Cooking apparatus

Abstract

A cooking device is provided. In embodiments, the cooking device includes a housing including a first interior volume defining a cooking cavity therein, an opening for accessing the first interior volume, and a second interior volume positioned within the housing adjacent the first interior housing. An interior wall is positioned within the housing and is configured to separate the first interior volume from the second interior volume. The interior wall includes at least one opening therein. At least one heating element is positioned within the first interior volume, and an air moving assembly is positioned within the second interior volume. The air moving assembly includes at least one guide wing positioned within the second interior volume, the at least one guide wing configured to direct airflow from the second interior volume through the at least one opening of the interior wall into the first interior volume.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with application number 202480051533.4 (the corresponding international application application number is PCT / US2024 / 031444), application date May 29, 2024, and invention title "Cooking Apparatus".

[0002] Cross-reference to related applications

[0003] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 330,764, filed June 7, 2023, entitled “Cooking Apparatus,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0004] A cooking apparatus is provided that provides convection cooking operation within a compact envelope. Background Technology

[0005] Typically, air fryers can take up a significant amount of countertop space because the air movement unit needs to be positioned vertically above the cooking compartment. This can result in the air fryer being taller than the oven to accommodate the air movement unit. Additionally, when not in use, users often store the air fryer on the same countertop surface it sits on when in use. This large enclosure occupied by the unit can significantly limit countertop space usage. Summary of the Invention

[0006] A cooking apparatus is provided. In one embodiment, the cooking apparatus includes a housing comprising a first internal volume defining a cooking cavity therein, an opening for access to the first internal volume, and a second internal volume located within the housing adjacent to the first internal volume. An inner wall is located within the housing and configured to separate the first internal volume from the second internal volume. The inner wall includes at least one opening. At least one heating element is located within the first internal volume, and an air movement assembly is located within the second internal volume. The air movement assembly includes at least one guide vane located within the second internal volume, the at least one guide vane being configured to guide airflow from the second internal volume through the at least one opening in the inner wall into the first internal volume.

[0007] The air movement assembly can have various configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the air movement assembly can be positioned at an angle between 25 and 35 degrees relative to the vertical axis of the housing. In other embodiments, the air movement assembly may include a motor having a drive shaft, a fan positioned on the drive shaft, and a shroud partially surrounding the fan and including an inner surface configured to guide airflow from the fan. In some embodiments, the at least one guide vane may include a first guide vane positioned on a first side of the shroud and a second guide vane positioned on a second side of the shroud, wherein the fan may be positioned between the first and second guide vanes. In some embodiments, the first guide vane may guide airflow from the fan horizontally through a first internal volume. In some embodiments, the air movement assembly may be positioned in the rear upper corner of the housing.

[0008] The housing can have various configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the housing can rotate between a first horizontal position and a second vertical position. In other embodiments, the housing may also include a pair of rear support legs configured to remain in contact with the counter surface in both the first horizontal position and the second vertical position.

[0009] The at least one heating element can have various configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the at least one heating element may include a top heating element and a bottom heating element. In other embodiments, the top heating element and the bottom heating element may be configured to operate independently.

[0010] In one embodiment, a cooking apparatus is provided. The cooking apparatus includes a housing comprising a first internal volume and a second internal volume, the first internal volume defining a cooking cavity therein and at least partially positioned within a front portion of the housing, the second internal volume being positioned within a rear portion of the housing. An inner wall is positioned between the first and second internal volumes. The inner wall includes at least one outlet opening and at least one inlet opening. At least one heating element is positioned within the first internal volume, and an air movement assembly is positioned within the second internal volume. The air movement assembly includes a fan and at least one guide vane. The at least one guide vane is positioned adjacent to the fan within the second internal volume and is configured to guide airflow through the at least one outlet opening in the inner wall and horizontally through the first internal volume.

[0011] The air movement assembly can have various configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the air movement assembly can be positioned at an angle between 25 and 35 degrees relative to the vertical axis of the housing. In other embodiments, the air movement assembly may include a motor having a drive shaft, a fan positioned on the drive shaft, and a shroud partially surrounding the fan and including an inner surface configured to guide airflow from the fan. In some embodiments, the at least one guide vane may include a first guide vane positioned on a first side of the shroud and a second guide vane positioned on a second side of the shroud, wherein the fan may be positioned between the first and second guide vanes. In some embodiments, the first and second guide vanes may guide airflow from the fan horizontally through a first internal volume. In some embodiments, the air movement assembly may be positioned in the upper rear corner of the housing.

