Atmospheric steamer

An atmospheric steamer, comprising:

• a steam chamber defined at least in part by a housing;
• a water retaining area including at least one associated heating element for heating the water to generate steam which is provided to the steam chamber;
• a vent opening through the housing which leads to a vent passage for venting gases from the steam chamber;
• a sensor positioned along the vent passage for sensing the passage of steam along the vent passage;
• and
• a controller for receiving an output from the sensor and for controlling the heating element, the controller operable during a steaming operation to effect water heating responsively to the output received from the sensor;
• and
• a steam diverting baffle positioned around the vent opening to define a passage which leads to the vent opening, the baffle defining a passage opening for permitting steam to migrate towards the vent opening along the passage, the passage opening positioned to force steam to turn downward before proceeding toward the vent opening, the passage including at least one drainage outlet for permitting steam which condenses in the passage to pass back to the water retaining area for further heating.

A method of atmospheric steaming, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) positioning a baffle within a steam chamber about a vent opening of the steam chamber to define a passage for causing steam to turn downward en route to the vent opening;
• (b) condensing steam in the passage producing condensate;
• (c) providing at least one drain outlet along the passage;
• (d) returning condensate to a water heating area of the steam chamber through the drain outlet.