Heating Regulator

Abstract

The present invention provides a cooking appliance that can reduce the risk of burns by lowering the temperature of the pot after the drying cycle is completed. [Solution] The rice cooker of the present invention comprises a pot 4 for containing rice and water, a heating coil 11 for heating the pot 4, a pot sensor 12 for detecting the temperature of the pot 4, and a timing means 45 for measuring time. It has a drying course for drying the inside of the pot 4. In the drying course, based on the temperature detected from the pot sensor 12 and the timing means 45, the heating coil 11 heats the pot 4 to maintain a first pot temperature α higher than the boiling point of water for a time T1 of the first drying course, and based on the temperature detected from the pot sensor 12, the heating coil 11 heats the pot 4 to maintain a second pot temperature γ lower than the first pot temperature α, in a sequence.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a cooking appliance capable of performing a drying course to dry the inside of the pot. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a rice cooker used as a heating appliance in which a heating means (12) heats the inner pot (3) and a lid heating means (10) heats the inner lid (4), thereby enabling a drying course to be performed to heat both the inner pot (3) and the inner lid (4) and dry these components. At the end of the drying course, the temperature of the inner pot (3) and the temperature of the inner lid (4) are maintained at a first predetermined temperature T1, which is 100°C, the evaporation temperature of water. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-178076 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0004] Generally, at the end of cooking, such as when rice cooking is finished, users can visually understand that the inner pot is hot by seeing steam rising from inside when the outer lid is opened, and they can serve the cooked food from the inner pot using tools such as a rice paddle or ladle, so users do not carelessly touch the inner pot after cooking is finished. However, at the end of the drying course, there is no moisture or other heated material inside the inner pot, so no steam is generated and the temperature of the inner pot cannot be visually determined. In cooking appliances such as rice cookers, the inner pot is sometimes used for cooking immediately after drying, so there is a risk of carelessly touching it because the temperature of the inner pot cannot be determined by sight. In the rice cooker of Patent Document 1, the temperature of the inner pot (3) and the inner lid (4) are at a first predetermined temperature T1, so there was a risk of being burned by carelessly touching it.

[0005] Therefore, in view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a cooking appliance that can reduce the risk of burns by lowering the temperature of the pot at the end of the drying course. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides a cooking appliance comprising: a pot for containing food to be cooked; a pot heating means for heating the pot; a pot temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the pot; and a timing means for measuring time. The appliance has a drying course for drying the inside of the pot, and in the drying course, a first drying step is performed in which the pot heating means heats the pot to maintain a first pot temperature higher than the boiling point of water for a first time, based on the temperature detected by the pot temperature detection means and the timing means, and a second drying step is performed in which the pot heating means heats the pot to maintain a second pot temperature lower than the first pot temperature, based on the temperature detected by the pot temperature detection means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the risk of burns can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a rice cooker showing one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] The same as above, this is a vertical cross-section of the rice cooker. [Figure 3] The same as above, this is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a rice cooker. [Figure 4] The same as above, this is a top view of the LCD displaying the top screen. [Figure 5] The same as above, this is a top view of the LCD displaying the maintenance selection screen. [Figure 6] The same as above, this is a top view of the LCD displaying the boiling cleaning settings screen. [Figure 7] The same as above, this is a top view of the LCD displaying the drying course confirmation screen. [Figure 8]The same as above, this is a top view of the LCD displaying the boiling cleaning process. [Figure 9] The graph above shows the changes over time in the temperature detected by the pot temperature sensor, the temperature detected by the lid temperature sensor, the output of the heating coil, and the output of the lid heater during the drying course. [Figure 10] The same as above, this is a top view of the LCD displaying the drying course execution screen. [Figure 11] The same as above, this is a top view of the LCD displaying the drying cycle completion screen. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the rice cooker according to the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. Common reference numerals will be used for common parts throughout these drawings.

[0010] Figures 1 to 11 show one embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a rice cooker. First, the overall structure of the rice cooker will be explained based on Figures 1 and 2. 1 is the main body, which has a roughly rectangular shape with the front and rear, left and right sides facing each other when viewed from above, and the top surface is open. 2 is a lid that can be opened and closed to cover the top opening of the main body 1, and like the main body 1, it has a roughly rectangular shape with the front and rear, left and right sides facing each other when viewed from above, and the top surface is roughly flat. The main body 1 has a pot storage section 3 with an open top surface, and when the lid 2 is opened, a bottomed pot 4, which serves as a container for water and rice to be cooked, is detachably housed in the pot storage section 3. The pot storage section 3 is constructed by combining a bowl-shaped resin inner frame 5 and the like, and the whole is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape.

[0011] The pot 4 has a main material 7 made of aluminum with good thermal conductivity, and a heating element 8 made of a magnetic metal plate such as ferritic stainless steel is joined from the lower side part to the bottom of the outer surface of the main material 7. Also, on the outer surface of the inner frame 5 facing the bottom surface from the lower part of the side surface of the pot 4, a heating coil 11 is provided as heating means for electromagnetic induction heating of the heating element 8 of the pot 4. When a high-frequency current is supplied to the heating coil 11, the heating element 8 of the pot 4 generates heat due to the alternating magnetic field generated from the heating coil 11, and it is configured to heat the object to be cooked in the pot 4 during rice cooking and warming. Also, at the center of the bottom of the inner frame 5, a pot sensor 12 as pot temperature detection means is arranged so as to elastically contact the bottom of the outer surface of the pot 4.

[0012] A hinge 13 serving as a connecting part with the main body 1 is provided at the rear part of the lid body 2. Also, on the front upper surface of the lid body 2, a lid operation body 14 is disposed in an exposed state. When this lid operation body 14 is pushed, the engagement between the main body 1 and the lid body 2 is released, and the lid body 2 is configured to open around the hinge axis of the hinge 13 by a hinge spring 10 provided at the upper rear of the main body 1.

[0013] On the rear upper surface of the lid body 2, a steam port 15 for discharging the steam generated from the object to be cooked in the pot 4 to the outside of the rice cooker is arranged. Also, on the upper surface of the lid body 2, in addition to this steam port 15 and the lid operation body 14, a display means 18 composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 16 as a screen display part and an LED (Light Emitting Diode) display part 17 as a status display part for displaying various information related to rice cooking, etc., and an operation means 19 composed of a touch sensor and arranged above the LCD 16 for starting rice cooking or selecting time, rice cooking course, etc., are respectively arranged. Also, below the display means 18 and the operation means 19, a control PC (Printed Circuit) board 21 provided with a display / operation control means 51 (see FIG. 4) for performing control related to operation and display is arranged.

