Patent ID: 6904969
Filing Date: 2005-06-14
Classification: A47J,F25B,F25D,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a refrigerated oven to cook a food item therein, the refrigerated oven comprising a cooking chamber having a heating element for heating the cooking chamber, a refrigeration unit for cooling the cooking chamber, an insulated housing forming a refrigerated air path between the refrigeration unit and the cooking chamber, a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the cooking chamber, a data input device for inputting user-selected cooking cycle parameters, and a controller operably coupling the heating element, refrigeration unit, temperature sensor, and the data input device to selectively actuate the heating element and the refrigeration unit in response to the sensed temperature to implement the method as defined by the cooking cycle parameters, the method comprising the steps of: A. determining the temperature of the cooking chamber; B. producing cooled air in the refrigeration unit for a first period of time if the temperature of the cooking chamber is below a predetermined threshold temperature, and delaying production of cooled air in the refrigeration unit until the temperature is below the predetermined threshold temperature if the temperature of the cooking chamber is not below the predetermined threshold temperature; C. circulating the cooled air through the refrigerated air path to the cooking chamber to prevent spoilage of the food item; and D. heating the cooking chamber to cook the food item in the cooking chamber by cycling the heating element for a second time period.