Devices for prolonging the quality of warm foods

A device for prolonging the quality of a warm food item contained within die device, comprising:

• an enclosure configured to receive the warm food item, the enclosure including:
• a floor,
• a ceiling opposite the floor,
• a roof spaced above the ceiling;
• sidewalls comprised of a thermally insulating material extending from the floor to the roof and defining an opening, the sidewalls, the floor, and the roof collectively defining an interior void of the enclosure;
• and
• a door operatively connected to the sidewalls in a position covering the opening in a closed position and configured to selectively move to an open position to provide access to the interior void through the opening:
• a shelf mounted to the enclosure within the interior void, the shelf including a top surface configured to support the warm food item;
• a convection heat source mounted inside the enclosure above the shelf and proximate the sidewalls and configured to direct heated air within the enclosure from a plurality of positions, the convection heat source including:
• a pipe defining heated air ports along the length of the pipe;
• a heating element mounted within the pipe;
• a substantially planar radiant heat source mounted to the sidewalls inside the enclosure and configured to irradiate the enclosure and the warm food item supported on the shelf;
• a ventilation system mounted to the enclosure and configured to move air through the enclosure, the ventilation system including:
• an exhaust tan mounted in the roof, the exhaust tan configured to direct air within the enclosure out of the enclosure;
• and
• a vent defined in the sidewalls proximate the floor and below the shelf, the vent configured to supply fresh air from outside the enclosure into the enclosure;
• and
• an air directing system configured to direct air within the enclosure towards the warm food item when the warm food item is supported on the top surface of the shelf, the air directing system including:
• a ceiling fan mounted to the ceiling and configured to direct air towards the top surface of the shelf;
• a floor fan mounted to the floor underneath the shelf and configured to direct air towards the ceiling.