[0012] The housing can have various configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the housing can rotate between a first horizontal position and a second vertical position. In other embodiments, the housing may also include a pair of rear support legs configured to remain in contact with the counter surface in both the first horizontal position and the second vertical position.

[0013] The at least one heating element can have various configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the at least one heating element may include a top heating element and a bottom heating element. In other embodiments, the top heating element and the bottom heating element may be configured to operate independently. Attached Figure Description

[0014] These and other features will be more readily understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] Figure 1 This is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the cooking apparatus;

[0016] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Side view of the cooking device;

[0017] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A front perspective view of the cooking apparatus, showing the door in the open configuration;

[0018] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A side perspective view of the cooking apparatus, showing the cooking apparatus in a vertical position;

[0019] Figure 5 It is along Figure 1 The line 5-5 is cut off. Figure 1 A side sectional view of the cooking apparatus;

[0020] Figure 6 It is along Figure 1 The line 6-6 in the middle is cut off Figure 1 A front sectional view of the cooking apparatus;

[0021] Figure 6A It is along Figure 1 The line 6A-6A is cut off. Figure 1 A bottom sectional view of the cooking apparatus;

[0022] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 An isolated three-dimensional view of the lining of a cooking appliance;

[0023] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A rear isolated perspective view of the liner, in which the air movement component is attached to the liner;

[0024] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 An isolated top view of the air-moving component;

[0025] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 Front view of the air-moving component;

[0026] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 A front perspective view of the air movement component;

[0027] Figure 12 This is an isolated perspective view of an implementation of the air movement component;

[0028] Figure 13 yes Figure 12 A front perspective view of a portion of the air-moving component; and

[0029] Figure 14 yes Figure 13 Front view of the air-moving component.

[0030] Note that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein and should not be considered as limiting the scope of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide a full understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the methods and apparatuses disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the apparatuses and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments, and that the scope of the invention is defined only by the claims. Features illustrated or described in conjunction with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with features of other embodiments. Such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.

[0032] As described above, air fryers can occupy a significant amount of countertop space due to the air movement mechanism required to generate forced convection heating. To reduce the air fryer's envelope while still providing forced convection, the air movement mechanism can be moved to the rear of the housing to create horizontal flow. By moving the air movement mechanism to the rear of the housing and aligning it horizontally with the cooking chamber, air frying can still be achieved while reducing the overall envelope of the invention. In addition to positioning the air movement mechanism at the rear of the housing, the air guide is configured adjacent to the fan to reduce the angular acceleration of the heated air from the fan, thereby causing the heated air to travel linearly along the length of the cooking chamber. This ensures that food is cooked evenly within the cooking chamber, even if the air movement mechanism is configured on one side of the food load within the cooking chamber.

[0033] In addition, a cooking device is provided that can be rotated to a vertical position when not in use to reduce the envelope required for storing the device.

[0034] Figures 1-2 The illustration shows a cooking appliance 100 having a housing 102. The cooking appliance 100 is designed to rest on a countertop surface 104, as... Figure 2 As illustrated in the figure, housing 102 includes two side walls 106a and 106b, a rear wall 108, a front wall 110, a top surface 112, and a bottom surface 114. The two side walls 106a and 106b are vertically connected to the rear wall 108 and the front wall 110. The top surface 112 and the bottom surface 114 are both connected to the side walls 106a and 106b, the rear wall 108, and the front wall 110 to form an internal cooking volume 146, as described in more detail below. The side walls 106a and 106b, the rear wall 108, the front wall 110, the top surface 112, and the bottom surface 114 may be formed from a single piece of metal, or alternatively, formed from separate metal pieces and fused together to form housing 102. Housing 102 also includes a door 118 and a user interface 120, both described in more detail below. The side walls 106a and 106b, the rear wall 108, the front wall 110, the top surface 112, and the bottom surface 114 may be formed of riveted metal and configured to isolate the internal cooking volume 146.

[0035] Both sidewalls 106a and 106b may include a notch 122. The notch 122 may be elongated elliptical in shape and may assist the user in manipulating the cooking device 100 from... Figures 1-3 The first position shown in the figure is rotated to Figure 4 The second position, as illustrated in the diagram, is described in more detail below.

[0036] like Figure 1As shown, door 118 is pivotally connected to front wall 110 along bottom edge 124 to provide access to internal cooking volume 146. Alternatively, door 118 may be pivotally connected to front wall 110 along side or top edge. Door 118 may include a rectangular glass panel 126 extending across door 118. Door 118 may also include handles 128 extending from the sides of door 118. Door 118 may be Figures 1-2 and Figure 4 The closed position shown in the figure is the same as Figure 3 It pivots between the open positions shown in the diagram.

