A toaster oven includes a housing having an internal heating compartment, at least one heating element within the internal heating compartment, a vent associated with at least one wall of the internal heating compartment, the vent being moveable between an open position where air is permitted to pass into the internal heating compartment through the vent, and a closed position where passage of air into the internal heating compartment through the vent is inhibited. The vent is configured to move from the closed position to the open position in response to a biasing force exerted by a food support tray received within the internal heating compartment.

An automatic apparatus for baking pastry products, wherein baking molds containing a pastry mass to be baked are introduced into the apparatus for baking purposes, wherein the apparatus comprises a reception or cooling module that defines a pre-chamber, a baking module, and a rotary oven door arranged between said modules so as to rotate for positioning the molds between reception, baking and cooling positions, thus avoiding the use of additional mechanical parts that may generate failures and inconveniences in the normal operation of the appliance, while the invented apparatus provides a better quality baked product that is achieved by homogeneous heating within the oven module.

The present technology provides a multi-purpose cooking apparatus that provides simultaneous smokeless grilling for food products and air frying for food products utilizing the same fan and heating elements. A lower portion of the apparatus includes an enclosed air fryer cooking chamber with a closable door. The air fryer cooking chamber is heated with heating elements and a fan for blowing heated air through the cooking chamber. The upper portion of the apparatus utilizes the same upper heating elements as the air fryer chamber and includes a grilling surface, such as a grilling plate, in an enclosed interior cooking environment. The fan pulls air from the upper portion, filters smoke from the air, and returns the air to the lower portion of the apparatus. The heated, smokeless, circulated air from the fan is used to air fry in the lower portion.

Methods for heat treating food products include controlling a temperature of a heating element to a maximum temperature correlated to a desired temperature for the food product. A sensed temperature of the heating element may be used to control the maximum temperature. An oven includes a heating element and a temperature sensor configured to sense the temperature of the heating element, and a controller that limits the temperature of the heating element based on output from the temperature sensor.

A method of preparing meals in a computerized kitchen workspace is set forth. The computerized kitchen workspace includes one or more robots for preparing and cooking food in the kitchen workspace. Kitchen appliances may be automatically controlled according to a recipe. The one or more robots may access kitchen items necessary for meal preparation by rotating automated shelves. The meal may then be automatically prepared by the one or more robots. Automated storage shelves may be provided with electrical power for powering kitchen appliances found on the shelves.

A method for cooking is disclosed. In response to an oven being selected to cook a food item, a determination is made whether or not any oven is being engaged in cooking. If no oven is being engaged in cooking, then temperature-control mode is utilized to control oven temperature of the selected oven. If one oven is currently being engaged in cooking, then another determination is made whether or not the total current demand by the two ovens to cook respective food items exceeds a predetermined current limitation under temperature-control mode. If the total current demand does not exceed the predetermined current limitation, then temperature-control mode is utilized to control oven temperature of the two ovens. If the total current demand exceeds the predetermined current limitation, then time-control mode is utilized to control oven temperature of the two ovens.

Devices and methods for automating the process of making flatbread, such as roti. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a housing, an ingredient metering assembly, a mixing bowl assembly, a mixing actuator assembly, a cooking assembly, and an electronic assembly. The housing defines an interior volume and has several access openings with corresponding lids and/or covers. The ingredient metering assembly includes a flour container assembly, a flour delivery system, a water reservoir, and an oil reservoir. The mixing bowl assembly includes two bowls and a measurement system. The mixing actuator assembly includes a mixing mount, a mixing motor, a mixing paddle assembly, and a lower motor. The cooking assembly includes two platens and an actuator assembly. The electronic assembly includes a power source, a control module, and a LCD input/output screen. All components are integrated within the housing such that the apparatus is a consumer grade countertop appliance.

A method for cooking is disclosed. In response to an oven being selected to cook a food item, a determination is made whether or not any oven is being engaged in cooking. If no oven is being engaged in cooking, then temperature-control mode is utilized to control oven temperature of the selected oven. If one oven is currently being engaged in cooking, then another determination is made whether or not the total current demand by the two ovens to cook respective food items exceeds a predetermined current limitation under temperature-control mode. If the total current demand does not exceed the predetermined current limitation, then temperature-control mode is utilized to control oven temperature of the two ovens. If the total current demand exceeds the predetermined current limitation, then time-control mode is utilized to control oven temperature of the two ovens.

An automatic apparatus for baking pastry products, wherein baking molds containing a pastry mass to be baked are introduced into the apparatus for baking purposes, wherein the apparatus comprises a reception or cooling module that defines a pre-chamber, a baking module, and a rotary oven door arranged between said modules so as to rotate for positioning the molds between reception, baking and cooling positions, thus avoiding the use of additional mechanical parts that may generate failures and inconveniences in the normal operation of the appliance, while the invented apparatus provides a better quality baked product that is achieved by homogeneous heating within the oven module.

Devices and methods for automating the process of making flatbread, such as roti. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a housing, an ingredient metering assembly, a mixing bowl assembly, a mixing actuator assembly, a cooking assembly, and an electronic assembly. The housing defines an interior volume and has several access openings with corresponding lids and/or covers. The ingredient metering assembly includes a flour container assembly, a flour delivery system, a water reservoir, and an oil reservoir. The mixing bowl assembly includes two bowls and a measurement system. The mixing actuator assembly includes a mixing mount, a mixing motor, a mixing paddle assembly, and a lower motor. The cooking assembly includes two platens and an actuator assembly. The electronic assembly includes a power source, a control module, and a LCD input/output screen. All components are integrated within the housing such that the apparatus is a consumer grade countertop appliance.