Patent ID: 7851727
Filing Date: 2010-12-14
Classification: A21B

Abstract:
1. A method of controlling a hybrid oven having a conveyor on which food items are carried through the oven and further having at least one gas-fired burner and at least one electrically-powered infrared heater, the gas-fired burner having at least one wire-mesh burner plate above which is a wire burner screen, the method comprising: pulsing the supply of a gaseous fuel to the gas-fired burner, on and off, and combusting the gaseous fuel while the gaseous fuel is supplied so that the gaseous fuel combusts in a space between the wire mesh burner plate and the wire burner screen, the gas combustion periodically heating the burner screen so that its temperature fluctuates between a first high temperature, such that the wavelength of the maximum emitted infrared at the first high temperature is about 1.0 micrometers, and a second low temperature, such that the wavelength of the maximum emitted infrared at the second low temperature is about 4.5 micrometers; the burner screen emitting infrared energy at both the first high and second low temperatures and at all temperatures there between; wherein the on time and the off time are determined empirically, based on a condition of food leaving the oven.