PELLET-FED PIZZA OVEN

TECHNICAL FIELD

The following relates to one or more cooking systems, including a pellet-fed pizza oven.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED TECHNOLOGY

Fuel sources are used to heat cooking devices to prepare food. Such cooking devices may ignite the fuel source(s) to heat a cooking surface or a cooking chamber where food is placed to cook. For example, pizza ovens may include a cooking chamber having a cooking surface (e.g., a pizza stone). The pizza oven's fuel source(s) may be ignited, which may heat the cooking chamber and cooking surface to cook a pizza or other food item.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an example of a system that supports a pellet-fed pizza oven in accordance with examples as disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a pellet-fed pizza oven in accordance with examples as disclosed herein.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a pellet-fed pizza oven in accordance with examples as disclosed herein.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a hopper assembly for a pellet-fed pizza oven in accordance with examples as disclosed herein.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a hopper assembly for a pellet-fed pizza oven in accordance with examples as disclosed herein.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a pellet-fed pizza oven in accordance with examples as disclosed herein.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a pellet-fed pizza oven in accordance with examples as disclosed herein.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a motor and drive shaft assembly in accordance with examples as disclosed herein.

FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of a pizza oven that supports a pellet-fed pizza oven in accordance with examples as disclosed herein.

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart illustrating a method or methods that support pellet-fed pizza oven in accordance with examples as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Many cooking devices utilize a fuel source to cook food. For example, pizza ovens are a popular cooking device that utilize various fuel sources to cook a pizza. Because pizzas are often cooked at relatively high temperatures (e.g., above 500° F.), fuel sources such as natural gas and propane are often used. Although such fuel sources may be relatively simple to ignite and maintain, these fuel sources do not result in pizzas having an authentic wood-fired (e.g., smoky) flavor. In some instances, alternative fuel sources such as wood and coal may be utilized to give the pizzas a more-authentic flavor. However, such fuel sources are often difficult to maintain. Accordingly, a pizza oven that utilizes a fuel source that gives pizzas an authentic, wood-fired flavor while being relatively easy to maintain is desirable.

A pizza oven that utilizes a fuel source that gives pizzas an authentic, wood-fired flavor while being relatively easy to maintain is described herein. In some examples, a pizza oven may utilize a combustible fuel source, such as wood pellets. The combustible fuel source may be stored in a hopper that is operably connected to an auger. The auger may provide (e.g., periodically) the fuel to a burn pot, where the fuel is ignited to heat a cooking surface. In some instances, the auger may provide the fuel to the burn pot at a rate that is associated with a cooking temperature of the oven. For example, the auger may provide the fuel to the burn pot at a relatively higher rate to increase the cooking temperature of the oven. By utilizing the combustible fuel source and auger, the pizza oven may cook pizzas having an authentic, wood-fired flavor. Moreover, the auger may be managed (e.g., operated) by a controller, which may result in the pizza oven being relatively simple to operate.

Features of the disclosure are illustrated and described in the context of systems, pellet-fed pizza ovens, motor and drive shaft assemblies, and hopper assemblies as described with reference to FIGS. 1-8. Features of the disclosure are further illustrated and described in the context of block diagrams and flowcharts as described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a system 100 that supports a pellet-fed pizza oven in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The system 100 includes a pizza oven 105 coupled with a mobile device 135. The pizza oven 105 may include a controller 110, a memory device 120, a hopper assembly 125, and an interface 130, among other components. In some instances, the pizza oven 105 may operate according to one or more inputs received from the mobile device 135, via the interface 130, or both. The pizza oven 105 may utilize a combustible fuel (e.g., stored to a portion of the hopper assembly 125) for cooking pizzas or other food items. By utilizing the combustible fuel source, the pizza oven 105 may cook pizzas having an authentic, wood-fired flavor. Moreover, the hopper assembly 125 may be managed (e.g., operated) by the controller 110, which may result in the pizza oven 105 being relatively simple to operate.

The pizza oven 105 may include a controller 110 (e.g., a memory controller 110) and one or more memory devices 120. A memory device 120 may include one or more memory arrays of any type of memory cells (e.g., non-volatile memory cells, volatile memory cells, or any combination thereof). The controller 110 may include hardware such as one or more integrated circuits or discrete components, a buffer memory, or a combination thereof. The hardware may include circuitry with dedicated (e.g., hard-coded) logic to perform the operations ascribed herein to the controller 110. The controller 110 may be or include a microcontroller, special purpose logic circuitry (e.g., a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP)), or any other suitable processor or processing circuitry.

The controller 110 may also include a local memory 115. In some cases, the local memory 115 may include read-only memory (ROM) or other memory that may store operating code (e.g., executable instructions) executable by the controller 110 to perform functions ascribed herein to the controller 110. In some cases, the local memory 115 may additionally, or alternatively, include static random access memory (SRAM) or other memory that may be used by the controller 110 for internal storage or calculations, for example, related to the functions ascribed herein to the controller 110.

The controller 110 may be coupled with one or more memory devices 120. A memory device 120 may include one or more arrays of volatile or non-volatile memory cells. For example, a memory device 120 may include NAND (e.g., NAND flash) memory, dynamic random-access (DRAM) memory, or any other type of volatile or non-volatile memory. The one or more memory devices 120 may be used to store data associated with the controller 110, may be used in calculations performed by the controller 110, or any combination thereof.

The system 100 may include any quantity of non-transitory computer readable media that support a pellet-fed pizza oven. For example, the controller 110 may include or otherwise may access one or more non-transitory computer readable media storing instructions (e.g., firmware, logic, code) for performing the functions ascribed herein to the pizza oven 105. For example, such instructions, if executed by the controller 110 may cause the controller 110 to perform associated functions as described herein.

The controller 110 may also be coupled with a hopper assembly 125. As described herein, a hopper assembly 125 may refer to a portion of the pizza oven 105 having a hopper, an auger, and a burn pot. The hopper may be configured to store a combustible fuel source such as wood pellets. The auger may be coupled with the hopper and may be configured to transfer a portion of the fuel source from the hopper to the burn pot at a rate. The rate may be variable and may be adjusted by the controller 110 based on one or more values or inputs. For example, the controller 110 may receive a desired temperature for the pizza oven 105 via the interface 130 or from the mobile device 135. The controller 110 may also receive an ambient temperature of a cooking surface of the pizza oven (e.g., from a sensor). If the ambient temperature is outside of a threshold value of the desired temperature, the auger may adjust (e.g., increase or decrease) the rate that the combustible fuel is transferred to the burn pot. Additionally or alternatively, the burn pot may ignite the combustible fuel and maintain the combustible fuel in an ignited state while the pizza oven 105 is in operation.

