Cooking appliance

Abstract

To provide a cooker capable of appropriately performing microwave heating after completion of heater heating. To prevent erroneous detection of steam especially after completion of heating by a heater.SOLUTION: A cooker 1 includes a controller 20 for executing a range heating process, a heater heating process, and a steam detection process for determining that steam is generated from a cooked object when a rising rate of an indoor temperature of a heating chamber 5 detected by a temperature sensor 15 becomes a predetermined steam determination threshold th or more. After ending the heater heating process, the controller 20 starts the microwave heating process and executes the vapor detection process under the start condition that the rate of increase is lower than the vapor determination threshold th.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooking appliance. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a microwave oven that alternately heats food using a magnetron and a heater during thawing cooking. Microwave heating starts simultaneously with the end of heater heating, and heater heating starts simultaneously with the end of microwave heating.

[0003] Some microwave ovens determine whether steam is being generated from the food being cooked during microwave heating, and stop microwave heating if steam is detected. Known methods for detecting steam include a method using a humidity sensor as disclosed in Patent Document 1, and a method using a temperature sensor. In the latter case, if the rate of increase in the temperature inside the oven detected by the temperature sensor exceeds a threshold, it is determined that steam is being generated. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-329340 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Immediately after the heater finishes heating, the internal temperature may rise due to residual heat. If steam detection using a temperature sensor is started at the same time as the heater finishes heating, the rise in internal temperature due to residual heat may cause a false detection of steam even though no steam is being generated from the food being cooked. This false detection may then cause the thawing cooking to end, and the food to be cooked may not be sufficiently heated.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a cooking appliance that can prevent erroneous detection of steam after heating by a heater has finished, and can continue cooking processing appropriately. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention provides a cooking appliance comprising: a heating chamber for accommodating an item to be cooked; a microwave generator for outputting microwaves to the heating chamber; a heater for heating the heating chamber; a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature inside the heating chamber; and a controller that executes a microwave heating process for heating the item to be cooked with the microwaves from the microwave generator; a heater heating process for heating the item to be cooked with heat from the heater; and a steam detection process for determining that steam has been generated from the item to be cooked when the rate of rise in the indoor temperature detected by the temperature sensor reaches or exceeds a predetermined steam determination threshold, wherein the controller starts the microwave heating process after completing the heater heating process, and executes the steam detection process with the rate of rise being less than the steam determination threshold as a starting condition.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the controller executes the steam detection process when, after the heater heating process is completed, the rate of increase in the heating chamber temperature (internal temperature) detected by the temperature sensor is less than the steam determination threshold. This allows the steam detection process to be started after the increase in internal temperature due to residual heat from the heater heating has subsided, preventing erroneous detection of steam. Preventing erroneous detection allows the cooking process after the heater heating process to be continued appropriately.

[0009] The controller may determine that the start condition is met when the elapsed time from the end of the heater heating process reaches a predetermined waiting time for the rate of increase to become less than the steam determination threshold.

[0010] According to the above configuration, the steam detection process is not executed until the elapsed time from the end of the heater heating process reaches the predetermined standby time. Since the steam detection process is executed after the rise in the temperature inside the refrigerator due to residual heat has subsided, false detection of steam can be prevented.

[0011] The controller may monitor the rate of rise, and determine that the initiation condition is met if the rate of rise is equal to or less than an initiation threshold that is less than the steam determination threshold.

[0012] According to the above configuration, after the heater heating process is completed, if the rate of increase is actually equal to or less than the start threshold, the vapor detection process is executed, thereby preventing erroneous detection of vapor.

[0013] The controller may start the microwave heating process simultaneously with the steam detection process when the start condition is met.

[0014] This configuration prevents the food from being heated excessively by the microwave heating process before the steam detection process starts. Also, by starting the microwave heating process when the steam detection process can be performed appropriately, the time from the end of the heater heating process to the start of the microwave heating process can be minimized, and the cooking process time can be shortened as much as possible.

[0015] The controller may terminate the microwave heating process when it determines that steam has been generated from the food while the microwave heating process and the steam detection process are being performed in parallel.

