Device and method for steam pressure cooking by means of microwave radiation

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method for steam pressure cooking a cooking product by means of microwave radiation, wherein the device comprises an apparatus for generating microwave radiation and a first cover with an opening for introducing microwave radiation, a second cover which is arranged at a distance from the first cover and which is permeable for microwave radiation, and a receptacle for a cooking product carrier, said cooking product carrier being impermeable for microwave radiation, wherein when the cooking product carrier is arranged in the receptacle, the device is configured to form a pressure-tight cooking compartment between the second cover and the cooking product carrier and optionally form a seal arranged therebetween.

Description

[0001] Device and method for steam pressure cooking using microwave radiation

[0002] The present invention relates to a device and a method for steam pressure cooking of food using microwave radiation.

[0003] Numerous devices for steam cooking using microwaves are already known from the state of the art. These offer the advantage of heating, cooking, or reheating food in a very short time and are therefore now found in almost every modern kitchen. Microwave ovens are also used in commercial kitchens or on airplanes where pre-portioned food for visitors or passengers needs to be heated quickly.

[0004] When heating food using microwaves, the microwaves act on the water molecules in the food being heated, causing them to rotate. This creates friction, which in turn generates heat. The evaporating water produces steam, which creates a higher pressure inside the microwave than the outside atmosphere. Therefore, state-of-the-art microwave ovens are equipped with pressure regulating elements, particularly valves, to reduce or equalize pressure.

[0005] A generic device is described, for example, in DE 20 2004 009 000 U1. This discloses a device for pressure cooking a food held in a fermentation container using microwave radiation. The device has a pressure cooking chamber with a pressure-resistant and pressure-tight door, which has a pressure relief valve that can be adjusted to a specific overpressure that develops in the pressure cooking chamber.

[0006] US Pat. No. 5,945,021 A describes a device for heating food using microwaves and steam. The device has several compartments containing water. This water is evaporated by microwave treatment, so that the food is heated both by microwaves and by the resulting steam.

[0007] One of the disadvantages of the aforementioned and other prior art appliances is that the steam generated during food heating encounters cold interior paneling and condenses there. The resulting condensate droplets drip onto the food being cooked, resulting in an undesirable accumulation of liquid on the food or the support on which it is placed, which is perceived as sensorially disadvantageous.

[0008] Furthermore, it has been found that after the cooking process has been completed and the existing excess pressure has been released by means of the pressure relief valve, a negative pressure is created inside the appliance, which makes opening the door to the cooking chamber very difficult or even impossible if it is not opened immediately after the excess pressure has been released.

[0009] Another major disadvantage of all microwave ovens known to date is their space requirements, which are essentially due to a cooking chamber surrounded by walls and doors. In many areas where microwave ovens are used to heat food, space is very limited. For example, in airplanes, where space is limited due to the necessarily compact design, or in commercial kitchens, where the number of portions to be heated in the microwave ovens is comparatively high and, accordingly, many microwave ovens are required. CN 201683703 U describes a pressure cooker with a lid that can be heated using steam pressure in a conventional microwave.

[0010] DE 60 2005 000 043 T2 describes a conventional microwave oven.

[0011] The KR 20 0 445 889 Y1 describes a rice cooker that is designed to emit a signal when a cooking state is reached.

[0012] DE 10 2007 043258 A1 describes a cooking appliance with a cooking chamber into which a preparation vessel designed separately from the cooking chamber can be introduced, which vessel is at least temporarily subjected to negative pressure during the preparation of the food contained therein.

[0013] FR 2 908 969 A1 describes a microwave pressure cooker comprising a metal tank with a lid that can be sealed watertight and into which microwave radiation is fed through an opening. The cooking process can be carried out exclusively by microwave radiation or additionally by steam, by introducing water into the metal tank, which is heated together with the food by the microwave radiation.

[0014] CN 1 751 635 A describes a microwave vessel that can be coupled to a controller, whereby temperature control, time control, etc. can be achieved.

