A toaster with a steam system comprises a casing and a chassis. A slot for a bread slice is defined by the chassis. A pop-up mechanism is within the casing and supported by the chassis, the pop-up mechanism configured for supporting a bread slice received via the at least one slot, and for raising the bread slice to project partially out of the slot at an end of a toasting/steaming process. Heating element(s) in the casing are for generating toasting heat. A steam system within the casing is configured for producing steam and feeding the steam to a steam vessel in the chassis during the toasting/steaming process. A closing system has flap(s) to close the at least one slot during the toasting/steaming process, and to open the at least one slot at completion of the toasting/steaming process.

A container for heating tortillas, quesadillas, pitas, or similar food articles in a toaster. The food articles have a moisture content by weight ranging from 30% to 52% prior to heating in the toaster. The container comprises an upright structure adapted to removably fit into the vertical slot of a conventional toaster and be supported by the toaster during a toaster heating cycle. The upright structure has a front and back connected to a hinged or metal ring bound bottom. The sides consist of a stainless-steel wire frame with vertical grate front and back which provides apertures for passing heat from the toaster to the food article located inside the container. The container is openable to permit removal of the food article after heating.

A toaster accessory including a heat resistant body, a recessed gripping area, and a corrugated wall integrated into the heat resistant body. The toaster accessory is useful for allowing a slice of bread to be toasted evenly on both the front surface and the back surface in a toaster having a plurality of toast slots.

A toaster with a steam system comprises a casing and a chassis. A slot for a bread slice is defined by the chassis. A pop-up mechanism is within the casing and supported by the chassis, the pop-up mechanism configured for supporting a bread slice received via the at least one slot, and for raising the bread slice to project partially out of the slot at an end of a toasting/steaming process. Heating element(s) in the casing are for generating toasting heat. A steam system within the casing is configured for producing steam and feeding the steam to a steam vessel in the chassis during the toasting/steaming process. A closing system has flap(s) to close the at least one slot during the toasting/steaming process, and to open the at least one slot at completion of the toasting/steaming process.

Several embodiments include a cooking instrument having: a housing frame defining a slot to fit a food item; a heater mechanically coupled to the housing frame and adapted to produce electromagnetic waves to heat the food item; one or more optical feedback components configured to measure light intensity at one or more regions in the slot perpendicular to an opening of the slot; and a controller configured to control the heater based on an output of the optical feedback components.

A toaster with a steam system comprises a casing and a chassis. A slot for a bread slice is defined by the chassis. A pop-up mechanism is within the casing and supported by the chassis, the pop-up mechanism configured for supporting a bread slice received via the at least one slot, and for raising the bread slice to project partially out of the slot at an end of a toasting/steaming process. Heating element(s) in the casing are for generating toasting heat. A steam system within the casing is configured for producing steam and feeding the steam to a steam vessel in the chassis during the toasting/steaming process. A closing system has flap(s) to close the at least one slot during the toasting/steaming process, and to open the at least one slot at completion of the toasting/steaming process.

A toaster with a steam system comprises a casing and a chassis. A slot for a bread slice is defined by the chassis. A pop-up mechanism is within the casing and supported by the chassis, the pop-up mechanism configured for supporting a bread slice received via the at least one slot, and for raising the bread slice to project partially out of the slot at an end of a toasting/steaming process. Heating element(s) in the casing are for generating toasting heat. A steam system within the casing is configured for producing steam and feeding the steam to a steam vessel in the chassis during the toasting/steaming process. A closing system has flap(s) to close the at least one slot during the toasting/steaming process, and to open the at least one slot at completion of the toasting/steaming process.

A system is provided for heating food. The system includes a housing and a slot, where the slot extends in a direction from the top to the bottom. The system also includes heating elements adjacent the slot. A lever is provided along one of the sides of the housing. The lever is operatively connected to the heating elements and a movable platform within the slot. The system also includes an insert comprising two elements that are rotatable about a hinge from an open position to a closed position. The insert in the closed position defines a recess to hold food. A width of the insert in the closed position is based on a width of the slot. The pair of heating elements are configured to thermally couple with the two elements of the insert upon placement of the insert in the slot and actuation of the lever.

A sandwich press or food holder for use with a cooking appliance, such as a toaster or oven. Sidewalls of the press that define a space in which a food item is received can have one or more ridges that define a convex surface inside the cavity and a concave surface on an exterior of the sidewall. The concave surface can be positioned adjacent a heating element when the press is received in a cooking cavity of the appliance. One or more openings can be provided in the sidewall, e.g., to allow radiant energy to pass and/or steam to escape. A handle can permit two-handed manipulation of the press and can have a gripping portion that is offset from an area directly above the press.

A toaster accessory for cooking hot dogs, sausages or the like is disclosed. The toaster accessory comprises a base member, one or more rectangular box like frames, one or more hollow cages and a handle. The rectangular box like frame is disposed below the base member comprises multiple sidewalls with a rectangular opening. One or more hollow cages is disposed within each rectangular box like frame. Further, the rectangular box like frame is sized to horizontally support the hollow cages. The hollow cage comprises open ends to receive the hotdog therein. The handle is disposed above the frame made of a heat resistant material. Advantageously, the present invention eases the task of cooking hot dogs by saving time and effort of the user.