GB2593680A

GB2593680A - Cooker

Info

Publication number: GB2593680A
Application number: GB2004403.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lucas Jake; Dibble Alexandra
Original assignee: AGA Rangemaster Ltd
Current assignee: AGA Rangemaster Ltd
Priority date: 2020-03-26
Filing date: 2020-03-26
Publication date: 2021-10-06
Also published as: GB202004403D0

Abstract

A cooker 1 suitable for heating foods, comprises a housing (2, Fig. 1) defining a cooking chamber (3, Fig. 1) containing a first heater 4 and a second heater 5. The first heater radiantly heats a foodstuff located on a solid, removable support surface 6, with the second heater radiantly heating the support surface. The support surface may extend between the heaters to divide the cooking chamber into a cooking compartment A and a lower compartment B. The first heater may be located at a roof 36 of the cooking chamber heating a first surface 61 of the support surface with the second heater located at a base 35 heating a second surface 62. The heaters may be controlled independently of one another and according the temperature of the support surface or an air temperature of the cooking chamber. The heaters may comprise resistive heating elements with the second heater comprising two elements (510, 520, Fig. 3) in parallel. The cooker may be controlled by a receiver (210, Fig. 6) connected to a controller (220, Fig. 6).

Description

COOKER

This invention relates generally to a cooker. More specifically, although not exclusively, this invention relates to a cooker for heating foodstuffs.

Cookers and ovens are used for a variety of cooking and food heating tasks. Conventional ovens use a heat source to heat air in an enclosed cooking chamber. Often, the cooking process is improved by incorporating a fan within the cooking chamber to circulate the heated air, promoting more even heating and allowing for a reduction in the operating air io temperature.

Conventional ovens often have a long pre-heat cycle and, once heated, a long cooking cycle, even when cooking so-called fast foods and convenience foods. Such drawbacks are only partially overcome by alternative appliances, for example microwave ovens. Such appliances are limited in the foods that can be safely cooked and in the material of the container/packaging in which the food is contained. Moreover, the process of cooking by microwaves often does not yield a cooked foodstuff which has the same appearance, taste and/or mouthfeel as foods cooked in conventional ovens.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a cooker or oven that can provide reduced pre-heat and/or cooking cycle times, but at the same time provide the advantages of broad utility of conventional ovens.

It is therefore a first non-exclusive object of the invention to provide a cooker that overcomes, or at least mitigates the disadvantages of prior art cookers.

Accordingly, a first aspect of the invention provides a cooker, e.g. for heating foods, the cooker comprising a housing describing a cooking chamber, a first heater and second heater each located within the cooking chamber and a solid, removeable, e.g. from the cooker or cooking chamber, support surface for supporting foodstuffs, the first heater being arranged to radiantly heat a foodstuff located on the support surface and the second heater being arranged to radiantly heat the support surface.

Such an arrangement of heaters allows for a significant reduction in cooking cycle times when compared with conventional ovens. The first heater can directly, radiantly heat a foodstuff located on the support surface whilst the second heater can conductively heat the foodstuff through the support surface. Therefore, a foodstuff located on the support surface is subjected to heating from both sides. This is in contrast to conventional ovens or convection ovens wherein the oven element is concealed behind the wall of the oven cavity. In such cases, heating of the air inside the oven results in cooking of a foodstuff (Le. the foodstuff is heated exclusively via convective heat currents).

In an embodiment, where the cooker is arranged to be located on a support surface, for example as a standalone item or it is provided as part of a larger cooking appliance (combination oven, range cooker or the like) it will have a vertical dimension. The support io surface may have an uppermost side and a lowermost side. The uppermost side will provide support for a foodstuff located thereon. In an embodiment the first heater will be located vertically above the second heater with the support surface provided therebetween.

In embodiments, one or each of the first and second heaters comprise joule heating elements or resistive heating elements.

The first heater may be arranged to radiantly heat, e.g. directly, a foodstuff located on a first side of the support surface, for example from the first side of the support surface.

The second heater may be arranged to heat, for example radiantly, the support surface from a second side of the support surface. The second heater may be arranged to conductively heat a foodstuff located on a first side of the support surface, for example by radiantly heating the second side of the support surface.

Such an arrangement allows for effective heating of a foodstuff, located on the support surface, from both sides. This results in a reduction in the cooking cycle time and also lessens the need to turn foods during the cooking cycle.

Moreover, the provision of a direct, conductive, heating of the foodstuff can lead to desirable characteristics and/or features of the cooked foodstuff even with such reduced cooking cycle times.

The first heater may be located at or mounted to or proximate the top, roof or ceiling of the cooking chamber. The second heater may be located at or mounted to or proximate the bottom, base or floor of the cooking chamber.

The first heater may be located or mounted below the top, roof or ceiling of the cooking chamber. The second heater may be located or mounted above the bottom, base or floor of the cooking chamber.

Providing both the first and second heaters within the cooking chamber allows the radiant heat to be applied directly to the foodstuff and/or support surface located therewithin and/or therebetween io In embodiments, the first heater and/or second heater is exposed or uncovered within the cooking chamber.

In embodiments, the first heater and/or second heater may comprise first and second heating elements.

The first and second heaters and/or first and second heating elements may be connected in parallel. Alternatively, the first and second heaters and/or first and second heating elements may be connected in series. The first and second heating elements may be individually and/or mutually controllable.

The cooker may comprise electric circuitry to individually and/or mutually control operation of the first and second heaters and/or the first and second heating elements.

The top, roof or ceiling of the cooking chamber may comprise a reflective material mounted thereto or located thereon. The reflective material may be a radiant barrier, for example arranged to reflect thermal radiation from the first heater or first and/or second heating elements.

The bottom, base or floor of the cooking chamber may comprise a reflective material mounted thereto or located thereon. The reflective material may be a radiant barrier, for example arranged to reflect thermal radiation from the second heater or first and/or second heating elements.

One or more of the walls, top, roof, ceiling and/or bottom, base or floor of the cooking chamber may be coated (for example powder coated) with a resistant material, for example a non-stick material. The one or more of the walls, top, roof, ceiling and/or bottom may be coated in an enamel, e.g. vitreous enamel in this embodiment.

The support surface may extend between the first heater and second heater. The housing or cooking chamber may be separated into a lowermost compartment and a cooking compartment, for example by the support surface.

The lowermost compartment may be described between the support surface and second heater. The lowermost compartment may be described between the support surface and bottom, base or floor of the cooking chamber. The cooking compartment may be described between the support surface and first heater. The cooking compartment may be described between the support surface and top, roof or ceiling of the cooking chamber.

The support surface may comprise a planar surface, for example on a major surface thereof. The support surface may comprise a griddle surface, for example on a major surface thereof The support surface may comprise a planar surface and griddle surface on opposed major surfaces thereof. The griddle surface may comprise fins upstanding from a planar substrate. The support surface may comprise a planar substrate having first and second opposed major surfaces. Upstanding fins may be present on one or both of the first and second opposed major surfaces.

The support surface may comprise or be formed of metal. The support surface may comprise or be formed of iron, for example cast iron.

A solid support surface formed of iron or cast iron provides an effective conductor and retainer of heat, allowing the heat applied to the support surface, from the first and/or second heaters, to reach the foodstuff located thereon and to continue to provide heating once the first and/or second heaters have been switched off or have been down rated (i.e. turned down so as to emit less heat).

The support surface may be slideably received or receiveable within the cooking chamber.

The support surface may be absent any perforations, holes or apertures, for example extending through the thickness thereof.

Providing a support surface absent any perforations, holes or apertures improves its ability to retain heat.

The support surface or the planar substrate may be from 1 to 20 mm thick. Advantageously, the thickness is selected to prevent or resist warping at elevated temperatures. In an embodiment the thickness is chosen to provide a thermal mass which can be heated rapidly. In an embodiment the thickness of the support surface or planar substrate may be from 4 to 18 mm, say from 5 to 12 mm. In an embodiment the support surface or planar substrate is less than 10 mm thick, e.g. from 1 to 10 mm thick, say, 4 to 10 mm thick, or 5 to10 mm thick.

The cooking chamber may have an opening with a width of between 400-600mm, for example between 420-580mm, 430-570mm or 440-560mm. In an embodiment the cavity has an opening of from 450 to 550 mm wide, for example from 465 to 480 mm wide. The cooking chamber may have a width of between 400-600mm, for example between 420-580mm, 430-570mm or 440-560mm. In an embodiment the cavity has an opening of from 450 to 550 mm wide, for example from 465 to 480 mm wide. The width of the opening may be the same as the width of the chamber. Advantageously this allows for the chamber to be loaded with foodstuffs.

The cooking chamber may have an opening with a height of between 120-250mm, for example between 130-240mm or 150-220mm. In an embodiment the opening has a height of from 180 to 200 mm. The cooking chamber may have a height of between 120-260mm, for example between 130-250mm or 140-230mm. In an embodiment the cooking chamber may have a height of 195 to 210 mm. The height of the opening may be the same size or smaller than the height of the chamber.

The cooking chamber may have a depth of between 320-420mm, for example 340-400mm or 360-380mm.

The cooker may comprise a door for closing the cooking chamber. The door is preferably hinged to one of a bottom, side or top region of the cooker. The door may be configured to locate on a latch or retaining means of the cooker, e.g. to maintain the door in a closed configuration.

The cooker may comprise a stirring fan. The stirring fan may be located or mounted within the cooking chamber. The stirring fan may be located or mounted at or proximate the top, roof or ceiling of the cooking chamber. The stirring fan may be located or mounted at or proximate the rear, for example on a rear wall, of the cooking chamber.

The first heater and/or second heater may be operable alone, for example independently of one another. The first heater may be operable whilst the second heater is in an off-state or standby state, for example to provide grilling or broiling to a foodstuff located on the support surface. The second heater may be operable whilst the first heater is in an off-state to or standby state, for example to provide baking to a foodstuff located on the support surface.

The first heater and/or second heater may be controllable, for example independently of one another. The heat generated by the first heater and second heater may be controllable, for example independently of one another. The heat generated by the first and/or second heating elements of the first heater and/or second heater may be controllable, for example independently of one another.

The air temperature of the cooking chamber may be controllable. The temperature of the lowermost compartment and/or cooking compartment, for example the air temperature thereof, may be controllable. The temperature of the lowermost compartment and/or cooking compartment may be controllable independently of one another.

The air temperature of the cooking chamber, lowermost compartment and/or cooking compartment may be controllable by controlling the temperature of the first heater and/or second heater and/or first and/or second heating elements.

The heat generated by the first heater and/or second heater or the first and/or second heating elements may be controllable in dependence on the temperature of the support surface and/or the air temperature of the cooking chamber, cooking compartment and/or lowermost compartment.

The temperature of the support surface and the air temperature of the cooking chamber, cooking compartment and/or lowermost compartment may be controllable independently of one another.

The cooking chamber, lowermost compartment and/or cooking compartment may comprise a first and second temperature zones. The air temperature of the first and second temperature zones may be independently controllable.

The air temperature of the temperature zones may be controllable by controlling the heat generated by the first heater and/or second heater and/or first and/or second heating elements.

The first heating element may be operable to control the temperature of the first temperature zone. The second heating element may be operable to control the temperature of the second temperature zone.

The temperature of the support surface may be user programmable or user selectable. The air temperature of the cooking chamber, for example of the lowermost compartment and/or cooking compartment or temperature zones thereof may be user programmable or user

selectable.

The cooking chamber, lowermost compartment, cooking compartment and/or first and second temperature zones may have an operating temperature, for example operating air temperature, of up to 340 degrees Celsius.

The support surface may have an operating temperature of up to 310 degrees Celsius.

The cooker may comprise a memory device arranged to store one or more cooking programmes or cooking cycles. The cooker may comprise one or more cooking programmes or cooking cycles. The one or more cooking programmes or cycles may be stored on a memory device. The memory device may form part of, or may be operatively engaged with electric circuitry.

The memory device may be operatively connected to a circuit control board or logic board.

The cooker may comprise a controller, for example arranged to control the first and/or second heater.

The cooker may comprise a controller, for example for controlling the air temperature of the cooking chamber, cooking compartment, lowermost compartment and/or temperature zones thereof and/or the temperature of the support surface.

The cooker or controller may be arranged to implement the one or more cooking programmes, for example via the electric circuitry and/or controller The cooker or controller or electric circuitry may be arranged to control the first heater and/or second heater in dependence on the air temperature of the cooking chamber and/or io temperature of the support surface.

The cooker or controller or electric circuitry may comprise and/or be operatively connected to a temperature sensor. The cooker, controller and/or electric circuitry may comprise a thermostat. The temperature sensor may be arranged to measure one or more of the temperature of the cooking chamber, cooking compartment, lowermost compartment or temperature zones thereof and/or the temperature of the support surface.

The cooker or controller or electric circuitry may comprise and/or be operatively connected to a temperature sensor via a circuit control board or logic board.

The cooker or controller or electric circuitry may comprise a triac, relay board or relay switch, for example operatively connected to the first heater and/or second heater and/or first and/or second heating elements. The triac, relay board or relay switch may be arranged, in use, to control the supply of energy to the first and/or second heaters.

The cooker, controller, electric circuitry and/or temperature sensor may comprise and/or be operatively connected to a temperature probe, for example a food temperature-sensing probe. The temperature of the cooking chamber, cooking compartment, lowermost compartment and/or temperature zones thereof and/or the temperature of the support surface may be controlled, for example by the cooker or controller or electric circuitry, in dependence on the temperature detected by the food temperature-sensing probe.

The cooker, controller, electric circuitry circuit control board or logic board may comprise and/or be operatively connected to a receiver, for example a wired or wireless receiver. The receiver may be arranged to receive instructions, for example wired or wirelessly. The receiver may comprise or be operatively connected to a user interface, for example for inputting instructions.

The user interface may be arranged to allow selection of one or more cooking programmes or cooking cycles. The cooking programmes or cooking cycles may be pre-programmed cooking programmes. The cooker, controller, electric circuitry may be programmable, for example by interfacing with a computing device of other user interface, to define user-required or user-desired, cooking programmes or cooking cycles.

io The first and/or second heaters or first and for second heating elements may be operable in dependence on the one or more cooking programmes or cycles.

The cooker may be located in an oven, for example a range or upright oven.

is An aspect of the invention provides an oven comprising a cooker as previously described.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. For the avoidance of doubt, the terms "may", "and/or', "e.g.", "for example" and any similar term as used herein should be interpreted as non-limiting such that any feature so-described need not be present. Indeed, any combination of optional features is expressly envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention, whether or not these are expressly claimed. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a, isometric view of a cooker according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic front elevation of a cooker according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a schematic front elevation of a cooker according to a further embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a plan view of a heating element for use in a cooker according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a side elevation of the heating element of Figure 4; and Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a control system according to an embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a cooker 1 having a housing 2 describing cooking chamber 3. The cooking chamber has first heater 4 and second heater 5 (Figures 2 & 3) located therein and mounted thereon for applying heat to a foodstuff (not shown). A support surface 6 (Figures 2 & 3) is received within the cooking chamber 3 and is arranged to support a foodstuff (not shown) to be cooked by the cooker 1.

The housing 2 has a front plate flange 21 describing a sealing surface for sealing against a door or door seal (not shown). The housing 2 has a pair of sidewalls 22, 23, rear wall 24, base 25 and roof 26 which, together with the front plate flange 21, describe a generally (rectangular parallelepipedal shape) cuboidal shape.

The cooking chamber 3 has a generally rectangular parallelepipedal shape and is described by the walls 21:26 of the housing 2. The cooking chamber 3 has an opening 31 surrounded by the front plate flange 21. The cooking chamber 3 is bounded by a pair of sidewalls 32, 33, rear wall 34, base 35 and roof 36.

The roof 36 of the cooking chamber 3 may be coated with a reflective material, for example a radiant barrier, arranged to reflect heat emitted from the first heater 4 or second heater 5 towards the base 35.

The cooking chamber 3 has a width W, height H and depth D. The walls 32;36 of the cooking chamber 3 may be coated with enamel, e.g. vitreous enamel in this embodiment.

A stirring fan 37 is mounted to the rear wall 34 of the cooking chamber 3 and is arranged to circulate hot air within the cooking chamber 3 whilst cooking is taking place.

Each of the sidewalls 32, 33 has respective retaining features 38 for slideably receiving and supporting the support surface 6.

The first heater 4 is mounted proximate the roof 36 of the cooking chamber 3, within the cooking chamber 3. The second heater 5 is mounted proximate the base 35 of the cooking chamber 3, within the cooking chamber 3. In the present embodiment, each of the first lo heater 4 and second heater 5 comprise a single joule heating element. Each of the first heater 4 and second heater 5 is mounted to the rear wall 34 of the cooking chamber 3.

The support surface 6 is slideably received within the cooking chamber 3, in particular between retaining features 38. When received within the cooking chamber 3, the support surface 6 is positioned such that the cooking chamber 3 is separated into a cooking compartment A and a lowermost compartment B. The support surface 6 is solid in this embodiment and is formed from cast iron. The support surface 6 has a pair of opposed, major surfaces 61, 62. A first major surface 61 is a planar surface and a second major surface 62 is a griddle surface in this embodiment, i.e the surface comprises a plurality of parallel raised ribs which together act to space a foodstuff located thereon from the support surface.

The first heater 4 is arranged to radiantly heat the first major surface 61 and the second heater 5 is arranged to radiantly heat the second major surface 62.

The cooking compartment A is described between the support surface 6 and roof 36 and is arranged to receive a foodstuff (not shown). The lowermost compartment B is described between the support surface 6 and base 35.

Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown a cooker 100 according to an embodiment of the invention wherein like features to those of Figures 1 & 2 are denoted by like numerals incremented by '100'.

Cooker 100 differs from cooker 1 in that each of the first heater 400 and second heater 500 have first heating element 410, 510 and second heating element 420, 520. Each of the first heating elements 410, 510 and second heating elements 420, 520 are joule heating elements in this embodiment.

In the present embodiment, in addition to the cooking compartment A and lowermost compartment B, the cooking chamber is separated into independently controllable heating zones Z1, Z2 as a result of each of the first heater 400 and second heater 500 having plural heating elements 410, 420; 510, 520.

Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown a heating element E for use in a cooker 1, 100. The heating element E is a joule heating element. The heating element E may be or form one or more of first heater 400 and/or second heater 500 of cooker 1 and/or first and/or second heating elements 410, 420; 510, 520 of cooker 100. The heating element E is formed of a tubular body E.1 having a heating coil E.2 located therein, and extending therealong. The tubular body E.1 describes a tortuous path, having a series of bends E.3 and a pair of terminals E.4, in the form of spade connectors in this embodiment, for connection to a power source.

The heating element E also has a pair of supporting members E.5, each comprising a plate through which a portion of the tubular body E.1 passes. The supporting members are configured, together, to provide rigidity to the tubular body E.1. One or more of the supporting members E.5 may have mounting holes for mounting the heating element E to a flat surface, e.g. a wall of an oven cavity.

A plurality of heating elements E may be connected in parallel or series.

Referring now to Figure 5, there is shown a heating element E' for use in a cooker 1, 100. The heating element E' is a joule heating element. The heating element E' may be or form one or more of first heater 400 and/or second heater 500 of cooker 1 and/or first and/or second heating elements 410, 420; 510, 520 of cooker 100. The heating element is formed of a straight tubular body E'.1 having a heating coil E'.2 located therein, and extending therealong. The tubular body E'.1 describes a straight path between first end E'.3 and second end E'.4. At the first end E'.3 is a terminal E'.5 in the form of a spade connector in this embodiment, for connection to a power source.

A plurality of heating elements E' may be connected in parallel or series.

The heating elements E (Figure 4) and E' may be used in any suitable combination to form the first heater 400 and/or second heater 500 and/or first and/or second heating elements 410, 420; 510, 520.

Referring now to Figure 6, there is shown a schematic system diagram of a control system 200 according to an embodiment of the invention for implementing in cooker 1, 100. The lo control system 200 is a thermal control system in this embodiment for controlling the temperature of the cooking chamber 3, cooking compartment A, lowermost compartment B, temperature zones Z1, Z2 thereof and/or the temperature of the support surface 6.

The control system 200 includes an electrical input 222 of controller 220 that, in use, receives an electrical signal 211 from user interface 210. The user interface 210 is a touch screen display in this embodiment, but may be any other suitable means for user input or selection of one or more cooking programmes or cycles, e.g. dial, knob, keyboard, mouse, scanner or joystick. Instead of a user interface 210, the control system 200 may have a wireless receiver.

The controller 220 also includes electrical input 223 that, in use, receives an electrical signal 240 from one or more temperature sensors Ti, T2,...,Tn arranged to measure temperatures within the cooking chamber 3, cooking compartment A, lowermost compartment B and/or temperature zones Z1, Z2 thereof and/or the temperature of the support surface 6. One or more of the temperature sensors Ti, T2,...,Tn may be a food temperature-sensing probe.

The electrical signal 211 is indicative of, or represents, an input or instruction. The input or instruction is indicative of a cooking programme or cycle to be carried out by the cooker 1, 100 in which the control system 200 is installed. The electrical signal 240 is indicative, or represents, one or more temperatures of the cooking chamber 3, for example the air temperature of the cooking chamber 3, cooking compartment A, lowermost compartment B and/or first and second heating zones Z1, Z2 and/or the temperature of the first heater 4, second heater 5, heating elements 410, 420; 510, 520 and/or support surface 6.

The electrical inputs 222, 223 may each be in the form of an electrical pin connection to an input means of the controller 220 which may comprise one or more electrical devices for receiving electrical signals 211, 240.

The controller 220 has a processor 230 and memory 235 for storing data therein. The processor 230 is an electronic processor for carrying out control processes/control logic and/or executing computer-readable instructions. The processor 230 is configured to access memory 235 to execute computer-readable instructions stored therein. The memory 235 may also be used to store data for operation thereon by the processor 230. In to the present embodiment, the memory 235 is arranged to store one or more cooking programmes or cycles and control logic/algorithms to be performed by the cooker 1, 100.

The processor 230 is arranged to process the electrical signals 211, 240 and to produce an output signal 221 at output means which may be an electrical output 224 of the controller 220, which may comprise one or more electrical devices for outputting the output signal 221. The output signal 221 is received by an electrical input 251 of a relay switch 250.

The output signal 221 provides a relay control signal in this embodiment. The relay control signal is arranged to provide control to the relay switch 250. The output signal 221 from the controller 220 is received at the electrical input 251 of relay switch 250. The relay switch 250 is arranged produce output signal 253 at electrical output 252 so as to control the supply of power to one or more heaters El! E2,...,En in dependence on the output signal 221 received at the electrical input 251. The control of the heaters El, E2,..., En affects or adjusts the air temperature or temperature profile of the cooking chamber 3 and/or the temperature so the support surface 6.

In the present embodiment, heaters El, E2,... , En are one or more of first heater 4, second heater 5 and heating elements 410, 420; 510, 520.

The controller 220 allows the heaters El, E2,...,En to be controlled independently of one another and temperatures T1, T2,...,Tn to be controlled independently of one another.

In use, a user inputs one or more instructions at user interface 210. The one or more instructions may be the selection of a cooking programme or cycle. The cooking programme or cycle determines the air temperature or temperature profile within the cooking chamber 3 or the temperature of the support surface 6. The electrical signal 211, representative of the instruction(s) is received at electrical input 222 of the controller 220.

The instruction(s) are processed by processor 230 which communicates with memory 235 to determine control logic/algorithms to be used based on the user input.

The controller 220 also receives electrical signal 240 representative of measurements of the temperature sensors Ti, T2,...,Tn in the cooking chamber 3. The processor compares the temperatures as represented by electrical signal 240 with the desired temperatures io based on the user input.

The control logic determines the power to be delivered to the heaters El, E2,..., En such that the temperature as defined by the user instruction is achieved. The controller 220 outputs electrical signal 221 to relay switch 250 so as to control the heaters El, E2-----En is as desired.

Throughout a given cooking programme or cycle, the temperature sensors Ti, T2,...,Tn constantly feedback temperature measurements via electrical signal 240 to the controller 220. The processor 230, using control logic, compares the measured values with those desired based on the cooking programme or cycle and controls relay switch 250 via electrical signal 221.

We have advantageously found that the cooker of the invention can cook food faster than expected.

It is often necessary to pre-heat an oven before cooking food to obtain optimal results. We have found that the combined pre-heat or heat-up and cooking times for the cooker of the invention are very fast. In tests we have concluded that pre-heat or heat-up times are much less than 10 minutes, as follows: Example 1 -Heat Up Times Settin Temperature Pre-heat times Usage 1 340°C Around 8 mins Home-made pizza's and high heat grilling such as toast 2 320°C Ca. 71/2 mins Shop-brought pizza, meats and proteins, bread products such as toasties, paninis and garlic bread 3 290°C Ca. 6'A -7 mins Deep pan pizzas and Frozen convenience food products such as fish fingers, chicken nuggets and burgers 4 260°C Ca. 5 -6 mins Thicker more delicate frozen food, such as oven chips and onion rings 230°C Delicate baking such as cakes and Ca 5 -6 mins breakfast pastries In trials we were able to cook food according to the following examples:

Example 2 -Pizzas

Foodstuff Cooking Temperature & Times Recommended Cooking Time Shop brought chilled thin & 320°C 8-10 mins Crispy pizza 2 minutes Shop brought chilled Deep pan 290°C 12-14 mins pizza 31/2 minutes (griddled side) Shop brought chilled Hand- 320°C 8-10 mins stretched pizza 2 minutes Frozen pizza 320°C 15 mins minutes Homemade pizza 340°C 15-18 mins 3 minutes 10 seconds As will be appreciated, the cooking time is significantly faster that the food manufacturer's recommended cooking time as provided by packaging instructions whilst generating a crispy base and excellent flavour.

