TOASTER OVEN WITH BUILT-IN HOT PLATE

A toaster oven includes a compartment with an inner chamber, a heating element associated with the inner chamber for heating food articles placed in the inner chamber, and a controller in electrical communication with the heating element for controlling heating of the food articles. An exterior upper surface of the compartment includes a hot plate for warming food placed thereupon.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to toaster ovens and more particularly to a toaster oven with a built-in hot plate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electric toaster ovens are well known kitchen appliances that are used to toast bread and cook foods. The toaster oven is useful for making toast, broiling, and reheating or warming leftovers. Such toaster ovens conventionally have a wire form rack for supporting foods in the toaster oven cavity for toasting or cooking.

The toaster oven may be mounted beneath a kitchen cabinet, or alternatively, a toaster oven may be supported on top of a kitchen's countertop. A toaster oven usually has many accessories such as a broil rack, pizza crisper, baking pan, and the like.

All food is prepared inside the toaster oven.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide a novel and improved toaster oven which includes an additional external cooking or warming appliance, namely, a built-in hot plate, as described in detail below. In contrast to the prior art, food can be prepared or heated not only in the interior of the toaster oven but also on the exterior of the toaster oven.

There is thus provided in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention a toaster oven including a compartment with an inner chamber, a heating element associated with the inner chamber for heating food articles placed in the inner chamber, and a controller in electrical communication with the heating element for controlling heating of the food articles, wherein an exterior upper surface of the compartment includes a hot plate for warming food placed thereupon.

In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the invention the hot plate is heated by the heating element that is associated with the inner chamber.

In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the invention the hot plate is heated by another heating element different from the heating element that is associated with the inner chamber.

In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the invention heating of the hot plate is controlled by the controller.

In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the invention heating of the hot plate is controlled by another controller different from the controller.

In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the invention a cover is arranged to hide the controller.

In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the invention a cover is arranged to hide the other controller for the hot plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made toFIG. 1, which illustrates a toaster oven10, constructed and operative in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

The toaster oven10includes a compartment12with an inner chamber14. A heating element16is associated with the inner chamber14for heating food articles placed in the inner chamber14. A controller18is in electrical communication with the heating element16for controlling heating of the food articles.

The toaster oven10may include one or more trays19for placing food thereupon. Alternatively, toaster oven10may include more than one compartment12and each compartment may have its own dedicated controller.

An exterior upper surface of the compartment12(the uppermost compartment in the case of more than one compartment) includes a hot plate20for warming food placed thereupon. In one embodiment, hot plate20is heated by the same heating element16that heats the inner chamber14. Alternatively, hot plate20may be heated by another heating element22different from the heating element16that is associated with the inner chamber14.

In one embodiment, heating of the hot plate20is controlled by the same controller18. Alternatively, heating of the hot plate20may be controlled by another controller24different from the controller18.

In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a cover26is arranged to hide the controller18. A cover28may be arranged to hide the other controller24for the hot plate20. Hiding the controllers may be important as a Sabbath mode of operation.