Steam oven cleaning method

Abstract

A method for cleaning a cavity of an oven having a steam generation device, comprising the following steps: (i) a step of mild detergent cleaning, comprising (i.1) a step of applying mild detergent to the oven cavity at a predetermined cavity starting temperature (T.sub.0), and subsequently (i.2) a step of incubating the oven cavity for a predetermined incubation period of time (t.sub.inc1) at a temperature T.sub.act, (i.3) a step of applying steam generated by the steam generation device to the oven cavity for a steam period of time (t.sub.steam1) until the oven cavity reaches a temperature T.sub.1, and subsequently incubating the oven cavity for an incubation period of time (t.sub.inc2) until the oven cavity reaches a temperature T.sub.2, and (i.4) a step of removing water and dirt from the oven cavity; and (ii) a step of steam cleaning, comprising (ii.1) a step of applying steam generated by the steam generation device to the oven cavity for a steam period of time (t.sub.steam2) until the oven cavity reaches a temperature T.sub.3, and subsequently incubating the oven cavity for an incubation period of time (t.sub.inc3) until the oven cavity reaches a temperature T.sub.4, and (ii.2) a step of removing water and dirt from the oven cavity.

Claims

1. A method for cleaning a cavity of an oven having a steam generation device, comprising the following steps: (i) a step of mild detergent cleaning, comprising: (i.1) applying mild detergent to the oven cavity at a predetermined cavity starting temperature (T.sub.0), and subsequently (i.2) incubating the oven cavity for a predetermined first incubation period of time (t.sub.inc1) at a temperature T.sub.act, (i.3) applying steam generated by the steam generation device to the oven cavity for both a first steam period of time (t.sub.steam1) until the oven cavity reaches a temperature T.sub.1 and a second incubation period of time (t.sub.inc2) until the oven cavity reaches a temperature T.sub.2 that is less than temperature T.sub.1, and thereafter turning off the steam generation device such that the oven cavity cools to a first working temperature (T.sub.work1), and (i.4) removing water and dirt from the oven cavity; and (ii) a step of steam cleaning, comprising: (ii.1) applying steam generated by the steam generation device to the oven cavity for a second steam period of time (t.sub.steam2) until the oven cavity reaches a temperature T.sub.3, and subsequently incubating the oven cavity for a third incubation period of time (t.sub.inc3) until the oven cavity reaches a temperature T.sub.4, and (ii.2) removing water and dirt from the oven cavity.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined cavity starting temperature (T.sub.0) is about room temperature and/or wherein T.sub.act is between about room temperature and about 60 C.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein T.sub.1 is equal to or less than about 100 C.

4. The method according to claim 3, T.sub.1 being between about 50 C. and about 100 C.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein T.sub.3 is equal to or less than about 100 C.

6. The method according to claim 5, T.sub.3 being between about 65 C. and about 100 C.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein T.sub.2 is higher than about 40 C.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein T.sub.4 is less than about 95 C. and/or higher than about 50 C.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein substep ii.2 of removing water and dirt from the oven cavity is carried out subsequent to cooling the cavity to a second working temperature (T.sub.work2).

10. The method according to claim 9, said second working temperature being about room temperature.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the mild detergent is selected from the group consisting of basic mild detergents and enzyme based mild detergents.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the mild detergent is a basic mild detergent comprising sodium hydroxide.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the mild detergent is a basic detergent and wherein the temperature T.sub.1 and/or T.sub.2 and/or T.sub.3 and/or T.sub.4 is higher than about 60 C.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the mild detergent is an enzyme and wherein the temperature T.sub.1 and/or T.sub.2 and/or T.sub.3 and/or T.sub.4 is each individually from about 40 C. to about 50 C.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein a duration of the step (i) of mild detergent cleaning is about 35 min to 42 min, and the first incubation period t.sub.inc1 is between about 200 sec and about 600 sec, and/or wherein the second incubation period t.sub.inc2 is between 30 min and about 40 min, and/or wherein the first steam period t.sub.steam1 is about 10 min.

16. The method according to claim 15, said first incubation period t.sub.inc1 being between about 360 sec to about 600 sec.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein a duration of the step (ii) of steam cleaning is about 20 min to about 45 min, and the third incubation period t.sub.inc3 is between about 15 min and about 30 min and/or wherein the second steam period t.sub.steam2 is about 500 s.

18. The method according to claim 1, said first working temperature being about room temperature.

19. The method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature T.sub.act is greater than the predetermined cavity starting temperature (T.sub.0) and the temperature T.sub.1 is greater than the temperature T.sub.act.

20. The method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature T.sub.3 is greater than the temperature T.sub.4.

21. The method according to claim 1, wherein steam generated by the steam generation device is applied to the oven cavity intermittently during the second incubation period of time (t.sub.inc2).

22. A method for cleaning a cavity of an oven having a steam generation device and a user interface, comprising the following steps: a step of mild detergent cleaning, comprising: (i.1) said user interface issuing a first message to apply mild detergent to the oven cavity, (i.2) a user manually applying said mild detergent to the oven cavity in response to said first message at a predetermined cavity starting temperature (T.sub.0), (i.3) thereafter incubating the oven cavity for a predetermined first incubation period of time (t.sub.inc1) at a temperature T.sub.act, (i.4) thereafter applying steam generated by the steam generation device to the oven cavity for a first steam period of time (t.sub.steam1) until the oven cavity reaches a temperature T.sub.1, (i.5) thereafter incubating the oven cavity by supplying heat for a second incubation period of time (t.sub.inc2) until the oven cavity reaches a temperature T.sub.2 that is less than temperature T.sub.1, (i.6) thereafter said user interface issuing a second message to remove water and dirt from the oven cavity, and (i.7) thereafter said user manually removing water and dirt from the oven cavity in response to said second message; and (ii) a step of steam cleaning, comprising: (ii.1) applying steam generated by the steam generation device to the oven cavity for a second steam period of time (t.sub.steam2) until the oven cavity reaches a temperature T.sub.3, (ii.2) thereafter incubating the oven cavity for a third incubation period of time (t.sub.inc3) until the oven cavity reaches a temperature T.sub.4, (ii.3) thereafter said user interface issuing a third message to remove water and dirt from the oven cavity, and (ii.4) thereafter said user manually removing water and dirt from the oven cavity in response to said third message.

23. The method according to claim 22, said step (i) of mild detergent cleaning further comprising, before substep i.1, said user interface issuing a fourth message to open an oven door and thereafter said user manually opening said oven door in response to said fourth message and closing said oven door after applying said mild detergent.

24. The method according to claim 22, said step (i) of mild detergent cleaning further comprising before, substep i.6, said user interface issuing a fifth message to open said oven door and thereafter said user manually opening said oven door in response to said fifth message and closing said door after removing said water and dirt, and said step (ii) of steam cleaning further comprising, before said step ii.3, said user interface issuing a sixth message to open said oven door and thereafter said user manually opening said oven door in response to said sixth message.

25. The method according to claim 22, wherein during any of the first incubation period of time (t.sub.inc1), the second incubation period of time (t.sub.inc2), and the third incubation period of time (t.sub.inc3), steam generated by the steam generation device is applied to the oven cavity.

26. The method according to claim 22, further comprising a substep of cooling the cavity to a first working temperature (T.sub.work1) prior to substep (i.6) of said user interface issuing a second message to remove water and dirt from the oven cavity and subsequent to substep (i.5) of incubating the oven cavity by supplying heat for a second incubation period of time (t.sub.inc2) until the oven cavity reaches a temperature T.sub.2 that is less than temperature T.sub.1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic overview of the sequence of steps of the inventive method;

(2) FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a power and temperature over time diagram showing the thermal history of a step of (i) and a step of (ii) of a first inventive embodiment;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(3) FIG. 1 schematically shows the sequence of steps of the inventive method.

(4) The present invention relates to an automated oven cleaning process, particularly for a food cooking steam oven, adapted to cook foods by introducing steam into the cooking cavity, where the action of a detergent is integrated in the process itself to enhance effectiveness against heavy soiling.

(5) Therefore, at first in a step (i.1) a mild detergent is applied to the oven cavity as part of a step (i) of mild detergent cleaning. Said step (i) of mild detergent cleaning, further comprises subsequent to the step (i.1) of applying mild detergent to the oven cavity at a predetermined cavity starting temperature (T.sub.0), a step of incubating the oven cavity for a predetermined incubation period of time (t.sub.inc1). Afterwards, in a step (i.2) steam generated by the steam generation device and thereby heat and moisture is applied to the oven cavity for a steam period of time (t.sub.steam1) until the oven cavity reaches a temperature T.sub.1. Subsequent thereto the oven cavity is incubated for an incubation period of time (t.sub.inc2) until the oven cavity reaches a temperature T.sub.2. However, said incubation period of time (t.sub.inc2) may comprise a soaking phase and a cool down phase. The soaking phase may have a duration of about 5 to about 30 min, preferably, about 10 to about 15 min, where the steam generator keeps the temperature at a constant temperature, preferably, about 10 C. to about 20 C. lower than the target of soaking phase. Subsequently, a cool down phase having a duration of about 10 min may be performed until the oven cavity reaches a temperature T.sub.work1, preferably, being about 60 C., and allowing user operation.

(6) It will, however be understood that in said cool down phase the cavity is allowed to cool down until an appropriate working temperature T.sub.work1 is reached.

(7) Thus, also in the incubation period (t.sub.inc2) steam may be further advantageously applied, preferably, during the soaking phase, to keep the desired target temperature.

(8) Preferably, a incubation period t.sub.inc3 comprises a cool down phase, more preferably, said cool down phase has a duration of about 10 min.

(9) Finally, in a step of (i.3) water and dirt from the oven cavity is removed. Said step (i) of mild detergent cleaning is followed by a step (ii) of steam cleaning, comprising, at first a step (ii.1) of applying steam generated by the steam generation device to the oven cavity, and thus heat and moisture, for a steam period of time (t.sub.steam2) until the oven cavity reaches a temperature T.sub.3. Afterwards, the oven cavity is incubated for an incubation period of time (t.sub.inc3) until the oven cavity reaches a temperature T.sub.4. However, within said incubation period of time (t.sub.inc3) steam may be further advantageously applied, to keep the desired target temperature.

(10) However, said incubation period of time (t.sub.inc3) may comprise a soaking phase and a cool down phase, wherein in the soaking phase the steam generator keeps the temperature at a constant temperature, preferably, about 10 C. to about 20 C. lower than the target of soaking phase.

(11) Preferably, the duration of an incubation period t.sub.inc3 is more than about 15 min, which is thought to be a minimal duration for t.sub.inc3 to reach the desired effect.

(12) A cool down phase preferably, has a duration of about 10 min, until the oven cavity reaches a temperature T.sub.work2, preferably, being about 60 C., and allowing user operation. It will, however be understood that in said cool down phase the cavity is allowed to cool down until an appropriate working temperature T.sub.work2 is reached.

(13) Thus, also in the incubation period (t.sub.inc3), preferably, in the soaking phase, steam may be further advantageously applied, to keep the desired target temperature.

(14) The inventive method may be used as a steam cleaning detergent assisted process and is meant to be used in case of heavy soiling of the oven cavity. It will be immediately understood that it can be offered along with a standard steam assisted cleaning function, particularly, allowing the user to select the cleaning function most suitable for the contingency. A stem oven with full steam capabilities is preferred to perform the method comprising at least a steam generation device, more preferably, having a power to ensure quick and consistent saturation of the oven cavity environment. For example, a water evaporation capability in the range of 20 to 30 grams of water per second is typically sufficient for an oven cavity having 70 liter space.

(15) It will be immediately understood that a person skilled in the art will select the particular parameters of the present inventive method according to ensure a sufficient amount of humidity condensation on oven cavity walls.

(16) It will be immediately understood that the use of the steam generator instead of using any of possible other oven heating elements is of advantage.

(17) In FIGS. 2A and 2B a power and temperature over time diagram showing the thermal history of a step of (i) according to FIG. 2A and a step of (ii) according to FIG. 2B of a first inventive embodiment is shown.

(18) The performed method and applied method parameters in said embodiment shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B was sufficient to clean the soiled oven cavity. Thereby a cavity of a steam oven which is heavily soiled by extensive use may be cleaned. Such steam oven, and, particularly, the cavity thereof can be readily cleaned to a sufficient and desired extend with the inventive method according to the first inventive embodiment, the parameters of which are shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

(19) The method parameters and a diagram showing the thermal history of the method according to said first embodiment is shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

(20) Here a diagram is shown where the left y-axis indicates whether the steam generator generates steam (ON) or not (OFF), the right y-axis indicates the temperature in the oven cavity in C., and time is depicted on the x-axis in seconds (s). Thereby, COT1 refers to CENTER OVEN TEMPERATURE, which is known to the person skilled in the art as a standard measurement of the temperature inside the oven.

(21) In the method of the present invention carried out according to FIGS. 2A and 2B a grease remover-decarbonizer detergent for ovens liquid was applied which forms a gel that clings to the surface when sprayed. Said detergent is an alkaline product to remove all traces of grease, carbon deposits and soot from ovens.

(22) The detergent was applied in an amount of about 50 to about 100 g. Incubation period t.sub.inc1 was set to 10 min.

(23) The inventive method is performed with a temperature T.sub.0 being room temperature, T.sub.act being 50 C., T.sub.1 being 95 C., T.sub.2 being 70 C., T.sub.3 being 90 C. and T.sub.4 being 65 C.

(24) In FIG. 2A a step (i) of mild detergent cleaning is monitored and in FIG. 2B a step (ii) of steam cleaning is monitored.

(25) The process comprises said two steps through which the user is driven by messages shown on the user interface of the oven.

(26) As may be taken from FIG. 2A the step (i) of mild detergent cleaning has a duration of only some minutes for manual cleaning, using not abrasive sponges, warm water and, in case of very strong soiling, more mild detergent.

(27) The oven is at T.sub.0, i.e. room temperature, and the user opens the door for closing a cavity opening, and sprays the oven detergent inside the cavity uniformly. Afterwards the door is closed by the user. After closing the door, a settle time t.sub.inc1 is set at T.sub.act, achieved by standard heating elements, to allow detergent action and incubation.

(28) When the incubation period t.sub.inc1 is elapsed, the steam generation starts, i.e. the door is locked, the steam, and thus moisture and heat, is inserted for a steam period of time t.sub.steam1 into the cavity until the temperature T.sub.1, here being between 80-95 C. is reached.

(29) Here, t.sub.steam1 is from about 5 to 15 min.

(30) After reaching temperature T.sub.1, some steam generator action is performed in order to allow soaking and to allow detergent action to happen until a temperature T.sub.2 is reached, here being 70 C.

(31) Afterwards a cool down phase is performed wherein the oven cavity is allowed to cool down to manageable temperature, here said T.sub.work1 is 40 C.

(32) The door is unlocked and the user is introduced by the user interface to perform a step of removing water and dirt from the oven cavity. The user will thus open the door and cleans the oven cavity with a sponge, removing excess of residual water and dirt. After closing the door, the user is asked by the user interface to start step (ii) of steam cleaning.

(33) As may be taken from FIG. 2B the step (ii) of steam cleaning has a duration of 1800 sec.

(34) When room temperature is reached, or in order to not compromise the cleaning performance, at least a COT1 of no more than 40-45 C. is suggested, the step (ii) is started. Upon start of step (ii) of steam cleaning the door is again locked and steam is inserted into the oven cavity for a steam period of time t.sub.steam2, here being from about 5 to about 15 min until the oven cavity reaches a temperature T.sub.3, here being 90 C. Afterwards the oven cavity is incubated for an incubation period of time t.sub.inc3, here being from about 15 to about 30 min including both a soaking phase and a cool down phase.

(35) During said incubation period of time t.sub.inc3, advantageously condensation of steam, particularly at the cavity walls is allowed, until a temperature T.sub.4, here being 65 C. is reached in the cavity.

(36) Now, advantageously condensation of steam at the oven cavity walls removes detergent residuals and remaining traces of soil The oven cavity is allowed to cool down to a working temperature T.sub.work2, here being about 35 C. and the door lock is set open. The user is indicated by the user interface to open the door and remove water and dirt from the oven cavity. Hence, the user will open the door and mop the oven with a sponge, removing condensed water and residual dirt.

(37) The result is a cavity cleaned by the inventive method, which was heavily soiled before conducting the inventive method.

(38) It is immediately understood that by tuning temperatures T.sub.1 and T.sub.2, along with step durations, it is possible to create the ideal conditions for the detergent chemistry to elaborate soil.

(39) Preferably, the method according to the invention is carried out as a semi-automatic program having set timing and temperatures. The skilled person should observe the following rules, to reapply the invention: Step (i): The combination of time and temperature should allow to have a thoroughly soaking of the cavity, avoiding drying of the sprayed detergent during (t.sub.inc1) at temperature T.sub.act, and measuring the effectiveness of detergent and cycle action by a comparative cleaning test. Step (ii): A combination of time and temperature should allow to have a thoroughly soaking of the cavity, final result should be benchmarked observing the final cleaning result and the residuals of detergent remaining in the oven.

(40) Thereby it is immediately clear that the selection of ideal incubation temperatures also depends on the choice of the mild detergent. Standard mild basic detergents, for example, would benefit of higher temperatures, e.g. of 60 C. or more, while enzyme based detergents require lower temperatures of about 40 C. to 50 C., depending of the particular enzyme applied.

(41) As may be immediately seen from the above, the present invention provides a solution which allows for an effective cleaning of a steam oven even in case of heavy soiling with an automatic or semi-automatic action of a user by creating tailored conditions for it.

(42) With respect to existing steam assisted cleaning cycles, the effectiveness against heavy soiling is enhanced, and the possibility of automation of the process ensures consistency of the final result. Thereby, it should be seen that the integrated use of a mild detergent within a steam assisted oven cleaning cycle, maximizes the efficiency of the mild detergent and minimizes the manual effort needed to remove dirt even in case of heavy soiling.

(43) The features of the present invention disclosed in the specification, the claims, and/or the figures may both separately and in any combination thereof be material for realizing the invention in various forms thereof.