[0015] Object of the invention

[0016] It is the object of the present invention to provide an alternative device and a method for steam-pressure cooking of food by means of microwaves, which overcome the aforementioned disadvantages known from the prior art and are characterized in particular by the fact that the space requirement of the device is considerably reduced compared to previously known devices for steam-pressure cooking of food by means of microwaves.

[0017] Advantageously, the device should also be characterized by the fact that condensation formed during the cooking process does not reach the food being heated. General description of the invention

[0018] The invention solves this problem with the features of the claims and in particular with a device for steam pressure cooking of a food by means of microwave radiation, wherein the device comprises a device for generating microwave radiation and a first cover with an opening for introducing microwave radiation, a second cover arranged at a distance from the first cover and at least partially permeable to microwave radiation and a receptacle for a food carrier impermeable to microwave radiation, wherein the device, when the food carrier is arranged in the receptacle, is designed to form a pressure-tight cooking chamber between the second cover and the food carrier and optionally a seal arranged between them, wherein the food carrier forms part of the cooking chamber and closes it off in a pressure-tight manner.

[0019] For the purposes of the present invention, "cooking" or "pressure cooking" refers to the heating of food using microwave radiation. It is irrelevant whether the food was already cooked prior to heating using microwave radiation. "Cooking" or "pressure cooking" can therefore also mean simply heating or reheating an already fully cooked food.

[0020] A “food to be cooked” can be any food in any cooking state that is heated in the device according to the invention by means of microwave radiation.

[0021] In one embodiment, the device according to the invention also comprises a food carrier, while in other embodiments it is only designed to receive a food carrier, but the food carrier is not a component of the device according to the invention.

[0022] Regardless of whether the food carrier is part of the device according to the invention or not, it is a container impermeable to microwave radiation, in particular a tray impermeable to microwave radiation, in which the food to be cooked can be placed. It is particularly advantageous that the food carrier forms part of the cooking chamber and seals it pressure-tight, but can also serve as transport packaging for the food and as a serving tray or container for the heated food.As transport packaging for the food, the food carrier with the food to be cooked arranged therein is preferably sealed with a film, provided with a lid, or closed with another removable cover. The film, lid, or other removable cover is preferably removed before cooking, and the food carrier with the food arranged thereon is placed in the food carrier holder of the device according to the invention. Alternatively to removing the film, lid, or other removable cover, it can also remain on the food carrier during the cooking process and only be removed afterwards.

[0023] When the food carrier is arranged in the holder for a food carrier of the device according to the invention, a pressure-tight cooking chamber is formed between the food carrier and the second cover, or between the food carrier, the second cover, and a seal arranged between them. After the cooking process is complete, the food carrier can be removed from the holder of the device according to the invention and used directly as a serving dish or container for the food placed therein.

[0024] The receptacle for the microwave-impermeable food carrier of a device according to the invention can have different geometries and is always designed such that it can be releasably engaged with the food carrier, with the food carrier being held in a sealed manner in the receptacle. In particular, the receptacle is configured to form a positive or non-positive connection with the food carrier. Conversely, the food carrier is configured to form a positive or non-positive connection to the recess by engaging with the recess.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the food support comprises or consists of metal, in particular steel, e.g., enameled steel or stainless steel. Further preferably, the food support has a wall thickness of 0.5-2 mm, in particular a wall thickness of 0.7-1.5 mm, particularly preferably of approximately 0.9-1.1 mm.

[0026] According to an alternative and preferred embodiment, the food support has metallic outer walls and, in addition, an insulating insert element, in particular made of plastic and / or porcelain, on which the food is placed. In this embodiment, preferably only the outer side of the food support facing away from the cooking chamber is made of metal or comprises metal, which has the advantage that the wet steam generated in the cooking chamber during the cooking process does not come into contact with the metal, but only with the insulating insert element on which the food is placed. This thermally insulates the cooking chamber from the metallic outer walls, reducing heat loss through heat conduction and recondensation.

