Patent Publication Number: US-2021161151-A1

Title: Appliance to cook pizza

Description:
FIELD 
     The present invention relates to cooking appliances, and more particularly, but not exclusively to appliances for cooking pizza. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Appliances used to cook pizza, such as an oven, provide for circulation of heat around a cavity within which the pizza is being cooked. The oven includes a heating element positioned within the cavity to radiate heat around the cavity to cook the pizza. Typically, the outer circumference of the pizza (referred to as the crust of the pizza) benefits from a more intense heat than the centre of the pizza where most of the delicate ingredients are arranged. Consequently, more power is supplied to the heating element to increase the radiated heat supplied to the crust. Disadvantageously, whilst the pizza crust is exposed to an intense heat, so too is the delicate centre of the pizza. Moreover, the intense heat may damage vulnerable electrical components of the appliance. 
     It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the above disadvantages. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     In a first aspect, the invention provides a cooking appliance including: 
     a body providing a floor, a ceiling and an intermediate wall locating between the floor and ceiling, the floor, ceiling, and wall at least partly surrounding a cooking cavity, the body having an opening via which product to be cooked can be moved relative to the cavity; 
     at least one upper heating element located in an upper portion of the cavity to deliver radiant energy to cook the product; and 
     at least one shield positioned relative to the element to shield a portion of the product from the radiant energy. 
     Preferably, the cooking appliance further includes a deck depending from the floor for receiving the product to be cooked. 
     Preferably, the cooking appliance further includes a door to selectively close the opening, wherein the deck is supported by a mechanism to both lower and withdraw the deck from the cavity as the door is opened and to both raise and insert the deck into the cavity as the door is closed. 
     Preferably, the ceiling has a central axis extending perpendicularly between the floor and the ceiling to centrally locate the product. 
     Preferably, the cooking appliance further includes: a pair of inner and outer upper heating elements centrally located on the axis; and a primary shield and a secondary shield both centrally located on the axis, such that the primary shield is surrounded by the outer upper heating element and the secondary shield is surrounded by the inner upper heating element. 
     Preferably, the cooking appliance further includes a controller operatively associated with each of the inner and outer upper heating elements, wherein each of the inner and outer upper heating elements are independently controllable by the controller to provide for selective delivery of electric power thereto thereby to provide a heating profile across the product. 
     Preferably, the cooking appliance further includes:
     a lower heating element located in a lower portion of the cavity to deliver radiant energy to cook the product; and   a cooling system coupled to the body, the cooling system including a first airflow channel communicating with the cavity, the first airflow channel configured to direct airflow to a cold pin of the lower heating element to selectively cool the cold pin.   

     Preferably, the upper heating element is centrally located on the axis and extends circumferentially around the ceiling. 
     Preferably, the shield is centrally located on the axis in the upper portion of the cavity such that the shield is surrounded by the upper heating element. 
     Preferably, the shield is annular. 
     Preferably, the shield is detachably mounted to the ceiling so that the shield can be removed from the appliance. 
     Preferably, the shield is angularly rotatable and movable about the central axis relative to the floor such that the shield can be raised away from the floor or lowered towards the floor to vary the amount of radiant energy that is shielded from the portion of the product. 
     Preferably, the ceiling includes a slotted profile inclined relative to the floor, and wherein the shield includes a radial pin extending from a periphery of the shield to cooperate with the profile such that, as the shield is rotated about the axis, the pin slides towards an upper end of the profile or towards a lower end of the profile to respectively raise or lower the shield. 
     Preferably, the cooking appliance further includes an inner shield and an outer shield, the inner shield having a smaller diameter than a diameter of the outer shield so that the inner shield is nestable within the outer shield, the inner shield being rotatable about the axis relative to the outer shield. 
     Preferably, each of the inner and outer shields have at least one aperture to permit radiant energy to pass therethrough, wherein the apertures of both the inner and outer shields are alignable such that rotation of the inner shield relative to the outer shield causes at least partial alignment of the apertures to vary the amount of radiant energy that is shielded from the portion of the product. 
     Preferably, the cooking appliance further includes a motor assembly to drive the rotation of the shield about the central axis. 
     Preferably, the shield is threadedly engageable with the ceiling such that the shield can be rotated in a conventional screw-like manner to raise or lower the shield. 
     In a second aspect, the invention provides a cooking appliance including: 
     a body providing a floor, a ceiling and an intermediate wall locating between the floor and ceiling, the floor, ceiling, and wall at least partly surrounding a cooking cavity, the body having an opening via which product to be cooked can be moved relative to the cavity; 
     a door to selectively close the opening of the cavity; the door being hinged about a lower portion of the door, such that an upper portion of the door travels in an arc as the door is opened; 
     a deck depending from the floor for receiving the product to be cooked; 
     wherein the deck is supported by a mechanism to both lower and withdraw the deck from the cavity as the door is opened and to both raise and insert the deck into the cavity as the door is closed. 
     Preferably, the mechanism includes a rear support arm and a front support bracket, wherein the support arm is pivotally coupled with respect to the floor of the cavity and pivotally supports a rear portion of the deck, and wherein the support bracket is hingedly coupled to the door such that opening and closing the door respectively withdraws and inserts the deck. 
     Preferably, a length of the support arm and a height of the support bracket hinged coupling are sized to maintain the deck generally horizontal as it is raised and lowered. 
     Preferably, the support arm rotates past the horizontal as the door is being closed, wherein an equilibrium is reached before the door is fully closed, such that the further insertion of the product causes the weight of the deck to over balance the support and further assist closure of the door. 
     Preferably, the cooking appliance of the second aspect further includes an upper heating element located in an upper portion of the cavity to deliver radiant energy to cook the product. 
     Preferably, the cooking appliance of the second aspect further includes a lower heating element embedded in the deck. 
     Preferably, the cooking appliance of the second aspect further includes a controller operatively associated with the upper heating element and the lower heating element to provide for selective delivery of electric power thereto thereby to provide a heating profile across the product. 
     Preferably, the cooking appliance of the second aspect further includes a temperature sensor located within the cavity to provide a signal indicative of the temperature within the cavity to the controller. 
     In a third aspect, the invention provides a cooking appliance including: 
     a body providing a floor, a ceiling and an intermediate wall locating between the floor and ceiling, the floor, ceiling, and wall at least partly surrounding a cooking cavity, the body having an opening via which product to be cooked can be moved relative to the cavity; 
     at least one upper heating element located in an upper portion of the cavity to deliver radiant energy to cook the product; 
     a lower heating element located in a lower portion of the cavity to deliver radiant energy to cook the product, and 
     a controller operatively associated with each upper heating element and the lower heating element to provide for selective delivery of electric power thereto thereby to provide a heating profile across the product. 
     Preferably, the cooking appliance of the third aspect further includes a pair of inner and outer upper heating elements, each of the inner and outer upper heating elements being independently controllable by the controller. 
     Preferably, the controller is configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode to alter the electric power and temperature of each of the upper heating elements and the lower heating element thereby to vary the heating profile across the product. 
     Preferably, the cooking appliance of the third aspect further includes a user operable control hub having a plurality of dials operatively associated with the controller to manually alter the electric power and temperature of each of the upper heating elements and the lower heating element in both the first mode and the second mode of the controller. 
     Preferably, in the first mode, a first dial is configured to control the temperature of the lower heating element. 
     Preferably, in the first mode, a second dial is configured to control the temperature of the inner and outer upper heating elements. 
