GB2263764A

GB2263764A - A pizza oven

Info

Publication number: GB2263764A
Application number: GB9202179A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Derek Howarth; Margaret Howarth
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-02-01
Filing date: 1992-02-01
Publication date: 1993-08-04
Anticipated expiration: 2012-02-01
Also published as: GB9202179D0; GB2263764B

Abstract

A pizza oven comprises a receptacle in which a pizza can be placed for baking and which is defined by a base 2 and a lid 3. Separate electrical heating elements 10, 11 are located in the base and the lid, each with a variable temperature regulator which can be set independently of one another, in this way the amounts of heat imparted to a topping and a base of the pizza during the baking process can be different. Preferably, the heating element 11 in the lid has a power rating of the order of 200 watts greater than the power rating of the heating element 10 in the base so that for a given cooking time, the topping of the pizza can be cooked thoroughly without its base being overcooked. <IMAGE>

Description

A PIZZA OVEN The present invention relates to a pizza oven and in particular to a pizza oven suitable for domestic use.

Purpose built conventional pizza ovens are generally in the form of an open-fronted oven like a grill in which a pizza to be baked is placed on a tray which can be slid into the oven. They are usually for commercial use and can bake several pizzas at one time. As a result they tend to be large and unsuitable for use in the home.

The object of the present invention is to provide a pizza oven which is smaller than conventional ovens and is suitable for domestic use.

According to the present invention there is provided a pizza oven comprising a receptacle in which a pizza can be placed for baking and which is defined by a base and a lid, and separate electrical heating elements located in the base and the lid, and characterised in that each heating element is provided with a variable temperature regulator, which can be set independently of one another so that the amounts of heat imparted to a topping and a base of the pizza during the baking process can be different.

Preferably, the heating elements have different power ratings.

Preferably also, the heating element in the lid has a higher power rating than the heating element in the base.

Preferably also, the heating element in the lid has a power rating of the order of 200 watts greater than the power rating of the heating element in the base.

Preferably also, the power rating of the heating element in the lid is of the order of 600 watts and the power rating of the heating element in the base is of the order of 400 watts.

Preferably also, the heating element in the base is covered by a tray on which the pizza can be placed.

Preferably also, the heating element in the lid is uncovered with respect to the pizza and operates in the manner of a grill.

Preferably also, the tray is detachable and can be removed from the oven with the pizza.

Preferably also, the lid is hinged to the base.

An example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a pizza oven according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the oven shown in Figure 1.

A pizza oven as shown in the drawings comprises a receptacle 1 defined by a base 2 and a lid 3 of circular shape and of suitable dimensions to hold a pizza. The base 2 and the lid 3 are connected together by a projecting hinge 4 which carries a cover 5 housing electrical controllers for the oven as will be described. The base 2 is provided with non-slip feet 6 and the lid is provided with a handle 7 positioned opposite the hinge 4 to facilitate the lid 3 being opened. An electrical socket may also be provided on the base 2 to accommodate a detachable lead.

The interiors 8 and 9 of the base 2 and the lid 3 respectively are filled with an insulating material so that the exterior of the oven remains cool to the touch during use. Any suitable insulating material can be used such as rock wool.

Above the insulation in the interior 8 of the base 2 is located an electrical heating element 10 which is connected to an electrical controller located within the housing 5. Similarly, an electrical heating element 11 is located below the insulation within the lid 3 and is also connected to a controller within the housing 5. The element 10 in the base is covered by a heat conducting tray 12 on which a pizza 13 can be placed. The tray 12 preferably has a non-stick coating and in one embodiment of the invention can be removed from the base 2.

Alternatively, a suitably sized and shaped spatula can be provided to lift a cooked pizza from the tray 12.

As the lower element 10 is covered by the tray 12, heat is imparted to a base 14 of the pizza 13 indirectly whereas the upper element 11 is uncovered and acts in the manner of a grill to cook a topping 15 of the pizza 13.

The lower and upper elements 10 and 11 are each provided with a variable temperature regulator located inside the casing 5. On top of the casing 5 are two control knobs 16 and 17 for these regulators. Because the regulators operate independently from one another, the amounts of heat imparted to the topping 15 and the base 14 of the pizza 13 during the baking process can be different. Thus the oven is suitable for baking pizzas which are uncooked, with various thicknesses of base 14, and those where the base 14 is pre-cooked, requiring only re-heating, and the topping 15 is uncooked.

In addition, the elements 10 and 11 preferably have different power ratings, the heating element 11 having a power rating of the order of 200 watts greater than the power rating of the heating element 10. This is to ensure that for a given cooking time the topping 15 can be cooked thoroughly without the base 14 being overcooked. Power ratings of 400 watts and 600 watts are suitable for the elements 10 and 11 respectively to ensure that there is sufficient variability in heat output between the elements 10 and 11 whilst still enabling them to output sufficient heat to cook most pizzas satisfactorily in a reasonable time.

A timer is located within the casing 5 and is linked to a dial 18 located above the casing 5 between the knobs 16 and 17. The timer rings a bell after the time set via the dial 18 has elapsed.

Indicator lights (not shown) are also provided to indicate to the user when the oven is connected to an electricity supply, for example by being plugged into a mains supply, and when the elements 9 and 10 have reached their maximum operating temperature as set via the control knobs 16 and 17. An on/off switch can also be provided but is not essential.

In use, a user connects the oven to an electricity supply and sets the control knobs 16 and 17 for the regulators to the required baking temperatures according to the type of pizza to be baked. When the indicator light operates to show that the elements 10 and 11 have reached the required temperatures, the pizza 13 to be baked is placed on the tray 12 and the lid 3 is closed. The timer should then be set via the dial 18 for the appropriate cooking time. Normally, the elements 10 and 11 will take up to four minutes to heat up to the correct temperature and thereafter the pizza will take a further three to five minutes to cook. After the pre-set baking time has elapsed, the timer will operate to ring a bell to alert the user who can then switch the oven off and remove the pizza from the oven for consumption.

The oven is easy to clean and maintain as normally only the tray 12 needs washing after use. It will also be appreciated that although the oven can be used in any situation, its size and speed of operation makes it particularly suitable for domestic use.

Claims

1. A pizza oven comprising a receptacle in which a pizza can be placed for baking and which is defined by a base and a lid, and separate electrical heating elements located in the base and the lid, and characterised in that each heating element is provided with a variable temperature regulator, which can be set independently of one another so that the amounts of heat imparted to a topping and a base of the pizza during the baking process can be different.

2. An oven as claimed in Claim 1, in which the heating elements have different power ratings.

3. An oven as claimed in Claim 2, in which the heating element in the lid has a higher power rating than the heating element in the base.

4. An oven as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, in which the heating element in the lid has a power rating of the order of 200 watts greater than the power rating of the heating element in the base.

5. An oven as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 4, in which the power rating of the heating element in the lid is of the order of 600 watts and the power rating of the heating element in the base is of the order of 400 watts.

6. An oven as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, in which the heating element in the lid is uncovered with respect to the pizza and operates in the manner of a grill.

7. An oven as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, in which the heating element in the base is covered by a tray on which the pizza can be placed.

8. An oven as claimed in Claim 7, in which the tray is detachable and can be removed from the oven with the pizza.

9. An oven as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, in which the lid is hinged to the base.

10. A pizza oven substantially as described herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings.