gas manifold for a convection conveyor oven includes an elongated housing having a wall that at least partially encloses an interior volume; a gas inlet in fluid communication with the interior volume and extending through the wall; a plurality of gas outlets in fluid communication with the interior volume and extending through the wall; a plurality of seat inserts removably coupled with a plurality of gas outlets; a plurality of valve openings formed in the wall and aligned opposite the plurality of gas outlets; and at least one valve removably coupled to the wall and aligned with a first valve opening, wherein the valve is aligned with a first gas outlet and has a first position in which a first seat insert is not in fluid communication with the gas inlet.

A gas manifold for a convection conveyor oven includes an elongated housing having a wall that at least partially encloses an interior volume; a gas inlet in fluid communication with the interior volume and extending through the wall; a plurality of gas outlets in fluid communication with the interior volume and extending through the wall; a plurality of seat inserts removably coupled with a plurality of gas outlets; a plurality of valve openings formed in the wall and aligned opposite the plurality of gas outlets; and at least one valve removably coupled to the wall and aligned with a first valve opening, wherein the valve is aligned with a first gas outlet and has a first position in which a first seat insert is not in fluid communication with the gas inlet.

There is disclosed a cooking appliance (2010) including: a body (2014) providing a floor (2016), a ceiling (2018) and an intermediate wall (2020) locating between the floor (2016) and ceiling (2018), the floor (2016), ceiling (2018), and wall (2020) at least partly surrounding a cooking cavity (2022), the body (2014) having an opening (2024) via which product to be cooked can be moved relative to the cavity (2022); at least one upper heating element (2030) located in an upper portion (2032) of the cavity (2022) to deliver radiant energy to cook the product; and at least one shield (2034) positioned relative to the element (2030) to shield a portion of the product from the radiant energy.

There is disclosed a cooking appliance (2010) including: a body (2014) providing a floor (2016), a ceiling (2018) and an intermediate wall (2020) locating between the floor (2016) and ceiling (2018), the floor (2016), ceiling (2018), and wall (2020) at least partly surrounding a cooking cavity (2022), the body (2014) having an opening (2024) via which product to be cooked can be moved relative to the cavity (2022); at least one upper heating element (2030) located in an upper portion (2032) of the cavity (2022) to deliver radiant energy to cook the product; and at least one shield (2034) positioned relative to the element (2030) to shield a portion of the product from the radiant energy.