Steam cooking apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional steam cooking apparatuses do not allow for the simultaneous cooking of different types of food at varying levels, limiting cooking flexibility and separation of food items.
Innovation Solution
A steam cooking apparatus with a cooking chamber, steam generator, heating chamber, and perforated food support system that includes a basket and lid plate, allowing for different cooking levels and air flow conditions, enabling the cooking of multiple food items at different heights with a circulatory flow of steam-laden air.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional steam cooker uses a single cooking chamber with uniform air flow, then the cooking process is simple and easy to operate, but different types of food cannot be cooked simultaneously at different levels
Solution Approach 1:
The food support is divided into multiple independent components: a base, a perforated basket for first food items, and a separate plate for second food items. This segmentation allows each component to be positioned independently to create different cooking zones with varying air flow characteristics, enabling simultaneous cooking of different food types at different levels while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes vertical dimension by stacking food items at different heights - first food items in the basket and second food items on the plate above. This vertical arrangement creates distinct air flow paths and cooking environments at different levels, allowing versatile simultaneous cooking without increasing horizontal complexity
2Ease of operation
If a solid plate is used to support food items, then food items are stable and contained, but air flow and steam circulation are blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The plate is designed with selective permeability - it is solid enough to contain and support second food items effectively, yet incorporates features (such as being positioned above the basket or having selective openings) that allow steam and air to pass through to reach first food items in the basket below, thus maintaining both food containment and steam circulation functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The basket is made with perforated sides allowing air and steam to flow through while containing first food items. The combination of the perforated basket and the plate creates a system where steam can penetrate through multiple levels, ensuring both food containment and effective steam circulation for efficient cooking
3Productivity
If multiple food items are cooked simultaneously in the same chamber, then cooking efficiency increases, but cross-contamination of odors and flavors may occur
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the cooking chamber into distinct zones using the basket and plate arrangement, different food items are physically separated at different levels. This segmentation allows simultaneous cooking of multiple food items while minimizing odor and flavor cross-contamination, as each food item cooks in its own localized environment
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical stacking of food items at different heights creates separate cooking micro-environments. First food items in the basket and second food items on the plate experience different air flow patterns and steam concentrations, enabling efficient simultaneous cooking while preventing harmful cross-contamination of odors and flavors
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables flexible cooking of various food items at different heights, improving cooking efficiency and ease of cleaning, while maintaining controlled air flow and steam circulation for optimal cooking results.
Implementation Method 1
a heating arrangement located within the heating chamber for heating air laden with steam; a vent arrangement between the cooking chamber and the heating chamber to allow a circulatory flow of steam laden air between the heating chamber and the cooking chamber
Implementation Method 2
a steam generator for generating steam to be provided to the cooking chamber
Implementation Method 3
a basket having perforated sides to allow air to flow through the basket, for containing first food items to be cooked; a plate for mounting over the basket, wherein the plate is for supporting second food items to be cooked
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking apparatus has a cooking chamber and a heating chamber adjacent the cooking chamber used for heating air laden with steam. Air and steam is circulated between the cooking chamber and the heating chamber, through a vent arrangement. A food support is provided for mounting in the cooking chamber, having at least perforated basket and a lid plate for mounting over the basket. This enables two different cooking characteristics, at different height in the cooking chamber.