[0014] The LED display unit 17 displays the actual status of the rice cooker. In this embodiment, the "Reservation" LED display unit lights up when a reservation setting is made, the "Keep Warm" LED display unit lights up when the keep-warm state is activated, the "Vacuum" LED display unit lights up when the inside of the pot 4 is reduced to a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure by the depressurization means 38 (described later), and the "Pressure" LED display unit lights up when the inside of the pot 4 is pressurized from the time pressure starts to build up inside the pot 4 during cooking until the rice is cooked. Therefore, even when the backlight of the LCD 16 is dimmed, the user can understand the current status of the rice cooker at a glance by checking the LED display unit 17. The color of the light when each LED display unit of the LED display unit 17 lights up may be different, allowing the user to understand the current status of the rice cooker at a glance. In this embodiment, the LED display unit 17 is located directly in front of the LCD 16, but it may be located at a distance from the LCD 16. Alternatively, the LED display unit 17 may be omitted, and the content of the LED display unit 17 may be displayed on the LCD 16.

[0015] The operating means 19, which consists of touch sensors, is configured such that, for example, multiple touch keys are arranged, each consisting of a transparent electrode portion made of conductive polymer and a contact portion connected to the control PC board 21, connected by pattern wiring. By touching one of the multiple button display portions shown on the LCD 16, the touch key located above that button display portion and corresponding to that button display portion is touched, and that button display portion is selected.

[0016] In this way, considering user operability and safety, the lid operating element 14 is positioned on the upper front side of the rice cooker, which is closer to the user, and the steam vent 15 is positioned on the upper rear side of the rice cooker, which is further away from the user. This allows for ample space on the upper surface of the lid 2 between the lid operating element 14 and the steam vent 15 to accommodate the display means 18, and thus allows for a larger display means 18 and the operating means 19 positioned above it, thereby improving the visibility of the display means 18 and the operability of the operating means 19. Furthermore, on the upper surface of the lid 2, apart from the operating means 19 above the LCD 16, there are no physical keys or buttons such as a cooking key or off key that were present in conventional rice cookers. Since the rice cooker is operated solely by the operating means 19, the effort of searching for buttons during operation is eliminated, improving operability. In addition, a very sleek appearance can be achieved, and the space occupied by precision components such as the display means 18 and operating means 19 can be made compact. Furthermore, by excluding physical keys and buttons, the top surface of the lid 2 can be made almost flat, making it easier to wipe clean and improving ease of maintenance.

[0017] An inner lid assembly 23, which serves as the lower component of the lid 2, is provided on the underside of the lid 2. The inner lid assembly 23 is made of a metal material and has a disc shape with approximately the same diameter as the upper opening of the pot 4. It comprises an inner lid 24 that covers the upper opening of the pot 4, a lid packing 25 which is an elastic member provided around the entire outer circumference of the inner lid 24 to seal the space between the inner lid 24 and the pot 4, and a pressure regulating unit 26 that adjusts the internal pressure of the pot 4. The annularly formed lid packing 25, as shown in Figure 2, contacts the upper surface of the pot 4, which is the opening, when the lid 2 is closed, sealing the gap between the pot 4 and the inner lid 24 and sealing in the steam generated from the pot 4.

[0018] Inside the lid 2, a lid opening / closing detection means 27 is provided near the hinge 13 to detect the opening and closing of the lid 2. The lid opening / closing detection means 27 can be of any detection type, such as optical, mechanical, or magnetic, as long as it can output a detection signal corresponding to the opening and closing of the lid 2. Inside the lid 2, a lid heater 31 is provided as a lid heating means for heating the inner lid 24, and a thermistor-type lid temperature sensor 32 is provided for controlling the temperature of the inner lid 24 using the lid heater 31. Inside the lid 2, a steam discharge path 33 is formed, connecting the steam vent 15 and the pressure regulating unit 26, as a passage for releasing steam generated in the pot 4 to the outside.

[0019] The pressure regulating unit 26 is equipped with a pressure regulating valve 34 that opens and closes a steam discharge path 33 between the inside of the pot 4 and the steam vent 15. The pressure regulating valve 34 is ball-shaped and works in conjunction with a solenoid 35 installed inside the lid 2. The solenoid 35 rotates the pressure regulating valve 34 so as to open the steam discharge path 33 when releasing steam from inside the pot 4 to the outside, and close the steam discharge path 33 when pressurizing or depressurizing the inside of the pot 4. When pressurizing, the food being cooked inside the pot 4 is heated by high-frequency current being applied to the heating coil 11, causing the food to boil and generate steam. When this steam fills the inside of the pot 4 and the internal pressure of the pot 4 reaches a predetermined value, the pressure regulating valve 34 opens the steam discharge path 33 against its own weight, thereby maintaining the pressure inside the pot 4 at or above atmospheric pressure.

[0020] 38 is a pressure reducing means for lowering the pressure inside the pot 4 to below normal atmospheric pressure when the lid 2 is closed on the main body 1. The pressure reducing means 38 reduces the internal pressure of the sealed pot 4 by energizing the solenoid 35 after the pot 4 is placed in the pot housing 3 and the lid 2 is closed, causing the pressure regulating valve 34 to block the steam discharge path 33. Furthermore, when the pressure inside the pot 4 falls below a certain value below atmospheric pressure, the operation of the pressure reducing pump 39, which is the operating source of the pressure reducing means 38, is stopped, and the inside of the pot 4 is kept in a reduced pressure state. In addition, when returning the inside of the pot 4 from a reduced pressure state to the same pressure as the outside air, the operation of the pressure reducing pump 39 is stopped, and a path (not shown) connecting the pressure reducing pump 39 and the inside of the pot 4 is opened. In other words, the pressure reducing means 38 also serves as a pressure return means for returning the inside of the pot 4 from a reduced pressure state to the same pressure as the outside air.