[0027] Because the food carrier seals the cooking chamber in a pressure-tight manner according to the invention and can simultaneously serve as transport packaging for the food and as a serving dish or container for the heated food, there is a significant saving in space, cost and material which the use of a device according to the invention offers in comparison to devices known from the prior art. The space saving results from the fact that the device according to the invention does not have a permanently installed cooking chamber, as is the case with conventional microwave ovens, in which the cooking chamber is usually closed off by a door through which food arranged on a plate or in a dish is introduced into the appliance and removed again after the cooking process has been completed. In conventional microwave ovens, not only the space requirement is reduced by the permanently installed orNot only does the cooking space enclosed by walls and doors increase compared to the device according to the invention, in which the cooking space is only formed by arranging the food support in the receptacle, but it should also be noted that additional space is required due to the door opening outwards. This is completely eliminated in the device according to the invention, since it has no doors.

[0028] The cost and material savings achieved by using the food carrier as transport packaging and as a serving dish or container result from the fact that the same container is used both for transport to the cooking location and for consumption and as a serving dish or container. In contrast, food intended for preparation in microwave ovens is usually packaged in transport packaging in the prior art, removed from this for cooking, and transferred to a microwave-safe food carrier. After the cooking process is complete, the food can then be transferred to a plate or similar and served on this plate. While only one food carrier is required for each cooking process when preparing food with the device according to the invention, two or even three containers are used in the prior art, which leads to higher material costs and more waste.

[0029] A further advantage of preparing food with the device according to the invention is that the food carrier is preferably made of metal and is reusable after cleaning, so that apart from a cover for the food carrier containing the food, which must be removed before cooking and is necessary for transport, no waste is generated when preparing food with the device according to the invention.

[0030] However, the aforementioned advantages also arise in the alternative embodiment in which the food carrier preferably comprises metal and has an insert element made of an insulating material such as plastic or porcelain. In this embodiment, only the insert element serves as transport packaging. To protect the food, this element is preferably sealed with a cover film. This cover film must be removed before or after the cooking process has begun. Before the cooking process begins, the insert element is placed in the metal part of the food carrier. This part, in turn, is placed in the holder for the food carrier together with the insert element and the food arranged on it, thus sealing the cooking chamber pressure-tight. After the cooking process has ended, the insert element of the food carrier can be used as a serving container and can be cleaned, reused or recycled after the food has been consumed.

[0031] In every embodiment, the device according to the invention also offers a hygienic advantage over previously known microwave appliances, since the device according to the invention does not have a permanently installed cooking chamber, but rather one is only formed by the arrangement of a food carrier in the receptacle. Since the food carrier, which optionally comprises the insulating insert element, is removed from the device after the food has been cooked and a new food carrier or a new insulating insert element is used for the next cooking process, no dirt can accumulate in the part of the cooking chamber formed by the food carrier, which is reinserted for each cooking process. The remaining part of the cooking chamber, which is essentially formed by the second cover, is very easy to clean between individual cooking processes, since it is freely accessible after the food carrier has been removed from the receptacle.

[0032] A further advantage of the device according to the invention lies in its compactness, also with regard to the cooking chamber, which is formed between the second cover, the food support, and an optional seal. Because the food support seals off the cooking chamber at the bottom in a pressure-tight manner and this has a relatively small volume compared to microwave ovens known from the prior art, the use of the device according to the invention allows for shorter cooking times and / or cooking at lower power. According to one embodiment, it is further provided to reduce the cooking chamber of the device according to the invention by means of one or more cooking chamber-reducing elements, thus easily optimizing it for various applications. For this purpose, the device according to the invention has one or more cooking chamber-reducing elements, which are to be arranged on the food support and / or on the second cover.In particular, the cooking chamber can have a standard size without the need for one or more cooking chamber reducing elements, in particular to accommodate food carriers with Gastronorm dimensions. However, if only a small portion of food is to be heated, it is advantageous to reduce the cooking chamber formed between the second cover and the food carrier by means of cooking chamber reducing elements, in this way enabling the best possible cooking time depending on the portion size. In other words, the size of the microwave chamber and the size of the pressure chamber (of the cooking chamber) can be optimized independently of one another for each new cooking process by selecting suitable cooking chamber reducing elements or by replacing the cooking chamber reducing elements used in a previous cooking process with cooking chamber reducing elements of a different size and optionally shape.The cooking space reducing element(s) provided for this purpose by the present invention is / are an element(s) of any shape, preferably made of a material that absorbs little microwave radiation, such as a closed-cell foam, in particular of expanded polypropylene.

