Abstract:
This disclosure relates to the field of cooking ovens for the preparation of foodstuffs in an enclosed environment including a visual flame along with a rotating cooking plate upon which foodstuffs are placed and are transported through various cooking regions before being removed from the cooking oven for consumption.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This disclosure claims priority benefit to U.S. Provisional Application 61/814,748 filed on Apr. 22, 2013 incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Disclosure 
         [0003]    This disclosure relates to the field of cooking ovens for the preparation of foodstuffs in an enclosed environment including a visual flame along with a rotating cooking plate upon which foodstuffs are placed and are transported through the various cooking environments before being removed from the cooking oven for consumption. 
         [0004]    2. Summary of the Disclosure 
         [0005]    Disclosed herein is an oven for cooking of foodstuffs, the oven comprising: a cooking chamber in an upper inner portion of the oven, the cooking chamber bounded on the lower surface by a rotating cooking plate having a surface defining a central void there through, a doorway at a front portion of the oven providing food access to the cooking chamber; a central heat source at the central void of the cooking plate visible through the doorway; and at least one heat source below the cooking plate. 
         [0006]    The cooking oven as recited herein comprising in one example a drive system in the inner lower portion of the oven for rotation of the cooking plate relative to the doorway. 
         [0007]    The cooking oven as recited herein may be arranged wherein the drive system is variable speed. 
         [0008]    The cooking oven as recited herein may be arranged wherein the cooking plate is coated with an aluminum oxide finish to enhance cooking and avoid slippage of the foodstuffs on the cooking plate. 
         [0009]    The cooking oven as recited may be arranged wherein the cooking plate is arcuate in cross-section having a raised portion at the radial center. 
         [0010]    The cooking oven as recited herein may be arranged wherein the cooking plate comprises a debris collecting channel in the radially outer portion thereof. 
         [0011]    The cooking oven as recited herein may be arranged wherein the oven comprises a debris ring removably attached to an inner surface of the oven and extending downward into the debris collecting channel. 
         [0012]    The cooking oven as recited herein in one example comprising an apparatus providing a visible central radiant heating flame at the central void. 
         [0013]    The cooking oven as recited herein in one example comprising: a perimeter multi-flame manifold at a circumferentially offset location in the cooking chamber relative to the doorway; and circuitry coupled to valves controlling fluid (gas) flow to the central radiant heating flame and valves controlling fluid (gas) flow to the perimeter multi-flame manifold to maintain a thermal output offset between the central radiant heating flame and perimeter multi-flame manifold. 
         [0014]    The cooking oven as recited herein may be arranged wherein the circuitry is coupled to a thermal detector in the cooking chamber to adjust the thermal output of the central radiant heating flame and perimeter multi-flame manifold as a function of the temperature within the cooking chamber. 
         [0015]    The cooking oven as recited herein may be arranged wherein the at least one heat source below the cooking plate is a radiant heat source. 
         [0016]    The cooking oven as recited herein may be arranged wherein the radiant heat source is a gas flame heat source. 
         [0017]    The cooking oven as recited herein may be arranged wherein the radiant heat source is a fiber mesh heat source. 
         [0018]    The cooking oven as recited herein further comprising in one example: at least one sensor detecting the localized temperature of the cooking plate; and a control apparatus varying the thermal output of the at least one heat source below the cooking plate as a function of the sensed localized temperature. 
         [0019]    The cooking oven as recited herein further comprising in one example: at least one sensor detecting the localized temperature of the air adjacent the cooking plate; and a control apparatus varying the thermal output of the at least one heat source below the cooking plate as a function of the sensed localized temperature. 
         [0020]    The cooking oven as recited herein further comprising in one example: at least one sensor detecting entry of an uncooked foodstuff; circuitry programmed to account for the additional thermal load added to the system by the uncooked foodstuff; and a control apparatus varying the thermal output of the at least one heat source below the cooking plate as a function of the uncooked foodstuff. 