[0016] With this configuration, false detection of steam is prevented, so it is possible to accurately determine whether the food has been sufficiently heated by the microwave heating process and whether steam is being generated from the food, thereby enabling the microwave heating process to be terminated at an appropriate time. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cooker that can prevent erroneous detection of steam after heating by a heater has finished and can continue cooking processing appropriately. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a cooking appliance according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cooking device with the heating chamber open. [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view of a cooker. [Figure 4]Block diagram of the cooker. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a cooking process executed by a controller. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a cooking process executed by a controller. [Figure 7] 7 is a graph showing the change in temperature inside the oven over time while the cooking process shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is being performed. [Figure 8] Enlarged view of a portion of Figure 7. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of cooking processing executed by a controller of a cooking appliance according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, a cooking appliance 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings, taking a microwave oven as an example. Note that the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0020] (heating chamber) Referring to FIG. 3, the main body 2 of the cooking appliance 1 has a double structure consisting of an inner shell portion 3 and an outer shell portion 4 surrounding the inner shell portion 3. Both the inner shell portion 3 and the outer shell portion 4 are rectangular box-shaped. The main body 2 forms a heating chamber 5 inside the inner shell portion 3, and an outer space 6 outside the inner shell portion 3 and inside the outer shell portion 4. The heating chamber 5 is defined by an inner bottom wall 3a, an inner upper wall 3b, an inner rear wall 3c, and a pair of inner walls 3d of the inner shell portion 3, and is open to the front. In the following description, the surface of the inner bottom wall 3a that faces the heating chamber 5 will be referred to as the "bottom surface 5a" of the heating chamber 5.

[0021] 1 and 2, heating chamber 5 is opened and closed by a door 7 swingably attached to the front of main body 2. On the front surface of door 7, an operation panel 8 is provided which is operated by the user.

[0022] (tray) 2 and 3, the main body 2 is provided with a plurality of support parts 11 that detachably support the tray 9 within the heating chamber 5. Each support part 11 is composed of a pair of rails that protrude from each of the pair of inner walls 3d so as to approach each other and extend in the front-rear direction. The pair of rails are arranged at the same height.

[0023] The multiple support portions 11 support the tray 9 at different support positions in the height direction. Each support position is set between the inner bottom wall 3a and the inner top wall 3b. In this embodiment, the cooker 1 has two support portions 11, including an upper support portion 11a that supports the tray 9 at an upper support position and a lower support portion 11b that supports the tray 9 at a lower support position that is lower than the upper support position.

[0024] The tray 9 is a square plate-like shape of a size that can be stored horizontally in the heating chamber 5. The tray 9 is made of a material (such as ceramics or glass) that is microwave-transparent.

[0025] The user opens the door 7 and places the food in the heating chamber 5. At this time, the user can select the method of placing the food from the following patterns A and B depending on the food and the desired cooking method. Pattern A: The tray 9 is removed from the heating chamber 5, and the food to be cooked is placed on the bottom surface 5a. Pattern B: The food to be cooked is placed on tray 9, and tray 9 is placed in heating chamber 5. Pattern B is subdivided into pattern B1 (see solid line in FIG. 3) in which the tray 9 is accommodated in the upper support position, and pattern B2 (see chain double-dashed line in FIG. 3) in which the tray 9 is accommodated in the lower support position.

[0026] The user closes the door 7 and inputs a command for the cooking method and a command to start cooking on the operation panel 8 (see Figure 1). In response to the command, the cooker 1 performs a "cooking process" to heat and cook the food in the heating chamber 5. The "cooking process" refers to a series of processes from the start to the end of cooking.

[0027] (heating means / sensor) 3, cooking appliance 1 includes microwave generator 13, heater 14, temperature sensor 15, and infrared sensor 16. These are provided in main body 2.

[0028] The microwave generator 13 is configured, for example, by a magnetron and generates microwaves. The microwave generator 13 is disposed at the end of a waveguide 12 installed below the inner bottom wall 3a. The microwaves are guided by the waveguide 12, pass through the inner bottom wall 3a, and are output from below into the heating chamber 5.

[0029] The heater 14 is, for example, a resistance heater, and generates heat when energized. The heater 14 is disposed close to the inner upper wall 3b. When the heater 14 generates heat, radiant heat is radiated from above into the heating chamber 5, thereby heating the heating chamber 5.

