Temperature gauge for displaying the temperature of a cooking surface of cookware

Abstract

The present invention provides, in at least one embodiment, a convenient temperature gauge for measuring and displaying the temperature of a cooking surface, i.e., the heated place where a food substance is cooked, in cookware. The temperature gauge may be a standalone device and placed directly in cookware of any type. The temperature gauge includes a digital or analog display at one end. A sensor is provided at the other end, which is placed in direct contact with or in close proximity to the cooking surface in order to measure the temperature of the surface. Alternatively, the temperature gauge may be included within a cookware vessel such as a lid of a pan.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 298,869, filed Jan. 27, 2010, and entitled “TEMPERATURE GAUGE FOR DISPLAYING THE TEMPERATURE OF A COOKING SURFACE OF COOKWARE,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of Invention[0003]The invention relates generally to cookware and more particularly to a temperature gauge for measuring the temperature of a cooking surface of cookware.[0004]2. Description of Related Art[0005]Temperature is a physical property of matter that quantitatively expresses the common notions of hot and cold. Quantitatively, temperature is measured with a temperature gauge, otherwise known as a thermometer. Temperature gauges have a temperature sensor and increasingly use electronic means to provide a digital display. The Kelvin scale is the principal temperature scale for use in science and ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]An advantage of the present invention is that it enables cooks, i.e., food preparers, to properly pre-heat cookware to a desired temperature in order to ensure the perfect preparation of a wide variety of delicious entrees. For example, the temperature gauge enables a cook to accurately pre-heat a cooking surface to a desired temperature, which is ideal for cooking some foods, such as the searing of meats. Also, different burners heat up cookware at different rates, and different pans heat up differently depending on material, size, and design. However, the surface temperature is the same regardless which kitchen or cookware the cook uses. The present invention removes any guesswork and enables cooks to prepare food substances at the right temperature every time, promoting accuracy. Time is saved also, as the cook does not need to wait beyond a time when the pan is heated up, because the temperature gauge will indicate exactly when the desired temperature is reached. Less food is burnt, as the temperature gauge indicates the surface temperature even while the food is cooking.

Problems solved by technology

However, conventional methods either simply measure the temperature of air (not the surface) or lack a display which provides information such that the surface temperature is useful in the cooking environment.

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