Steam oven system having steam generator with controlled fill process

A steam cooker comprising:

• a heating chamber defining a volume for holding water, the heating chamber including a water inlet and a steam outlet;
• a heating unit associated with the heating chamber in order to heat water in the heating chamber so as to generate steam;
• a steam path from the steam outlet to a steam cooking chamber;
• a heating chamber control system associated with the heating chamber for controlling water filling and heating operations of the heating chamber, during normal steaming operations water level varies between a higher level and a lower level in accordance with steam exiting the heating chamber and replacement water being added back to the heating chamber, wherein during an initial fill operation of the heating chamber the heating chamber control system operates to control water flow into the tank and heating of the water so that a substantial majority of water volume expansion due to temperature increase occurs prior to water level in the tank reaching the higher level.

A steam cooker comprising:

• a heating chamber defining a volume for holding water, the heating chamber including a water inlet and a steam outlet;
• a heating unit associated with the heating chamber in order to heat water in the heating chamber so as to generate steam;
• a steam path from the steam outlet to a steam cooking chamber;
• a heating chamber control system associated with the heating chamber for controlling water filling and heating operations of the heating chamber, during normal steaming operations water level varies between a higher level and a lower level in accordance with steam exiting the heating chamber and replacement water being added back to the heating chamber, wherein during an initial fill operation of the heating chamber the heating chamber control system operates to control water flow into the tank and heating of the water so that when the water level initially reaches the higher level a temperature of the water is at least 190° F.

A steam cooker comprising:

• a heating chamber defining a volume for holding water, the heating chamber including a water inlet and a steam outlet;
• a heating unit associated with the heating chamber in order to heat water in the heating chamber so as to generate steam;
• a steam path from the steam outlet to a steam cooking chamber;
• a heating chamber control system associated with the heating chamber for controlling water filling and heating operations of the heating chamber in reference to a first water level, a second water level and a third water level, the second water level above the first water level and below the third water level, wherein:
• (i) during an initial fill operation of the heating chamber the heating chamber control system operates such that water flow into the heating chamber is at least temporarily stopped or restricted when the water reaches the first water level;
• (ii) during regular steam production steam exits the heating chamber through the steam outlet and water level in the heating chamber is varied between the third water level and the second water level, when water level drops to the second water level, the heating chamber control system operates such that water flows into the heating chamber through the water inlet at a refill flow rate slow enough to enable continued generation of steam until water level again rises to the third water level.