[0030] Temperature sensor 15 is, for example, a thermistor, and detects the temperature inside heating chamber 5 (hereinafter also referred to as "internal temperature"). Temperature sensor 15 is attached to inner upper wall 3b so that its temperature measuring part is exposed inside heating chamber 5.

[0031] The infrared sensor 16 is a type of radiation thermometer. The infrared sensor 16 has a detection area 17 set within the heating chamber 5, and detects the amount of infrared radiation emitted from an object present within the detection area 17. Based on the detected amount of infrared radiation, the temperature of the object can be measured without contact. The infrared sensor 16 is attached to one of the inner walls 3d (for example, the right inner wall 3d) and is positioned above the upper support part 11a. The detection area 17 is conical, with its apex at the attachment position of the infrared sensor 16, and its central axis faces diagonally downward from the attachment position.

[0032] (Controller) 4, the cooking appliance 1 includes a controller 20. Although not shown in detail, the controller 20 may be disposed in the exterior space 6 (see FIG. 3). The controller 20 is connected to the operation panel 8, the microwave generator 13, the heater 14, the temperature sensor 15, and the infrared sensor 16.

[0033] The controller 20 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) or a micro processing unit (MPU) that cooperates with software to realize predetermined functions. The controller 20 may be configured with hardware circuits such as dedicated electronic circuits or reconfigurable electronic circuits designed to realize predetermined functions, or may be configured with various semiconductor integrated circuits. Examples of various semiconductor integrated circuits include, in addition to CPUs and MPUs, microcomputers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and application specific integrated circuits (ASICs).

[0034] The controller 20 may include a memory 21 such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The memory 21 stores a program for executing the cooking process and information used by the program. The controller 20 may also include a timer 22 for measuring time.

[0035] The controller 20 starts the cooking process when a command to start cooking is input via the operation panel 8. During the cooking process, the controller 20 controls the operation of the microwave generator 13 and the heater 14 according to the detection values ​​successively output from the temperature sensor 15 and the infrared sensor 16, the time measured by the timer 22, etc.

[0036] The controller 20 performs cooking processing according to one of the modes of "microwave mode," "heater mode," and "combined mode" in response to the cooking method command inputted through the operation panel 8. In "microwave mode," the controller 20 performs only "microwave heating processing" during cooking processing. In "heater mode," the controller 20 performs only "heater heating processing" during cooking processing. In "combined mode," the controller 20 performs both "microwave heating processing" and "heater heating processing" during cooking processing.

[0037] (Microwave heating / heater heating) In the "microwave heating process", the controller 20 activates the microwave generator 13, and the food to be cooked is heated with microwaves output from the microwave generator 13 to the heating chamber 5.

[0038] In the case of pattern A, the food is placed on the bottom surface 5a. In the microwave heating process, microwaves are radiated to the food, and the food is heated by the microwaves. In the case of pattern B, a tray 9 is interposed between the bottom surface 5a and the food. In the microwave heating process, microwaves pass through the tray 9 and are radiated to the food. The food is heated by the microwaves within the tray 9.

[0039] In the "heater heating process," the controller 20 activates the heater 14 to heat the food to be cooked with the heat from the heater 14.

[0040] (Vapor detection processing) The controller 20 further executes a "steam detection process" in which it determines that steam has been generated from the food when the rate of increase in the internal temperature detected by the temperature sensor 15 reaches or exceeds a predetermined steam determination threshold th. In the microwave mode or combined mode, the controller 20 may execute the steam detection process in parallel with the microwave heating process. In this case, if the controller 20 determines that steam has been generated during the microwave heating process, it terminates the microwave heating process immediately or after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time of the determination.

[0041] In this regard, when the food is heated by microwave heating, steam rises from the food. Because the steam temperature (approximately 100°C at atmospheric pressure) is high compared to the temperature inside the oven, when the steam reaches the periphery of the temperature measuring part of temperature sensor 15, the value detected by temperature sensor 15 rises sharply. Therefore, in this embodiment, using the value detected by temperature sensor 15, controller 20 calculates the rate of rise of the temperature inside the oven based on the detected values ​​sequentially output by temperature sensor 15, and compares the calculated rate of rise with steam determination threshold th. Steam determination threshold th is pre-stored in memory 21. When steam is detected, it is determined that the food has been sufficiently heated by microwave heating, and the microwave heating process ends.