[0033] Optionally, the cooking space-reducing element can be the previously described insert element that the food support includes. This way, it not only fulfills the function of reducing the cooking space but also directly supports the food to be heated in the microwave.

[0034] Optionally, the cooking chamber reducing element can also fulfill an additional function and have a recess for collecting condensate.

[0035] For the purposes of the present invention, a “cover” is understood in particular to mean a dimensionally stable, flat structure that is open on one side and curved, and which can, for example, have a bell-shaped or dome-shaped shape and optionally also contain one or more steps. The shape of the first cover is independent of the shape of the second cover. The second cover generally has a slightly smaller diameter than the first cover and a less pronounced curvature or height. In particular, the height of the first cover is approximately 1.5 to 2.5 times the height of the first cover, with “height” meaning the vertical extent of the cover when the edge defining the open side is in contact with a surface. The material from which the first cover and the second cover of the device according to the invention are made is also generally different.While the first cover is made of a material that is impermeable to microwave radiation, the second cover is made of a material that is at least partially permeable to microwave radiation.

[0036] In order for the first cover to shield the microwave radiation from the outside or reflect it inwards, it is advantageous for it to be made of or comprise a material with high electrical conductivity. The first cover therefore preferably comprises or comprises metal, a plastic material provided with a metal coating, or a ceramic material provided with a metal coating. Particularly preferably, the first cover is made of stainless steel, which, in addition to the required electrical conductivity, also has high strength and corrosion resistance and is easy to form. Alternatively, however, the first cover can also be made of non-stainless steel that has been provided with an anti-corrosive coating (e.g., galvanization, powder coating, enamel).Alternatively, the first cover may also be made of aluminum or copper alloys, which may offer certain advantages depending on the application environment, in particular a lower weight in the case of aluminum alloys.

[0037] The second cover is at least partially transparent to microwave radiation and is preferably made of a material selected from the group comprising or consisting of plastic, e.g. polycarbonate, glasses, ceramics and glass ceramics.

[0038] On the side of the first cover opposite the open side, the cover has an opening through which microwaves can be guided into the space between the first cover and the second cover. The microwaves are generated by the device for generating microwaves, usually a magnetron, and are preferably guided through a waveguide and the opening in the first cover to and into the cooking chamber formed by the second cover, the food support, and optionally a seal. The frequency of the generated microwaves is preferably 2.45 GHz. Furthermore, it is preferred that a holder for a wave stirrer is arranged in the opening in the first cover. The wave stirrer is driven by a motor arranged on the outside of the first cover and is designed to better distribute the microwave radiation introduced into the space between the first and second covers.This ensures that the food is heated evenly.

[0039] It is known from cooking in conventional microwave ovens that condensate forms during the cooking process. This condensate accumulates particularly on cooler surfaces, such as the walls of the microwave oven, and may drip onto the food being heated, creating an adverse sensory impression. In a preferred embodiment, the device according to the invention addresses this problem by having a condensate collecting ring arranged on or in the immediate vicinity of the edge of the second cover and having a recess for receiving condensate formed during the cooking process.

[0040] Since the second cover is advantageously dome-shaped, which reduces stresses induced by the internal pressure, condensate droplets forming on the underside of the second cover during cooking run to the edge of the second cover and collect there in the condensate collecting ring.