         [0021]    The cooking oven as recited herein comprising in one example a central heat deflector positioned radially between the central radiant heating flame and a baking region of the cooking plate. 
         [0022]    The cooking oven as recited herein may be arranged wherein the cooking plate further comprising a perimeter multi-flame manifold at a circumferentially offset broiling region in the cooking chamber. 
         [0023]    The cooking oven as recited herein further comprising in one example a baking region comprising a heat shield above the cooking plate and below the uppermost internal surface of the cooking chamber. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is a front isometric view of one example of the disclosed apparatus in a nearly completed stage of construction/assembly. 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the example shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a left side view of the example shown in  FIG. 1   
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the example shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is an isometric partially disassembled view of the example shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of a partially disassembled view of the example shown in  FIG. 1  with additional components removed from the view of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a front isometric view of the example shown in  FIG. 1  with a front panel and inner panel removed to show working components therein. 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a detail view of an alternate example of the region  8  shown in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  is an isometric view further disassembled from that shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 10  is a front isometric view of the example of  FIG. 9  with a rotating cooking plate attached thereto. 
           [0034]      FIG. 11  is an isometric view of the example shown in  FIG. 10  with heat deflecting and reflecting shields shown adjacent to and above the cooking plate. 
           [0035]      FIG. 12  is a top isometric view of the example shown in  FIG. 11  with side heat deflecting shields attached thereto. 
           [0036]      FIG. 13  is a front isometric view of the example of  FIG. 12  with a debris shield being attached thereto. 
           [0037]      FIG. 14A  is a detail enlarged view of the region  14  of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 14B  is an alternate example of the assembly shown in  FIG. 14A . 
           [0039]      FIG. 15  is a side isometric view of an example similar to that shown in  FIG. 13  showing a radially outer side of a side burner assembly. 
           [0040]      FIG. 16  is an exploded isometric view of the side burner assembly shown in  FIG. 15 . 
           [0041]      FIG. 17  is a detail enlarged view of the region  17  of  FIG. 15 . 
           [0042]      FIG. 18  is a top isometric view of a ceiling assembly component of the example shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0043]      FIG. 19  is a top isometric view of a ceiling cast component of  FIG. 18 . 
           [0044]      FIG. 20  is a top isometric view of another example of the rotating cooking plate component of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0045]      FIG. 21  is a bottom isometric view of the example of  FIG. 20 . 
           [0046]      FIG. 22  is a side hidden line view of the example of  FIG. 20 . 
           [0047]      FIG. 23  is a detail enlarged view of the region  23  of  FIG. 22 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0048]    Disclosed herein is an oven  20  for the cooking therein of pizzas and other foodstuffs on a rotating plate  22 . For ease in description, the term pizza will be used to cover pizzas and other similarly cooked foods such as sandwiches, etc. 
         [0049]    For illustrative purposes, a top  24 , rear side  26 , right side  30 , left side  28 , bottom  32  and front side  34  are defined. The left/right sides are not in this example symmetrical through a vertical plane, and may be made as a mirror image. So as to give a general appearance of a Naples style oven, the overall shape of the oven  20  including the top  24  may be given the general shape of a Naples style historical oven. In addition, the top  24  in this example comprises a dome cap  36  having in one example an upper vent  38  is provided in the upper central portion thereof. To facilitate inclusion of this radially central upper vent  38  has required specialized ducting and configuration in the interior portion of the oven  20  as will be understood later. In one form, stucco or other ornamental features may be attached to the exterior surface  40  of the oven  20  to further enhance the visual appeal and in one form to further give the impression of a Naples style oven. To facilitate such attachment, the outer surface of the oven housing may be covered with a wire mesh to ease in later attachment of the decorative covering once the oven is installed and tested. 