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, the user interface 120 can be positioned on the front wall 110 adjacent to the bottom edge 124. The user interface 120 extends below the door 118. The user interface 120 includes a power button 140 and input buttons 142, the input buttons corresponding to different cooking modes, such as crisping, air frying, and grilling. The different cooking modes are described in more detail below. The user interface 120 also includes a display 144 to indicate to the user which cooking mode has been selected and / or to display the current temperature of the cooking appliance 100.

[0038] A pair of front rectangular static legs 130 are attached to the bottom surface of the housing 102. A pair of rear static legs 132 are attached to the bottom surface 114 of the housing 102 at the rear. Each rear leg 132 extends from the bottom surface 114 to the rear wall 108, such that each rear leg 132 forms a continuous U-shape around the lower rear corners 134a and 134b of the housing 102. When the cooking device 100 is in Figure 1 In the first position illustrated, the bottom surfaces 136 of both the front support leg 130 and the rear support leg 132 abut against the counter surface 104. Alternatively, when... Figure 4 When the cooking appliance 100 is in the second position, no part of the front support leg 130 remains in contact with the countertop 104. However, when the cooking appliance 100 is in the second position, the rear surface 138 of each rear support leg 132 abuts against the countertop 104.

[0039] When the cooking device 100 is in the first position (e.g.) Figure 1 As shown, the housing 102 rests horizontally on the counter 104. In the first position, the bottom surfaces 136 of the front support 130 and the rear support 132 abut against the counter 104, as described above. When in the first position, the cooking device 100 is operable as an air fryer for cooking food. When the user wishes to store the cooking device 100, the user can grasp the notches 122 of the side walls 106a and 106b to vertically rotate the cooking device 100, causing the rear surface 138 of the rear support 132 to rest on the counter 104. The cooking device 100 can be stored in this vertical orientation in the second position. When stored in the second position, the cooking device 100 may be inoperable.

[0040] Figure 3 and Figures 5-8 The illustration shows the internal cooking volume 146 of the cooking apparatus 100. The internal cooking volume 146 may define a hollow cooking cavity 148. In one aspect, the internal cooking volume may support a 12” × 12” food load within a cooking envelope in the XZ plane. However, other dimensions of the cooking envelope are understood within the scope of this disclosure. The internal cooking volume 146 may be formed by internal sidewalls 150a and 150b, an internal front wall 152, an internal rear wall 154, an internal top wall 156, and an internal bottom wall 158. The inner surface of the door 118 may define the internal front wall 152.

[0041] like Figure 3 and Figures 5-6 As illustrated, the inner sidewalls 150a and 150b include a plurality of ridges 160 on their inner surfaces. Each ridge 160 may extend longitudinally along the z-axis of the cooking apparatus 100. Figures 5-6 As shown, the mesh tray 204 can be placed within the internal cooking volume 146, approximately one-third of the way up from the bottom surface 114. The tray 204 can rest between the ridges 160. The tray 204 can be operated to hold the food to be cooked within the cooking device 100.

[0042] like Figures 6-7 As illustrated, the inner rear wall 154 includes a plurality of spaced-apart openings 164 to allow airflows 187 and 189 to move from guide vanes 196a and 196b to the inner cooking volume 146. The inner rear wall 154 also includes a circular group of angled openings 168 to allow airflows 187 and 189 to travel from the inner cooking volume 146 to the fan 165.

[0043] In one implementation, such as Figure 6 As illustrated, lamp 170 can be positioned on the inner rear wall 154 to illuminate cooking cavity 148. Lamp 170 can also be positioned on the outside of cooking cavity 148.

[0044] The inner top wall 156 includes deflectors 162 disposed between the top heating elements 174, such as Figure 7 and Figure 8 As illustrated in the figure. The top heating element 174 is described in more detail below. A deflector 162 extends longitudinally along the X-axis of the inner top wall 156. The deflector 162 includes alternating protrusions 172 positioned between the top heating elements 174. The protrusions 172 project downward from the inner top wall 156 toward the hollow cooking cavity 148. The deflector 162 can be used to direct heat downward into the hollow cooking cavity 148.