In some examples, the pizza oven 105 may include a housing where the controller 110 and the hopper assembly 125 is located. For example, the housing may include one or more portions that include (e.g., surround) at least the controller 110, the hopper assembly 125, a cooking surface (not shown), and one or more sensors (e.g., temperature sensors; not shown). The housing may also include one or more vents (not shown) and deflectors (not shown) for releasing smoke from the housing, deflecting smoke within the housing, or both. Additionally or alternatively, the interface 130 may be located on a surface (e.g., a front surface) of the housing.

As described herein, the interface 130 may include a display (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) or other type of display) for showing one or more temperatures associated with the pizza oven 105. For example, the interface 130 may display the current temperature (e.g., the ambient temperature) of the cooking surface as well as a desired temperature for the cooking surface. The desired temperature may be input via the interface 130 or may be received from the mobile device 135. In other examples, the interface 130 may display an estimated cook time associated with one or more food items (e.g., pizzas) based on the current and desired temperatures. That is, the controller 110 may receive one or more metrics associated with the cooking surface and may calculate an optimal duration for cooking a pizza.

Additionally or alternatively, the pizza oven 105 (e.g., the controller 110) may communicate with the mobile device 135 via a wired or wireless connection. For example, the pizza oven 105 may include a communication component 140 (e.g., a transmitter 140) that allows for communication with the mobile device 135 via a Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi connection. The pizza oven 105 may receive one or more inputs from the mobile device 135, such as a desired temperature for the cooking surface. The pizza oven 105 may provide (e.g., transmit) one or more outputs to the mobile device 135, such as the ambient temperature of the cooking surface, an estimated cook time for a food item, or both. By utilizing the combustible fuel source, the pizza oven 105 may cook pizzas having an authentic, wood-fired flavor. Moreover, the hopper assembly 125 may be managed (e.g., operated) by the controller 110, which may result in the pizza oven 105 being relatively simple to operate.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a pellet-fed pizza oven 200 in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The pizza oven 200 may include at least a housing 205, one or more vents 225, and an interface 230. In some instances, a portion of the housing (e.g., a first portion 210) may surround a cooking surface 220 for cooking a pizza or other food item and may include the one or more vents 225 for removing (e.g., deflecting) smoke from the pizza oven 200. As described herein, another portion of the housing (e.g., a second portion 215) may include the interface 230, as well as a controller (e.g., a controller 110 as described with reference to FIG. 1) and at least a portion of a hopper assembly (e.g., a hopper assembly 125 as described with reference to FIG. 1). The hopper assembly may provide a combustible fuel to a burn pot using an auger, and the combustible fuel may be ignited to heat the cooking surface 220. By utilizing the combustible fuel source, the pizza oven 200 may cook pizzas having an authentic, wood-fired flavor. Moreover, the hopper assembly may be managed (e.g., operated) by a controller, which may result in the pizza oven 200 being relatively simple to operate.

The pizza oven 200 may include a housing 205 that is made of metal or another relatively durable material, such as a ceramic. For example, the housing 205 may be a metal material and may include one or more insulative materials (such as a ceramic material) that allow for the temperature at and around the cooking surface 220 to be maintained at a relatively high temperature. That is, an exterior surface of the housing 205 may be a metal (or similar) material, and an interior surface of the housing 205 (e.g., near or around the cooking surface 220) may be an insulative material.

In some instances, the housing 205 may include a first portion that at least partially surrounds or includes the cooking surface 220, a burn pot (not shown), and one or more sensors (not shown). For example, the first portion 210 may refer to a side of the pizza oven 200 (e.g., the right side as shown in FIG. 2) and may include at least one opening that exposes a cooking chamber 217 and the cooking surface 220. Additionally or alternatively, the housing 205 may include a second portion 215 that at least partially surrounds or includes the interface 230, a hopper (not shown), and an auger (not shown). For example, the second portion 215 may refer to a side of the pizza oven 200 (e.g., the left side as shown in FIG. 2) that houses the hopper and auger.

The first portion 210 may include a cooking surface 220, which may be or include a pizza stone, a pizza steel, or another type of surface. In some instances, the cooking surface 220 may be removable in order to be cleaned or replaced with another type of cooking surface 220. For example, the cooking surface 220 may be a pizza stone that is made of a ceramic, cordierite, or a composite material. The pizza stone may be relatively conductive such that it heats to a relatively high temperature when the pizza oven 200 is in operation. In other examples, the cooking surface 220 may be a plate (e.g., a metal plate) or pizza steel. The plate may be similarly conductive such that heats to a relatively high temperature when the pizza oven 200 is in operation. In either instance, the cooking surface 220 may be removed and may be exchanged with another type of cooking surface 220.

In other examples, the cooking surface 220 may be configured to rotate when the pizza oven 200 is in operation. For example, the cooking surface 220 may be coupled with a motor (not shown) and may rotate in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The cooking surface 220 may rotate to cook one or more food items (e.g., pizzas) uniformly. For example, the heat source for heating the cooking chamber 217 may be stationary. Thus, by rotating the cooking surface 220, the food item(s) being cooked may be less likely to overcook (e.g., burn) and instead may be cooked relatively uniformly.

In some instances, the cooking surface may rotate at a fixed rate upon being initiated (e.g., turned on) via the interface 230 or from a mobile device (e.g., a mobile device 135 as described with reference to FIG. 1). In other instances, the cooking surface 220 may rotate at a dynamic rate. For example, upon being initiated (e.g., turned on), the cooking surface 220 may rotate at a rate that is determined by the controller based on an ambient temperature of the cooking surface 220, a desired temperature of the cooking surface 220, or both. In either instance, the cooking surface 220 may rotate to prevent a pizza (or other food item) from burning when cooking.

As described herein, the cooking surface 220 may be included in the first portion 210, and the first portion 210 may include one or more vents 225. For example, the one or more vents 225 may be located above (e.g., directly above) the cooking surface 220 and may remove (e.g., vent) smoke from the cooking chamber 217 around the cooking surface 220. For example, the burn pot may be located below (e.g., directly below) or adjacent to the cooking surface and may emit smoke when combustible fuel is ignited. The cooking chamber 217 may include one or more deflectors (not shown) below the vent that deflect heat (e.g., downward) to the cooking surface and deflect at least some smoke (e.g., upward) to the one or more vents 225. Thus, the pizza (or other food item) may be exposed to some smoke, giving it an authentic wood-fired flavor, while other smoke is removed from the cooking chamber 217.

The second portion 215 may include an interface 230 having a display. For example, the interface 230 may display the current temperature (e.g., the ambient temperature) of the cooking surface 220 as well as a desired temperature for the cooking surface 220. The interface 230 may include one or more buttons (or may be a touchscreen) such that the desired temperature may be input via the interface 230 or may be received from a mobile device. In other examples, the interface 230 may display an estimated cook time associated with one or more food items (e.g., pizzas) based on the current and desired temperatures. That is, the interface 230 may be coupled with the controller and the controller may receive one or more metrics associated with the cooking surface 220 and may calculate an optimal duration for cooking a pizza.

In some instances, the housing 205 may also include one or more feet 235 and one or more bottle openers 240. For example, the housing 205 may include at least four independently adjustable feet 235 that the pizza oven 200 sits on. Additionally or alternatively, the housing 205 may include one or more fasteners 245 that, when opened, allow for the hopper assembly to be accessed. When accessed, the hopper assembly may be cleaned and combustible fuel may be added or removed, among other features. By utilizing the combustible fuel source, the pizza oven 200 may cook pizzas having an authentic, wood-fired flavor. Moreover, the hopper assembly may be managed (e.g., operated) by a controller, which may result in the pizza oven 200 being relatively simple to operate.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a front view of the pellet-fed pizza oven 300 in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The front view of the pizza oven 300 may illustrate aspects of the pizza oven 200 as described with reference to FIG. 2. For example, the pizza oven 300 may illustrate the housing 205, cooking surface 220, and interface 230, among other features, as described with reference to FIG. 2. The front view of the pellet-fed pizza oven 300 may also illustrate one or more sensors 250, a deflector 255, and an adjustor 260 (e.g., an adjutor for the one or more vents 225 as described with reference to FIG. 2). The pizza oven 300 may support the use of a combustible fuel source, which may allow for the pizza oven 300 to cook pizzas having an authentic, wood-fired flavor. Moreover, the pizza oven 300 may include a hopper assembly that may be managed (e.g., operated) by a controller, which may result in the pizza oven 300 being relatively simple to operate.

In some instances, a cooking chamber 217 of the pizza oven may include one or more sensors 250. The one or more sensors 250 may be or may include temperature sensors configured to obtain (e.g., measure) an ambient temperature associated with the cooking surface 220. The one or more sensors 250 may be located relatively near to the cooking surface 220 such that the temperature readings may measure or approximate a temperature of the cooking surface 220. That is, the one or more sensors 250 may obtain a temperature reading of the cooking surface 220 or may obtain a temperature reading of the cooking chamber 217 surrounding the cooking surface 220, which may be used to approximate a temperature of the cooking surface 220.

In other examples, the temperature sensor(s) may be configured to obtain (e.g., measure) a temperature of the cooking surface 220. That is, the temperature sensor(s) may obtain a direct temperature of the cooking surface 220. In some instances, the temperature sensor(s) may be an infrared (IR) thermometer (e.g., an IR direct read thermometer) configured to obtain the temperature of one or more portions of the cooking surface 220. As described herein, the temperature sensor(s) may provide the temperature of the cooking surface 220 to the interface 230 (e.g., to be displayed). The interface 230 or another component may, in some instances, transmit the temperature obtained by the temperature sensor(s) to a mobile device.

The one or more sensors 250 may be coupled with a controller (not shown) of the pizza oven 300. The one or more sensors 250 may provide a reading (e.g., a temperature reading) to the controller in real-time or at a fixed cadence. As described herein, the controller may compare the temperature reading to a desired temperature of the cooking surface 220 received via the interface 230 or from a mobile device. If the temperature reading is lower than the desired temperature of the cooking surface 220, the controller may increase the rate that the auger transfers combustible fuel (e.g., wood pellets) from the hopper to the burn pot. If the temperature reading is greater than the desired temperature of the cooking surface 220, the controller may decrease the rate that the auger transfers combustible fuel (e.g., wood pellets) from the hopper to the burn pot. If the temperature reading is at or near (e.g., within a threshold value of) the desired temperature of the cooking surface 220, the controller may maintain the rate that the auger is transferring the combustible fuel (e.g., wood pellets) from the hopper to the burn pot.

As described herein, the cooking surface 220 may be included in the first portion 210, and the first portion 210 may include one or more deflectors 255 to deflect heat within the cooking chamber 217. The one or more deflectors 255 may be angularly positioned to deflect heat within the cooking chamber 217 toward the cooking surface 220 and may deflect smoke (e.g., from the ignited combustible fuel) away from the cooking surface 220 and toward the one or more vents 225. In some instances, the one or more deflectors 255 may be adjustable. The one or more deflectors 255 may be adjusted to direct (e.g., deflect) more (or less) heat toward the cooking surface, more (or less) smoke toward the one or more vents 225, or both. In some instances, the one or more deflectors 255 may also be adjusted to direct heat in a particular direction (e.g., toward the cooking surface 220).

For example, the one or more deflectors 255 may be located above (e.g., directly above) the cooking surface 220 and may deflect heat toward the cooking surface 220 and may deflect smoke away from the cooking surface 220. For example, the burn pot may be located below (e.g., directly below) the cooking surface 220 and may emit smoke when combustible fuel is ignited. The deflector 255 may deflect heat (e.g., downward) to the cooking surface 220 and deflect at least some smoke (e.g., upward) to the one or more vents (e.g., one or more vents 225 as described with reference to FIG. 2). Thus, the pizza (or other food item) may be exposed to some smoke, giving it an authentic wood-fired flavor, while other smoke is removed from the cooking chamber.

The first portion 210 may also include an adjustor 260 to adjust the opening of one or more vents. The adjustor 260 may include a handle and a portion (e.g., a rod; not shown) connected to the vents 225. For example, the vents 225 as described with reference to FIG. 2 may be adjusted to a fully open position, a fully closed position, or a partially open position (e.g., a position between open and closed). By turning the handle in a first direction, the rod may open the vents 225 whereas, by turning the handle in a second direction, the rod may close the vents. Accordingly, the vents may be adjusted (e.g., by the adjustor) to be fully open, fully closed, or at a position between fully open or fully closed.

In some instances, when the vents 225 are partially open, a pizza (or other food item) may be exposed to relatively less smoke, whereas when the vents are relatively closed, a pizza (or other food item) may be exposed to relatively more smoke. Thus, by turning the adjustor 260, more or less smoke may be emitted from the pizza oven 300, which may affect the flavor of a pizza (or other food item). By utilizing the features described herein with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a pizza oven may cook pizzas having an authentic, wood-fired flavor.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a hopper assembly 400 that supports a pellet-fed pizza oven in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some instances, the hopper assembly 400 may be an example of the hopper assembly 125 as described with reference to FIG. 1. The hopper assembly 400 may include at least a hopper 405, a housing 410 (e.g., a second housing 410), a burn pot 415, a motor assembly 420, and a fan assembly 425 (e.g., a first fan assembly 425). The hopper 405 may collect (e.g., store) a combustible fuel, such as wood pellets, and may provide the combustible fuel to the burn pot 415 via the auger. By utilizing the combustible fuel source, a pizza oven may cook pizzas having an authentic, wood-fired flavor. Moreover, the hopper assembly 400 may be managed (e.g., operated) by a controller, which may result in the pizza oven being relatively simple to operate.

In some instances, the hopper assembly 400 may be located within (e.g., fit within) a pizza oven 200 or a pizza oven 300 as described with references to FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively. For example, one or more portions of the hopper assembly 400 may be located below the cooking surface 220. The hopper 405 may be accessible by opening the first portion 210 or the second portion 215 of the pizza oven. In some instances, the part of the first portion 210 where the interface 230 is located may be removable or may be attached to the second portion 215 via a hinge, and may be removed or opened to access the hopper 405.

Additionally or alternatively, the auger may be located in the second portion 215 below the interface 230 and at least a portion of the burn pot 415 may be located within the cooking chamber 217 as described with reference to FIG. 3. That is, an upper surface of the burn pot 415 may be exposed, which may allow for heat to be emitted into the cooking chamber 217. As described herein, the emitted heat may heat the cooking chamber 217 and cooking surface 220 to a relatively high temperature to cook one or more food items (e.g., pizzas). In some instances, one or more portions of the hopper assembly 400 may be removed from the pizza oven for cleaning or other, similar purposes.

As described herein, the hopper assembly 400 may be included in a pizza oven 200 or a pizza oven 300 as described with references to FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively. For example, at least a first portion of the hopper assembly 400 may be included in a first portion 210 and at least a second portion of the hopper assembly 400 may be included in a second portion. In some instances, the burn pot 415 may be included in the first portion 210 and may be located proximate to a cooking surface 220 of the pizza oven. In other instances, the hopper 405, the motor assembly 420, and the fan assembly 425 may be included in the second portion 215 and may be located proximate to a controller, interface 230, or both. The hopper assembly 400 may facilitate the ignition of a combustible fuel, which may heat a cooking surface 220 for cooking a pizza or other food item.

The hopper 405 may store one or more combustible fuels, such as wood pellets. For example, the hopper 405 may serve as a container that can receive and hold the combustible fuels. In some instances, a bottom surface of the hopper 405 may be open such that the combustible fuel can be received by an auger (not shown). As described herein, the auger may transfer the combustible fuel to the burn pot 415. Additionally or alternatively, although the hopper 405 is described as storing wood pellets, the hopper 405 may store any type of combustible fuel and may provide the fuel to an auger.

The hopper assembly 400 may include a housing 410 that is connected to the hopper 405 and the burn pot 415. The housing 410 may include auger (not shown) and may facilitate the transfer of combustible fuel from the hopper 405 to the burn pot 415. That is, the auger may be located within the housing 410, and the housing 410 may prevent the spillage of combustible fuel (e.g., wood pellets) when being transferred from the hopper 405 to the burn pot 415.

In some instances, a motor assembly 420 may be mounted to the housing 410 and may be coupled with the auger. The motor assembly 420 may operate to rotate the auger in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. For example, the motor may include an axle or other device configured to turn the auger at a fixed or dynamic rate. The motor assembly 420 may be coupled with a controller (e.g., a controller 110 as described with reference to FIG. 1) of the pizza oven, such that the rate at which the motor assembly 420 rotates the auger is based on a desired temperature of a cooking surface of the pizza oven, an ambient (e.g., actual) temperature of the cooking surface, or both.

For example, if the temperature reading of the cooking surface is lower than the desired temperature of the cooking surface, the controller may increase the rate of the motor assembly 420 such that the auger transfers combustible fuel (e.g., wood pellets) from the hopper 405 to the burn pot 415 at a relatively faster rate. If the temperature reading is greater than the desired temperature of the cooking surface, the controller may decrease the rate of the motor assembly 420 such that the auger transfers combustible fuel (e.g., wood pellets) from the hopper 405 to the burn pot 415 at a relatively slower rate. If the temperature reading is at or near (e.g., within a threshold value of) the desired temperature of the cooking surface, the controller may maintain the rate of the motor assembly 420.

The burn pot 415 may receive and ignite the combustible fuel. For example, when powering on the pizza oven, a relatively small quantity of fuel may be provided to the burn pot 415 (e.g., either manually or via the auger). The burn pot 415 may include an igniter (not shown) that ignites the combustible fuel to heat the cooking surface of the pizza oven. After being ignited, the auger may provide fuel to the burn pot at a rate as described herein.

Additionally or alternatively, the fan assembly 425 may maintain the fuel in the burn pot 415 in an ignited state. That is, the fan assembly 425 may operate at a fixed or dynamic rate to provide airflow to the burn pot 415 via the housing 410. For example, the fan assembly 425 may provide relatively more airflow to the burn pot 415 to increase the temperature of the fire (e.g., of the ignited combustible fuel). In other examples, the fan assembly 425 may provide relatively less airflow to the burn pot 415 to decrease the temperature of the fire (e.g., of the ignited combustible fuel). Thus, the fan assembly 425 and the auger (e.g., the motor assembly 420) may both be coupled with a controller and may work in conjunction to adjust and maintain the temperature of a cooking surface of the pizza oven. By utilizing the combustible fuel source, the pizza oven may cook pizzas having an authentic, wood-fired flavor. Moreover, the hopper assembly 400 may be managed (e.g., operated) by a controller, which may result in the pizza oven being relatively simple to operate.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a top view of a hopper assembly 500 in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The top view of the hopper assembly 500 may illustrate aspects of the hopper assembly 400 as described with reference to FIG. 4. The hopper 405 may collect (e.g., store) a combustible fuel, such as wood pellets, and may provide the combustible fuel to the burn pot 415 via the auger 430. By utilizing the combustible fuel source, a pizza oven may cook pizzas having an authentic, wood-fired flavor. Moreover, the hopper assembly 500 may be managed (e.g., operated) by a controller, which may result in the pizza oven being relatively simple to operate.

As described herein, the hopper 405 may store one or more combustible fuels, such as wood pellets. For example, the hopper 405 may serve as a container that can receive and hold the combustible fuels. In some instances, a bottom surface of the hopper 405 may be open such that the combustible fuel can be received by the auger 430, which may be a generally helix-shaped. The auger 430 may transfer the combustible fuel to the burn pot 415.

The hopper assembly 500 may include a housing 410 that is connected to the hopper 405 and the burn pot 415. The housing 410 may include the auger 430 and may facilitate the transfer of combustible fuel from the hopper 405 to the burn pot 415. That is, the auger 430 may be located within the housing 410 and its helix shape may transfer the combustible fuel to the burn pot 415. Moreover, the housing 410 may prevent the spillage of combustible fuel (e.g., wood pellets) when being transferred from the hopper 405 to the burn pot 415. By utilizing the features described herein with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, a pizza oven may cook pizzas having an authentic, wood-fired flavor. Moreover, aforementioned features may result in the pizza oven being relatively simple to operate.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a pellet-fed pizza oven 600 in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The pellet-fed pizza oven 600 may illustrate one or more same or similar aspects as the pellet-fed pizza oven 200 as described with reference to FIG. 2. The pellet-fed pizza oven 600 may illustrate an interface 230 as described with reference to FIG. 2. The pellet-fed pizza oven 600 may also illustrate a fan assembly 425 and a housing 410 as described with reference to FIG. 4. Additionally or alternatively, the pellet-fed pizza oven 600 may include a fan assembly 605 (e.g., a second fan assembly 605), an insulative housing 610, and a handle 615. By utilizing the combustible fuel source, a pizza oven may cook pizzas having an authentic, wood-fired flavor. Moreover, the pellet-fed pizza oven 600 may be managed (e.g., operated) by a controller, which may result in the pellet-fed pizza oven 600 being relatively simple to operate.

In some instances, the fan assembly 605 may be located near or next to (e.g., proximate to) the controller assembly. That is, the interface 230 may be in electronic communication with a controller assembly, and the controller assembly may be proximate to the fan assembly 605. In other instances, the fan assembly 605 may be within a range of the controller assembly such that, when in operation, the fan assembly 605 is able to cool the controller assembly.

In some instances, the controller assembly may be located within the insulative housing 610. The fan assembly 605 may operate to keep the operating temperature of the controller relatively low. For example, the controller may heat up based on its electrical components being in operation. Further, the controller may heat up based on the heat emitted from the burn pot during operation. Accordingly, the fan assembly 605 may operate continuously, at a set or predefined cadence, or based on the ambient temperature reaching a threshold, to cool the controller assembly.

In some examples, the fan assembly 605 may operate continuously when the pellet-fed pizza oven 600 is in operation (e.g., the fan assembly 605 may run so long as power is provided to it). That is, when the pellet-fed pizza oven 600 is powered on, the fan assembly 605 may operate (e.g., run). In other examples, the fan assembly 605 may operate (e.g., run) at a predefined cadence after the pellet-fed pizza oven 600 is powered on. For example, the fan assembly 605 may turn on every X seconds (or X minutes) and may run for Y seconds (or Y minutes) to cool the controller. In some instances, X and Y may be set (e.g., predefined) based on an anticipated temperature of the controller. For example, when the pellet-fed pizza oven 600 is set to a specific temperature, the controller may turn the fan assembly 605 on every X seconds (or X minutes) and may run the fan assembly 605 for Y seconds (or Y minutes) in anticipation of its temperature increasing. That is, the controller may be able to anticipate its temperature based on the operating temperature of the pellet-fed pizza oven 600.

Additionally or alternatively, the fan assembly 605 may operate (e.g., run) when the temperature at or around the controller reaches a threshold. For example, the fan assembly 605 may be in communication with a temperature sensor or gauge, or may otherwise receive signaling to turn on when the temperature at or around the controller is relatively hot. In such examples, the fan assembly 605 may run until the temperature at or around the controller is at or below a threshold temperature (e.g., at or below, for example, 180° F.). Accordingly, the fan assembly 605 may operate to cool the controller, which may prevent the controller overheating or otherwise operating improperly.

In some instances, the insulative housing 610 may encompass (e.g., surround, house) the controller assembly. The insulative housing 610 may operate to keep the operating temperature of the controller relatively low. For example, the controller may heat up based on the heat emitted from the burn pot during operation. Accordingly, the insulative housing 610 may shield the controller from the emitted heat. In some instances, the insulative housing 610 may be made from a metal material or another type of material with insulative properties.

In some examples, the pellet-fed pizza oven 600 may include a handle 615. The handle 615 may be coupled with a door of the pellet-fed pizza oven 600 (not shown), and may facilitate the opening and closing of the door. In some examples, the pellet-fed pizza oven 600 may include a handle 615 in place of or in addition to an adjustor 260 as described with reference to FIG. 2. Additionally or alternatively the handle 615 may be coated or otherwise made from a material with relatively low conductive properties so that it does not reach relatively high temperatures due to the operating temperature of the pellet-fed pizza oven 600. By utilizing the features described herein with reference to FIG. 6, a pizza oven may cook pizzas having an authentic, wood-fired flavor. Moreover, aforementioned features may result in the pizza oven being relatively simple to operate.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a pellet-fed pizza oven 700 in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The pellet-fed pizza oven 700 may illustrate one or more same or similar aspects as the pellet-fed pizza oven 200 as described with reference to FIG. 2. The pellet-fed pizza oven 700 may illustrate a cooking surface 220 and one or more sensors 250 as described with reference to FIG. 2. The pellet-fed pizza oven 700 may also illustrate a burn pot 415 as described with reference to FIG. 4. Additionally or alternatively, the pellet-fed pizza oven 700 may include a drip pan 705. By utilizing the combustible fuel source, a pizza oven may cook pizzas having an authentic, wood-fired flavor. Moreover, the pellet-fed pizza oven 700 may be managed (e.g., operated) by a controller, which may result in the pellet-fed pizza oven 700 being relatively simple to operate.

In some instances, the drip pan 705 may be coupled with or adjacent to the cooking surface 220 of the pellet-fed pizza oven 700. For example, the drip pan may be located below (e.g., beneath) an upper surface of the cooking surface 220 such that it is able to receive or otherwise collect drippings (e.g., liquids, grease) from the cooking surface 220. In other examples, the drip pan 705 may collect solid food particles, such as crumbs from the cooking surface 220. That is, during operation of the pellet-fed pizza oven 700, a food item being cooked may become relatively hot and omit crumbs, drippings, or the like, which may be caught (e.g., collected) by the drip pan 705. Additionally or alternatively, the drip pan 705 may be removable or include a removable liner to facilitate it being cleaned.

In some instances, the drip pan 705 may extend around a portion (e.g, a subset) or an entirety of the cooking surface 220. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the drip pan 705 may extend around a front portion of the cooking surface 220. However, in other examples, the drip pan 705 may extend around a rear portion of the cooking surface 220 in addition to or in place of the illustrated location of the drip pan 705. In some instances, the cooking surface 220 may tilt slightly in order for liquids or crumbs to be received by the drip pan 705. For example, the cooking surface 220 may tilt slightly toward the front surface of the pellet-fed pizza oven 700 so that grease collects in the drip pan 705 and not in other portions where the drip pan 705 is not located. By utilizing the features described herein with reference to FIG. 7, a pizza oven may cook pizzas having an authentic, wood-fired flavor. Moreover, aforementioned features may result in the pizza oven being relatively simple to operate.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a motor and drive shaft assembly 800 for a pellet-fed pizza oven in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The motor and drive shaft assembly 800 may illustrate one or more same or similar aspects as the pellet-fed pizza oven 200 as described with reference to FIG. 2. The motor and drive shaft assembly 800 may illustrate a cooking surface 220 as described with reference to FIG. 2. The pellet-fed pizza oven 700 may also illustrate a motor 805, a first portion 810 of a drive shaft, a second portion 815 of a drive shaft, and an insulative portion 820 of a drive shaft. By utilizing the combustible fuel source, a pizza oven may cook pizzas having an authentic, wood-fired flavor. Moreover, the motor and drive shaft assembly 800 may be managed (e.g., operated) by a controller, which may result in the associated pellet-fed pizza oven being relatively simple to operate.

The motor 805 may be coupled with the drive shaft (e.g., the second portion 815 of the drive shaft) and may cause the drive shaft to rotate. Because the drive shaft (e.g., the first portion 815 of the drive shaft) may be coupled with the cooking surface 220, the motor 805 may rotate the cooking surface 220 (e.g., in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction).

As used herein, the drive shaft may refer to the first portion 810, the second portion 815, and the insulative portion 820. In some instances, the first portion 810 and the second portion 815 may be made of a same material, such as a metal material. Due to the heat emitted from the cooking surface 220 (and other portions of the pellet-fed pizza oven), and because metal is a conductive material, the drive shaft may get relatively hot. Accordingly, the drive shaft may include the insulative material to prevent at least the second portion 815 from overheating and adversely affecting the motor 805. For example, the insulative portion 820 may include a silicate material, such as mica, which may prevent or otherwise limit heat transfer between the first portion 810 and the second portion 815. In some instances, the first portion 810 may be connected to the second portion 815 via the insulative portion 820, and the insulative portion 820 may be connected to the first portion 810 and the second portion 815 using one or more fasteners or bolts. By utilizing the features described herein with reference to FIG. 8, a pizza oven may cook pizzas having an authentic, wood-fired flavor. Moreover, aforementioned features may result in the pizza oven being relatively simple to operate.

FIG. 9 shows a block diagram 900 of a pizza oven 920 that supports a pellet-fed pizza oven in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The pizza oven 920 may be an example of aspects of a pizza oven as described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 5. The pizza oven 920, or various components thereof, may be an example of means for performing various aspects of pellet-fed pizza oven as described herein. For example, the pizza oven 920 may include an auger 925, a burn pot 930, a controller 935, a communication component 940, a cooking surface 945, or any combination thereof. Each of these components may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

The auger 925 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for transferring, by an auger, a combustible fuel from a hopper to a burn pot. The burn pot 930 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for igniting, by the burn pot, the combustible fuel based at least in part on transferring the combustible fuel from the hopper to the burn pot. In some examples, the burn pot 930 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for maintaining, by the burn pot, the combustible fuel in an ignited state based at least in part on igniting the combustible fuel, where a cooking surface is heated based at least in part on maintaining the combustible fuel in the ignited state. The controller 935 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for monitoring an ambient temperature associated with the cooking surface based at least in part on maintaining the combustible fuel in the ignited state. In some examples, the controller 935 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for adjusting a rate that the combustible fuel is transferred from the hopper to the burn pot based at least in part on the ambient temperature associated with the cooking surface.

In some examples, the controller 935 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving a desired temperature of the cooking surface, where adjusting the rate that the combustible fuel is transferred from the hopper to the burn pot is based at least in part on the desired temperature of the cooking surface.

In some examples, the controller 935 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining that the ambient temperature associated with the cooking surface is less than the desired temperature of the cooking surface. In some examples, the auger 925 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for increasing the rate that the combustible fuel is transferred from the hopper to the burn pot based at least in part on determining that the ambient temperature associated with the cooking surface is less than the desired temperature of the cooking surface.