[0041] Optionally, the condensate collection ring of the device according to the invention is detachably arranged on the edge of the second cover, so that it can be removed from the device and emptied after the cooking process has ended. In this embodiment, the condensate collection ring can also serve as an element for reducing the cooking space. Alternatively, however, the condensate collection ring can also be formed integrally with the second cover.

[0042] According to an advantageous embodiment, the condensate collecting ring of the device according to the invention has, at the deepest point of the recess in the condensate collecting ring, a pipe leading from the cooking chamber for discharging condensate during or after the cooking process and for ventilating or de-ventilating the cooking chamber.

[0043] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the device according to the invention has an electronic pressure sensor which is designed to measure the pressure in the cooking chamber. The pressure sensor can, for example, be arranged directly in the cooking chamber, e.g. on the second cover, or in the pipe which is arranged on the condensate collecting ring. Alternatively, the pressure sensor can also be arranged at a branch on the pipe which is connected to the pipe which in turn is connected to the cooking chamber. The pressure sensor is preferably designed to measure the pressure in the cooking chamber and to transmit the measured pressure to a control unit, which can optionally be integrated into the pressure sensor or be a separate component connected to it.The control system is preferably configured to compare the pressure measured by the pressure sensor in the cooking chamber with a predefined pressure limit and, if the pressure exceeds or falls below the predefined pressure limit, to optionally issue an alarm signal and / or interrupt the cooking process. In this way, the pressure can be monitored during the cooking process, and excessive overpressures can be detected and responded to.

[0044] The device according to the invention preferably has a controllable valve arranged in or on the pipeline leading from the condensate collection ring out of the device, e.g. a solenoid valve, a pneumatically controlled valve, a hydraulically controlled valve or a passively pressure-controlled valve, which is designed to interrupt or allow the passage of fluid from one end of the pipeline to the other end of the pipeline, optionally depending on a pressure determined by the pressure sensor in the cooking chamber. Preferably, the controllable valve is arranged between the pressure sensor and the end of the pipeline located outside the device. More preferably, the controllable valve is a 2 / 2-way valve, which is usually open. As a result, a failure of the power supply automatically leads to venting of the cooking chamber and thus to the establishment of a safe operating state.

[0045] In the aforementioned arrangement, the valve fulfills three functions: In a first function, it serves as a "heat-up valve" at the beginning of the cooking process. For this purpose, it is opened for a defined time until steam begins to build up in the cooking chamber. The steam displaces the ambient air from the cooking chamber through the pipe to the outside. The valve is then closed to begin the build-up of steam pressure in the cooking chamber. The resulting saturation of the cooking chamber with water vapor increases the effectiveness of heat transfer from the steam to the food. In a second function, the valve, together with the pressure sensor, serves as a pressure relief valve during the cooking process. If excessive pressure is detected in the cooking chamber, the valve opens and reduces the pressure in a controlled manner. In a third function, the valve serves to reduce the pressure in the cooking chamber after the cooking process has been completed, which ensures that the food can be removed safely.At the same time, during this pressure reduction, the condensate collected in the condensate collection ring is automatically discharged through the pipe without the need for an additional pump or the like. According to a preferred embodiment, the device according to the invention for steam pressure cooking using microwave radiation has not just one cooking chamber, but two or more cooking chambers, each of these two or more cooking chambers being formed by a second cover and a food support, with a seal optionally arranged between them. Optionally, in this embodiment there is only one device for generating microwaves, which is set up to generate microwave radiation for all cooking chambers, or there are several devices for generating microwaves, each of which generates microwave radiation for only one cooking chamber.Regardless of the number of microwave generating devices in the device according to the invention, these are advantageously connected to the control system. The control system is configured to control the microwave radiation supplied to each cooking chamber depending on the cooking state of the food contained therein. In particular, the control system is configured to supply more microwave radiation to a cooking chamber at the beginning of a cooking process than when the food therein is already at an advanced cooking stage.The control system is preferably further configured to start the cooking processes in different cooking chambers at staggered times, so that, for example, a cooking chamber in the initial cooking phase, during which a certain steam pressure must first be built up, is supplied with microwave radiation at maximum power, while a cooking chamber in which the initial cooking phase has already ended and the certain steam pressure has already been reached is supplied with microwave radiation at reduced power. In this way, the total power consumption from the supply circuit is kept as low as possible, even with multiple cooking processes taking place in parallel.

[0046] Optionally, the device according to the invention for steam-pressure cooking of food using microwave radiation can be arranged or installed in a vehicle and operated in the vehicle. This allows for the delivery of pre-heated food and saves the customer the task of heating the food themselves after receiving the delivery.

[0047] The invention further relates to a method for steam-pressure cooking of a food by means of microwave radiation, comprising the following steps:

[0048] Providing a device for steam pressure cooking of a food by means of microwave radiation, comprising a device for generating microwave radiation, a first cover with an opening for introducing microwave radiation, a second cover arranged at a distance from the first cover and permeable to microwave radiation, and a receptacle for a food carrier impermeable to microwave radiation, wherein the device, when the food carrier is arranged in the receptacle, is designed to form a pressure-tight cooking chamber between the second cover and the food carrier and optionally a seal arranged between them;

[0049] Arranging the food carrier impermeable to microwave radiation with the food to be cooked arranged thereon in the receptacle, whereby a pressure-tight cooking chamber is formed between the second cover and the food carrier and optionally a seal arranged between them;

[0050] Generating microwave radiation by means of the device for generating microwave radiation and heating the food arranged on the food carrier by means of the generated microwave radiation.

[0051] Preferably, the device provided in the method according to the invention is a device according to the invention which can have all of the features of the device according to the invention described above in any combination.

[0052] When arranging the food carrier in the receptacle, thereby forming a pressure-tight cooking chamber, the food carrier is connected, in particular, in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner to the receptacle, which is arranged, in particular, on the second cover. For example, the receptacle can be a recess in the second cover or a rail system arranged on the second cover, into which the food carrier is inserted.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, condensate formed during the heating of the food placed on the food support collects in a recess of a condensate collection ring arranged on or in the immediate vicinity of the edge of the second cover. This condensate is preferably drained from the cooking chamber via a pipe leading out of the cooking chamber, one end of which is arranged at the lowest point of the condensate collection ring. At the other end of the pipe, it is either collected in a collecting container or directed into a wastewater connection.

[0054] In embodiments in which the device used in the method according to the invention has a controllable valve arranged in or on the pipeline, which is configured to interrupt or allow the passage of fluid from one end of the pipeline to the other end of the pipeline, optionally depending on a pressure determined by a pressure sensor in the cooking chamber, the valve preferably interrupts or opens the aforementioned passage when a certain predetermined pressure is exceeded or undershot in the cooking chamber. For example, the valve opens the passage at the beginning of a cooking process until a predetermined first pressure, determined by the pressure sensor, has built up in the cooking chamber and then closes. If, however, a predetermined second pressure is determined in the cooking chamber by the pressure sensor during the cooking process, the valve opens again and releases the passage in the pipeline.

[0055] Additionally or alternatively, the valve can also open or close independently of pressure after a certain duration of the cooking process.

[0056] Optionally, the method according to the invention also comprises a step of arranging one or more cooking space reducing elements on the food support or on the second cover in order to adapt the size of the cooking space to the size of the portion of food to be cooked.

[0057] Detailed description of the invention

[0058] The invention will now be described in more detail using exemplary embodiments and with reference to the figures, which schematically show in Figure 1 a sectional view of a device according to the invention, in Figure 2 two perspective views of devices according to the invention, in Figure 3 a further perspective view of a device according to the invention, in Figure 4 a sectional view of a further embodiment of a device according to the invention, in Figure 5 a perspective view of a further device according to the invention, and in Figure 6 a perspective view of a further device according to the invention.

