Patent ID: 8753700
Filing Date: 2014-06-17
Classification: A47J

Abstract:
1. A method for heating a food item in a device, the food item being selected from among a plurality of types of food items, the device capable of heating one or more of the plurality of types of food items at least one of simultaneously and sequentially, said method comprising: providing a structure for supporting the food item, a heater, a sensor for sensing the temperature of the structure, and a controller for controlling the operation of the heater; heating the structure to a first holding temperature; operating the heater on a ready duty cycle to maintain the structure at the first holding temperature; placing food on the structure for supporting the food item; operating the heater on a rethermalization cycle to raise the temperature of the food item supported by the structure to a cooking temperature that is higher than the first holding temperature; determining, during operation, a duration to cook the food item at the cook temperature as a function of changes in temperature sensed by the sensor, wherein the duration to cook the food item at the cook temperature is variable for each of the plurality of types of food items as a function of changes in temperature sensed by the sensor; operating the heater on a cook duty cycle such that the temperature sensed by the sensor falls below the cooking temperature and then increases back to the cooking temperature, wherein the heater is operated on the cook duty cycle for the determined duration; and operating the heater on a hold duty cycle to maintain the food item at a second holding temperature below the cooking temperature.