Reheating cooked food such as meat

Abstract

In order to provide reheating of cooked food that leads to an improved result of the reheated food, e.g. meat, in a facilitated manner, an apparatus (10) for reheating cooked food is provided that comprises a container (12) for receiving food to be reheated, a sensing module (16), a heating module (18), and a processing unit (20). The sensing module is provided with an emitter arrangement (22) configured to emit at least light as first sensing radiation (SRA1) with a first sensing peak wavelength (SWL1), and light as second sensing radiation (SRA2) with a second sensing peak wavelength (SWL2). The first and the second sensing radiations have different reflecting characteristics in relation with fat and protein in the food, e.g. meat to be reheated. The sensing module is also provided with a sensor arrangement (24) configured to detect light with the first sensing peak wavelength and light with the second sensing peak wavelength; wherein the light is reflected by the food. The heating module is configured to provide energy to the food arranged in the container by at least one heating radiation source (30) for heating the food in dependency of a determined fat / protein ratio. The processing unit is configured to determine the fat / protein ratio (32) of the food arranged in the container based on the detected light reflected by the food. The processing unit is configured to determine operating parameters (38) of the heating module, and to control the heating radiation source to emit light as first heating radiation (HRA1) with a first heating peak wavelength (HWL1), and light as second heating radiation (HRA2) with a second heating peak wavelength (HWL2). A power output of the first heating peak wavelength and the second heating peak wavelength is adapted to have a different absorption characteristics relating to fat and protein of the food / meat.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to reheating cooked food, in particular cooked meat, and to a device for reheating cooked food, and a method for reheating cooked food. Background technique [0002] After the food is prepared and cooked, it may be necessary to reheat the food, for example where the remainder of the meal is then eaten at the next meal. Another reason may be the difference between the meal schedules of different individuals living together. To reheat the food, the food can be placed in a pan or, more conveniently, in a microwave. Another possibility to reheat the food is to place the dish in the oven and apply radiation and a circulating hot air flow. A further possibility is to provide infrared radiation. For example, US 5,472,721 describes a method of grilling and heating food in which an infrared heater is electrically operated in a discontinuous manner between a first power supply level during a first time and a second power supply l...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Thus, as a result, the reheating process may result in a loss of taste and texture quality

Images