         [0050]    To allow access to the interior portion for repairs, maintenance, or cleaning, a front access panel  42  and/or side access panel (s)  44  may be utilized. In  FIG. 7  for example, the front access panel has been removed to show the inner workings of the oven. In one form, the access panels  42  and  44  may be a mesh, louvered, or otherwise non-solid material so as to allow and facilitate airflow into the apparatus. A sub-panel  42 ′ may be used to access a smaller portion of the front without removing the entire front panel  42 . Any of the panels may include safety circuitry interlock to shut off or disable any electrical, flame, or gas supply when the panel is opened. In addition, a safety interlock may be provided to avoid rotation of the cooking plate when any panel is opened. 
         [0051]    As several heating elements, including oxidizing heating elements (burners), may be utilized in the lower portion of the oven below the cooking plate  20 , it will be generally desirous to have substantial amount of airflow through the lower portion of the oven  20  to reduce problems of insufficient burn and avoid overheating. 
         [0052]    As it may damage the cooking plate to unevenly heat the cooking plate, an interlock system may be provided to prohibit heat applied via the under-plate heaters unless the cooking plate  22  is rotating. Thus, the main switch may have three positions: off-run-fire. In this way the apparatus may be turned off, may be run (rotated) without heat, and may be rotated with heat applied. 
         [0053]    An internal thermocouple may be provided to turn off all burners if a safety heat level is exceeded. 
         [0054]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , at least one example of the oven  20  comprises a rotating cooking plate  22  adjacent a front shelf  44  which facilitates insertion and removal of foodstuffs to be cooked. A second front shelf  44 ′ may also be provided. In one form, the cooking plate  22  is a plate apparatus, such as aluminum, with the upper surface and the lower surface coated to enhance thermal absorption, durability, and/or foot positioning. In later examples, the cooking plate is assembled from sub-portions to account for thermal expansion, reduce manufacturing difficulties and costs, and to allow for replacement of individual sub-portions if a sub-portion is damaged. In one form, as the cooking plate  22  generally rotates, such a shelf  44  is especially useful to help set foods there on prior to insertion and post cooking on a non-rotating surface. To allow for foodstuffs be easily placed into the oven an entry/exit  46  may be provided. In one form the entry is defined by the shelf  44  as well as a removable panel  48  ( FIG. 4 ). While the inner most shape of this panel  48  is shown as being arcuate, other shapes may be utilized for artistic and/or functional desires. The panel  48  also helps to keep heat within the apparatus. 
         [0055]    As the overall apparatus may be very large—on the order of 6 feet wide from left side to right side, 6 feet deep from front side to rear side, and 6 feet tall from bottom to top—the overall apparatus is very heavy and thus in one form lift struts  50  may be provided into which or below which the forks of a fork truck, hand truck, or other lifting apparatus may be inserted to lift and reposition the oven  20 . These lift struts may be hidden from view by a cover panel  51  when installed for aesthetic improvement. 
         [0056]    Looking to  FIG. 5 , it can be appreciated that a thermal insulating barrier  64  may be provided to insulate the outer housing from the cooking chamber  66 . 
         [0057]    Looking to  FIG. 6 , the thermal barrier  64  has been removed and in addition, a ceiling assembly  58  is being removed from the lower components. As the ceiling assembly  58  generally comprises a cast member  69  which is substantially non-permeable to gases at a low pressure differential. The oven generates a great deal of exhaust gas, other scents, smells and heat within the cooking chamber  66  and thus some sort of vent  38  will be desired. It has been shown that providing the vent ductwork  60  near the front  34  of the oven  20  reduces heat and exhaust gases through the entry/exit  46 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the ductwork  60  redirects the exhaust from a central portion, adjacent an edge surface  62  (see  FIGS. 18 and 19 ) toward the central vent  38 . This maintains the Naples oven style. Returning to  FIG. 6  for the moment, a plurality of heat reflective panels  52  are provided between the insulating layer  64  and the cooking chamber  66  to provide rigid support for the ceiling assembly  58  as well as to protect the insulator  64 . 
         [0058]    A framework  54  is attached to the lift struts  50  and provides a rigid support for the panels  52  as well as for center struts  56  which will be described in more detail but generally support a center flame apparatus, central heat deflector, and other components. A perimeter gas flame jet manifold  68  is provided circumferentially offset from the doorway  46 . 