[0042] The rate of increase may be the difference between the current value of the inside temperature and a previous value of the inside temperature acquired a predetermined time before the acquisition of the current value. The rate of increase may be a value obtained by dividing the difference by the time difference between the acquisition of the current value and the acquisition of the previous value.

[0043] In this embodiment, the steam detection process is not performed during the heater heating process. Whether to terminate the heater heating process is determined based on the execution time of the heater heating process, the internal temperature detected by the temperature sensor 15, or the temperature of the food being cooked measured by the infrared sensor 16.

[0044] (Warm) Here are some specific examples of cooking processes: For example, if a user wants to warm up refrigerated rice, the user places the refrigerated rice as the food to be cooked in heating chamber 5 using pattern A, inputs a command indicating the desired cooking method, such as "warm up," on operation panel 8, and then inputs a command to start cooking.

[0045] Although the flowchart is omitted, the controller 20 starts the cooking process according to the microwave mode in response to this recipe command. The controller 20 simultaneously starts the microwave heating process and the steam detection process. The rice is heated by the microwaves.

[0046] The controller 20 successively calculates the rate of rise in the temperature inside the oven and successively determines whether steam is being generated. When steam is detected, the controller 20 ends the microwave heating process at that point or after a predetermined time has elapsed since that point. In other words, the cooking process ends. This allows the user to obtain warmed rice without having to specify the operating time of the cooker 1.

[0047] (Thawing and grilling meat) Next, for example, if the user wishes to thaw and further grill frozen meat (e.g., beef, pork, or chicken), the user places the frozen meat to be cooked in the heating chamber 5 using pattern B (B1), inputs a command indicating the desired cooking method on the operation panel 8, such as "thaw and grill (meat)," and then inputs a command to start cooking.

[0048] Although a flowchart is omitted, the controller 20 starts cooking processing according to the combined mode in response to the recipe command. Here, as an example of the combined mode, a microwave heating process and a heater heating process are performed in this order.

[0049] When a command to start cooking is input, the controller 20 first starts a microwave heating process. The frozen meat is heated by microwaves and thawed. For example, the controller 20 ends the microwave heating process when a predetermined microwave heating time corresponding to the input cooking method has elapsed from the start of the microwave heating process. This allows thawing to be completed. This microwave heating process is intended for thawing and does not require heating that generates steam. Therefore, unlike the "warming" process described above, a steam detection process does not need to be executed in parallel while the microwave heating process is being executed. In other words, whether or not to end the microwave heating process does not need to be determined based on the presence or absence of steam.

[0050] After the microwave heating process is completed, the heater heating process begins, and the thawed meat is cooked by radiant heat. For example, the controller 20 ends the heater heating process when a predetermined heater heating time corresponding to the input cooking method has elapsed since the start of the heater heating process. In other words, the cooking process ends. This allows grilled or roasted meat to be obtained without the user having to specify the operating time of the cooker 1.

[0051] (Thawing and grilling fish) Next, for example, if the user wishes to thaw and grill frozen fish (such as salmon), the user places the frozen fish to be cooked in the heating chamber 5 using pattern B (B1), inputs a command indicating the desired cooking method on the operation panel 8, such as "thaw and grill (fish)," and then inputs a command to start cooking.

[0052] In addition, if you thaw fish using only microwave heating, as you would with meat, uneven heating will occur, and albumin (a white protein) will likely leach out to the surface, resulting in a poor appearance and a loss of flavor when cooked.

[0053] In response to this recipe command, the controller 20 starts cooking in a combined mode. Here, as an example of the combined mode, a microwave heating process and a heater heating process are alternately performed. More specifically, the controller 20 performs a microwave heating process, a heater heating process, a microwave heating process, and a heater heating process in this order.

[0054] The first microwave and heater heating process allows the fish to be thawed with a smaller difference between its core and surface temperatures than when thawed using microwave heating alone, which reduces the elution of albumin.

