A microwave oven may include a temperature sensor to sense temperature in a cooking cavity, and a controller that can initiate a sous vide cooking cycle in response to user input after placement of a sous vide container (with a water bath and a food item to be cooked inside) into the cooking cavity, monitor a temperature of the water bath contained by the sous vide container during the cooking cycle using the temperature sensor, and control the microwave cooking element in response to the monitored temperature.

A microwave cooking device is used for cooking food using steam inside a microwave oven. The device includes an outer body with a top portion that has a recessed portion with the ability to hold water, to aid in the microwave cooking and reheating process, protruding inwardly and towards a bottom portion of the device. The device further includes ridges on the outer body configured to be collapsible and expandable. The device has handles on the outer body configured to allow a user to pick up the device or hot dishware after microwaving. The recessed portion of the device includes (i) a rotatable knob with plurality of leaves, and (ii) plurality of holes. The device prevents splattering of food inside the microwave oven and is inexpensive, eco-friendly, easy to use and can be washed in the dishware after use.

Carriers suitable for transporting a plurality of articles through a microwave heating zone are provided. Carriers as described herein may include an outer frame and upper and lower support structures vertically spaced from one another to provide a cargo volume into which the articles are loaded. At least a portion of the upper and/or lower support structures may be formed of an electrically conductive material. Additionally, the carrier may include removable article spacing members, such as vertical spacing members and dividers, that can be selectively inserted to adjust the size and/or shaper of the cargo volume. Carriers as described herein may be configured to receive a variety of different articles, including trays and pouches, and the articles may be loaded into the carrier in a nested or overlapping manner.

A food heating device includes a placement unit and a heating unit. The placement unit includes a housing and a placement board, wherein the placement board is disposed in the housing and is for placing a food item. The heating unit includes a water injection element and a microwave element, wherein the water injection element connects to the housing and is communication with an internal space of the housing, and the microwave element connects to the housing. The microwave element is for heating by microwave the water injected into the internal space of the housing through the water injection element and producing steam therefrom.

A method for processing articles using a microwave heating system includes obtaining an operating profile for heating a type of article using the microwave heating system. The operating profile includes a temperature-time profile for a target F.sub.0 value and a group of set point values for achieving the temperature-time profile, the group of set point values including a target for a control parameter of the microwave heating system. Using a control system operatively coupled to the microwave heating system, the microwave heating system is operated in accordance with the group of set point values such that each of the articles achieves an F.sub.0 value that is greater than or equal to the target F.sub.0 value.

A microwave oven may include a temperature sensor to sense temperature in a cooking cavity, and a controller that can initiate a sous vide cooking cycle in response to user input after placement of a sous vide container (with a water bath and a food item to be cooked inside) into the cooking cavity, monitor a temperature of the water bath contained by the sous vide container during the cooking cycle using the temperature sensor, and control the microwave cooking element in response to the monitored temperature.

A method for processing articles using a microwave heating system includes obtaining an operating profile for heating a type of article using the microwave heating system. The operating profile includes a temperature-time profile for a target F.sub.0 value and a group of set point values for achieving the temperature-time profile, the group of set point values including a target for a control parameter of the microwave heating system. Using a control system operatively coupled to the microwave heating system, the microwave heating system is operated in accordance with the group of set point values such that each of the articles achieves an F.sub.0 value that is greater than or equal to the target F.sub.0 value.

The present invention provides packages pre-packed with nuts/seeds for roasting thereof in a microwave.

A food heating device includes a placement unit and a heating unit. The placement unit includes a housing and a placement board, wherein the placement board is disposed in the housing and is for placing a food item. The heating unit includes a water injection element and a microwave element, wherein the water injection element connects to the housing and is communication with an internal space of the housing, and the microwave element connects to the housing. The microwave element is for heating by microwave the water injected into the internal space of the housing through the water injection element and producing steam therefrom.

A microwave oven may include a temperature sensor to sense temperature in a cooking cavity, and a controller that can initiate a sous vide cooking cycle in response to user input after placement of a sous vide container (with a water bath and a food item to be cooked inside) into the cooking cavity, monitor a temperature of the water bath contained by the sous vide container during the cooking cycle using the temperature sensor, and control the microwave cooking element in response to the monitored temperature.