         [0059]    Looking to  FIG. 7 , the apparatus is shown generally assembled save for the front access panel  42  as well as an instrument/readout/control panel provided between the access panel  42  and the entry or doorway  46 .  FIG. 7  shows how the rotating plate  22  may be supported by a plurality of support struts  70  attached at a lower region to a ring  72 . In one form, the ring is supported by a plurality of spindles  74 . In one form the spindles  74  comprise ball bearings and may be tapered to account for the rotational differential of the ring  72 .  FIG. 8  shows a detail view of another example of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 7  where in a drive motor  76  is attached to a gearbox  78  having a rotating wheel  80  attached thereto so as to rotate when the motor  76  is engaged. In one form, this assembly is attached to the frame  54  by way of an axle  82  and an elastic member such as a spring or equivalent to bias the outer edge  84  of the wheel  80  toward the outer edge  86  of the ring  72 . In this way, as the motor  76  rotates the wheel  80 , the ring  72 , support struts  70 , and cooking plate  22  rotate as well. This contact drive system is much less impacted by contaminates than other drive systems utilizing gears, belts or other systems and is not significantly impacted by large heat variances. The system should also be less prone to accidentally injure maintenance personnel as it allows slippage of the drive ring to the wheel. In one form, controls may be provided on the control panel  88  for the cook(s) to adjust the variable rotational speed of the cooking plate  22  for example to cook thin or thick crust pizzas. In  FIG. 7 , the axle  82  is attached at the opposing end of the motor assembly relative to the example of  FIG. 8 . 
         [0060]    Looking to  FIG. 10 , it can be appreciated that the elements previously described are shown from another view such as that shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , with the outer housing including the panels  52  removed to more sufficiently show the internal components. As can be seen when looking to  FIG. 22 , the cooking plate  22  may be “domed” or arcuate from the outer portion  92  to an inner portion  92 . In this way, as the cooking plate  22  heats up and expands due to thermal expansion, the support struts  70  will generally be forced radially outward and the center debris ring  94  will be positioned slightly upward and inward but given sufficient clearance, and will not engage a central guide ring  96  affixed to the infrared heater support plate  98 , better seen in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0061]    In  FIG. 9 , the rotating support struts  70  are shown affixed to the ring  72  and extending radially outward of and vertically above the support plate  98 . In this Figure, the cooking plate  22  has been removed to more adequately show this arrangement. As shown, a plurality of surfaces defining voids  100  may be provided for attachment and securing of infrared (IR) or other radiant heaters  102 . These radiant heaters  102  are shown in one configuration in  FIG. 11 . In addition, small heat deflecting plates may be provided to deflect radiant heat toward the desired position on the underside of the cooking plate  22 . Such plates may extend vertically from the support plate  98  in a plane parallel to the radius from the center of the cooking plate  22 . In one form, the underside  105  of the cooking plate  22  may be treated to improve thermal absorption and/or retention. In one form, the treatment comprises a radiant heat absorbing component. In one form, heat resistant black paint or another dark surface may be utilized. 
         [0062]      FIG. 9  also shows a ring  106  surrounding a surface defining an opening  108 . In one form, one or more thermal detection devices (sensors)  110  are attached to the frame  54  and each senses upwards through the opening  108  to the underside  105  of the cooking plate  22 . In one form, the sensors  110  detect infrared (IR) energy (radiation) emitting from the plate cooking  22 . In this manner, localized “cold spots” can be detected on the underside  105  of the cooking plate  22 . Such cold spots can be overcome by activation of the radiant heaters  102  timed to pre-heat and provide a calculated amount of heat to the cold spot for a calculated time as the cold spot passes each of the radiant burners. If the thermal differential of a cold spot to the desired temperature is relatively small, only one burner may be used, and possibly for a short and low burn time. If however the cold spot is significant, more burners may be used as the cold spot approaches and passes each of the radiant burners. 
