Convection Oven

Abstract

A convection oven having a vapor collection system; water injection system; easily accessible electrical components; and a variable-speed, reversible blower is disclosed. The vapor collection system collects vapor from the cooking chamber during a cooking event, condenses the vapor, and drains the condensed vapor. The water injection system injects water for impact against a blower wheel for dispersion into the air circulating through the cooking chamber. The electrical components are housed within a housing that in a closed position conceals the components and in a closed position exposes the components for easy access. The rotational speed and direction of the variable-speed, reversible blower is controlled during a cooking event according to predetermined speed curves which may include one or more reversal events to achieve more uniform cooking of food. A main controller is programmable via an operator input (e.g., liquid crystal display touch screen) to control operating parameters of the oven.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . An oven for cooking food, the oven comprising:
 a cooking chamber for receiving the food,   a recirculation conduit for circulating gas from the cooking chamber back to the cooking chamber,   a blower wheel in the recirculation conduit,   a heater for heating the gas, and   a water delivery system for delivering water to the blower wheel.   
     
     
         16 . An oven as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the blower wheel is located above the cooking chamber and mounted to rotate about a generally vertical axis, the blower wheel including a plurality of blades.