[0059] Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a device 1 according to the invention, in which a food carrier 8 is arranged in the receptacle 7 (not shown). The device 1 according to the invention has a first cover 4 with an opening 5 for the introduction of microwave radiation. At a distance from the first cover 4, a second cover 6 is arranged which is permeable to microwave radiation and on which the receptacle 7 for the food carrier (not visible) is arranged. As can be seen, both covers 4, 6 are curved to the same side, with the first cover 4 being more curved than the second cover 6. In this way, a cavity is formed between the first cover 4 and the second cover 6, into which cavity microwave radiation is introduced through the opening 5 in the first cover 4 via a waveguide 15.A shaft stirrer 17, driven by a motor 16, and its holder are arranged in the opening 5. This stirrer homogeneously distributes the microwave radiation generated by a device for generating microwave radiation (not shown). The cooking chamber 9 is formed by arranging the food support 8 in the receptacle 7 between them and is pressure-tightly sealed by the seal 10.

[0060] According to the preferred embodiment, the device 1 comprises a condensate collection ring 11, which is arranged on the edge of the second cover 6 and has a recess for collecting condensate formed during the cooking process. One end of a pipe 12 is arranged in this recess, through which condensate can be drained from the device 1 and the cooking chamber 9 can be ventilated and de-aerated.

[0061] In Figure 2, in sub-figures a) and b), the device 1 according to the invention from Figure 1 is shown in perspective view, which also schematically shows the device for generating microwave radiation 3, which is in particular a magnetron. In sub-figure a), the device 1 is shown at a distance from the food support 8 with the food 2 to be cooked arranged thereon, i.e. in this arrangement there is not yet a delimited cooking chamber 9. In sub-figure b), on the other hand, the food support 8 makes contact with the device 1 according to the invention and a pressure-tight cooking chamber 9 is delimited by the second cover (not visible) and the food support 8.

[0062] Figure 3 shows a further perspective view of the arrangement of a food support 8 shown in Figure 2a at a distance from the device 1 according to the invention.

[0063] Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention in a sectional view. In this embodiment, the device 1, in addition to the components of the device 1 shown in Figure 1, also has a pressure sensor 13 and a solenoid valve as a controllable valve 14, each of which is arranged in the pipe 12 or connected thereto. The pressure sensor 13 is configured to determine the pressure in the cooking chamber 9, and the solenoid valve 14 is preferably configured to interrupt or allow the passage of fluid from one end of the pipe 12 to the other end of the pipe 12 depending on a pressure determined by the pressure sensor 13 in the cooking chamber 9. In this way, when the solenoid valve 14 is open, either air can enter the cooking chamber 9 from outside, or air, steam, and / or condensate can escape from the cooking chamber 9 to the outside.

[0064] Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention in an exploded view. This differs from the embodiment shown in Figure 3 in that the food support 8 is made up of several parts and comprises a serving tray supporting the food 2, an insulating insert element 18, and a metallic outer wall facing away from the cooking chamber 9. In contrast to the illustrated three-part embodiment of the food support 8, it can also be made up of only two parts, with the insulating insert element 18 supporting the food 2 and functioning as a serving tray. A corresponding embodiment is shown in Figure 6.

[0065] The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, in the figures and in the claims may be essential both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments.

[0066] List of reference symbols:

[0067] 1 device for steam pressure cooking

[0068] 2 food to be cooked

[0069] 3 Device for generating microwave radiation

[0070] 4 first cover

[0071] 5 Breakthrough in the first cover

[0072] 6 second cover

[0073] 7 Recording

[0074] 8 food carriers

[0075] 9 Cooking chamber

[0076] 10 Seal

[0077] 11 Condensate collecting ring

[0078] 12 Pipeline

[0079] 13 Pressure sensor

[0080] 14 controllable valve

[0081] 15 waveguides

[0082] 16 Engine

[0083] 17 shaft stirrers

[0084] 18 Insert element

[0085] 19 Cooking chamber reducing element

Claims

Claims 1. Device (1) for steam pressure cooking of a food item (2) by means of microwave radiation, comprising a device for generating microwave radiation (3), characterized by a first cover (4) with an opening (5) for introducing microwave radiation, a second cover (6) arranged at a distance from the first cover (4) and permeable to microwave radiation, and a receptacle (7) for a food carrier (8) impermeable to microwave radiation, wherein the device, when the food carrier (8) is arranged in the receptacle (7), is designed to form a pressure-tight cooking chamber (9) between the second cover (6) and the food carrier (8) and optionally a seal (10) arranged between them, wherein the food carrier (8) forms part of the cooking chamber (9) and closes it off in a pressure-tight manner.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized by a condensate collecting ring (11) which is arranged on or in the immediate vicinity of the edge of the second cover (6) and has a recess for receiving condensate formed during the cooking process.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the condensate collecting ring (11) is removably arranged on the edge of the second cover (6).

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second cover (6) is curved in the direction of the first cover (4) and / or is made of a material selected from the group comprising or consisting of plastic, glasses, ceramics and glass ceramics.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the condensate collecting ring (11) has, at the deepest point of the recess, a pipe (12) leading from the cooking chamber (9) for discharging condensate and for ventilating or de-ventilating the cooking chamber (9).

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a pressure sensor (13) which is arranged to measure the pressure in the cooking chamber (9).

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a controllable valve (14) arranged in or on the pipeline (13), which is designed to interrupt or allow the passage of fluid from one end of the pipeline (12) to the other end of the pipeline (12), optionally depending on a pressure determined by the pressure sensor (13) in the cooking chamber (9).

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the food support (8) comprises an outer side made of or with metal which, when arranged in the receptacle (7), faces away from the cooking chamber (9), and an insulating insert element (18) facing the cooking chamber (9).

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the insulating insert element (18) is made of plastic and / or porcelain.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by one or more cooking space reducing element(s) (19) which are designed to reduce the cooking space (9) by being arranged on the food support (8) and / or on the second cover (6).

11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the insulating insert element (18) is a cooking space reducing element (19).

12. A method for steam-pressure cooking of a food by means of microwave radiation, comprising the following steps: Providing a device (1) for steam-pressure cooking a food item (2) by means of microwave radiation, comprising a device (3) for generating microwave radiation, a first cover (4) with an opening (5) for introducing microwave radiation, a second cover (6) arranged at a distance from the first cover (5) and permeable to microwave radiation, and a receptacle (7) for a food carrier (8) impermeable to microwave radiation, wherein the device, when the food carrier (8) is arranged in the receptacle (7), is designed to form a pressure-tight cooking chamber (9) between the second cover (6) and the food carrier (8) and optionally a seal (10) arranged between them; Arranging the food carrier (8) impermeable to microwave radiation with the food (2) arranged thereon in the receptacle (7), whereby a pressure-tight cooking chamber (9) is formed between the second cover (6) and the food carrier (8) and optionally a seal (10) arranged between them; Generating microwave radiation by means of the device (3) for generating microwave radiation and heating the food (2) arranged on the food support (8) by means of the generated microwave radiation.

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that condensate formed during the heating of the food (2) arranged on the food support (8) collects in a recess of a condensate collecting ring (11) arranged on or in the immediate vicinity of the edge of the second cover (6).

14. The method according to one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the provided device (1) has, at the deepest point of the recess of the condensate collecting ring (11), a pipe (12) leading out of the cooking chamber (9) for discharging condensate and for ventilating or de-aerating the cooking chamber (9) and, in addition, has a controllable valve (14) arranged in or on the pipe (12), wherein the controllable valve (14) interrupts or allows the passage of fluid from one end of the pipe (12) to the other end of the pipe (12) depending on a pressure determined by a pressure sensor (13) in the cooking chamber (9).

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the provided device (1 ) has a control and wherein the control adjusts the intensity of the microwave radiation supplied to the cooking chamber (9) depending on the cooking state of the food (2) and / or depending on the pressure determined by the pressure sensor (13) in the cooking chamber (9).

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