         [0063]    Looking to  FIG. 10 , several radiant burners  102  are shown coupled via piping  178  to gas valves  180  and control valves  182  to a central gas manifold. An igniter  184  or pilot light may also be used. Each of these valves and igniters may be controlled in one example by a programmable circuit. As there may be 7 or more pilot lights (one for each burner assembly) the heat produced by the pilot lights alone is significant. 
         [0064]    Alternatively, the radiant heaters  102  may be electric or other heat sources. 
         [0065]    In another example, a sensor may be positioned so as to detect entry of a pizza, whereupon the system anticipates the thermal load on the system of an uncooked pizza and adjusts the heating elements to account. 
         [0066]    Each of these sensing and heating methods may be used in combination. 
         [0067]    In one form, the cooking plate  22  comprises a low thermal storage capacity product such that when an uncooked pizza, for example, is placed upon the preheated cooking panel  22 , a heat transfer occurs between the cooking panel  22  and the pizza. Aluminum is one material that has been found to have a low thermal storage capacity, and high thermal conductivity. Although numerous heating devices are used to heat the cooking plate  22  as well as directly heat the pizzas upon the surface of the cooking plate  22 , especially in high production applications; it is desired to maintain as close to a uniform heat distribution not only across the cooking plate  22  but from cooking cycle to cooking cycle. 
         [0068]    In operation, it has been found that this region of the oven often contains a large amount of airborne particulates when in operation. Small particles of pizza crust or other small light particles become airborne, and travel below the cooking plate  22 . This, to keep the sensing portion (lens) clean, a fan or air pump may be mounted with a directional airflow to blow clean air across the lens and keep particulates from depositing there. 
         [0069]    In one form of operation, the thermal detection device  110  is positioned approximately 270° as shown in  FIG. 13  or approximately 290° as shown in  FIG. 15  through rotation of the cooking plate  22  relative to the entry/exit  46 . Thus, as a pizza is placed upon the cooking plate  22  and the cooking plate  22  rotates sufficient time is given for heat soak from (through) the cooking plate  22  to the pizza. Thus, as the leading edge of the “cold spot” is detected at the thermal detector  110  timing circuitry is engaged relative to the rotational speed of the cooking plate  22  and the rotational position of subsequent radiant heaters  102 . In one form, it may take some time from engagement of the radiant heater  102  to thermal output from the radiant heater  102  and likewise, it may take time from this engagement of the radiant heater  102  to cessation of thermal output from the radiant heater  102 . Thus, prior to the “cold spot” being positioned above the radiant heater  102  the radiant heater  102  is engaged such that only when the “cold spot” is vertically above the radiant heater  102  is the radiant heater  102  outputting radiant heat. In addition, the thermal detector  110  may determine the temperature of the “cold spot” and circuitry provided with such data. The circuitry may then determine the number of radiant heaters  102  required to return the “cold spot” back to the desired temperature. 
         [0070]    In one example, the center and outer wall heating elements are not varied to account for cold spots. 
         [0071]      FIG. 9  also shows a central flame jet assembly  112  coupled to fluid (combustible gas) conduits  114 / 116  which are in turn coupled to valves controlled by the circuitry previously described. The circuitry in this case may maintain a temperature differential between the central flame jet assembly  112  and the perimeter flame jet assembly  68 . For example, due to the relative size of the perimeter of the cooking plate  22  relative to the central portion of the cooking plate  22  it may be desired to maintain the perimeter flame jet assembly  68  at substantially higher temperature or thermal output relative to the temperature or thermal output of the central flame jet assembly  112 . Testing has shown that when this temperature differential is not adequately maintained, the edge of the pizza nearest the perimeter flame manifold  80  is substantially darker or lighter than the edge of the pizza nearest to the central flame assembly  112 . A device such as a magnetic counter apparatus may be utilized to provide data to the circuitry for determination of rotational speed of the plate  22 , and from that given, a median diameter, the speed of the cooking process for the foodstuff can be determined or calculated. 