     Preferably, in the first mode, a third dial is configured to control the electric power to the inner and outer upper heating elements to provide fine tuning to cooking an outer edge of the product, or even cooking across the whole of the product, or general control over cooking of a centre portion or the outer edge of the product. 
     Preferably, the controller includes a timer operatively associated with the inner and outer upper heating elements and the lower heating element to stop the delivery of electric power to the inner and outer upper heating elements and the lower heating element after a duration of time, wherein, in the second mode, a first dial is configured to control the duration of the timer. 
     Preferably, the controller includes a range of pre-set settings having different durations of the timer and temperatures of the inner and outer upper heating elements and the lower heating element, wherein a second dial is configured to select a pre-set setting from the range. 
     Preferably, in the second mode, a third dial is configured to fine-tune the temperature of the lower heating element. 
     Preferably, the cooking appliance of the third aspect further includes a temperature sensor located within the cavity to provide a signal indicative of the temperature within the cavity to the controller to adjust the delivery of electric power to each of the inner and outer upper heating elements and the lower heating element. 
     In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a cooking appliance including: 
     a body providing a floor, a ceiling and an intermediate wall locating between the floor and ceiling, the floor, ceiling, and wall at least partly surrounding a cooking cavity, the body having an opening via which product to be cooked can be moved relative to the cavity; 
     a lower heating element located in a lower portion of the cavity to deliver radiant energy to cook the product; and 
     a cooling system coupled to the body, the cooling system including a first airflow channel communicating with the cavity, the first airflow channel configured to direct airflow to a cold pin of the lower heating element to selectively cool the cold pin. 
     Preferably, the cooling system includes a vent proximate the cold pin to expel air directed by the first airflow channel. 
     Preferably, the cooling system includes a fan mounted to the body and positioned away from the vent, wherein the fan drives the airflow through the first airflow channel to the vent. 
     Preferably, the cooking appliance of the fourth aspect further includes a controller operatively associated with the lower heating element to provide for selective delivery of electric power thereto thereby to provide a heating profile across the product. 
     Preferably, the cooking appliance of the fourth aspect further includes a temperature sensor located within the cavity to provide a signal indicative of the temperature within the cavity to the controller to adjust the delivery of electric power to the lower heating element. 
     Preferably, the cooking appliance of the fourth aspect further includes a deck depending from the floor to receive the product to be cooked. 
     Preferably, the temperature sensor is mounted to the deck. 
     Preferably, the fan is actuated when the temperature sensor detects a temperature above a certain temperature threshold monitored by the controller. 
     Preferably, the wall has a compartment to house electronics of the appliance, wherein the cooling system further includes a second airflow channel communicating with the compartment of the wall to cool the electronics. 
     Preferably, the cooking appliance of the fourth aspect further includes a door to selectively close the opening of the cavity; the door being hinged about a lower portion of the door, wherein a passage is located about the lower portion of the door to house electronics of the appliance, wherein the cooling system further includes a third airflow channel communicating with the passage to cool the electronics when the door closes the opening. 
     Preferably, the product is pizza. 
     There is also disclosed a pizza oven apparatus, the apparatus including: 
     an oven body that defines a cooking cavity; the cooking cavity having a floor and a ceiling with intermediate wall that defines a front opening; 
     a door that selectively closes the opening of the cavity; 
     a pizza deck within the cavity for receiving a pizza for cooking; 
     at least one heating element located about the ceiling of the cooking cavity; wherein a variable heating or cooking profile is provided across the pizza deck. 
     The at least one heating element preferably defines a substantially circumferential heat source. 
     The variable heating or cooking profile may be provided by a shield. Preferably the shield is circumferential and located within the area defined by the heating element or elements. 
     The variable heating or cooking profile may be provided by a plurality of heating elements, each heating element having a different heat power output. 
     The variable heating or cooking profile may be provided by a plurality of heating elements, each heating element having a different heat power output. 
     The variable heating or cooking profile may be provided by a heating element having different heat power output along its length. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a sectional side view of an embodiment pizza oven, shown with the door in a closed configuration; 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional side view of the pizza oven of FIG. 1 , shown with the door in a part opened configuration; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional side view of the pizza oven of FIG. 1 , shown with the door in an open configuration; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional side view of the pizza oven of FIG. 1 , shown connected to a processor module and temperature sensors; 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional side view of the pizza oven of FIG. 1 , shown with the door in an extended-opened configuration; 
         FIG. 6A  is a sectional side view of an embodiment pizza oven, shown with the door in a closed configuration; 
         FIG. 6B  is a sectional side view of the pizza oven of FIG. 6 A, shown with the door in a part opened configuration; 
         FIG. 6C  is a sectional side view of the pizza oven of FIG. 6 A, showing the pivot locations of a pizza deck support mechanism; 
         FIG. 6D  is an enlarges part sectional side view of the pizza oven of FIG. 6 A, showing the pizza deck support mechanism; 
         FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of a pizza deck carriage element; 
         FIG. 7B  is a perspective view of an embodiment pizza oven, shown with the pizza deck carriage element of  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 7C  is a sectional side view of the pizza oven of  FIG. 7B , showing a cooking base and a rear shield of the carriage element of  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 7D  is a sectional side view of the pizza oven of  FIG. 7C , showing the effect of the removal of the rear shield; 
         FIG. 7E  is a schematic perspective view of the underside of the cooking base of  FIG. 7C ; 
         FIG. 7F  is a schematic parts exploded isometric view of the cooking base and the carriage element of  FIG. 7C ; 
         FIG. 7G  is a sectional side view of the cooking base and the carriage element of  FIG. 7C ; 
         FIG. 7H  is a detail view of locking detail between the cooking base and the carriage element of  FIG. 7G ; 
         FIG. 7I  is a sectional side view of the cooking base and the carriage element of  FIG. 7C , showing the heating element embedded within the cooking base; 
         FIG. 7J  is a sectional side view of the cooking base and the carriage element of  FIG. 7C , showing a temperature sensor embedded within the cooking base; 
         FIG. 8A  is a sectional side view of an embodiment pizza oven, shown with the door in an open configuration; 
         FIG. 8B  is a sectional side view of the pizza oven of FIG. 8 A, shown with the door in an extended-opened configuration; 
         FIG. 9A  is a sectional side view of an embodiment pizza oven, shown with the door in an open configuration; 
         FIG. 9B  is a sectional side view of the pizza oven of FIG. 9 A, shown with the door in an extended-opened configuration; 
         FIG. 10A  is a sectional side view of an embodiment pizza oven, shown with the door in a closed configuration; 
         FIG. 10B  is a sectional side view of the pizza oven of FIG. 10 A, shown with the door in a part-opened configuration; 
         FIG. 10C  is a sectional side view of the pizza oven of FIG. 10 A, shown with the door in an opened configuration; 
         FIG. 11A  is a sectional side view of an embodiment pizza oven, shown with the door in a closed configuration; 
         FIG. 11B  is a sectional side view of the pizza oven of FIG. 11 A, shown with the door in an opened configuration; 
         FIG. 12  is a sectional plan view of an embodiment pizza oven, showing a configuration of the cooking cavity; 
