Patent ID: 7157668
Filing Date: 2007-01-02
Classification: A23B,F24C

Abstract:
1. An oven capable of preparing food product utilizing a first and second food preparation process, the oven comprising: a heating cavity defining an interior including an apparatus for supporting food product disposed therein, and a door providing selective access to the interior; a first food preparation assembly operable to prepare raw food product using steam and at least one of radiating heat and forced air convection; and a smoking assembly configured to deliver heat to an aromatic smoke producing media that emits smoke into the heating cavity in response to the delivered heat; wherein the oven is capable of operating the first food preparation assembly simultaneously with the smoking assembly or separately from the smoking assembly; wherein the heating cavity is configured to be a closed system so that air inside the heating cavity is not continuously in direct communication with air outside the oven; wherein the first food preparation assembly comprises an air mover that forces incoming air across a heating element to produce heated air that is delivered to the interior of the heating cavity; wherein the first food preparation assembly further comprises a steam producing assembly capable of delivering a liquid across the heating element that evaporates the liquid into steam that is delivered to the interior of the heating cavity, and the steam producing assembly comprises a fluid supply source coupled to a conduit that delivers fluid from the source to the air mover.