         [0072]    Looking to  FIG. 11 , it can be appreciated that a central heat deflector  118  may be affixed to the support panel  98  configured not to rotate with the cooking plate  22 . This heat deflector may be angled vertically so as to direct radiant heat from the center flame and perimeter flame toward the broiling region and away from the baking region. In addition, the cooking plate  22  may rotate through regions of different cooking outcomes. For example, as the crust of the pizza takes substantially longer to cook or “bake” than the toppings, a baking region  120  may be provided adjacent the entryway or opening  46  such that the pizza enters the baking region  120  while being protected in part by a heat deflector  122  from radiant heat directed from the ceiling assembly  58  which will become quite hot in such an environment. In one form, the heat deflector  122  as well as the heat deflector  118  may be formed and/or welded metals such as, for example, stainless steel of sufficient heat resistance to survive in the oven  20  without warping, deforming, or outgassing. Once the pizza leaves the baking region  120  it may enter a broiling region  124  wherein radiant and convection heat from the perimeter flame manifold  68  as well as central flame manifold  112  broils the toppings of the pizza. 
         [0073]    While the cook time of the pizza may be affected by the thickness and composition of the crust, thickness and composition of the toppings, as well as the temperature of the oven  20 , given our relatively thin style crust with a relatively common thin layer of sauce, toppings, including cheese, this oven has been shown to adequately cook a pizza through a single rotation in 3-4 or in some applications less than two (2) minutes on a continual input/output basis. Testing has shown that 250 to 275 or up to 300 pizzas may be cooked in one hour in an oven of this design without blonding nor burning of the crust nor under cooking nor overcooking of the toppings. In addition, cheffing or lifting of the pizza to the relatively hot ceiling assembly may be avoided. 
         [0074]    As it is expected that a relatively small portion of each foodstuff item to be cooked may have debris such as pizza toppings, crust, etc. unintentionally removed therefrom, and it is generally desired for this debris not to be transferred to the lower portion of the oven  20  where it may be difficult to remove, several aspects have been designed for containment and removal of this debris. For example, the domed structure of the cook plate  22  facilitates such removal and that gravity may be utilized to reposition such debris down the arcuate surface toward a debris channel  126  as most easily seen in  FIG. 23 , but also viewable in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . The central flange or ring  94  also facilitates containment by substantially prohibiting such debris from entering through the central void. In addition, looking to  FIG. 13 , a debris ring  128  may be provided internal of the panels  52  and projecting downward into the debris channel  126 . As this debris ring  128  is very susceptible to thermal expansion and contraction it may be desired to have it not rigidly attached to the interior portion of the oven  20  such as the panels  52  but rather loosely supported therefrom. In addition, to avoid constricting the entry  46  the debris ring may comprise ends  130 / 131  on either circumferential side of the opening  46 . As any debris passing at this point would be contained by the shelf  44  or fall onto the floor of the room external thereof, in either way it should not be transferred into the lower internal portion of the oven. In the example shown in  FIG. 13 , the ring  128  comprises separate arcuate portions connected at location  132 . 
         [0075]    As shown in  FIG. 14 , a plurality of hangers  134  may be provided with a generally u-shaped end  136  into which the debris ring  128  is placed. Thus, any debris repositioned by gravity or by a pizza brush may contact the debris ring  128  and fall into the debris channel  126 . 
         [0076]    In one form, at the beginning of every day or on a specific schedule, the drive motor  76  may be engaged prior to engaging any of the heating elements. This would cause the plate  22  to rotate without heat or flame, and any debris within the debris channel  126  may be safely vacuumed, brushed or otherwise removed therefrom without danger of the hot debris causing a fire or other damage to the vacuum. 
         [0077]    Looking to  FIGS. 20-23  the rotating cooking plate  22  is shown including a plurality of flanges  138 . As can be appreciated by looking to  FIG. 11 , these flanges  138  attached to the upper ends  140  of the struts  70  and maintain the cooking plate  22  thereupon through rotation. 