         FIG. 13  is a sectional side view of an embodiment pizza oven, shown with a heating profile provided across the pizza deck; 
         FIG. 14A  is a perspective view of a ceiling element for a cooking cavity of the embodiment pizza oven of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 14B  is a sectional side view of a ceiling element of  FIG. 14A ; 
         FIG. 14A  is an inline for assembly view of a ceiling element of  FIG. 14A ; 
         FIG. 15  is a sectional side view of an embodiment pizza oven, shown with a heating profile provided across the pizza deck; 
         FIG. 16A  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment ceiling element for a cooking cavity of the embodiment pizza oven; 
         FIG. 16B  is a sectional side view of a ceiling element of  FIG. 16A ; 
         FIG. 16C  is a sectional side view of a ceiling element of  FIG. 16A ; 
         FIG. 17  is a sectional plan view of an embodiment pizza oven, shown with a heating profile provided across the pizza deck; 
         FIG. 18  is a sectional plan view of an embodiment pizza oven, shown with a heating profile provided across the pizza deck; 
         FIG. 19A  is a sectional plan view of an embodiment pizza oven, shown with a heating profile provided across the pizza deck; 
         FIG. 19B  is a sectional side view of a ceiling element of  FIG. 19A ; 
         FIG. 20  is a schematic sectioned side elevation of a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 21  is a schematic sectioned front elevation of a cooking cavity of the appliance of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a schematic sectioned front elevation of the cooking cavity of  FIG. 21  with a shield of the appliance removed; 
         FIG. 23  is a schematic parts exploded isometric view of a ceiling and the shield of the appliance of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a schematic parts exploded bottom isometric view of the ceiling and the shield according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 25  is a schematic sectioned side elevation of the ceiling and the shield of  FIG. 24 ; 
         FIG. 26  is a schematic parts exploded sectioned side elevation of the ceiling and the shield of  FIG. 24 ; 
         FIG. 27  is a schematic sectioned front elevation of the cooking cavity of  FIG. 21  depicting a first position of the shield; 
         FIG. 28  is a schematic sectioned front elevation of the cooking cavity of  FIG. 27  depicting a second position of the shield; 
         FIG. 29  is a schematic sectioned front elevation of the cooking cavity of  FIG. 21  according to another embodiment depicting a first position of the shield; 
         FIG. 30  is a schematic sectioned front elevation of the cooking cavity of  FIG. 29  depicting a second position of the shield; 
         FIG. 31  is a schematic sectioned front elevation of the cooking cavity of  FIG. 29  depicting a third position of the shield; 
         FIG. 32  is a simplified schematic part cut away isometric view of the appliance of  FIG. 20  according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 33  is a simplified schematic part cut away isometric view of the appliance of  FIG. 20  according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 34  is a simplified schematic part cut away isometric view of the appliance of  FIG. 20  according to yet another embodiment; 
         FIG. 35  is a simplified schematic part cut away isometric view of the appliance of  FIG. 20  according to still yet another embodiment; 
         FIG. 36  is a schematic bottom isometric view of the ceiling and the shield of  FIG. 35 ; 
         FIG. 37  is a schematic bottom isometric view of the ceiling and the shield of  FIG. 36  in another configuration; 
         FIG. 38  is a schematic part cut away isometric view of the ceiling and the shield of  FIG. 36  interacting with radiant energy from a heating element of the appliance; 
         FIG. 39  is a schematic part cut away isometric view of the ceiling and the shield of  FIG. 38  in another configuration; 
         FIG. 40  is a simplified schematic part cut away isometric view of the appliance of  FIG. 20  according to still yet another embodiment; 
         FIG. 41  is a schematic sectioned front elevation of the cooking cavity of  FIG. 21  according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 41A  is a schematic perspective view of a cooking appliance according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 42  is a flowchart illustrating an algorithm of the appliance of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 43  is a schematic sectioned front elevation of the cooking cavity of  FIG. 41  showing the effect of a dial of the appliance on the cooking cavity; 
         FIG. 44  is a schematic sectioned front elevation of the cooking cavity of  FIG. 41  showing the effect of the dial in another configuration; 
         FIG. 45  is a schematic sectioned front elevation of the cooking cavity of  FIG. 41  showing the effect of the dial in yet another configuration; 
         FIG. 46  is a schematic sectioned front elevation of the cooking cavity of  FIG. 41  showing the effect of the dial in still yet another configuration; 
         FIG. 47  is a schematic sectioned front elevation of the cooking cavity of  FIG. 41  showing the effect of the dial in still yet another configuration; 
         FIG. 48  is a schematic sectioned front elevation of the cooking cavity of  FIG. 41  showing the effect of the dial in still yet another configuration; 
         FIG. 49  is a part cut away rear isometric view of the appliance according to another embodiment; 
         FIGS. 50 and 51  are simplified schematic views of airflow channels of the appliance of  FIG. 49 ; 
         FIG. 52  is a detail view of part of  FIG. 20  showing an air vent of the appliance; 
         FIG. 53  is a schematic part cut away front isometric view of the appliance of  FIG. 49 ; 
         FIG. 54  is a simplified schematic part cut away rear isometric view of the appliance of  FIG. 49 ; 
         FIG. 55  is a detail view of part of  FIG. 54 ; 
         FIG. 56  is a schematic part cut away rear isometric view of the appliance of  FIG. 49  in another configuration; and 
         FIG. 57  is a detail view of part of  FIG. 56 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     In order to cook a pizza with a result as outlined by The True Neapolitan Pizza Association (Associazione Verace Pizza napoletana, AVPN), the pizza needs to be cooked rapidly and exposed to heat of a high intensity. Achieving the required heat intensity in domestic electrical appliances is difficult due to voltage &amp; current-draw limitations. One way to effectively increase heat intensity without increasing wattage/current-draw is to increase the proximity of the heat source and food (for example, locate the food closer to a heating element). Doing so also reduces the total cooking chamber volume which allows for more rapid heating and recovery cycles. The downside is that this typically makes the product difficult to use &amp; difficult to clean due to the narrow aperture in which to load foods. 
     One way of alleviating this problem is by incorporating a deck that is connected to the oven door, which lowers when the pizza is being loaded onto the deck and rises when the oven door is closed for the cooking operation. 
     Increasing the proximity of the heaters to the deck also reduces the total cavity volume which allows for the cavity temperature to rise faster with the same amount of power than would be possible with a larger cooking cavity. 
       FIG. 1  through  FIG. 5 , shows an embodiment pizza oven apparatus  100 . The apparatus includes: 
     an oven body  110  that defines a cooking cavity  112 ; the cavity having a floor  114  and a ceiling  116  with intermediate wall  118  that has a front opening; 
     a door  120  selectively closes the opening of the cavity; the door being hinged (at  122 ) about a lower portion of the door, such that an upper portion of door travels in an arc as the door is opened; 
     a pizza deck  130  within the cavity for receiving a pizza  131  for cooking; 
     wherein the pizza deck is supported by a mechanism  140 ; wherein the mechanism both lowers and withdraws the pizza deck as the door is opened and both raises and inserts the pizza deck as the door is closed. 
     The mechanism includes one or more rear support arm  150  and one or more front support bracket  160 ; the support arm is pivotally coupled (at  151 ) with respect to the floor of the cavity and pivotally supports (at  152 ) a rear portion of the pizza deck; the support bracket is hingedly coupled (at  161 ) to the door, such that opening and closing the door respectively withdraws and inserts the pizza deck. 
     The length of the support arm and height of the support bracket hinged coupling are sized to maintain the pizza deck substantially horizontal as it is raised and lowered. 
     The support arm rotates past the horizontal as the door is being closed, wherein an equilibrium is reached before the door is fully closed, and the further insertion of the pizza deck causes the weight of the pizza deck to over balance the support arm and support mechanism to further assist closure of the door. 
