An improved inside of can curing technology is provided. One implementation uses narrowband, semiconductor produced infrared energy which is focused into the inside of the can to affect a very high-speed curing result and will directly impact the coating covering the inside walls of the can to rapidly cure the coating. De-tempering and annealing of the aluminum can body does not have time to occur, thus leaving a stronger can with the same amount of aluminum or a can of the same strength but with less aluminum. It is also possible to eliminate the natural gas fueled oven that is the current standard and replace it with a completely hydrocarbon-free curing alternative that has superior performance. This high powered radiant, narrowband energy will be digitally controlled to introduce only the needed heat and to not overheat the can.

The present teachings disclose a wire mesh heater including: a wire mesh element having a surface area comprising a non-contact area and a contact area; a primary conductor having a hollow and a contact surface; and a secondary conductor including a configured to expand outwards. The contact area contacts the contact surface to provide an electrical connection between the wire mesh element and the primary conductor, and the primary conductor is disposed about the secondary conductor and secured to the secondary conductor when expanded.

The present teachings disclose a wire mesh heater including: a wire mesh element having a surface area comprising a non-contact area and a contact area; a primary conductor having a hollow and a contact surface; and a secondary conductor including a configured to expand outwards. The contact area contacts the contact surface to provide an electrical connection between the wire mesh element and the primary conductor, and the primary conductor is disposed about the secondary conductor and secured to the secondary conductor when expanded.

An oven comprising a housing, a cook cavity located within the housing, wherein the housing includes an opening to the cook cavity and the cook cavity is configured to receive a food item through the opening, an oven door for covering the opening, a heating element configured to heat an air within the cook cavity, an active vent interconnecting the cook cavity and an outside of the housing, and a controller operatively coupled to the active vent and the heating element is disclosed. The controller is configured to perform the steps of (a) turning on the heating element to initiate a cooking cycle, (b) keeping the active vent closed during an initial stage of the cooking cycle, (c) after the initial stage of the cooking cycle, opening the active vent, and (d) keeping the active vent open during at least a portion of a remainder of the cooking cycle.

An oven comprising a housing, a cook cavity located within the housing, wherein the housing includes an opening to the cook cavity and the cook cavity is configured to receive a food item through the opening, an oven door for covering the opening, a heating element configured to heat an air within the cook cavity, an active vent interconnecting the cook cavity and an outside of the housing, and a controller operatively coupled to the active vent and the heating element is disclosed. The controller is configured to perform the steps of (a) turning on the heating element to initiate a cooking cycle, (b) keeping the active vent closed during an initial stage of the cooking cycle, (c) after the initial stage of the cooking cycle, opening the active vent, and (d) keeping the active vent open during at least a portion of a remainder of the cooking cycle.

Systems and methods for an oven include a housing, a heating chamber positioned within the housing, at least one oven door to provide access to the heating chamber, an external nesting rack positionable on or near the housing, and a movable cook surface, the movable cook surface movable between a position within the heating chamber and a position at least partially external to the heating chamber, such that when the movable cook surface is in the position at least partially external to the heating chamber, the movable cook surface is positioned at least partially recessed below a top surface of the external nesting rack. One or more heat packs can be included to provide variable forms of heat to the heating chamber.

A steam generator system for a cooking appliance includes an in-line heating element coupled to a heating tube, wherein water from a water reservoir is gravitationally fed into the heating tube for heating by the in-line heating element to produce a hot water and steam mixture. A first supply line is coupled to the heating tube to carry the mixture to a separator without the need for moving or complex pump parts. The separator separates steam and hot water from the mixture of the two. A second supply line is coupled to the separator at a first end and opens into the cooking cavity of the cooking appliance at a second end. The second supply line is configured to supply steam separated at the separator to the cooking cavity via a steam outlet disposed in the cooking cavity.

A conveyor oven is disclosed. The conveyor oven includes a housing, a conveyor belt, a first and second doors, and a heat source. The housing includes a cavity and a first and second openings. The conveyor belt is configured to receive and transport food items in and out of the cavity through the first and second openings. The conveyor belt includes a loading section and an unloading section for food. The first and second doors cover first and second openings, respectively, in order to prevent heat within the cavity from escaping through the first and second openings during operation. Configured to provide different cooking times and thermal profiles to various types of food items, the heat source provides heat to the cavity for heating up any food item placed on a portion of the conveyor belt located within the cavity.

A heat transfer system and a broiler that includes a heat transfer system include a heat source. The heat transfer system includes a mixing chamber that surrounds the heat source. An air inlet provides a flow of pressurized air into the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber directs the flow of air past the heat source for direct heating of the flow of air by the heat source. The flow of air is further directed out of the mixing chamber through an outlet to impinge upon a food product.

A heat transfer system and a broiler that includes a heat transfer system include a heat source. The heat transfer system includes a mixing chamber that surrounds the heat source. An air inlet provides a flow of pressurized air into the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber directs the flow of air past the heat source for direct heating of the flow of air by the heat source. The flow of air is further directed out of the mixing chamber through an outlet to impinge upon a food product.