[0021] In addition, a unitized heating circuit board assembly 42, including a heating control means 41, is arranged inside the main body 1. The heating control means 41 is configured to electrically control each part of the rice cooker and includes a control IC 43 that constitutes a microcomputer, a storage means 44 (see Figure 4) such as a memory that can read and write various information and data, and a timing means 45 (see Figure 4) such as a timer that can measure the time related to rice cooking. In particular, the heating control means 41 is configured to control the temperature of the bottom of the pot 4 mainly by controlling the heating coil 11 based on the temperature detected by the pot sensor 12, and to control the temperature of the inner lid 24 facing the rice being cooked mainly by controlling the lid heater 31 based on the temperature detected by the lid temperature sensor 32.

[0022] Figure 3 shows the electrical configuration of the rice cooker in this embodiment. In the figure, the heating control means 41 equipped in the main body 2 includes a control IC 43 that constitutes a microcomputer, a memory means 44, and a timing means 45 for timing time. It receives temperature detection signals from the pot sensor 12 and the lid temperature sensor 32, a detection signal from the lid opening / closing detection means 27, and a control signal from the display / operation control means 51, which will be described later, and controls the heating coil 11 and the lid heater 31 during cooking, keeping warm, and maintenance, respectively, as well as the operation of the solenoid 35 that moves the pressure regulating valve 34 and the pressure reducing pump 39 of the pressure reducing means 38, respectively.

[0023] The heating control means 41 is equipped with a control IC 43 containing a rice cooking control means 47, a heat retention control means 48, and a maintenance control means 49 as functions on the control sequence of the program read from the storage means 53. The rice cooking control means 47, upon receiving an instruction from the operation means 19 to start rice cooking, sequentially executes the following steps to cook the rice inside the pot 4 at a desired pressure: a soaking step to promote water absorption of the rice placed in the pot 4, a boiling step to raise the temperature of the rice to be cooked to a boil in a short time, a boiling continuation step to maintain the boiling state of the rice to be cooked, and a steaming step to maintain a high temperature that prevents the rice from burning. The heat retention control means 48 controls the rice inside the pot 4 to maintain a predetermined heat retention temperature. The maintenance control means 49 controls the boiling cleaning of the inside of the pot 4, the pot 4 side surfaces of the inner lid 24 and lid gasket 25, and the inside of the steam exhaust path 33, or controls the drying of these areas.

[0024] On the other hand, the display and operation control means 51 includes a control IC 52 that constitutes a microcomputer, a storage means 53, and a timing means (not shown), and receives operation signals from the operation means 19 and control signals from the heating control means 41 to control the display operation of the display means 18 and the notification operation of the notification means 54, such as a buzzer that makes an audible notification when the rice cooker starts and stops operating, and also transmits control signals to the heating control means 41. This display and operation control means 51 is equipped with a display control means 55 and a condition setting means 56 in the control IC 52 as functions of the control sequence of the program stored in the storage means 53. The display control means 55 generates various control signals based on the operation signals from the operation means 19 and also controls the display operation of the display means 18 and the notification operation of the notification means 54. Furthermore, the condition setting means 56 works in conjunction with the display control means 55 to enable the selection and setting of conditions that can be selected by the operation means 19, such as selecting and setting a desired rice cooking course from among rice cooking courses that have multiple settings for rice type, cooking method, hardness, and water hardness.

[0025] The memory means 44 stores, for example, rice cooking courses corresponding to the settings for each type of rice, cooking method, and hardness, as well as boiling cleaning courses corresponding to the boiling cleaning settings, and drying courses. For these rice cooking courses, the display control means 55 controls the display means 18 to display the rice settings, cooking method, and hardness settings of the rice cooking courses stored in the memory means 44 in a selectable manner, and the user selects these settings using the operation means 19, thereby selecting and setting the rice cooking course. Similarly, for these boiling cleaning courses, the display control means 55 controls the display means 18 to display the boiling cleaning time settings stored in the memory means 44 in a selectable manner, and the user selects these settings using the operation means 19, thereby selecting and setting the boiling cleaning course. Furthermore, the memory means 44 stores multiple heating patterns, which are patterns for driving the heating coil 11, lid heater 31, pressure regulating valve 34, and pressure reducing means 38, specifying the timing and output at which these units are driven. The rice cooking control means 47, the heat retention control means 48, and the maintenance control means 49 control the heating coil 11, lid heater 31, pressure regulating valve 34, and pressure reducing means 38 based on these heating patterns and energization patterns.

[0026] Figure 4 shows a top view of the LCD 16, and in each diagram, the top side is referred to as "front," the bottom side as "rear," the left side as "left," and the right side as "right." Also, in each diagram, the front side is referred to as "top" and the back side as "bottom." The figure shows the top screen G1. When the user plugs the power plug, which is pre-installed on the main unit 1, into a household outlet, the necessary power is supplied to each part of the rice cooker. At this time, the display control means 55 causes the LCD 16 to display the arrangement of the top screen G1 shown in Figure 4 as the initial screen for normal use, after a predetermined time has elapsed or when displaying a predetermined startup display screen.

[0027] Referring to Figure 4, the top screen G1 is described as having a menu key display area A1 at its front, with four button display areas B1 to B7 arranged side by side. Here, the "Rice / Cooking" button display area B1 includes the text display D1 that says "Rice / Cooking" and the text display area D2 that says "▼". The "Cooking Method" button display area B3 includes the text display area D3 that says "Cooking Method" and the text display area D4 that says "▼". The "Texture" button display area B5 includes the text display area D5 that says "Texture" and the text display area D6 that says "▼". The "Keep Warm" button display area B7 includes the text display area D7 that says "Keep Warm" and the text display area D8 that says "▼".

[0028] Behind the menu key display area A1, a rice cooking information display area A2 is formed, with four setting display units D11 to D14 arranged side by side. Here, the "Rice / Cooking" setting display unit D11 displays information about the selected rice or cooking method, and is located behind the "Rice" button display unit B1. In Figure 4, "White Rice, Brand Selection" is displayed. The "Cooking Method" setting display unit D12 displays information about the selected cooking method, and is located behind the "Cooking Method" button display unit B3. In Figure 4, "Master Cooking" is displayed. The "Texture" setting display unit D13 displays information about the selected texture, such as hard or soft, and is located behind the "Texture" button display unit B5. In Figure 4, "Normal" is displayed. The "Keep Warm" setting display unit D14 displays information about the selected keep-warm setting, and is located behind the "Keep Warm" button display unit B7. In Figure 4, "Standard" is displayed.

[0029] Behind the rice cooking information display area A2, a button display area B15 containing a text display unit D15 labeled "Soak +" and a button display area B16 containing a text display unit D16 labeled "Maintenance" are displayed side by side. To the right of the "Soak +" button display area B15 and the "Maintenance" button display area B16, a text display unit D17 labeled "Cooking Time" is displayed, suggesting that the numbers displayed on the clock display unit D16 are the cooking time. The clock display unit D18 displays the cooking time required, the remaining time until actual cooking is complete, and the expected completion time. In Figure 4, the clock display unit D18, which displays "approximately 38 minutes" calculated from the settings in the rice cooking information display area A2, and a button display area B19 containing a text display unit D19 labeled "Start Cooking" are displayed side by side.

[0030] Also, at the rear of the top screen G1, a setting button display section B20 containing a text display element D20 resembling a gear diagram, a button display section B21 containing a text display element D21 labeled "Keep Warm", a button display section B22 containing a text display element D22 labeled "Reservation", a time display element D23 displaying the current time, and a button display section B24 containing a text display element D24 labeled "Off" are displayed side by side.

[0031] The "Off" button display unit B24 is operated when stopping rice cooking or keeping warm. When the "Off" button display unit B24 is touched, the display control unit 55 receives an operation signal from the operation unit 19 located above the "Off" button display unit B24 and transmits it to the heating control unit 41. The rice cooking control unit 47 then controls the unit to stop heating the food in the pot 4 and the scheduled cooking, and to set it to the "Off" state. The display control unit 55 then controls the display unit 18 to display the top screen G1 with the setting of the rice cooking information display area A2 set to the setting from the most recent cooking, that is, the setting stored in the memory unit 53. Furthermore, when the "Off" button display section B24 is touched on the top screen G1, the display control means 55 controls the display means 18 to discard the rice settings, cooking method settings, hardness adjustment settings, and water hardness settings that were set before cooking and are currently displayed in the cooking information display area A2, and to display the settings in the cooking information display area A2 as those from the most recent cooking, i.e., the settings stored in the storage means 53.

[0032] The "Start Cooking" button display section B19 is operated when cooking rice. When the "Start Cooking" button display section B19 is touched, the condition setting means 56 stores the rice and cooking settings, cooking method settings, texture settings, and keep-warm settings currently displayed in the cooking information display area A2 in the storage means 53 as the settings for the current cooking course. The cooking control means 47 controls the start of cooking for the food to be cooked in the main unit 1 using the settings for the current cooking course stored in the storage means 44, and the keep-warm control means 48 controls the keep-warm operation for the rice in the main unit 1 after the cooking process using the settings for the current cooking course.

[0033] The "Keep Warm" button display unit B19 is operated when the "Keep Warm" function is activated. When the "Keep Warm" button display unit B19 is touched, the keep-warm control means 48 sends appropriate control signals to the heating coil 11 and lid heater 31 to start reheating the food being cooked inside the main unit 1.

[0034] The "Rice / Cooking" button display unit B1 is operated to select the type and brand of rice to be cooked, or the cooking method such as porridge. When the "Rice / Cooking" button display unit B1 is touched, the display control means 55 controls the display means 18 to display the rice / cooking selection screen (not shown). When the type and brand of rice or cooking method is selected on this rice / cooking selection screen, the display control means 55 returns to the top screen G1 and controls the display means 18 to display the selected type and brand of rice or cooking method in the text display unit D11.

[0035] The "Cooking Method" button display section B3 is operated to select the type of cooking method for the food to be cooked. When the "Cooking Method" button display section B3 is touched, the display control means 55 controls the display means 18 to display a cooking method selection screen (not shown). When a cooking method for the food to be cooked is selected on this cooking method selection screen, the display control means 55 returns to the top screen G1 and controls the display means 18 to display the selected cooking method for the food to be cooked in the text display unit D12.

[0036] The "texture" button display section B5 is operated to select the type of texture of the rice to be cooked. When the "texture" button display section B5 is touched, the display control means 55 controls the display means 18 to display a texture selection screen (not shown). When a rice texture is selected on this texture selection screen, the display control means 55 returns to the top screen G1 and controls the display means 18 to display the selected rice texture in the text display unit D13.

[0037] The "Keep Warm" button display unit B7 is operated to set the keep-warm operation in the keep-warm process which is performed after the rice cooking process. When the "Keep Warm" button display unit B7 is touched, the display control means 55 controls the display means 18 to display the keep-warm selection screen (not shown). When the keep-warm operation is set on this keep-warm selection screen, the display control means 55 returns to the top screen G1 and controls the display means 18 to display the current keep-warm operation setting on the text display unit D14.

[0038] The "Hitashi+" button display unit B15 is operated when the soaking cooking time in the rice cooking process is extended in advance. When the "Hitashi+" button display unit B15 is touched, the display control means 55 controls the display means 18 to display the soaking cooking extension time selection screen (not shown). When an extension time is selected on this soaking cooking extension time selection screen, the display control means 55 returns to the top screen G1 and controls the display means 18 to display a display that adds the selected extension time to "Hitashi+", for example, if the selected extension time is 30 minutes, it will display "Hitashi+30 minutes" on the text display unit D15.

[0039] The setting button display unit B20 is operated to set the rice cooker. When the setting button display unit B20 is touched, the display control means 55 controls the display means 18 to display a setting screen (not shown). The setting screen may be configured to allow setting whether or not to enable notifications by the notification means 54 and to set the volume of the notification sound. It may also be configured to allow setting whether or not to enable notifications for the start and end of operation of the rice cooker.

[0040] The "Reservation" button display unit B22 is operated when performing a reservation cooking function. When the "Reservation" button display unit B22 is touched, the display control means 55 controls the display means 18 to display a reservation setting screen (not shown). Once the reservation is set on this reservation setting screen and the reservation cooking is started, the cooking control means 47 starts cooking so that the food to be cooked in the main unit 1 is cooked by the set reservation time, and the warming control means 48 also starts keeping the food warm.

[0041] The "Maintenance" button display unit B16 is operated when performing boiling cleaning or drying of the rice cooker. When the "Maintenance" button display unit B16 is touched, the display control means 55 controls the display means 18 to display the maintenance selection screen G2 as shown in Figure 5.

[0042] Figure 5 shows the maintenance selection screen G2, which is accessed when the "Maintenance" button display area B16 is touched on the top screen G1. Referring to the same figure, the maintenance selection screen G2 has a text display area D31 that reads "Please select a maintenance item" at the front, and behind the text display area D31, a maintenance selection display area A3 is formed with two button display areas B32 and B34 displayed side by side. Here, the "Boiling Cleaning" button display area B32 includes a text display area D32 that reads "Boiling Cleaning" and an image display area D33 that shows a photograph of boiling water in the pot 4. The "Drying Course" button display area B34 includes a text display area D34 that reads "Drying Course" and an image display area D35 that shows a photograph of the pot 4 and the inner lid assembly 23. At the back of the maintenance selection screen G2, there is a button display area B36 that includes a text display area D36 that reads "Back" and a button display area B37 that includes a text display area D37 that reads "Cancel" are arranged side by side.

[0043] The "Boiling Cleaning" button display unit B32 and the "Drying Course" button display unit B34 are operated to select the type of maintenance. When the "Boiling Cleaning" button display unit B32 is touched, the display control means 55 controls the display means 18 to display the boiling cleaning setting screen G3 as shown in Figure 6. When the "Drying Course" button display unit B34 is touched, the display control means 55 controls the display means 18 to display the drying course screen G3 as shown in Figure 8.

[0044] The "Back" button display unit B36 is operated when you want to discard the settings on the current screen, for example, the maintenance selection screen G2, and return to the previous screen, for example, the top screen G1. When the "Back" button display unit B36 is touched, the display control means 55 controls the display means 18 to discard the settings currently displayed on the LCD 16, return to the previous screen, for example, the top screen G1, and display the settings that were displayed on that previous screen.

[0045] The "Cancel" button display unit B37 is operated when you want to discard the settings on the current screen, for example, the maintenance selection screen G2, and return to the top screen G1. When the "Cancel" button display unit B37 is touched, the display control means 55 controls the display means 18 to discard the settings currently displayed on the LCD 25, return to the top screen G1, and display the settings that were displayed on the most recent top screen G1.

[0046] Figure 6 shows the boiling cleaning setting screen G3, which is accessed when the "Boiling Cleaning" button display area B32 is touched on the maintenance selection screen G2. Referring to the same figure, the boiling cleaning setting screen G3 has a text display area D41 that reads "About Maintenance [Boiling Cleaning]" at the front, and behind the text display area D41, there are explanatory text display areas D42 that read "(1) Add water up to the 'white rice' water level mark 2 and close the lid" and explanatory text display areas D43 that read "(2) Select the boiling time and touch Start" arranged side by side. Behind the explanatory text display area D43, there is a boiling time selection display area A4 with three button display areas B44 to B46 arranged side by side. Here, the "10-minute start" button display area B44 includes a text display area D44 that reads "10-minute start for light stains". Furthermore, the button display section B45 for "30-minute start" includes a text display D45 that reads "30-minute start recommended." The button display section B46 for "60-minute start" includes a text display D46 that reads "60-minute start when odor is a concern." In addition, at the rear of the maintenance selection screen G2, the "back" button display section B36, the time display section D23, and the "cancel" button display section B37 are arranged side by side. The current time is displayed on the time display section D23 to help users set the boiling time.

[0047] Buttons B44 to B46 are used to select the boiling cleaning time and to start the boiling cleaning. When button B44 to B46, for example, button B45 which says "30-minute start," is touched, the maintenance control means 49 performs a boiling cleaning operation for a set time, for example, 30 minutes, according to the heating pattern set for the current boiling cleaning.

[0048] Figure 7 shows the drying course confirmation screen G4, which is accessed when the "drying course" button display B34 is touched on the maintenance selection screen G2. Referring to the same figure, the drying course confirmation screen G4 has a text display unit D51 that reads "About maintenance [drying course]" at the front, and behind the text display unit D51, there is an explanatory text display unit D52 that reads "This course dries the inner pot and inner lid in the rice cooker after hand washing," and a pre-drying confirmation text display unit D53 that reads "Please set the inner pot and inner lid," arranged side by side.

[0049] Behind the pre-drying confirmation text display D53, a clock display D18 that shows the drying time, displaying "approximately 30 minutes" in Figure 7, and a button display section B54 including a text display D54 that says "Start Drying" are displayed side by side.

[0050] At the rear of the drying course confirmation screen G4, the "Back" button display unit B36, the time display unit D23, and the "Cancel" button display unit B37 are arranged side by side. The current time is displayed on the time display unit D23, which can be used as a reference for the end time of the drying cycle.

[0051] The "Start Drying" button display unit B54 is operated to start the drying course. When the "Start Drying" button display unit B54 is touched, the setting for the drying course is transmitted from the display / operation control means 51 to the heating control means 41. The maintenance control means 49 of the heating control means 41 then controls the heating coil 11 and the lid heater 31 to perform the heating operation of the drying course according to the heating pattern of the drying course setting stored in the storage means 44.

[0052] Next, the operation of the boiling cleaning function for the rice cooker with the above configuration will be explained. First, water is placed in the pot 4 as described in the explanatory text display unit D42, and after setting the pot 4 in the pot storage unit 3, the lid 2 is closed. Around the same time, the operating means 19 is used to touch the "Maintenance" button display unit B16 on the top screen G1, and then the "Boiling Cleaning" button display unit B32 on the maintenance selection screen G2 to proceed to the boiling cleaning setting screen G3.

[0053] Then, when the user touches button display units B44 to B46, for example, button display unit B45 for "30-minute start", on the boiling cleaning setting screen G3 using the operation means 19, the display / operation control means 51 transmits this boiling cleaning setting to the heating control means 41, and the maintenance control means 49 performs a boiling cleaning operation for the set time, for example, 30 minutes, according to the heating pattern of the current boiling cleaning setting.

[0054] When the boiling cleaning operation is started, the maintenance control means 49 controls the solenoid 35 to rotate the pressure regulating valve 34 to open the steam discharge path 33, thereby connecting the inside of the pot 4 to the outside of the main unit 1. The maintenance control means 49 also controls the heating coil 11 to strongly heat the water in the pot 4 until boiling is detected, raising the temperature to boiling point in a short time. The display control means 55 then controls the display means 18 to display the boiling cleaning execution screen G5 as shown in Figure 8.

[0055] Referring to the same figure, the boiling cleaning execution screen G5 is shown with two warning text indicators, D61 and D62, displayed side-by-side at the front: one D61 reading "Heating" and the other D62 reading "Boiling Cleaning in Progress." Behind the warning text indicators D61 and D62 are two text indicators, D63 and D18, both displayed side-by-side. The text indicator D63 reads "Remaining," suggesting that the number displayed on the clock indicator D16 indicates the remaining time until the boiling cleaning is complete. In Figure 7, the clock indicator D18 displays "Approximately 30 minutes," which is the set time for boiling cleaning. At the back of the top screen G1, the time indicator D23 and the "Off" button indicator B24 are arranged side-by-side. The time indicator D23 displays the current time, which can be used as a reference for the boiling cleaning completion time, and the "Off" button indicator B24 allows the boiling cleaning to be ended at any time.

[0056] Subsequently, when the maintenance control means 49 receives a temperature detection signal from the pot sensor 12 indicating that the temperature of the pot 4 has reached a predetermined temperature or higher, for example, 90°C or higher, it starts a boil detection control to detect the boiling of the water. The maintenance control means 49 continues to control the heating coil 11 to continuously energize the water inside the pot 4, while simultaneously calculating the gradient of the detected temperature, which is how much the temperature detected by the pot sensor 12 rises in a predetermined time. Specifically, when the maintenance control means 49 calculates from the temperature detected by the pot sensor 12 that the temperature rise at the bottom of the pot 4 has fallen below a predetermined temperature rise rate, for example, 3°C or less in 120 seconds, it determines that boiling has been detected due to a change in the temperature rise rate of the pot 4. The maintenance control means 49 also takes in the temperature detection signal from the pot sensor 12 and determines that the water inside the pot 4 has boiled when the detected temperature at the bottom of the pot 4 reaches a predetermined temperature of 100°C.

[0057] Thus, when the maintenance control means 49 determines that the water inside the pot 4 has boiled, it controls the power supply to the heating coil 11 based on the temperature detected by the pot sensor 12 so that the temperature of the pot 4 is maintained at a predetermined temperature, such as 100°C, which is the boiling point of water, thereby continuing the boiling state of the water inside the pot 4. In this embodiment of the rice cooker, the type of boiling cleaning employs the circulating steam method, which is a method of killing microorganisms by directly circulating heated steam. The water inside the pot 4 is boiled into steam, and this steam adheres to the inner wall of the pot 4, the inner lid 24 and lid gasket 25 that face the inside of the pot 4, and the inner wall of the steam discharge path 33 and the steam vent 15, thereby sterilizing the areas to which the steam adheres and deodorizing to eliminate odors. Here, the maintenance control means 49 controls the lid heater 31 to drive, so that there is not too much water droplets attached to the inner lid 24 when the boiling cleaning is finished, and so that when the lid 2 is opened after the boiling cleaning is finished, the water droplets attached to the inner lid 24 do not run down the surface of the inner lid 24 and drip onto the upper surface of the pot storage section 3.

[0058] When the maintenance control means 49 receives a timing signal from the timing means 45 indicating that the set time has elapsed and the display on the clock display unit D18 shows "approximately 0 minutes", it controls the heating coil 11 to stop power supply and transmits a signal to the display / operation control means 51 indicating that the boiling cleaning operation has been completed. Upon receiving this signal, the display control means 55 controls the notification means 54 to notify that the boiling cleaning operation has been completed and also controls the display means 18 to display the top screen G1.

[0059] Next, the operation of the drying course in the rice cooker with the above configuration will be explained. Figure 9 shows the pot temperature t, which is the temperature detected by the pot temperature sensor 12, during the rice cooking process of the rice cooker of this embodiment. P And the lid temperature t is the temperature detected by the lid temperature sensor 32. L And the output P of the heating coil 11 P And the output P of the lid heater 31 L The changes in and over time are shown in the graphs.

[0060] Referring to Figure 9, the operation in the drying course of this embodiment will be explained as follows: For example, after washing the pot 4 and the inner lid assembly 23, attaching the inner lid assembly 23 to the lid 2 and setting the pot 4 in the pot storage section 3, and then closing the lid 2, or after the boiling cleaning operation has finished, when water droplets are present on the pot 4, inner lid 24, and lid gasket 25, the user touches the "Maintenance" button display section B16 on the top screen G1 using the operating means 19, and then touches the "Drying Course" button display section B34 on the maintenance selection screen G2 to proceed to the drying course confirmation screen G4.

[0061] Then, when the operator 19 touches the "Start Drying" button display unit B54 on the drying course confirmation screen G4, the display / operation control unit 51 transmits information about the drying course to the heating control unit 41, and the maintenance control unit 49 executes the drying course according to the heating pattern of the drying course.

[0062] When the drying course is started, the machine moves to the first drying process, and the maintenance control means 49 controls the solenoid 35 to rotate the pressure regulating valve 34 to open the steam discharge path 33, thereby connecting the inside of the pot 4 to the outside of the main unit 1. The maintenance control means 49 also controls the power supply of the heating coil 11 to a duty cycle of A% based on the temperature detection of the bottom of the pot 4 by the pot sensor 12, thereby strongly heating the pot 4, and controls the lid heater 31 to be continuously powered based on the temperature detection of the inner lid 24 by the lid temperature sensor 32, thereby strongly heating the inner lid 24. By heating with both the heating coil 11 and the lid heater 31 in this way, the temperature difference between the pot 4 and the inner lid 24 is suppressed, and the possibility of condensation is reduced. The display control means 55 then controls the display means 18 to display the drying course execution screen G6 as shown in Figure 10.

[0063] Referring to the same figure, the drying course execution screen G6 is shown with a warning text display D65 that reads "Drying." Behind the "Drying" warning text display D65, a text display D63 that reads "Remaining" and a clock display D18 that shows the remaining time until the end of the drying course, displaying "Approximately 30 minutes" in Figure 10, are displayed side by side. At the back of the drying course execution screen G6, a time display D23 and an "Off" button display B24 are arranged side by side. The time display D23 shows the current time, which can be used as a reference for the end time of the drying course, and the "Off" button display B24 allows the drying course to be ended at any time.

[0064] Pot temperature t in Figure 9 P As shown in the graph, when the heating coil 11 is controlled to switch on and off with a duty cycle of A%, the temperature of the pot 4 rises at the start, and when the temperature of the pot 4 reaches a first pot temperature α, which is set to a value exceeding 100°C, such as 104-105°C, the heating coil 11 is turned OFF. When the temperature of the pot 4 falls below the first pot temperature α, the heating coil 11 is turned ON with a duty cycle of A%, and the heating coil is controlled to switch on and off so that the temperature is maintained at the first pot temperature α, thereby controlling the temperature of the pot 4.