     An electrical heating element  170  is located about the top of the cavity. Operation of the cavity heating element is controlled by a processor  180  module that receives a temperature signal from a temperature sensor element  182  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ). 
     The pizza deck is heated by a second electrical heating element  172 . Operation of the second heating element is controlled by a processor module that receives a temperature signal from a temperature sensor element. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 3 , the deck support mechanism (or assembly) has a hinge linking it to the front door and pivoting rear supports that are linked to the lower chassis. When the door is opened, the deck moves with the door, traveling out of the cooking cavity and lowering as the door rotates on its lower hinges. The rear support arm rotates with the movement of the deck and substantially keeps the deck horizontal. Lowering the deck means the pizza can be loaded and removed easily, the deck can be cleaned easily. Raising the deck means that the pizza can be cooked at the optimum distance from the upper heater element or elements. 
     The oven door has at least a bottom pivoting hinge and is attached to the front bottom hinge of the pizza oven. The deck support mechanism and door are adapted to enable the deck to maintain a substantially horizontal configuration during opening and closing the door. 
     A close mechanism may be included that acts to assist closing of the door (not shown). The close mechanism may include an arm, which is pivotally attached to the door at one end and extend into the side wall of the oven, and the other end of the arm is biased by a spring located within the oven sidewall toward a closed door configuration. 
       FIG. 5  shows the pizza deck may include a deck carriage  132  that houses a heating element  172  and supports a cooking base  133 . In this embodiment, the cooking base is a ceramic cooking base. It will be appreciated that a cooking base may be may be made of one or more appropriate materials. The heating element has connectors  173  that protrude through the back of the deck carriage for connection to power source under control of a processor module. The temperature sensor  182  can be located about the underside of the ceramic cooking base. 
       FIG. 5  shows that the door can be hyper-extend past the horizontal, wherein an abutment surface  135  passes through an aperture in the carriage  132  and engages an underside of the ceramic cooking base  133 , which cause the ceramic cooking base  133  to rise with respect to carriage to provide improved access for removal. 
       FIG. 6A  through  FIG. 6D  show sectional side views of an embodiment pizza oven  200 , wherein the door is in a variety of configurations. 
     In this embodiment, the pizza deck support mechanism  240  includes one or more rear support arm  250  and a front support bracket  260 ; the support arm is pivotally coupled (at  251 ) with respect to the floor or cavity and pivotally supports (at  252 ) a rear portion of the pizza deck  230 ; the support bracket is hingedly coupled (at  261 ) to the door, such that opening and closing the door respectively withdraws and inserts the pizza deck. The door  220  is hinged (at  221 ) with respect to the cavity. 
     It will be appreciated that, to maintain the deck in a substantially horizontal configuration as the door is opened or closed, each pivot point must form a corner of a parallelogram (e.g. see  201  in  FIG. 6C ). 
       FIG. 6B  and  FIG. 6D  show the embodiment pizza oven  200 , with the door in a part or mostly closed configuration. In this configuration, the rear support arm is vertical (e.g. see  202  in  FIG. 6D ), and further closing of the door will cause the arm to lean toward the rear of the cooking cavity, thereby creating a moment about the pivot point (at  251 ) that will further assist closure of the door. 
     It will be appreciated that, by locating the door hinge (at  221 ) and forward bracket hinge (at  261 ) such that they are offset ( 203 ) when the door is in the closed position, the parallelogram arrangement  201  can be maintained while allowing the rear pivot arm  250  moving past the vertical. While this will cause a slight lowering the deck when the door moves to a fully closed configuration, there is assistance to close the door through the moment applied to the arm by the deck. 
     In this embodiment, the oven door has a thickness, which enables the pivot hinge to be located at the bottom of the oven door and about the front wall of the door. By way of example only, an L shaped hinge  222  is used. The forward hinge  260  is connected between the pizza deck and door, such that the pivot (at  261 ) is behind that of the door hinge pivot (at  221 ). 
     It will be appreciated that, this feature causes the raising of the deck as the door is initially opened, which causes the pizza to be brought into closer proximity of the upper heat element. This process in the cooking of a pizza enables the user to give the pizza ingredients a final more intense exposure to heat. 
       FIGS. 7A-7J  show an embodiment pizza oven  300  having a pizza deck comprising a carriage element  332  that supports a lower electrical heating element  372  and a cooking base  333  (shown in  FIG. 7D ). 
     The carriage element  332  defines an aperture  334 , which enables an abutment surface  335  to pass through an aperture and engage an underside of the cooking base  333 , when the door is hyper-extended past the horizontal. This causes the cooking base  333  to rise with respect to carriage and provide improved access for removal. 
     In this embodiment, the carriage element  332  has a plurality of support surfaces  336  to support the cooking base  333 . A rear shield  338  is provided, which may conform to the rear portion of the D-shaped cavity. As shown in  FIGS. 7C and 7D , the rear shield  338  reduces the likelihood of the pizza positioned on the cooking base  333  from sliding off onto the floor of the pizza oven  300  as the door is opened. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7E , the cooking base  333  may be provided with a complementary profile  337  for mating with the lower electrical heating element  372  so that the heating element  372  can be substantially embedded into the cooking base  333 . This in turn increases the heat transfer (compared to the arrangement in which the element is not embedded) due to increased surface of the cooking base  333  that surrounds the heating element  372  (shown in  FIG. 7I ). As shown  FIGS. 7E-7H , the cooking base  333  and the carriage element  332  may have complementary locating detail in the form of recessed portions  339 ,  340  and raised platforms  341 ,  342  to removably secure the cooking base  333  to the carriage element  332  when in use. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7J , a temperature sensor  383  may be embedded in the cooking base  333  to provide feedback to the processor module in order to cause the power which is applied to the heating element  372  to be controlled and eventually decreased/increased upon the desired temperature being reached. 
     By way of example only,  FIG. 8A  and  FIG. 8B  shows an embodiment pizza oven  400  having an abutment device  435  supported by the floor of cavity, as discussed above. 
     It will be appreciated that a carriage element  432  defines an aperture  434 , which enables an abutment surface  435  to pass through an aperture and engage an underside of the cooking base  433 , when the door is hyper-extended past the horizontal (as shown in  FIG. 8B ). This causes the cooking base  433  to rise with respect to carriage  432  and provide improved access for removal. 
     By way of example only,  FIG. 9A  and  FIG. 9B  shows an alternative embodiment pizza oven  500  having an abutment device  535  supported by the door. 
     It will be appreciated that a carriage element  532  defines an aperture  534 , which enables an abutment surface  535  to pass through an aperture and engage an underside of the cooking base  533 , when the door is hyper-extended past the horizontal (as shown in  FIG. 9B ). This causes the cooking base  533  to rise with respect to carriage  532  and provide improved access for removal. 
       FIG. 10A  through  FIG. 10C  shows an embodiment  600  using an alternative deck support mechanism, wherein the pizza deck carriage  630  is supported in an arcuate guide  650  located about the cooking cavity sidewall without use of the one or more rear support arm (e.g.  150 ). By way of example the arcuate guide  650  may be a guide or slot that cooperates with the deck. 
     It will be appreciated that, to maintain the deck in a substantially horizontal configuration as the door is opened or closed, each pivot point must form a corner of a parallelogram (e.g. see  201  in  FIG. 6C ). Corners ( 251 , 252 , 221 , 261 ) of the parallelogram are described with reference to  FIG. 6C . 
     In this embodiment, with the door closed, there is horizontal displacement ( 203 ) between location the door hinge (at  221 ) and the location that the deck support bracket is hingedly coupled (at  261 ) to the door. This causes the location deck support bracket hinged coupling (at  261 ) to initially rise then fall in an arcuate path  651  as the door is opened. Accordingly, the arcuate guide  650  conforms in shape to the arcuate path  651  travelled by the support bracket hinged coupling. 
       FIG. 11A  and  FIG. 11B  shows an embodiment  700  using an alternative deck support mechanism, wherein the pizza deck carriage  730  is supported by a movable scissor lift arrangement  750  that is coupled to the door  120 . By way of example, the scissor lift arrangement  750  is in the form of a two arms  751  that are pivotally coupled together (at  752 ) along their length, with the upper ends  753  slidably mounted to the pizza deck by a guide or rail  754 , and the lower ends  755  slidably mounted with respect to the cavity by a guide or rail  756 . The arrangement causes the pizza deck carriage  730  to remain horizontal as it is raised (as shown in  FIG. 11A ) or lowered (as show in  FIG. 11B ). 
     In this embodiment, the deck is hinged attached (at  261 ) to the door  120 . With the door closed, the support bracket  160  holds the arm in the raised configuration as shown in  FIG. 11A . As the door is opened, the support bracket  160  lowers, allowing the pizza deck carriage  730  to respectively lower. The rails and guides ( 754 , 756 ) enable the door to draw out the pizza deck carriage to an open configuration as shown in  FIG. 11B . 
     An alternative to the deck support mechanism (e.g.  140 ), a pizza deck carriage may be supported by telescopic support elements, which are controlled by a micro controller (not shown). These telescopic support elements may be further attached a mechanism which tilts them under control of a processor module. Upon opening the pizza door, a switch is activated and the telescopic supports are, in a controlled matter, extended and tilted towards the door, bringing the deck towards and past the opening of the pizza oven. 
     FIG. 12  shows a sectional top view of the cooking cavity  800  that can be used in any embodiment pizza oven, and defines a D-Shaped configuration. As the rear portion  810  of the oven cavity is rounded, the floor surface is restricted and provides a 180 degree wall structure  812  that can reflect radiant heat onto the pizza, which enhances crust browning. It will also be appreciated that the pizza deck can substantially conform to the configuration of the oven cavity, for example, being D-shaped. 
     In an example embodiment, the rear portion of the D-shaped cavity has a reflective wall that conforms to the pizza deck (and half way around the sides of the deck). 
     Improvements are made to the cooking of pizza crust or ‘cornicione’ evenly in an asymmetric cooking chamber, while protecting delicate ingredients in the centre of the pizza. 
     The pizza crust (or outer circumference of the pizza) should be exposed to an intense heat source so as to cause blistering and intense darkening during the cooking process. However, doing so causes the inner portion of the pizza to be overcooked. For example, delicate ingredients such as cheese or basil can quickly overcook and become spoilt if not protected. 
     It was identified that the problem may be alleviated in any one or more of the following three means:
         a) using a shield (e.g. cylindrical, frustoconical, domed, or rounded) located at the top of the cooking cavity (or chamber), such that the upper heating element substantially surrounds the shield. The shield is located to deflect radiant heat away from the pizza centre, and preferably toward the outer circumference of the pizza;   b) configuring the upper heating element (or elements) to provide different heating power across the pizza deck, wherein more heat is provided to the front of the cooking chamber (the cooler region) and less heat is provided to the back of the cooking chamber.   c) providing a D-shaped cooking chamber, wherein a circular pizza is located about the rear of the oven and substantially wrapped around through 180° by reflective sidewalls for increasing the radiant heat.       

       FIG. 13  shows a sectional side view of an embodiment pizza oven  1000 , that provides a heating profile across a pizza deck  1030 . The pizza deck may be movable (i.e. slidable and/or raisable) or fixed. The pizza deck may be supported by a support mechanism as disclosed herein. 
     This embodiment pizza oven apparatus  1000  includes: 
     an oven body  1010  that defines a cooking cavity  1012 ; the cooking cavity having a floor  1014  and a ceiling  1016  with intermediate wall  1018  that has a front opening; 
     a door  1020  that selectively closes the opening of the cavity; 
     a pizza deck  1030  within the cavity for receiving a pizza for cooking; 
     at least one heating element  1070  located about the ceiling of the cooking cavity. 
     The cooking cavity can be formed of a heat reflective material (e.g. stainless steel), including any one or more of the floor  1014 , the ceiling  1016  and intermediate wall  1018 . 
     The least one heating element  1070  preferably defines a substantially circumferential heat source, wherein a variable heating or cooking profile is provided across the pizza deck. 
     A circumferential shield element  1080  is located within the area defined by the circumferential heating element or elements. The shield may be integral with, or coupled to, the shield element. The shield defines an annular channel-like region  1085  that encompasses the heating element. 
     The shield reduces radiant heat from the heating element reaching the centre portion of the pizza deck (and pizza), thereby providing a heating or cooking profile across the pizza that has greater radiant heat applied to the crust and less radiant heat applied to the centre. 
     In this embodiment the reflector shield directs heat energy from the heating element onto the pizza, such that a more intense heat is focused on the crust, while a less intense heat is applied to the rest of the pizza. 
     It will be appreciated that the reflector shield can be a simple strip of metal disposed about the inner periphery of the heating element, such that some heat energy can be blocked from the middle of the pizza. The shield height can determine an amount of heat radiated to the centre of the pizza. The shield can be a separate part mounted to the ceiling such as a ring of sheet metal or could be formed as part of the ceiling. This shield can be used effectively in symmetric or asymmetric oven cavities. 
       FIG. 14A  through  FIG. 14C  shows an embodiment ceiling element  1082  for a cooking cavity of a pizza oven. The ceiling element  1082  has a curved outer perimeter (at  1083 ) to define a domed area for receiving the at least one heating element  1070  and the circumferential shield element  1080 . 
     In this embodiment, the shield element  1080  is coupled (e.g. at  1081  via a fastener or means) to the celling element  1082  for defining a cylindrical (or frusto-conical) shield, which defined an annular channel-like region  1085  that encompasses the heating element. The heating element can be supported by the ceiling element, and pass through the ceiling element to enable power connection. 
       FIG. 15  shows a sectional side view of an embodiment pizza oven  1100 , substantially conforms to the oven  1000  except for the ceiling and shield, and provides an alternative heating profile across a pizza deck  1030 . 
     In this embodiment, the shield  1180  is curved or convex, to define an inverted dome like form, and the ceiling  1181  defines an outer dome that supports the shield to define an annular channel-like region  1185  that encompasses the heating element. 
     In this embodiment the reflector shield directs heat energy from the heating element onto the pizza, such that a more intense heat is focused on the crust, while a less intense heat is applied to the rest of the pizza. 
       FIG. 16A  through  FIG. 16C  shows an embodiment ceiling element  1182  for a cooking cavity of the embodiment pizza oven. In this embodiment the ceiling  1182  is integrally formed with the shield portion  1180 . 
     The ceiling element  1182  has a curved outer perimeter (at  1183 ) to define a domed area and an integrally formed inner convex shield portion  1180  for receiving the at least one heating element  1070  there between. The centre (at  1186 ) of the ceiling may be recessed as shown for fixing to the oven body. Alternatively the shield portion  1180  may define an inverted dome. 
     The shield portion reduces radiant heat from the heating element reaching the centre portion of the pizza deck (and pizza), thereby providing a heating or cooking profile across the pizza that has greater radiant heat applied to the crust and less radiant heat applied to the centre. 
     It will be appreciated that the ceiling and shield (or the portions thereof about the annular channel-like region  1085 ,  1185 ) can be formed of a heat reflective material, or have an appropriate finish. 
     The reflector properties about the annular channel-like region  1085 ,  1185  can concentrate heat energy, and the inverted dome shield may be constructed of fiberglass and act as a ceiling for the chamber, thereby reducing the need for some metal in the ceiling. 
     Referring for  FIG. 16C , it will be appreciated that the reflector portion may include one or more of the following features:
         a) the reflector portion is substantially annular, as defined by a sectional profile, wherein: the periphery  1190  of the reflector is concave and arcuate; a transition to a substantially horizontal portion  1191  at the top ; an inner shield wall  1193  transition downward to define an annular channel-like region  1195 ; the height  1196  of the annular channel-like region  1195  is sufficient to position of the heating element within, which enables some of the heat from the element to be blocked from the centre of the pizza;   b) the outer periphery  1190  has a curvature about the heating element that causes concentrated heat energy from the heating element to be delivered to the crust of the pizza (thereby causing blistering);   c) a circular heating element disposed near the ceiling of the cooking chamber (e.g. as shown in  FIG. 13  and  FIG. 15 ), and suspended from the ceiling by a plurality of metal clips;   d) a temperature sensor  1197  is located in the middle at the ceiling for sensing the cavity temperature;   e) the middle section  1198  of the circular reflector is raised to protect a temperature sensor from accidental touching when the pizza is inserted, and indented with a horizontal step  199  towards the opening for the temperature sensor such that the heat is reflected uniformly;   f) the reflector can be made as a separate piece from the shell;   g) the reflector can be made from stainless steel (or other suitable material);   h) two openings located at the side of the reflector are used to power the heating element; and   i) the diameter of the heating element can be sized for the expected pizza size (e.g. 12 inch pizza) such that it is located above expected location of the crust.       

       FIG. 17 , FIG. 18 ,  FIG. 19A  and  FIG. 19B  discloses alternative structures for providing a heating or cooking profile across the pizza. 
     The front half of a D-shaped cooking cavity is less efficient due to there being no sidewalls to reflecting radiant energy to the pizza, and heat loss through the door (particularly when opened). 
     The cooking cavity being less-efficient in the front half can result in the pizza being cooked unevenly. 
       FIG. 17  shows a sectional plan view of an embodiment pizza oven  1200 , which heating profile provided across the pizza deck  1230 . The variable heating or cooking profile may be provided by a heating element  1270  having different heat power output along its length. 
     In this embodiment, the heater element  1270  may be circular in shape, with the forward half  1272  adapted to heat with greater intensity than the rear half  1274 . For example, the front half of the heating element may providing heating power approximately 50% higher in wattage than the rear half of the heater assembly. It will be appreciated that the power output of a heating element can be adapted based on the respective winding density along its length. 
       FIG. 18  shows a sectional plan view of an embodiment pizza oven  1300 , with a heating profile provided across the pizza deck (not shown). The variable heating or cooking profile may be provided by two semi-circular heating elements  1372 , 1374  having different heat power outputs and can be controlled independently of each other. 
     The variable heating or cooking profile may be provided by a plurality of heating elements, each heating element having a different heat power output. Different power outputs may be achieved through the specification of the heater elements or independent power control via processor module control. 
     In this embodiment, the forward semi-circular heating element  1372  adapted to heat with greater intensity than the rear semi-circular heating element  1374 . For example, the front heating element of the heating element may provide heating power approximately 50% higher in wattage than the rear heating element. 
     In this embodiment, each heating element is powered from opposing sides of the oven. 
       FIG. 19A  and FIG. 19 B shows a sectional plan view of an embodiment pizza oven  1400 , with a heating profile provided across the pizza deck (not shown). The variable heating or cooking profile may be provided by two semi-circular heating elements  1472 , 1474  having different heat power outputs. 
     In this embodiment, the forward semi-circular heating element  1472  adapted to heat with greater intensity than the rear semi-circular heating element  1474 . For example, the front heating element of the heating element may provide heating power approximately 50% higher in wattage than the rear heating element. 
     In this embodiment, each heating element is powered from the same sides of the oven. To neatly achieve this configuration, a return lead for each heating element ( 1472 , 1474 ) may traverse from one end across the diameter of the cooking chamber ( 1473 , 1475  respectively) and angle slightly to avoid the other end. 
     In  FIG. 20 , there is depicted a cooking appliance  2010  configured to cook a pizza  2012  (shown in  FIG. 21 ). The appliance  2010  includes a generally cuboidal body  2014  providing a floor  2016 , a ceiling  2018  and an intermediate wall  2020  extending between the floor  2016  and the ceiling  2018 . The floor  2016 , ceiling  2018 , and wall  2020  at least partly surround a cooking cavity  2022 . 
     The body  2014  has an opening  2024  via which the pizza  2012  that is to be cooked can be moved in and out of the cavity  2022 . The opening  2024  is closed by a door  2026  which is hinged to the body  2014  at a lower portion  2025  of the door  2026 . 
     The appliance  2010  also preferably includes a pizza deck  2028  mounted to the floor  2016  for receiving the pizza  2012 . A central axis  2029  of the pizza deck  2028  extends perpendicularly between the floor  2016  and the ceiling  2018 . 
     The appliance  2010  also includes an upper heating element  2030  centrally located on the axis  2029  in an upper portion  2032  of the cavity  2022  to deliver radiant energy to cook the pizza  2012 . The element  2030  extends circumferentially around the ceiling  2018 . 
     The appliance  2010  further includes an annular shield  2034  centrally located on the axis  2029  in the upper portion  2032  of the cavity  2022 . The shield  2034  is surrounded by the element  2030 . The shield  2034  is configured to shield the centre portion  2036  (shown in  FIG. 21 ) of the pizza  2012  from the radiant energy. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 21 , the shield  2034  reduces radiant energy from the element  2030  reaching the centre portion  2036  of the pizza  2012  located about the axis  2029  thereby providing a heating or cooking profile across the pizza  2012  that has greater radiant energy applied to the crust  2038  of the pizza  2012  and less radiant energy applied to the centre portion  2036  of the pizza  2012 . In contrast,  FIG. 22  depicts the effect of the removal of the shield  2034  from the cavity  2022  such that the heating or cooking profile across the pizza  2012  is relatively uniform. 
     Referring to  FIG. 23 , the shield  2034  includes a plurality of hooks  2040  configured to be received into respective openings  2042  in the ceiling  2018  so that, upon axial rotation of the shield  2034 , the shield  2034  is removably attached to the ceiling  2018 . 
     An alternative embodiment of a shield  2044  and a ceiling  2048  is shown in  FIGS. 24 to 26 . The shield  2044  is domed about its top end  2043  and includes a central hole  2045  for alignment with an orifice  2046  in the ceiling  2048 . A nut  2049  is passed through the central hole  2045  and the orifice  2046  to removably attach the shield  2044  to the ceiling  2048 . 
