GB2143707A

GB2143707A - Trivet for microwave oven

Info

Publication number: GB2143707A
Application number: GB08405275A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kenneth Ian Eke
Original assignee: Microwave Ovens Ltd
Current assignee: Microwave Ovens Ltd
Priority date: 1983-07-21
Filing date: 1984-02-29
Publication date: 1985-02-13
Also published as: GB2143707B; JPH0235903B2; GB8319726D0; JPS6038531A; GB8405275D0

Abstract

A trivet for a microwave oven comprises a rectangular metal panel (18) having a series of perforations therein. The panel (18) and tray (10) together enclose a space which is shielded from microwave energy. In use, fat and other deposits draining through the perforations from food cooked on or above the trivet, collects in the tray (10) where it is shielded from microwave energy thereby preventing spitting and vaporisation of the fat. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Trivet for a microwave oven Field of the invention This invention relates to a trivet for a microwave oven.

Background to the invention A known trivet for a microwave oven rests on a rotating turntable or stationary tray and supports the food to be cooked. When cooking meat, particularly lamb, the fat draining from the meat passes through apertures in the trivet and into the dished turntable where it continues to absorb energy so that it eventually vaporises and gives off clouds of fat smoke which fill the oven and find their way into the surroundings, particularly when the oven door is opened. A main object of the invention is to provide a trivet in which this problem is substantially overcome.

Summary ofthe invention According to one aspect of the invention a trivet for a microwave oven comprises a square or rectangular panel of a perforate or mesh material which substantially prevents the passage of microwave energy through the panel, in use the panel being supported above a square or rectangular metal tray so as to enclose, between the trivet and the tray, a space for the collection of fat and other deposits draining through the perforate panel from food cooked in the oven.

The panel may be made from any material which allows fat and other juices to drain therethrough whilst blocking the passage of microwave energy. A preferred material is a metal mesh stamped or formed from a sheet, but the panel may be woven from wire to form a mesh of the required density.

In the case of a metal panel, it is desirable to prevent any metal-to-metal contact between the panel and the tray, and this is conveniently achieved by stove enamelling the tray, or the panel or (most preferably) both the panel and the tray. Alternatively, a spacer of a non-electrically conducting material may be provided to be interposed between the trivet and tray, and this spacer may be a separate component or may be attached to either the trivet or the tray.

The trivet and tray may be used in association with a rectangular stand which supports food above the trivet. This enables certain foods like joints of meat to be cooked on the stand where they absorb the desired high degree of microwave energy, and foods such as potatoes to be placed on the trivet, where the microwave energy is less because of the presence of the panel. The combination of the trivet and stand therefore enables a joint of meat and potatoes, for example, to be cooled simultaneously and for the same cooking time, without the potatoes sbsorbing too much microwave energy and becoming too soft, which has been a problem in the past.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a square or rectangular trivet for a microwave oven in combination with a square or rectangular metal tray, the trivet being apertured to permit the passage therethrough of fats or juices and the trivet being supportable on the tray so as to enclose, between the trivet and the tray, a space for the collection of the fats or juices draining through the trivet from food cooked in the oven on or above the trivet, the trivet and the tray substantially preventing microwave energy from reaching said space.

A trivet according to the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings which show the trivet used in combination with a tray and a stand. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the tray, trivet and stand in their operative positions, and Figure 2 is a sectional view showing the tray, trivet and stand separated.

Detailed description of the drawings The rectangular tray 10 is a conventional metal tray having a base 12, and an upstanding rim 14.

The trivet 18 comprises a slightly dished, rectangular panel 20 of a mesh material having apertures sufficiently closely spaced to prevent the passage of microwave energy through the panel. The trivet 18 and the tray 10 are each stove enamelled. A peripheral edge 22 of the panel 20 rests on the rim 14 of the tray 10 when the trivet 18 is placed in position on the tray 10 (Figure 1).

Above the trivet 18 there may be arranged a rectangular stand 24 having a top in the form of a wire rack 26 and three legs 28 which rest on the panel 20 so as to support the rack 26 in spaced relationship above the trivet 18. In use, the trivet 18 and stand 24 are placed on the tray 10, as shown in Figure 1. Foods such as joints of meat which require substantial amounts of microwave energy to cook, are placed on the wire rack 26. Potatoes, which need somewhat less microwave energy to cook, are placed on the trivet 18. It will be appreciated that the energy density in a region immediately above the trivet 18 is substantially less than higher up in the microwave oven because of the presence of the perforated mesh of the trivet 18.This area of reduced microwave energy density enables meat and potatoes, for example, to be placed in the oven simultaneously and to be subjected to the same cooking time, thereby avoiding the need for differential cooking times as has beeri common hitherto.

Any fat or other deposits which drain from the food being cooked pass through the mesh of the trivet 18 and into the space between the trivet 18 and the tray 10. Microwave energy cannot reach this space and hence the fat does not have any tendency to vaporise. In consequence, fat smoke is not produced.

The trivet 18, tray 10 and stand 24 were designed to be used in a domestic microwave oven in which microwave energy is produced simultaneously with hot air flow, generated by forcing air by means of a fan over electrical heating elements. The microwave energy may be fed into the oven through the base thereof, in which case the tray may act as a shield to disperse and equalise microwave energy throughout the oven cavity.

Claims

1. A trivet for a microwave oven, the trivet comprising a square or rectangular panel of a perforate or mesh material which substantially prevents the passage of microwave energy through the panel, in use the panel being supported above a square or rectangular metal tray so as to enclose, between the trivet and the tray, a space for the collection of fat and other deposits draining through the perforate panel from food cooked in the oven.

2. A trivet according to claim 1, wherein the panel is formed from a metal sheet.

3. A trivet according to claim 2, wherein the panel is stove enamelled.

4. A square or rectangular metal trivet for a microwave oven in combination with a square or rectangular metal tray, the trivet being apertured to permit the passage therethrough of fats or juices and the trivet being supportable on the tray so as to enclose, between the trivet and the tray, a space for the collection of the fats or juices draining through the trivet from food cooked in the oven on or above the trivet, the trivet and the tray substantially preventing microwave energy from reaching said space, and electrical insulating means being provided to prevent metal-to-metal contact between the trivet and the tray.

5. A trivet and tray according to claim 4, wherein the electrical insulating means is provided by stove enamelling the trivet and/or the tray.

6. A trivet and tray according to claim 4, wherein the electrical insulating means is provided by a spacer of a non-electrically conducting material interposed between the trivet and tray.

7. A trivet and tray according to any of claims 4 to 6 and in association with a rectangular stand for supporting food above the trivet.

8. A microwave oven having a trivet and tray according to any of claims 4 to 7, wherein the oven produces microwave power simultaneously with a forced flow of hot air through the oven cavity.

9. A trivet for a microwave oven substantially as herein particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings.