Apparatus for accelerating heat transfer on flat griddles and methods for using such apparatus

A toasting apparatus for a flat griddle for preparing food products, comprising:

• a rigid frame comprising a first end, a second end, a length between the first and second ends, and a lower surface along the length for positioning above a griddle surface of a flat griddle;
• and
• a plurality of flexible members on the frame and spaced apart from one another along the length, each flexible member comprising opposite ends fixed to the frame and an intermediate region between the opposite ends extending from the lower surface to contact food products on the griddle surface, the flexible members formed from material configured to conform to shapes of food products placed on the griddle surface when the frame is placed above the griddle surface and apply pressure to the food products,
• wherein the flexible members are formed from silicone.

A cooking apparatus for preparing food products, comprising:

• a griddle comprising a flat griddle surface onto which food products may be placed for cooking;
• and
• a cover comprising:
• a rigid frame movable between a raised position to place food products on or remove food products from the griddle surface and a lowered position wherein a lower surface of the frame is positioned above the griddle surface, the frame comprising a first end, a second end, and a length between the first and second ends;
• and
• a plurality of flexible members on the frame and spaced apart from one another along the length, each flexible member comprising opposite ends fixed to the frame and an intermediate region between the opposite ends extending from the lower surface to contact food products on the griddle surface, the flexible members formed from material configured to conform to shapes of food products placed on the griddle surface when the frame is placed in the lowered position to apply pressure to the food products,
• wherein each flexible member comprises a strip including opposite ends fixed to the frame and a curved intermediate region extending between the opposite ends.

A method for preparing food products on a flat griddle, comprising:

• placing one or more food products on a griddle surface of the griddle;
• and
• placing a cover in a lowered position above the griddle surface, the cover comprising a rigid frame and a plurality of flexible members on the frame and spaced apart from one another such that intermediate regions of the flexible members conform to shapes of the food products to apply pressure to the food products,
• wherein each flexible member comprises a strip including opposite ends fixed to the frame and a curved intermediate region extending between the opposite ends.