Clamshell griddle with adjustable upper platen

Abstract

A vertically adjustable upper platen is useable with, e.g., a clamshell-type steam griddle, in which the vertical position of the upper cooking surface can be precisely and repeatably controlled. The upper platen includes a vertical adjustment mechanism which utilizes multiple mechanical reductions to facilitate rapid and precise adjustments of the vertical platen position in small increments, while retaining traditional and cost-effective control mechanisms and motors. The vertically adjustable platen may also include a leveler assembly which allows the upper platen to self-adjust into a level orientation relative to the lower platen when the upper platen is lowered into contact with the lower platen, and then hold the level orientation when the upper platen is raised to create a cooking space between the upper and lower cooking surfaces. The steam griddle may further include a counterweight system functionally connected at a pivot connection between the moveable upper platen assembly and the stationary lower platen assembly, which is operable to automatically pivot the upper platen assembly into its open configuration and selectively hold the upper platen assembly in its closed configuration.