[0045] Still referencing Figures 5-6To generate heat within the internal cooking volume 146, the internal cooking volume 146 includes three top heating elements 174 and three bottom heating elements 176. Heating elements 174 and 176 are formed as cylindrical rods extending longitudinally from the internal sidewall 150a to the internal sidewall 150b along the x-axis of the internal cooking volume 146. Each top heating element 174 is evenly spaced from each other, and each bottom heating element 176 is evenly spaced from each other. Heating elements 174 and 176 may be made of quartz, calrod, carbon fiber, or any other suitable material. Heating elements 174 and 176 are connected to the user interface 120. Heating elements 174 and 176 cycle on and off to maintain the cooking cavity 148 at a desired temperature. For example, when the user selects the "grill" mode on the user interface 120, the top heating elements 174 may be turned on, while the bottom heating elements 176 will be turned off.

[0046] Figures 10-11 The thermometer 177 is illustrated. The thermometer 177 is operatively connected to heating elements 174 and 176 and to a user interface 120. The thermometer 177 can detect the temperature of the internal cooking volume 146 and display that temperature on the user interface 120. The thermometer 177 can be configured to disconnect power to the heating elements 174 and 176 when a threshold temperature is reached within the cooking cavity 148.

[0047] The cooking appliance 100 is designed to occupy a reduced envelope. Therefore, the configuration of the components of the cooking appliance 100 can result in most of the weight of the cooking appliance being at the rear.

[0048] like Figure 5 As illustrated, in addition to the cooking cavity 148, the housing 102 also includes an internal volume 178 located adjacent to the cooking cavity 148. The internal volume 178 is located in the upper rear corner of the housing 102 and is separated from the cooking cavity 148 by an internal rear wall 154. An air movement assembly 179 is located within the internal volume 178. To reduce the overall envelope size of the cooking device 100, the air movement assembly 179 is angled within the housing 102. In one aspect, the air movement assembly 179 is positioned at angle C, such that the fan 165 is aligned with axis B (e.g., ...). Figure 5(As shown). The angle C between the vertical axis A of housing 102 and the axis B of fan 165 can be in the range of 0-90 degrees. This angled configuration reduces the horizontal space required within housing 102 to mount the air movement device 179 for forced convection cooking. In one aspect, angle C can be in the range of 25-35 degrees, or specifically 30 degrees. Reducing angle C helps to reduce the amount of change in airflow direction from the fan to the cooking chamber. However, reducing angle C also reduces the amount of available space within internal volume 178. Therefore, positioning fan 165 at 30 degrees allows sufficient space within internal volume 178 for the air movement assembly 179, which also minimizes the required change in airflow direction.

[0049] like Figure 5 As further illustrated, the air movement assembly 179 includes a motor 180. The motor 180 is coupled to the housing 102 and is used to drive the fan 165 to turn on and off. The motor 180 is also operatively connected to the user interface 120. For example, the motor 180 can be turned on in "air fry" mode, but turned off for "crispy roast," "grill," and "baking." The air movement assembly 179 also includes a fan 165. A drive shaft 182 extending through the motor 180 physically couples the fan 165 to the motor 180. The fan 165 is positioned adjacent to the motor 180. Figures 10-11 As illustrated, fan 165 is circular and is a centrifugal fan. Fan 165 includes curved blades 186 that are angled inward along the inner circumference of fan 165. Fan 165 can rotate clockwise and counterclockwise.

[0050] Air movement component 179 also includes Figures 8-11 The shroud 184 is illustrated in the figure. To facilitate airflow into the cooking chamber 148, the shroud 184 surrounds the fan 165. A drive shaft 182 passes through the shroud 184 to help secure the fan 165 to the motor 180. The distal edge 188 of the shroud 184 can be attached to the inner rear wall 154 via screws (not shown). The shroud 184 can be shaped like a bowl, wherein the inner curved surface 190 extends outward as it extends toward the inner cooking volume 146. A tab 192 and a thermometer 177 extend from the top edge 194 of the shroud 184.

[0051] like Figures 10-11As illustrated, multiple guide vanes 196a and 196b are positioned along the inner curved surface 190 of the shroud 184 and on either side of the fan 165. Guide vanes 196a and 196b can be connected to the shroud 184 via short posts 198. The curved rear edges 200 of the guide vanes 196a and 196b can be connected to the inner curved surface 190 of the shroud 184 such that the curved rear edges 200 conform to the curve 202 of the inner curved surface 190. Guide vanes 196a and 196b can be made of metal and are positioned 30 degrees off-axis from the rotation angle of the fan 165. Guide vanes 196a and 196b are used to guide the air generated by the fan 165 through spaced openings 164 in the inner rear wall 154 and into the cooking chamber 148. The guide vane 196a on one side of the fan 165 can be shaped differently from the guide vane 196b on the opposite side of the fan 165 in order to accommodate different angular directions of the air moved by the fan 165.

[0052] like Figures 10-11 As illustrated by the arrows, when the fan 165 rotates counterclockwise, the first airflow 187 slides downwards away from the fan 165 and toward the guide vane 196a. Upon contact with the guide vane 196a, the airflow 187 is guided upwards and away from the guide vane 196a. Conversely, the second airflow 189 slides upwards away from the fan 165 and toward the guide vane 196b. When the airflow 189 contacts the guide vane 196b, the airflow 189 is guided downwards and away from the guide vane 196b. As the air is guided upwards and downwards by the guide vanes 196a and 196b, due to the angular position of the fan 165 relative to the cooking cavity 148, the air 187 and 189 are horizontally guided through the opening 164 in the inner rear wall 154 and across the food load within the inner cooking volume 146.

[0053] Figure 5 and Figure 6A The illustration shows airflow 187 and 189 traveling through the internal cooking volume 146. As described above, when the motor 180 energizes the fan 165, the fan 165 forces air outward through guide vanes 196a and 196b. The guide vanes 196a and 196b guide the air through spaced-apart openings 164 in the internal rear wall 154 into the internal cooking volume 146. Once inside the internal cooking volume 146, the air travels along the top heating element 174 and along the bottom heating element 176. The heated air flows over the food load (not shown) positioned within the internal cooking volume 146. When the air reaches the door 118, the air deflects 180 degrees away from the edge 206 of the internal cooking volume 146 and travels back towards the internal rear wall 154 over the food load (not shown). Once the air reaches the internal rear wall 154, the air flows back to the fan 165 through the circular group of angled openings 168.

[0054] Figures 12-14 An embodiment of the air movement assembly 220 is illustrated. The air movement assembly 220 is similar to the air movement assembly 179; therefore, similar components are not discussed in detail. The air movement assembly 220 is attached to an inner rear wall 222, which includes outlet openings 224 and 226 and an inlet opening 228. The outlet openings 224 and 226 are angled to help guide the airflow generated by the fan 230. The outlet opening 224 may be 22 mm wide, and the outlet opening 226 may be 20 mm wide. This width difference helps balance the airflow throughout the cooking cavity and promotes better averaging of the air velocity across the cavity; the smaller the increment between the maximum and minimum velocities, the higher the overall average velocity.

[0055] like Figure 13 As shown, the air movement assembly 220 includes a shroud 232 having guide vanes 234 and 236 disposed on either side of the fan 230. Compared to the air movement assembly 179, the guide vanes 234 and 236 are positioned at a larger angle than the guide vanes of the air movement assembly 179 (e.g., ...). Figure 14 (As shown). This is to conceal the wing and prevent restriction of the airflow path. Additionally, only a single guide vane exists on each side of the fan 230.

[0056] In the foregoing description and claims, phrases such as “at least one of…” or “one or more of…” may appear after a list of connected elements or features. The term “and / or” may also appear in a list of two or more elements or features. Unless otherwise implicitly or explicitly contradicted by the context in which it is used, such phrases are intended to mean any element or feature listed alone, or any said element or feature combined with any other said element or feature. For example, the phrases “at least one of A and B,” “one or more of A and B,” and “A and / or B” are all intended to mean “A only, B only, or A and B together.” Similar interpretations are also intended for lists comprising three or more items. For example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, and / or C” are all intended to mean “A only, B only, C only, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A and B and C together.” Furthermore, the term “based on” as used above and in the claims is intended to mean “at least partially based on,” allowing for the inclusion of features or elements not listed.

[0057] Certain exemplary embodiments have been described to provide a comprehensive understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the methods and systems, apparatuses disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments have been shown in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the systems, apparatuses, and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments, and that the scope of the invention is defined only by the claims. Features illustrated or described in conjunction with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with features of other embodiments. Such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, in this disclosure, components with similar names in embodiments generally have similar features, and therefore, within a particular embodiment, it is not necessary to describe every feature of every component with a similar name in detail.

[0058] The approximate language used throughout the specification and claims may be applied to modify any quantitative expression that may permissibly vary without altering its associated essential function. Accordingly, values ​​modified by one or more terms such as “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially” are not limited to the specified precise values. In at least some cases, approximate language may correspond to the precision of the instrument used to measure the value. Scope limitations may be combined and / or interchanged herein and throughout the specification and claims, such scopes being identified and including all subscopes contained herein, unless otherwise indicated by context or language.