[0055] In the second microwave heating process and heater heating process, the evenly thawed fish is heated evenly and thoroughly in the microwave and then grilled with radiant heat. This allows the user to obtain grilled fish that looks and tastes good, without having to specify the operating time of the cooker 1.

[0056] The first microwave heating process is for the purpose of thawing, and does not require heating that generates steam. Therefore, as with the "Thawing and Grilling (Meat)" process above, steam detection does not need to be performed during the first microwave heating process. In contrast, the second microwave heating process heats the thawed fish.

[0057] Therefore, similar to the "warming" process described above, the controller 20 executes a steam detection process in parallel while the second microwave heating process is being executed. When steam is detected, it is determined that the food has been sufficiently heated, and the second microwave heating process ends.

[0058] However, unlike the "warming" process, the heater heating process is performed immediately before the second microwave heating process. Immediately after the heater heating process is completed, the food has already been thawed, and there is a high probability that no steam will be generated from the food. On the other hand, immediately after the heater heating process is completed, the residual heat may cause the internal temperature to rise. After the heater heating process is completed, the residual heat may cause the rate of increase in the internal temperature to exceed the steam determination threshold th, even though no steam is being generated.

[0059] Therefore, if the microwave heating process and steam detection process are started immediately after the heater heating process is completed, the controller 20 may erroneously determine that steam has been generated, which may result in the microwave heating process ending immediately after it has started, resulting in the food not being sufficiently heated.

[0060] (Preventing false detection of steam) Therefore, the controller 20 prevents erroneous detection of steam and appropriately executes the cooking process that continues after the heater heating process ends. Below, although it will overlap with the explanation so far, the control executed for this purpose will be explained with reference to Figures 5 to 8.

[0061] When a command for a predetermined recipe is input via the operation panel 8 and then a command to start cooking is input via the operation panel 8, the controller 20 starts the cooking process shown in Fig. 5. A typical example of this "predetermined recipe" is the above-mentioned "thaw and grill (fish)." However, the controller 20 can also execute the cooking process described below when a command for a recipe other than this is input.

[0062] 5 and 7, when the cooking process starts, the controller 20 starts a first microwave heating process (step S1). The output of the microwave heating process is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 600 W. Note that the steam detection process is not executed during the execution of the first microwave heating process.

[0063] The controller 20 determines whether the elapsed time from the start time t10 of the first microwave heating process (the execution time of the first microwave heating process) has reached the first microwave setting time Ta (step S2). The start time t10 of the first microwave heating process is the same as the start time of the cooking process. The elapsed time is measured by the timer 22 (and so on). If the elapsed time is less than the first microwave setting time Ta (S2: NO), the first microwave heating process continues. If the elapsed time reaches the first microwave setting time Ta (S2: YES), the first microwave heating process ends (step S3).

[0064] Next, the controller 20 starts the first heater heating process (step S4). The first heater heating process may start simultaneously with the end of the first microwave heating process. Note that the steam detection process is not executed during the execution of the first heater heating process.

[0065] The controller 20 determines whether the elapsed time from the start time t20 of the first heater heating process (the execution time of the first heater heating process) has reached the first heater setting time Tb (step S5). If the elapsed time is less than the first heater setting time Tb (S5: NO), the first heater heating process continues. If the elapsed time reaches the first heater setting time Tb (S5: YES), the first heater heating process ends (step S6). After the first heater heating process ends, the controller 20 starts the second microwave heating process and executes a steam detection process whose start condition is that the rate of increase in the internal temperature is less than the steam determination threshold.

[0066] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 6, the controller 20 determines whether a condition for starting the steam detection process is met (step S7). The start condition is that the rate of increase in the internal temperature detected by the temperature sensor 15 is less than the steam determination threshold th.

[0067] In the process of determining whether the start condition is met, the controller 20 does not necessarily have to actually compare the rate of rise with the steam determination threshold th or a threshold lower than that and execute a process of actually determining whether the rate of rise is lower than such a threshold. The start condition does not have to be such a direct condition, and may be another condition that can indicate that the rate of rise is lower than the steam determination threshold th.

