Patent ID: 6354194
Filing Date: 2002-03-12
Classification: A47J

Abstract:
A cooking apparatus comprising:a rotatable food support member having a top surface for supporting a food item thereon; a drive mechanism connected to the food support member for rotating the food support member; a lower heating member disposed beneath the food support member, the lower heating member including a heating element and a lower housing with the heating element disposed along the lower housing, the heating element and lower housing formed in a shape such that the heating element and lower housing have a greater surface area disposed adjacent an outer edge portion of the food support member than disposed adjacent an inner center portion of the food support member; an upper heating member disposed above the food support member, the upper heating member including a heating element and an upper housing with the heating element disposed along the upper housing, the heating element and upper housing formed in a shape such that the heating element and upper housing have a greater surface area disposed adjacent an outer edge portion of the food support member than disposed adjacent an inner center portion of the food support member; wherein the upper and lower heating members define a chamber covering only a portion of the food support member wherein no dimension of the chamber is greater than an outer diameter of the food support member parallel to the top surface; wherein the upper and lower heating members are positioned above and below the food support member at substantially similar radial positions such that as the food support member rotates, the upper and lower heating members apply heat to the food item carried by the food support member to cook the food item.