Multi-product cooking computer

Abstract

An indicating type timing device for use in fast food preparation is provided to time cooking processes in which a food product is cooked by immersing it in a heated cooking medium. Since various food products, such as french fries, fried onion rings, fried fish, and the like require different cooking times, the unit is adapted to properly time the cooking of these different products, irrespective of the initial temperature of the food product or the cooking time. The timing device uses a voltage controlled oscillator and associated counting circuit. The base frequency of the oscillator is set by the charge on the capacitor in one of a selected series of RC timing circuits. A thermistor continually measures the temperature of the cooking medium (such as shortening) and produces a voltage that varies the base frequency of the oscillator (increasing the frequency for increased measured temperatures). When the counting circuit has received a pre-determined number of pulses, it actuates a warning system advising the operator that the cooking is complete. The frequency of oscillation varies as a logarithmic function of the thermistor voltage. Similarly, required cooking time is a logarithmic function of cooking temperature. Consequently, operations on the proper portion of the respective curves assures uniformity of cooking times. A series of gang switches allow the operator to adjust the length of cooking time for the food product being cooked by using different resistors in the RC circuit. The unit may also operate in parallel for multiple cooking units, utilizing the same warning signal system. Comparative output voltages from the thermistor are also used to actuate lights advising the operator when the shortening has reached the desired temperature so that cooking may commence, and also to actuate an overheat warning circuit.