Patent ID: 6089145
Filing Date: 2000-07-18
Classification: A47J

Abstract:
A device for simultaneously frying and convectively cooking food items, comprising:a generally circular cooking member having a central imperforate planer area and an upwardly directed peripheral sidewall ending in an upper peripheral shoulder;a shield member underlying said cooking member and, together with a bottom surface of said cooking member, defining a heating space therebetween;a heating element disposed within said heating space in proximity to the bottom surface of the cooking member for heating the cooking member and air passing through said heating space;a base member underlying said shield member in supporting relationship, said shield member comprising a generally circular planar panel defining a plurality of air flow holes therein and having an upwardly directed peripheral sidewall ending in an upper peripheral nesting edge upon which a corresponding peripheral rim of said cooking member is adapted to sit;a plurality of air flow apertures defined by said peripheral sidewall of said cooking member which fluidly communicate the cooking space with the heating space so as to permit heated air to come in direct contact with the food item and cause convective heating therewith;a lid member adapted to the generally sealingly placed about said shoulder of said cooking member, said lid member defining a vent aperture therein to permit heated air passing from said heating space through said cooking space to the vented therethrough to permit a convective--heating air flow through said cooking space and over said food item.