A mixing system includes a mixing machine and a device for collecting material of the mixture that remains adherent to the implement of the machine, at the end of a mixing step. The collecting device has a collecting surface that is associated to movement means designed to guide the surface in a first direction and a second direction, so that this can pass, as a result of the movement in both directions, from a first condition, where the surface extends at least prevalently in the first direction, to a second condition, where the surface extends at least prevalently in the second direction.

A mixing machine includes a head extending over a bowl receiving location, a rotatable output shaft for receiving a mixer tool, and a gear system for effecting rotation of the rotatable output shaft about its axis and orbiting of the shaft axis about another axis. An electric motor includes an output operatively connected to drive the gear system. A variable frequency drive is connected to deliver 3-phase power to the electric motor to achieve variable speed and torque. The variable frequency drive includes a plurality of embedded sensors, including embedded current sensors and embedded voltage sensors. A diagnostic control is configured and operable to analyze outputs from the embedded sensors and produce an alert indication upon identification of a characteristic indicative of at least one of input power brownout, input power surge, machine short circuit, motor phase insulation arch, motor phase to ground arch or motor loss of phase.

A mixing machine includes a head extending over a bowl receiving location, a rotatable output shaft for receiving a mixer tool, and a gear system for effecting rotation of the rotatable output shaft about its axis and orbiting of the shaft axis about another axis. An electric motor includes an output operatively connected to drive the gear system. A variable frequency drive is connected to deliver 3-phase power to the electric motor to achieve variable speed and torque. The variable frequency drive includes a plurality of embedded sensors, including embedded current sensors and embedded voltage sensors. A diagnostic control is configured and operable to analyze outputs from the embedded sensors and produce an alert indication upon identification of a characteristic indicative of at least one of input power brownout, input power surge, machine short circuit, motor phase insulation arch, motor phase to ground arch or motor loss of phase.

A kitchen appliance (100) is disclosed comprising a compartment (110) for receiving flour, said compartment comprising a sensor (120) for producing a sensor reading indicative of a dielectric property of said flour or a product comprising said flour. The kitchen appliance further comprises a processing arrangement (130) communicatively coupled to the sensor for determining an initial moisture content of said flour or product from said sensor reading and adapted to generate a control signal indicative of an amount of water to be added to the compartment as a function of the determined moisture content. A method of controlling a flour product-based food preparation process is also disclosed.

A kitchen appliance (100) is disclosed comprising a compartment (110) for receiving flour, said compartment comprising a sensor (120) for producing a sensor reading indicative of a dielectric property of said flour or a product comprising said flour. The kitchen appliance further comprises a processing arrangement (130) communicatively coupled to the sensor for determining an initial moisture content of said flour or product from said sensor reading and adapted to generate a control signal indicative of an amount of water to be added to the compartment as a function of the determined moisture content. A method of controlling a flour product-based food preparation process is also disclosed.

When operating a dough-kneading device, a momentary torque acting on kneading tool of the dough-kneading device, a momentary speed and a momentary rotational position of the kneading tool are measured. From the measurement values, a dough elasticity parameter and a dough viscosity parameter are determined as actual dough parameters. Dough-status data is then output based on the measurement data and the determined actual dough parameters. From the measurement values, dough parameters can therefore directly be concluded, which represent a measure on the one hand for the viscosity and, on the other hand, for the elasticity of the dough. An objective monitoring of the kneaded dough is therefore possible. In addition or as an alternative, an expected kneading period until reaching a maximum torque is determined.

When operating a dough-kneading device, a momentary torque acting on kneading tool of the dough-kneading device, a momentary speed and a momentary rotational position of the kneading tool are measured. From the measurement values, a dough elasticity parameter and a dough viscosity parameter are determined as actual dough parameters. Dough-status data is then output based on the measurement data and the determined actual dough parameters. From the measurement values, dough parameters can therefore directly be concluded, which represent a measure on the one hand for the viscosity and, on the other hand, for the elasticity of the dough. An objective monitoring of the kneaded dough is therefore possible. In addition or as an alternative, an expected kneading period until reaching a maximum torque is determined.

To allow simplification of the operating mechanism for automatic charging of auxiliary material, thus enabling compactization/simplification of the automatic bread making machine as well as increased readiness of its cleaning. An auxiliary material accommodating container detachably attachable to an automatic bread making machine. The container includes a base body 31, a first accommodating section 31a, a second accommodating section 31b, a first opening/closing member (a lid member 32 and a frame member 33) and a second opening/closing member (a yeast lid member 34). The first accommodating section 31a and the second accommodating section 31b accommodate auxiliary materials to be charged to bread. The first opening/closing member is pivotable relative to the base body 31 about a pivot axis G to open/close the first accommodating section 31a. The second opening/closing member is pivotable relative to the base body 31 about the pivot axis G to open/close the second accommodating section 31b.

To allow simplification of the operating mechanism for automatic charging of auxiliary material, thus enabling compactization/simplification of the automatic bread making machine as well as increased readiness of its cleaning. An auxiliary material accommodating container detachably attachable to an automatic bread making machine. The container includes a base body 31, a first accommodating section 31a, a second accommodating section 31b, a first opening/closing member (a lid member 32 and a frame member 33) and a second opening/closing member (a yeast lid member 34). The first accommodating section 31a and the second accommodating section 31b accommodate auxiliary materials to be charged to bread. The first opening/closing member is pivotable relative to the base body 31 about a pivot axis G to open/close the first accommodating section 31a. The second opening/closing member is pivotable relative to the base body 31 about the pivot axis G to open/close the second accommodating section 31b.

A food mixing machine includes a mixer body including a column and a head extending from the column. A rotatable output member extends downward from the head for receiving a mixer tool. A bowl support is mounted for vertical movement along the column between a lowered position away from the head and a raised position toward the head. A drive assembly is linked to selectively drive the rotatable output member. A user interface, including a touch-screen display, is located on the mixer body. A controller is associated with the user interface, wherein the controller is configured to communicate mixing machine condition information via the touch-screen display.