[0065] Furthermore, when the maintenance control means 49 receives a temperature detection signal from the lid temperature sensor 24 indicating that the temperature of the inner lid 24 has reached a first lid temperature β1, for example, 95-100°C, it controls the lid heater 31 to power on and off with a duty cycle of B%. If the temperature reaches a second temperature β2, for example, 101-105°C, the lid heater is turned OFF, and the lid heater 31 is controlled to maintain the temperature of the inner lid 24 at a third lid temperature β3, between the first lid temperature β1 and the second lid temperature β2. Since the inner lid assembly 23 uses resin material for parts such as the lid gasket 25, maintaining the temperature below the second lid temperature β2 in this way allows the inner lid 24 and the parts incorporated into the inner lid assembly 23 to be dried without degrading the resin material parts. Note that this is just one example, and the third lid temperature β3 may be configured to target a value near 100°C, such as 96-101°C.

[0066] In this way, during the first drying process, when the temperature of the pot 4 is maintained at the first pot temperature α and the temperature of the inner lid 24 is maintained at the third lid temperature β3, the water droplets adhering to the pot 4 and inner lid 24 evaporate into steam, and this steam and heat are discharged outside the machine through the steam outlet 15 via the steam discharge path 33.

[0067] When the maintenance control means 49 receives a timing signal from the timing means 45 indicating that time T1 has elapsed since the start of the first drying process, it terminates the first drying process and moves on to the next second drying process. In this embodiment, the time T1 of the first drying process is the total time of the drying course, such as 30 minutes. whole The time is set to half of the time, for example, 15 minutes, but this is just one example. The system may be configured to change the time T1 of the first drying process in accordance with the temperature of the pot 4 and inner lid 24 at the start of the drying course. For example, if the temperature of the pot 4 and inner lid assembly 23 is low after washing, the time T1 may be made longer, for example, 18 minutes, and the time T2 of the second drying process may be made shorter. For example, if the temperature of the pot 4 and inner lid assembly 23 is high after boiling cleaning, the time T1 may be made shorter, for example, 12 minutes, and the time T2 of the second drying process may be made longer.

[0068] When shifting to the second drying step, the maintenance control means 49 performs on / off control of the duty ratio when the heating coil 11 is on at C% which is lower than or equal to A% (A ≥ C) based on the temperature detection of the bottom of the pot 4 by the pot sensor 12, and controls the heating coil 11 so that the temperature of the pot 4 is maintained at a second pot temperature γ (α > γ) where the target temperature is set to a value lower than the first pot temperature α, for example, 91 to 92°C, etc. Also, based on the temperature detection of the inner lid 24 by the lid temperature sensor 32, the maintenance control means 49 performs on / off control of the duty ratio when the lid heater 31 is on at D% which is lower than or equal to B% (B ≥ D), and controls the heating coil 11 so that the temperature of the inner lid 24 is maintained at a fourth lid temperature ε (β3 ≥ ε) where the target temperature is set to a value of β3 or lower, for example, 93 to 95°C, etc.

[0069] In the present embodiment, as shown in the graph of the pot temperature t in FIG. 9 P and the lid temperature t L during the second drying step, the pot 4 and the inner lid 24 are maintained at a lower temperature than in the first drying step, and by maintaining the temperature lower than 100°C which is the boiling temperature of water, while drying the pot 4 and the inner lid 24 within the limited time of the drying course T whole it is possible to suppress the risk of being burned even if the pot 4 and the inner lid 24 are touched after the drying course ends. Also, in the second drying step, the fourth lid temperature ε is set to be higher than the second pot temperature γ (ε > γ), and in the first drying step, the temperature reduction width of the inner lid 24 is made smaller than that of the pot 4 for the part where the temperature of the inner lid 24 could not be raised to the temperature of the pot 4, to promote the drying of the inner lid 24 and the parts incorporated in the inner lid assembly 23, so that the drying of the inner lid 24 can be completed within the drying course time T whole

[0070] When the display of the clock display body D18 becomes "about 0 minutes", the maintenance control means 49, from the start of the drying course by the timing means 45, the drying course time T whole ​Upon receiving the elapsed time signal, the system controls the heating coil 11 to stop power supply and the lid heater 31 to stop power supply, and transmits a signal to the display / operation control means 51 indicating that the drying course has ended. The display control means 55 receives this signal and controls the display means 18 to display the drying course completion screen G7 as shown in Figure 11. On the other hand, assuming that the drying course is performed in the middle of the night, the display control means 55 controls the notification means 54 not to notify that the drying course has ended, thereby improving user convenience. The system may also be configured to allow the user to set whether or not the notification means 54 makes an audible notification that the drying course has ended when the drying course is completed, and this setting may be configured on a setting screen accessed by touching the setting button display unit B20 on the top screen G1.

[0071] Referring to Figure 11, the drying course completion screen G7 is shown with a text display D71 that reads "Drying course completed." Behind the text display D71, an explanatory text display D72 reads "Please allow the inside of the oven to cool before cooking or cleaning." A "OFF" button display B24 is located at the back of the drying course completion screen G7, allowing the user to clear the drying course completion screen G7 and return to the top screen G1 at any time.

[0072] The display control means 55, upon receiving a temperature detection signal from the pot sensor 12 indicating that the temperature of the pot 4 and the inner lid 24 have both fallen below a predetermined temperature that will not cause burns, such as 45°C, controls the display means 18 to erase the drying course completion screen G7 and transition to the top screen G1. Alternatively, the display control means 55, upon receiving a timing signal from the timing means indicating that a predetermined time, such as 30 minutes, has elapsed since the end of the drying course, controls the display means 18 to erase the drying course completion screen G7 and transition to the top screen G1. Therefore, by checking the display means 18, it is possible to know whether the inside of the pot 4 has cooled to a normal temperature and whether it is safe to touch the pot 4 and the inner lid 24.

[0073] As described above, the rice cooker as a heating cooking device of this embodiment includes a pot 4 for containing rice and water, which are the food to be cooked; a heating coil 11 as a pot heating means for heating the pot 4; a pot sensor 12 as a pot temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the pot 4; and a timing means 45 for measuring time. The rice cooker has a drying course for drying the inside of the pot 4. In the drying course, based on the temperature detected from the pot sensor 12 and the timing means 45, the heating coil 11 heats the pot 4 to maintain a first pot temperature α, which is higher than the boiling point of water, for a first time T1 of the first drying process. The heating coil 11 then heats the pot 4 to maintain a second pot temperature γ, which is lower than the first pot temperature α, based on the temperature detected from the pot sensor 12. These steps are performed in sequence.