     Yet another embodiment of a shield  2054  and a ceiling  2058  is shown in  FIGS. 27 and 28 . The shield  2054  is movable relative to the pizza deck  2028  such that the shield  2054  can be lowered towards the pizza deck  2028  or raised away from the pizza deck  2028  to respectively decrease or increase the amount of radiant energy reaching the centre portion  2036  of the pizza  2012  as shown in  FIGS. 27 and 28 . 
     The raising and lowering of the shield  2054  relative to the pizza deck  2028  may be achieved through the use of a radial pin  2050  extending from the shield  2054  and co-operating with a slotted profile  2052  of the ceiling  2058  as best depicted in  FIGS. 29 to 32 . As shown in  FIG. 32 , the profile  2052  of the ceiling  2058  is inclined relative to the floor  2016  such that, as the shield  2054  is angularly rotated about the axis  2029  in a counter-clockwise direction  2056  when viewed towards the floor  2016 , the pin  2050  slides towards the end  2052   a  of the profile  2052  which is furthest away from the floor  2016  thereby raising the shield  2054  away from the floor  2016 . In an opposite manner, as the shield  2054  is rotated in a clockwise direction when viewed towards the floor  2016 , the pin  2050  slides towards the end  2052   b  of the profile  2052  which is nearest the floor  2016  thereby lowering the shield  2054  towards the floor  2016 . 
     The rotation of the shield  2054  may be controlled by a motor assembly  2060  mounted to the body  2014  as shown in  FIG. 33 . The motor assembly  2060  includes a motor  2061 , a rotatable shaft  2062  driven by the motor  2061 , and a belt (in another embodiment a chain may be used or another rotational transfer device)  2063  attached at one end  2063   a  to the shaft  2062  and attached at its opposite end  2063   b  to an axle  2064  attached to the shield  2054  to transmit rotational drive from the shaft  2062  to the axle  2064  thereby rotating the shield  2054 . The motor  2061  may be controlled by a motor control unit  2066  configured to receive an input signal from a user operable knob  2068  mounted on the body  2014 . 
     Yet another embodiment of a shield  2074  and a ceiling  2078  is shown in  FIG. 34 . The shield  2074  is in threaded engagement with the ceiling  2078  by way of a screw assembly  2079  attached to the shield  2074 . In this regard, the shield  2074  can be rotated in a conventional screw-like manner to raise or lower the shield  2074  relative to the floor  2016 . 
     In another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 35 , the appliance  2010  includes a pair of inner and outer shields  2094   a,    2094   b.  The inner shield  2094   a  is nested within the outer shield  2094   b.  Each of the inner and outer shields  2094   a,    2094   b  has a plurality of apertures generally in the form of rectangular vents  2096 . 
     With particular reference to  FIGS. 36 and 37 , the outer shield  2094   b  may be angularly rotated about the axis  2029  with respect to the inner shield  2094   a  to vary the alignment of each of the vents  2096  of each of the inner and outer shields  2094   a,    2094   b  to in turn vary the amount of radiant energy that is shielded from the centre portion  2036  of the pizza  2012 . In this regard, the outer shield  2094   b  may be angularly rotated about the axis  2029  with respect to the inner shield  2094   a  to cause partial or complete alignment of each of the vents  2096  to allow radiant energy to pass through the inner and outer shields  2094   a,    2094   b  as shown in  FIG. 38 . In a similar manner, the outer shield  2094   b  may be rotated to cause complete misalignment of each of the vents  2096  to substantially prevent radiant energy from passing through the inner and outer shields  2094   a,    2094   b  as shown in  FIG. 39 . Alternate embodiments are envisaged in which the inner shield  2094   a  may be angularly rotated about the axis  2029  with respect to the outer shield  2094   b  to align or misalign each of the vents  2096 . Further alternate embodiments are envisaged in which each of the inner and outer shields  2094   a,    2094   b  is angularly rotatable about the axis  2029  with respect to each other to align or misalign each of the vents  2096 . 
     As best depicted in  FIG. 40 , rotation of the inner shield  2094   a  may be controlled by the motor assembly  2060 . 
     A further embodiment of a cooking appliance  2100  is now described with reference to  FIGS. 41 through 48 . Features of the cooking appliance  2100  that are identical to those of the cooking appliance  2010  are provided with an identical reference numeral. 
     With particular reference to  FIG. 41 , the appliance  2100  includes a pair of inner and outer upper heating elements  2110   a,    2110   b  circumferentially extending around the ceiling  2018  and centrally located on the axis  2029  in the upper portion  2032  of the cavity  2022 . The appliance  2100  also includes a lower heating element  2112  circumferentially extending around the floor  2016  and centrally located on the axis  2029  in a lower portion  2132  of the cavity  2022  to deliver radiant energy to cook the pizza  2012 . The lower heating element  2112  is preferably embedded within the pizza deck  2028 . 
     The appliance  2100  also includes a primary annular shield  2104   a  centrally located on the axis  2029  to localise radiant energy to the crust  2038  of the pizza  2012  and a secondary annular shield  2104   b  centrally located on the axis  2029  to localise radiant energy to the centre portion  2036  of the pizza  2012 . The primary shield  2104   a  is surrounded by the outer upper heating element  2110   b.  The secondary shield  2104   b  is surrounded by the inner upper heating element  2110   a.  It will be appreciated that the arrangement of the upper heating elements  2110   a,    2110   b  and the shields  2104   a,    2104   b  can be housed within the cuboidal body  2014  of the cooking appliance  2010  or a substantially rounded body  2111  of the cooking appliance  2115  as shown in  FIG. 41A . 
       FIG. 42  depicts a controller in the form of an algorithm  2114  operatively associated with each of the inner and outer upper heating elements  2110   a,    2110   b  and the lower heating element  2112  to provide for selective delivery of electric power to each of the inner and outer upper heating elements  2110   a,    2110   b  and the lower heating element  2112  thereby to provide a heating profile across the pizza  2012 . Each of the inner and outer upper heating elements  2110   a,    2110   b  is independently controllable by the algorithm  2114 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 43 to 48 , the heating profile across the pizza  2012  is controlled by means of a user operable control hub  2118  of the appliance  2100 . The control hub  2118  is operatively associated with the algorithm  2114  to manually and independently alter the electric power and temperature of each of the inner and outer upper heating elements  2110   a,    2110   b  and the lower heating element  2112 . The control hub  2118  includes a first dial (not shown), a second dial  2118   b,  and a third dial  2118   c.    
     The algorithm  2114  is configured to operate in a first mode  2114   a  and a second mode  2114   b  (shown in  FIG. 42 ). 
     In the first mode  2114   a  of the algorithm  2114 , the first dial (not shown) is configured to control the temperature of the lower heating element  2112 ; the second dial  2118   b  is configured to control the temperature of the inner and outer upper heating elements  2110   a,    2110   b;  and the third dial  2118   c  is configured to control the electric power of only the inner and outer upper heating elements  2110   a,    2110   b.  When the third dial  2118   c  is in a first position  2120 , the electric power to each of the inner and outer upper heating elements  2110   a,    2110   b  is adjusted to provide radiant energy relatively uniformly across the pizza  2012  as shown in  FIG. 43 . When the third dial  2118   c  is in a second position  2122 , the electric power to the inner upper heating element  2110   a  is reduced and the power to the outer upper heating element  2110   b  is increased, relative to the power configuration when the third dial  2118   c  is in the first position  2120 , as shown in  FIG. 44 . When the third dial  2118   c  is in a third position  2124 , the electric power to the inner upper heating element  2110   a  is reduced to zero and the power to the outer upper heating element  2110   b  is increased to maximum, relative to the power configuration when the third dial  2118   c  is in the second position  2122 , as shown in  FIG. 45 ; in this configuration, radiant energy is most focused on the crust  2038  of the pizza  2012 . Essentially, the third dial  2118   c,  whilst operating in the first mode  2114   a,  provides fine tuning to crusting the pizza  2012 , even cooking across the whole of the pizza  2012 , or general control over the cooking of the centre portion  2036  or crust  2038  of the pizza  2012 . 