In some examples, the controller 935 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining that the ambient temperature associated with the cooking surface is greater than or equal to the desired temperature of the cooking surface. In some examples, the auger 925 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for decreasing or maintaining the rate that the combustible fuel is transferred from the hopper to the burn pot based at least in part on determining that the ambient temperature associated with the cooking surface is greater than or equal to the desired temperature of the cooking surface.

In some examples, the controller 935 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving a second desired temperature of the cooking surface. In some examples, the auger 925 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for adjusting, for a second time, the rate that the combustible fuel is transferred from the hopper to the burn pot based at least in part on receiving the second desired temperature and the ambient temperature associated with the cooking surface.

In some examples, the communication component 940 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for transmitting an indication of the ambient temperature to a user device based at least in part on monitoring the ambient temperature associated with the cooking surface.

In some examples, the cooking surface 945 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for rotating the cooking surface based at least in part on igniting the combustible fuel.

In some examples, the described functionality of the pizza oven 920, or various components thereof, may be supported by or may refer to at least a portion of a processor, where such a processor may include one or more processing elements (e.g., a controller, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor, a state machine, discrete gate logic, discrete transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination of one or more of such elements). In some examples, the described functionality of the pizza oven 920, or various components thereof, may be implemented at least in part by instructions (e.g., stored in memory, non-transitory computer-readable medium) executable by such a processor.

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1000 that supports a pellet-fed pizza oven in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The operations of method 1000 may be implemented by a pizza oven or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of method 1000 may be performed by a pizza oven as described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 9. In some examples, a pizza oven may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the device to perform the described functions. Additionally, or alternatively, the pizza oven may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.

At 1005, the method may include transferring, by an auger, a combustible fuel from a hopper to a burn pot. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1005 may be performed by an auger 925 as described with reference to FIG. 9.

At 1010, the method may include igniting, by the burn pot, the combustible fuel based at least in part on transferring the combustible fuel from the hopper to the burn pot. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1010 may be performed by a burn pot 930 as described with reference to FIG. 9.

At 1015, the method may include maintaining, by the burn pot, the combustible fuel in an ignited state based at least in part on igniting the combustible fuel, where a cooking surface is heated based at least in part on maintaining the combustible fuel in the ignited state. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1015 may be performed by a burn pot 930 as described with reference to FIG. 9.

At 1020, the method may include monitoring an ambient temperature associated with the cooking surface based at least in part on maintaining the combustible fuel in the ignited state. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1020 may be performed by a controller 935 as described with reference to FIG. 9.

At 1025, the method may include adjusting a rate that the combustible fuel is transferred from the hopper to the burn pot based at least in part on the ambient temperature associated with the cooking surface. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1025 may be performed by a controller 935 as described with reference to FIG. 9.

In some examples, an apparatus as described herein may perform a method or methods, such as the method 1000. The apparatus may include features, circuitry, logic, means, or instructions (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by a processor), or any combination thereof for performing the following aspects of the present disclosure:

Aspect 1: A method, apparatus, or non-transitory computer-readable medium including operations, features, circuitry, logic, means, or instructions, or any combination thereof for transferring, by an auger, a combustible fuel from a hopper to a burn pot; igniting, by the burn pot, the combustible fuel based at least in part on transferring the combustible fuel from the hopper to the burn pot; maintaining, by the burn pot, the combustible fuel in an ignited state based at least in part on igniting the combustible fuel, where a cooking surface is heated based at least in part on maintaining the combustible fuel in the ignited state; monitoring an ambient temperature associated with the cooking surface based at least in part on maintaining the combustible fuel in the ignited state; and adjusting a rate that the combustible fuel is transferred from the hopper to the burn pot based at least in part on the ambient temperature associated with the cooking surface.

Aspect 2: The method, apparatus, or non-transitory computer-readable medium of aspect 1, further including operations, features, circuitry, logic, means, or instructions, or any combination thereof for receiving a desired temperature of the cooking surface, where adjusting the rate that the combustible fuel is transferred from the hopper to the burn pot is based at least in part on the desired temperature of the cooking surface.

Aspect 3: The method, apparatus, or non-transitory computer-readable medium of aspect 2, further including operations, features, circuitry, logic, means, or instructions, or any combination thereof for determining that the ambient temperature associated with the cooking surface is less than the desired temperature of the cooking surface and increasing the rate that the combustible fuel is transferred from the hopper to the burn pot based at least in part on determining that the ambient temperature associated with the cooking surface is less than the desired temperature of the cooking surface.

Aspect 4: The method, apparatus, or non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of aspects 2 through 3, further including operations, features, circuitry, logic, means, or instructions, or any combination thereof for determining that the ambient temperature associated with the cooking surface is greater than or equal to the desired temperature of the cooking surface and decreasing or maintaining the rate that the combustible fuel is transferred from the hopper to the burn pot based at least in part on determining that the ambient temperature associated with the cooking surface is greater than or equal to the desired temperature of the cooking surface.

Aspect 5: The method, apparatus, or non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of aspects 2 through 4, further including operations, features, circuitry, logic, means, or instructions, or any combination thereof for receiving a second desired temperature of the cooking surface and adjusting, for a second time, the rate that the combustible fuel is transferred from the hopper to the burn pot based at least in part on receiving the second desired temperature and the ambient temperature associated with the cooking surface.

Aspect 6: The method, apparatus, or non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of aspects 1 through 5, further including operations, features, circuitry, logic, means, or instructions, or any combination thereof for transmitting an indication of the ambient temperature to a user device based at least in part on monitoring the ambient temperature associated with the cooking surface.

Aspect 7: The method, apparatus, or non-transitory computer-readable medium of any of aspects 1 through 6, further including operations, features, circuitry, logic, means, or instructions, or any combination thereof for rotating the cooking surface based at least in part on igniting the combustible fuel.

It should be noted that the methods described herein describe possible implementations, and that the operations and the steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified and that other implementations are possible. Further, portions from two or more of the methods may be combined.