[0074] With this configuration, the temperature of pot 4 drops to the second pot temperature γ at the end of the drying course, so that pot 4 can be dried in a limited time while suppressing the risk of burns even if pot 4 is touched after the drying course is finished.

[0075] Furthermore, the rice cooker of this embodiment includes an inner lid 24 that covers the opening of the pot 4, a lid heater 31 as a lid heating means for heating the inner lid 24, and a lid temperature sensor 32 as a lid temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the inner lid 24. In the drying course, in the first drying step, based on the temperature detected from the lid temperature sensor 32 and the timing of the timing means 45, the lid heater 31 heats the inner lid 24 to maintain it at a third lid temperature β3, which is a temperature between a first lid temperature β1 and a second lid temperature β2, as a set first lid temperature, for the duration T1 of the first drying step. In the second drying step, based on the temperature detected from the lid temperature sensor 32, the lid heater 31 heats the inner lid 24 to maintain it at a fourth lid temperature ε, which is a second lid temperature, which is a temperature below the third lid temperature β3.

[0076] This configuration suppresses the occurrence of a temperature difference between the pot 4 and the inner lid 24, thereby reducing the possibility of condensation. Since the temperature of the inner lid 24 drops to the fourth lid temperature ε at the end of the drying course, the inner lid 24 can be dried in a limited time, and the risk of burns is suppressed even if the inner lid 24 is touched after the drying course is completed.

[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment of the rice cooker, the first pot temperature α is 100°C or higher, and the second pot temperature γ is less than 100°C, and the total time T of the drying course is limited. whole This allows you to dry pot 4 while simultaneously reducing the risk of burns even if you touch pot 4 after the drying cycle is complete.

[0078] Furthermore, the rice cooker of this embodiment has a boiling cleaning mode for boiling and cleaning the inside of the pot 4. In the boiling cleaning mode, with water contained in the pot 4, the heating coil 11 heats the pot 4 to maintain the boiling temperature of the water based on the temperature detected by the pot sensor 12. This configuration allows the user to perform a drying course to dry the pot 4 and inner lid 24 after the boiling cleaning without touching the pot 4 or inner lid 24, thus improving user convenience.

[0079] Furthermore, the rice cooker of this embodiment is equipped with a notification means 54 that provides an audible notification when the rice cooker starts and when it finishes operating. The notification means 54 can be configured not to provide an audible notification when the drying course is finished, which allows the drying course to be performed in the middle of the night, thus improving user convenience.

[0080] Furthermore, the rice cooker of this embodiment is equipped with a display means 18 that displays various information related to heating and cooking. The display means 18 is configured to display a drying course completion screen G7 as an indication that the drying course has finished after the drying course is completed, so that the user can find out whether or not the drying course has finished by checking the display means 18.

[0081] Furthermore, in the rice cooker of this embodiment, the display means 18 displays a drying course completion screen G7 as an indication that the inside of the pot 4 is hot after the drying course is completed. The drying course completion screen G7 is configured to automatically disappear and transition to the top screen G1 when the temperature of the pot 4 has dropped to a predetermined temperature that will not cause burns (a third temperature), or when a predetermined time, such as 30 minutes (a second time), has elapsed since the end of the drying course. By checking the display means 18, it is possible to know whether the inside of the pot 4 has cooled to a normal temperature and whether it is safe to touch the pot 4 or the inner lid 24.

[0082] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the numerical values ​​and other figures exemplified in the embodiments are merely examples and may be appropriately changed depending on the specifications of the rice cooker, etc. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0083] 4 Pot 11. Heating coil (heating means) 12. Pot sensor (pot temperature detection means) 18 Display means 24 Inner lid 31. Lid heater (lid heating means) 32 Lid temperature sensor (lid temperature detection means) 45 Timekeeping means 54. Notification methods G7 Drying course completion screen (indicates completion and that the contents of pot 4 are hot) T1 Time of the first drying process (first time) α First pot temperature (First pot temperature) β3 Third lid temperature (first lid temperature) γ Second pot temperature (second pot temperature) ε (Fourth lid temperature) (Second lid temperature)

Claims

1. A pot for holding the food to be cooked, A pot heating means for heating the aforementioned pot, A pot temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the pot, Equipped with a timekeeping means for measuring time, The aforementioned pot has a drying course for drying the inside of the pot, In the aforementioned drying course, A first drying step in which, based on the temperature detected by the pot temperature detection means and the timing measured by the timing means, the pot is heated by the pot heating means to maintain a first pot temperature higher than the boiling point of water for a first time, A cooking appliance characterized in that, based on the temperature detected by the pot temperature detection means, a second drying step is performed in which the pot is heated by the pot heating means to maintain a second pot temperature lower than the first pot temperature.

2. An inner lid covering the opening of the aforementioned pot, A lid heating means for heating the inner lid, The system includes a lid temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the inner lid, In the aforementioned drying course, In the first drying step, the lid heating means heats the inner lid to maintain a set first lid temperature for a first time, based on the temperature detected by the lid temperature detection means and the timing measured by the timing means. The cooking appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that in the second drying step, the inner lid is heated by the lid heating means to maintain a second lid temperature that is less than or equal to the first lid temperature, based on the temperature detected by the lid temperature detection means.

3. The temperature of the first pot is 100°C or higher. The heating appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the temperature of the second pot is less than 100°C.

4. The pot has a boiling mode for boiling and cleaning the inside of the pot, The cooking appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, in the boiling mode, with water contained in the pot, the pot is heated by the pot heating means to maintain the water at a boiling temperature based on the temperature detected by the pot temperature detection means.

5. The aforementioned cooking appliance is equipped with a notification means that provides an audible notification when it starts operating and when it stops operating. The heating appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the notification means can be set not to notify that the drying course has finished when it is completed.

6. Equipped with a display means that displays various information related to cooking, The heating appliance according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that the display means displays that the drying course has finished after it has finished.

7. The display means displays that the inside of the pot is hot after the completion of the process. The heating appliance according to claim 6, characterized in that the indicator indicating high temperature automatically disappears when the temperature of the pot drops to a third temperature, or when a second time has elapsed since the end of the cooking process.

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