         [0078]    In  FIG. 20 , an example is shown utilizing a support structure of spokes  168  fastened at a radially inward end  170  to the debris ring  94  or center collar. The radially outward end  174  may be attached to a ring  176  including or attached to the debris ring  126  by way of fasteners  176 , welding, or other methods. In one example, this allows the support structure to be made of a different material than the cooking plate  22 . For example, the support structure shown in  FIG. 20  may be made of stainless steel and the cooking plate  22  made of aluminum for improved thermal conductivity. This support structure also facilitates producing the cooking plate  22  and/or debris ring  126  out of several segments which may then be attached to the support structure independently. In  FIG. 13  for example, the cooking plate is shown made of segments. Making of the cooking plate  22  and/or debris ring  126  out of several segments in a floating manner helps the apparatus to operate in such varied temperatures. Finishing layers may be applied to the cooking plate and/or debris ring after assembly to promote a smooth and even surface. 
         [0079]    Looking to  FIGS. 16 and 17 ; different views of the perimeter flame manifold  68  are shown.  FIG. 17  generally shows a rear side of the flame manifold  68  as the region  17  of  FIG. 15 .  FIG. 15  shows a slightly different example from that shown in  FIG. 13 . In  FIG. 15  there is only one panel  52  between the flame manifold  68  and the opening through which the pizza or other cooked food will be removed. This is to better position the flame manifold in the cooking process as the plate  22  rotates.  FIG. 16  shows the fluid input conduit  142  in fluid communication with a plurality of flame jets  144  contained by a housing  146 . In one form an igniter  148  is provided and has some point along the assembly so as to provide remote ignition of the flame manifold  68 . In one form, the igniter  148  is a piezoelectric igniter. As the flame will transfer from flame jet to flame jet provided a relatively small gap there between, igniters  148  are generally not needed at each flame jet  144 . In one form, a burner jet spring  150  may be provided at each flame jet  144 . 
         [0080]    Looking to  FIGS. 18 and 19 , the ceiling assembly  58 , which generally comprises a support frame  152 , a perimeter member  154 , and a ceiling casting  156 , is shown. The ceiling casting  156  in one example is formed of a honeycomb metallic structure  158  into and onto which is poured a ceramic fluid  160  which then hardens and cures to form the ceiling casting  156 . In one form, the honeycomb metallic structure  158  is formed of stainless steel to provide sufficient rigidity and support of the ceiling casting  156 . In one form, a plurality of hangers  162  may be fastened to the frame  152  and then project down into the honeycomb structure and loosely attached thereto. Once the ceramic fluid  160  is hardened thereabout, the hangers  162  are fixed in place and bolts or other fasteners  164  may be utilized to secure the hangers  162  to the frame  152 . The opening  166  shown in  FIG. 18  is for illustrative purposes and may not be a physical structure of the final product as can be understood by looking to  FIG. 19 . 
         [0081]    In one form, a safety feature may be implemented, where opening of any of the access doors closes all gas supply valves, and prohibits rotation of the cooking plate until all access doors are closed, and a reset may also be utilized. 
         [0082]    Easily accessible controls may be provided for temperature balance between the center and perimeter flame jets as a function of cooking chamber temperature, base temperature of the cooking plate  22 , and rotational speed of the cooking plate  22 . 
         [0083]    As can be appreciated, both the casting  156 , and the perimeter member  154  may be shaped to conform to the inner surface of the cooking chamber  66 . For example, the casting  156  shown in  FIG. 19  has 11 sides. In this example,  10  sides conform to the inner wall of the cooking chamber, and one side conforms to the ducting  60 . The sides would form a regular 12-sided polygon, if not for the front forming an entry opening doorway  46  and ductwork  60 . 
         [0084]    While the present invention is illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments are described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications within the scope of the appended claims will readily appear to those sufficed in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicants&#39; general concept.