[0068] In this embodiment, as an example of such another condition, the controller 20 determines whether the elapsed time from the end time t30 of the heater heating process has reached a predetermined waiting time Tc. The waiting time Tc is a time long enough to allow the temperature rise inside the refrigerator to settle even if the temperature rise occurs due to residual heat from the heater heating process after the heater heating process ends. More quantitatively, it is a time required to reduce the rate of increase in the temperature inside the refrigerator to below the steam determination threshold th. Such waiting time Tc can be empirically obtained by repeated testing using an actual machine or a prototype machine. The waiting time Tc is pre-stored in the memory 21.

[0069] If the start condition is not met, in this example, if the elapsed time from the end time t30 of the heater heating process does not reach the standby time Tc (S7: NO), the controller 20 does not start the vapor detection process and waits. If the start condition is met, in this example, at time t35 when the elapsed time from the end time t30 of the heater heating process reaches the standby time Tc (S7: YES), the controller 20 starts the vapor detection process (step S8).

[0070] On the other hand, when the controller 20 finishes the heater heating process (step S6), it starts a second microwave heating process (step S9). The start time of the second microwave heating process and the start time of the steam detection process do not matter. The second microwave heating process may start simultaneously with the steam detection process, before the steam detection process, or after the steam detection process. Note that the difference in start time is slight compared to the execution time of the second microwave heating process. From a broad perspective, the second microwave heating process is executed in parallel with the steam detection process.

[0071] If the microwave heating process is started simultaneously with the steam detection process, it is possible to prevent the food from being heated excessively by the microwave heating process before the start conditions are met. Furthermore, since the microwave heating process starts when the conditions for the steam detection process are met, it is possible to minimize the time from the end of the heater heating process to the start of the microwave heating process, thereby shortening the cooking process time as much as possible.

[0072] The controller 20 compares the rate of increase in the internal temperature with the steam determination threshold th to determine whether steam has been generated (step S10). If steam is not detected (S10: NO), the microwave heating process and steam detection process continue.

[0073] At time t36 when steam is detected (S10: YES), controller 20 ends the steam detection process (step S11). Controller 20 determines whether the time elapsed since time t36 when steam was detected has reached the second range setting time Td (step S12). If the elapsed time is less than the second range setting time Td (S12: NO), the second microwave heating process continues. If the elapsed time reaches the second range setting time Td (S12: YES), the second microwave heating process ends (step S13).

[0074] The second microwave setting time Td may be a time (reference time) that is predetermined according to the input recipe. The second microwave setting time Td may be set according to the internal temperature detected by temperature sensor 15 and / or the temperature of the food measured by infrared sensor 16 at time t36 when steam is detected.

[0075] The second range setting time Td may be 0. That is, the controller 20 may end the second range heating process at the same time as the end of the steam detection process at time t36 when steam is detected.

[0076] Next, the controller 20 starts the second heater heating process (step S14). The second heater heating process may start simultaneously with the end of the second microwave heating process. Note that the steam detection process is not executed during the execution of the second heater heating process.

[0077] The controller 20 determines whether the elapsed time from the start time t40 of the second heater heating process (the execution time of the second heater heating process) has reached the second heater setting time Te (step S15). If the elapsed time is less than the second heater setting time Te (S15: NO), the second heater heating process continues. If the elapsed time reaches the second heater setting time Te (S15: YES), the second heater heating process ends (step S16). In other words, the cooking process ends.

[0078] The first microwave setting time Ta may be a time (reference time) that is predetermined according to the input cooking method. The first microwave setting time Ta may be set according to the oven temperature detected by temperature sensor 15 and / or the temperature of the food being cooked measured by infrared sensor 16 at the start time t10 of the heater heating process. The first microwave setting time Ta may be a time obtained by correcting the reference time according to the oven temperature and / or the temperature of the food being cooked at the start time t10 of the heater heating process. When the reference time is used, the reference time is stored in memory 21 in advance. When the oven temperature and / or the temperature of the food being cooked are used, the lower the temperature, the longer the first microwave setting time Ta.

[0079] The same applies to the first heater setting time Tb and the second heater setting time Te.

[0080] As shown in Fig. 8, in the cooker 1 according to this embodiment, the controller 20 executes the steam detection process when, after the heater heating process has ended, the rate of increase in the internal temperature detected by the temperature sensor 15 is less than the steam determination threshold th, which is a start condition. This allows the steam detection process to be started after the increase in the internal temperature due to residual heat from the heater heating has subsided, preventing erroneous detection of steam. This prevents the microwave heating process from ending immediately after it has started, allowing the food to be sufficiently heated in the second microwave heating process.