     In the second mode  2114   b  of the algorithm  2114 , the first dial (not shown) is configured to control a timer (not shown) of the inner and outer upper heating elements  2110   a,    2110   b  and the lower heating element  2112 ; the second dial  2118   b  is configured to control a “type” setting of the appliance  2010  (for example, the “type” can be “thick pizza”) to provide a range of pre-set timing intervals and temperatures of the inner and outer upper heating elements  2110   a,    2110   b  and the lower heating element  2112  to suit a user&#39;s particular needs; and the third dial  2118   c  is configured to control the temperature of the lower heating element  2112 . When the third dial  2118   c  is in the first position  2120 , the temperature to the lower heating element  2112  is decreased, relative to the second dial configuration when the algorithm  2114  is in the first mode  2114   a,  as shown in  FIG. 46 . When the third dial  2118   c  is in the second position  2122 , the temperature to the lower heating element  2112  is normal, relative to the power configuration when the third dial  2118   c  is in the first position  2120  in the second mode  2114   b  of the algorithm  2114 , as shown in  FIG. 47 . When the third dial  2118   c  is in the third position  2124 , the temperature to the lower heating element  2112  is increased, relative to the power configuration when the third dial  2118   c  is in the second position  2122  in the second mode  2114   b  of the algorithm  2114 , as shown in  FIG. 48 . Essentially, the third dial  2118   c,  whilst operating in the second mode  2114   b,  provides fine control for the temperature of the lower heating element  2112  in the event that the pre-set temperature settings of the second dial  2118   b  are not completely accurate for the user&#39;s particular needs. 
     The appliance  2100  includes a temperature sensor  2116  (shown in  FIG. 20 ) located about the ceiling  2018  within the cavity  2022  to provide a signal indicative of the temperature within the cavity  2022  to the algorithm  2114  to adjust the delivery of electric power to each of the inner and outer upper heating elements  2110   a,    2110   b  and the lower heating element  2112  as necessary. 
     A further embodiment of a cooking appliance  2200  is now described with reference to  FIGS. 49 to 57 . Features of the cooking appliance  2200  that are identical to those of the cooking appliance  2010  are provided with an identical reference numeral. 
     The appliance  2200  includes a cooling system  2210  integrated with a periphery  2212  of the body  2014 . The cooling system  2210  includes a first airflow channel  2214  and a second airflow channel  2216  as shown in  FIG. 49 . The first airflow channel  2214  communicates with the cavity of the wall  2020  to cool the cavity of the wall  2020  as a secondary activity as shown in  FIG. 50 . The primary activity of the first airflow channel  2214  is to cool electronics of the appliance  2010  (such as the PCB) which are located adjacent the entrance of the channel  2214  as shown in  FIG. 51 . The second airflow channel  2216  communicates with a vent  2217  that expels air and cools cold pins  2113  of the lower heating element  2112  as shown in  FIG. 52 . In this way, the vent  2217  is proximate the cold pins  2113  when the cold pins  2113  are in their home position when the door  2026  closes the opening  2024  of the cavity  2022 . The vent  2217  is aligned so that its height and projection creates an airflow to target the cold pins  2113 . The air comes from entrance  2216  and is guided by the channel in the periphery  2212  under the heating cavity  2022 . A fan  2218  (shown in  FIG. 51 ) driving the air to the vent  2217  is positioned away from the vent  2217  to distance itself from the air in the cavity  2022  which can reach temperatures of around 400° C. The fan  2218  is actuated when the temperature sensor  2116  (shown in  FIG. 20 ) or a secondary temperature sensor (not shown) mounted on the pizza deck  2028  records a temperature threshold above a certain point, preferably 100° C. The fan  2218  turns off when the temperature sensor  2116  or the secondary temperature sensor (not shown) records a temperature threshold below the certain point. 
     The lower heating element  2112  can operate at approximately 700° C. which in turn causes the temperature of the cavity to reach 400° C. and the temperature of the lower region below the deck  2028  where the cold pins  2113  reside to reach 200° C. Thus, this dedicated cooling airflow to the cold pins  2113  helps to prevent the cold pins  2113  from being destroyed. 
     The channel in the periphery  2212  below the floor  2016  of the cavity  2022  is preferably made of a polymer to insulate the channel in the periphery  2212  and the mounting body of the fan  2218  from the cavity  2022  and the vent  2217 . The vent  2217  is preferably made of metal to withstand the temperature in the cavity  2022  and is fixed, preferably welded, to the cavity floor  2016  in the cavity  2022 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 53 , the cooling system  2210  includes a second fan  2219  mounted on an external portion of the body  2014 . The fan  2219  draws air into a third airflow channel  2220 . When the door  2026  closes the opening  2024  of the cavity  2022 , the third airflow channel  2220  communicates with a passage  2222  of the door  2026  adjacent the lower portion  2025  of the door  2026  as best depicted in  FIGS. 54 to 57 . The airflow cools electronics  2224  (such as the power PCB and interface) housed in the door  2026  located about the passage  2222 . 
     It will be appreciated that the illustrated embodiments provide an improved or alternative pizza oven. 
     It would be appreciated that, some of the embodiments are described herein as a method or combination of elements of a method that can be implemented by a processor of a computer system or by other means of carrying out the function. Thus, a processor with the necessary instructions for carrying out such a method or element of a method forms a means for carrying out the method or element of a method. Furthermore, an element described herein of an apparatus embodiment is an example of a means for carrying out the function performed by the element for the purpose of carrying out the invention. 
     In alternative embodiments, the one or more processors operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g., networked to other processor(s), in a networked deployment, the one or more processors may operate in the capacity of a server or a client machine in server-client network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer or distributed network environment. 
     Thus, one embodiment of each of the methods described herein is in the form of a computer-readable carrier medium carrying a set of instructions, e.g., a computer program that are for execution on one or more processors. 
     Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions utilizing terms such as “processing”, “computing”, “calculating”, “determining” or the like, can refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computing system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical, such as electronic, quantities into other data similarly represented as physical quantities. 
     In a similar manner, the term “processor” may refer to any device or portion of a device that processes electronic data, e.g., from registers and/or memory to transform that electronic data into other electronic data that, e.g., may be stored in registers and/or memory. A “computer” or a “computing machine” or a “computing platform” may include one or more processors. 
     The methodologies described herein are, in one embodiment, performable by one or more processors that accept computer-readable (also called machine-readable) code containing a set of instructions that when executed by one or more of the processors carry out at least one of the methods described herein. Any processor capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken is included. 
     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”. 
     Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term “coupled”, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to direct connections only. The terms “coupled” and “connected”, along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Thus, the scope of the expression a device A coupled to a device B should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. “Coupled” may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. 
     As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner. 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. 
     Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention. 
     Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination. 
     In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. 
     It will be appreciated that an embodiment of the invention can consist essentially of features disclosed herein. Alternatively, an embodiment of the invention can consist of features disclosed herein. The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.