High humidity steam cooker with continuously running conveyor

Abstract

A steam cooker processes large quantities of food products such as meat, fish, poultry and produce passed therethrough in a spiral conveyor path. The continuously running conveyor is provided with loading and unloading stations outside the cooker and with a continuously operable spray detergent cleaning bath. Efficient cooking is achieved without loss of humidity, flavor or appearance by maintaining water drop free steam at near 100.degree. C. and 100% humidity at a pressure greater than atmospheric and by features of the apparatus including control of steam flow out of the cooking chamber and introduction of cold air thereinto. Two separate steam sources, internal and external, are provided with the internal source comprising a heated pool of water on the floor of the cooker chamber, which is agitated for heat transfer efficiency and to remove fat or drippings from the cooking products. Sanitation means include mounting of machinery parts outside the cooker, access to all sides of the cooking chamber for cleaning, an internal cleaning spray system and other apparatus features.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.