[0081] In this way, by performing a microwave heating process after the heater heating process is completed, detecting steam based on the rate of rise in the temperature inside the oven, and determining whether or not to terminate the microwave heating process based on the detection of steam, the cooking process that continues after the heater heating process is completed can be appropriately performed.

[0082] (Variation) Although the embodiment has been described above, the above configuration can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the spirit of the present invention.

[0083] 9 is a flowchart showing an example of cooking processing executed by controller 20 of cooker 1 according to a modified example. Steps S21 to S22 shown in FIG. 9 can be executed in place of step S7 shown in FIG.

[0084] In this example, when the first heater heating process is completed, the controller 20 monitors the rate of increase in the temperature inside the refrigerator.

[0085] The controller 20 determines whether the rate of increase is less than the vapor determination threshold th (step S21). While the rate of increase is equal to or greater than the vapor determination threshold th (S21: NO), the controller 20 repeats this determination process. If the rate of increase is less than the vapor determination threshold th (S21: YES), the controller 20 determines whether the rate of increase is equal to or less than a start threshold th1 (step S22). The start threshold th1 is a value less than the vapor determination threshold th. If the rate of increase is equal to or less than the start threshold th1, the rate of increase is also less than the vapor determination threshold th. While the rate of increase exceeds the start threshold th1 (S22: NO), the controller 20 repeats this determination process. When the rate of increase becomes equal to or less than the start threshold th1 (S22: YES), the vapor detection process starts (step S8).

[0086] In this example, the start condition includes a condition that the rate of increase is equal to or less than a start threshold th1 that is less than the vapor determination threshold th. In this case as well, false detection of vapor can be prevented.

[0087] In the above embodiment, heater 16 is configured as a resistance heater placed above heating chamber 5 and heats the food inside heating chamber 5 by radiant heat, but heater 16 may also be a heater used to heat heating chamber 5 and the food stored therein by heat transfer other than radiant heat, such as a convection type or steam heating type. In this case, too, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection due to an increase in the temperature inside the oven due to residual heat. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1 Cooker 2 Main unit 3 Inner shell 3a Inner bottom wall 3b Inner upper wall 3c Medial posterior wall 3d inner wall 4 Outer shell 5 Heating chamber 5a Bottom 6 Outside space 7 Doors 8 Operation panel 9 trays 11 Support part 11a Upper support part 11b Lower support part 12 Waveguide 13 Microwave Generator 14 Heater 15 Temperature Sensor 16 Infrared sensor 17 Detection area 20 Controller 21 Memory 22 Timer th Steam detection threshold th1 start threshold Ta 1st range setting time Tb 1st heater setting time Tc wait time Td Second range setting time Te Second heater setting time

Claims

1. a heating chamber in which food is stored; a microwave generator that outputs microwaves to the heating chamber; a heater for heating the heating chamber; a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature inside the heating chamber; a controller that executes a microwave heating process for heating the food with the microwaves from the microwave generator, a heater heating process for heating the food with heat from the heater, and a steam detection process for determining that steam has been generated from the food when the rate of increase in the indoor temperature detected by the temperature sensor becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined steam determination threshold; Equipped with After the heater heating process is completed, the controller The microwave heating process is started, and executing the vapor detection process, the start condition of which is that the rate of increase is less than the vapor determination threshold; Cooker.

2. the controller determines that the start condition is met when the elapsed time from the end of the heater heating process reaches a predetermined waiting time for the rate of increase to become less than the steam determination threshold. The cooking device according to claim 1 .

3. The controller monitors the rate of rise, and determines that the start condition is met if the rate of rise is equal to or less than a start threshold that is less than the steam determination threshold. The cooking device according to claim 1 .

4. When the start condition is met, the controller starts the microwave heating process simultaneously with the steam detection process. The cooking device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. When the controller determines that steam is generated from the food while the microwave heating process and the steam detection process are being executed in parallel, the controller terminates the microwave heating process. The cooking device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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