In further cooking experiments we cooked the following products.

Example 3-Meat and Fish Foodstuff Cooking Temperature & Times Recommended Cooking Time Fresh chicken breasts 320°C 30-35 mins 214 minutes per side -5 minutes in total Chilled chicken Goujons 320°C 12-15 mins minutes Frozen chicken Goujons 290°C 18-20 mins 8 minutes (griddled side) Sausages 320°C 20-25 mins minutes Bacon 320°C 15 mins 114 minutes per side -3 minutes in total Again, the cooking time is significantly faster that the food manufacturer's recommended cooking time as provided by packaging instructions. The taste was at least comparable to foodstuffs cooked according to manufacturer instruction.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that several variations to the aforementioned embodiments are envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.

It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of combinations of the aforementioned features and/or those shown in the appended drawings provide clear advantages over the prior art and are therefore within the scope of the invention described herein.

Claims

A cooker for heating foods, the cooker comprising a housing describing a cooking chamber, a first heater and second heater each located within the cooking chamber and a solid, removeable support surface for supporting foodstuffs, the first heater being arranged to radiantly heat a foodstuff located on the support surface and the second heater being arranged to radiantly heat the support surface 2. A cooker according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second heaters comprise io resistive heating elements.
3. A cooker according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first heater is arranged to radiantly heat a foodstuff located on a first side of the support surface from the first side of the support surface and the second heater is arranged to radiantly heat the support surface from a second side of the support surface.
A cooker according to any preceding claim, wherein, in use, the first heater is located at or proximate the ceiling of the cooking chamber and the second heater is located at or proximate the floor of the cooking chamber.
A cooker according to any preceding claim, wherein the support surface extends between the first heater and second heater so as to separate the cooking chamber into a lowermost compartment and a cooking compartment.
6. A cooker according to any preceding claim, wherein the cooking chamber comprises first and second temperature zones.
A cooker according to any preceding claim, wherein the support surface comprises a planar surface and a griddle surface.
A cooker according to any preceding claim, wherein the support surface comprises iron or cast iron.
9. A cooker according to any preceding claim, comprising a stirring fan mounted within the cooking chamber.
10. A cooker according to any preceding claim, wherein the second heater comprises first and second heating elements.
11. A cooker according to claim 10, wherein the first and second heating elements are connected in parallel.
12. A cooker according to any preceding claim, wherein the first heater and second heaters are controllable independently of one another.
13. A cooker according to claim 12, wherein the first heater and/or second heater are controllable in dependence on the temperature of the support surface and/or the air temperature of the cooking chamber.
14. A cooker according to any preceding claim, wherein the air temperature of the cooking chamber is controllable.
15. A cooker according to any preceding claim, wherein the air temperature of the cooking chamber and the temperature of the support surface are controllable independently of one another.
16. A cooker according to claim 15, wherein the air temperature of the cooking chamber and the temperature of the support surface are user selectable.
17. A cooker according to any preceding claim, comprising a memory device arranged to store one or more cooking programmes.
18. A cooker according to any preceding claim comprising a controller arranged to control the first and/or second heater.
19. A cooker according to any preceding claim comprising a controller arranged to control the air temperature of the cooking chamber and/or temperature of the support surface 20. 22. io 23. 24. 25.A cooker according to claim 18 or claim 19 when dependent on claim 17, wherein the controller is arranged to implement the one or more cooking programmes.A cooker according to claim 18, wherein the controller is arranged to control the first heater and/or second heater in dependence on the air temperature of the cooking chamber and/or temperature of the support surface.A cooker according to any one of claims 18 to 21, comprising a temperature sensor operatively connected to the controller and arranged to measure the air temperature of the cooking chamber and/or the temperature of the support surface.A cooker according to any one of claims 18 to 22, comprising a relay switch operatively connected to the first and second heaters and controller and arranged, in use, to control the supply of energy to the first and second heaters.A cooker according to any one of claims 18 to 23, comprising a receiver operatively connected to the controller and arranged to receive instructions.A cooker according to claim 24, wherein the receiver comprises a wireless receiver.