An apparatus is described. The following provides an overview of aspects of the apparatus as described herein:

Aspect 8: An apparatus, including: a hopper configured to store a combustible fuel; an auger configured to transfer at least a portion of the combustible fuel from the hopper; a burn pot configured to receive the combustible fuel from the hopper and to ignite the received combustible fuel, where the burn pot is configured to maintain the received combustible fuel in an ignited state based at least in part on the auger transferring the combustible fuel from the hopper to the burn pot; a cooking surface configured to be heated based at least in part on the burn pot maintaining the received combustible fuel in the ignited state; a temperature sensor configured to monitor an ambient temperature associated with the cooking surface; and a controller coupled with the auger and the temperature sensor, where the controller is configured to adjust a rate that the auger transfers the combustible fuel from the hopper to the burn pot based at least in part on the ambient temperature.

Aspect 9: The apparatus of aspect 8, further including: a housing including at least a first portion and a second portion, where the first portion at least partially surrounds the burn pot, the cooking surface, and the temperature sensor, and where the second portion at least partially surrounds the hopper, the auger, and the controller.

Aspect 10: The apparatus of aspect 9, where the first portion of the housing includes a deflector above the cooking surface, the deflector is configured to deflect at least a portion of smoke generated by the burn pot away from the cooking surface and deflect heat generated by the burn pot toward the cooking surface.

Aspect 11: The apparatus of aspect 10, where a temperature of the cooking surface is based at least in part on the deflector deflecting the heat generated by the burn pot toward the cooking surface.

Aspect 12: The apparatus of any of aspects 10 through 11, further including: a vent located in the first portion of the housing, where the deflector is configured to deflect at least the portion of smoke generated by the burn pot toward the vent.

Aspect 13: The apparatus of any of aspects 8 through 12, further including: an interface coupled with the controller, where the interface is configured to receive a desired temperature of the cooking surface, and where the controller is configured to adjust a rate that the auger transfers the combustible fuel from the hopper to the burn pot based at least in part on the desired temperature of the cooking surface.

Aspect 14: The apparatus of any of aspects 8 through 13, further including: a transmitter coupled with the controller and configured to transmit at least an indication of the ambient temperature to a user device.

Aspect 15: The apparatus of any of aspects 8 through 14, where the combustible fuel includes wood pellets.

Aspect 16: The apparatus of any of aspects 8 through 15, where the cooking surface is removable, and includes a stone or a metal plate.

Aspect 17: The apparatus of any of aspects 8 through 16, where the burn pot includes an igniter for igniting the combustible fuel.

Aspect 18: The apparatus of any of aspects 8 through 17, where the cooking surface is configured to rotate.

Aspect 19: The apparatus of aspect 18, where the cooking surface is configured to rotate at an adjustable rate, the rate is adjustable based at least in part on the ambient temperature, the rate that the auger transfers the combustible fuel from the hopper to the burn pot, an input selected by a user, or any combination thereof.

Aspect 20: The apparatus of any of aspects 8 through 19, further including: a first fan assembly, where the first fan assembly is configured to maintain the combustible fuel in the burn pot in an ignited state.

Aspect 21: The apparatus of any of aspects 8 through 20, further including: a second fan assembly located proximate to the controller, where the second fan assembly is configured to maintain the controller at or below a threshold temperature while the cooking surface is heated.

Aspect 22: The apparatus of any of aspects 8 through 21, further including: an insulative housing surrounding at least a portion of the controller, where the insulative housing is configured to shield the controller from a thermal output of the burn pot.

Aspect 23: The apparatus of any of aspects 8 through 22, further including: a drip pan located proximate to the cooking surface, where the drip pan is configured to collect one or more food products from the cooking surface.

Aspect 24: The apparatus of any of aspects 8 through 23, further including: a motor and a drive shaft coupled with the motor and the cooking surface, where the drive shaft includes a first portion coupled with the cooking surface, a second portion coupled with the motor, and an insulative portion coupled with the first portion and the second portion, where the insulative portion is configured to shield the motor from a thermal output of the burn pot, the cooking surface, or both.

Aspect 25: The apparatus of aspect 24, where the insulative portion includes a silicate material.

An apparatus is described. The following provides an overview of aspects of the apparatus as described herein:

Aspect 26: An apparatus, including: a hopper; configured to store a combustible fuel; an auger; a burn pot; a cooking surface; a temperature sensor; and a controller coupled with the auger and the temperature sensor, where the controller is configured to: initiate transferring, by the auger, a combustible fuel from the hopper to the burn pot; initiate igniting, by the burn pot, the combustible fuel based at least in part on the combustible fuel being transferred from the hopper to the burn pot, where the burn pot is configured to maintain the combustible fuel in an ignited state, and where the cooking surface is heated based at least in part on the combustible fuel being in the ignited state; receive, from the temperature sensor, an ambient temperature associated with the cooking surface; and adjust a rate that the combustible fuel is transferred from the hopper to the burn pot based at least in part on receiving the ambient temperature associated with the cooking surface.

Information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, or symbols of signaling that may be referenced throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof. Some drawings may illustrate signals as a single signal; however, the signal may represent a bus of signals, where the bus may have a variety of bit widths.

The terms “if,” “when,” “based on,” or “based at least in part on” may be used interchangeably. In some examples, if the terms “if,” “when,” “based on,” or “based at least in part on” are used to describe a conditional action, a conditional process, or connection between portions of a process, the terms may be interchangeable.

The description set forth herein, in connection with the appended drawings, describes example configurations and does not represent all the examples that may be implemented or that are within the scope of the claims. The term “exemplary” used herein means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration” and not “preferred” or “advantageous over other examples.” The detailed description includes specific details to provide an understanding of the described techniques. These techniques, however, may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a hyphen and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If just the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.

The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over, as one or more instructions or code, a computer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the described functions can be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or combinations of any of these. Features implementing functions may also be physically located at various positions, including being distributed such that portions of functions are implemented at different physical locations.

For example, the various illustrative blocks and components described in connection with the disclosure and/or electronic components (e.g., controller, memory, processor, etc.) herein may be implemented or performed with a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

As used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items (for example, a list of items prefaced by a phrase such as “at least one of” or “one or more of”) indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Also, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an exemplary step that is described as “based on condition A” may be based on both a condition A and a condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall be construed in the same manner as the phrase “based at least in part on.”

Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A non-transitory storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, include CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc, where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of these are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.

The description herein is provided to enable a person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

PELLET-FED PIZZA OVEN

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