[0059] Those skilled in the art will understand further features and advantages of the invention based on the above embodiments. Therefore, this application is not limited to what is specifically shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims. All publications and references cited herein are expressly incorporated in their entirety by reference.

[0060] Depending on the desired configuration, the subject matter described herein can be embodied in systems, devices, methods, and / or articles. The embodiments set forth in the foregoing description do not represent all embodiments consistent with the subject matter described herein. Rather, they are merely examples of aspects consistent with the described subject matter. Although some variations have been described in detail above, other modifications or additions are possible. In particular, further features and / or variations may be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, the above embodiments may be provided for various combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosed features and / or combinations and sub-combinations of several further features disclosed above. Furthermore, the logical flows depicted in the figures and / or described herein do not necessarily require the specific order or sequential order shown to achieve the desired results. Other embodiments are also within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cooking apparatus comprising: A housing, the housing including a first internal volume defining a cooking cavity therein, an opening for accessing the first internal volume, and a second internal volume located within the housing adjacent to the first internal volume; an inner wall located within the housing and configured to separate the first internal volume from the second internal volume, wherein the inner wall includes at least one opening; at least one heating element located within the first internal volume; and an air movement assembly located within the second internal volume, wherein the air movement assembly includes at least one guide vane located within the second internal volume, the at least one guide vane being configured to guide airflow from the second internal volume through the at least one opening in the inner wall into the first internal volume.

2. The cooking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The air movement component is positioned at an angle between 25 and 35 degrees relative to the vertical axis of the housing.

3. The cooking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The air movement assembly includes: a motor having a drive shaft; a fan positioned on the drive shaft; and a shroud partially surrounding the fan and including an inner surface configured to guide the airflow from the fan.

4. The cooking apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, The at least one guide wing includes a first guide wing positioned on a first side of the shield and a second guide wing positioned on a second side of the shield, wherein the fan is positioned between the first guide wing and the second guide wing.

5. The cooking apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, The first guide vane guides the airflow from the fan horizontally through the first internal volume.

6. The cooking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The air movement component is located in the upper rear corner of the housing.

7. The cooking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The housing is capable of rotating between a first horizontal position and a second vertical position.

8. The cooking apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, The housing also includes a pair of rear support legs configured to remain in contact with the counter surface in both the first horizontal position and the second vertical position.

9. The cooking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one heating element includes a top heating element and a bottom heating element.

10. The cooking apparatus according to claim 9, wherein, The top heating element and the bottom heating element are configured to operate independently.

11. A cooking apparatus comprising: A housing, the housing including a first internal volume and a second internal volume, the first internal volume defining a cooking cavity therein and being at least partially located within a front portion of the housing, the second internal volume being located within a rear portion of the housing; an inner wall located between the first internal volume and the second internal volume, wherein the inner wall includes at least one output opening and at least one input opening; At least one heating element, said at least one heating element being positioned within the first internal volume; An air movement assembly, located within the second internal volume, includes a fan and at least one guide vane, wherein the at least one guide vane is located adjacent to the fan within the second internal volume and is configured to guide airflow through the at least one output opening in the inner wall and horizontally through the first internal volume.

12. The cooking apparatus according to claim 11, wherein, The air movement component is positioned at an angle between 25 and 35 degrees relative to the vertical axis of the housing.

13. The cooking apparatus according to claim 11, wherein, The air movement assembly includes a shroud that partially surrounds the fan and includes an inner surface configured to guide airflow from the fan.

14. The cooking apparatus according to claim 13, wherein, The at least one guide wing includes a first guide wing positioned on a first side of the shield and a second guide wing positioned on a second side of the shield, wherein the fan is positioned between the first guide wing and the second guide wing.

15. The cooking apparatus according to claim 14, wherein, The first guide vane and the second guide vane guide the airflow from the fan horizontally through the first internal volume.

16. The cooking apparatus according to claim 11, wherein, The air movement component is positioned in the upper rear corner of the housing.

17. The cooking apparatus according to claim 11, wherein, The housing is capable of rotating between a first horizontal position and a second vertical position.

18. The cooking apparatus according to claim 17, wherein, The housing also includes a pair of rear support legs configured to remain in contact with the counter surface in both the first horizontal position and the second vertical position.

19. The cooking apparatus according to claim 11, wherein, The at least one heating element includes a top heating element and a bottom heating element.

20. The cooking apparatus according to claim 19, wherein, The top heating element and the bottom heating element are configured to operate independently.

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