APPARATUS FOR PREPARING OR STORING FOOD

摘要

The present inventions relate to an apparatus for preparing or storing food, particularly, utensils, a refrigerator or freezer or an oven. In order to provide an oven which has a self-cleaning facility or a cleaning-assisting facility, the oven interior (2) which defines the cooking space is provided with a layer of photocatalytic material (3), which is preferably titania. A source (5) of ultra violet radiation in the band 380-230nm is provided for photoexciting the photocatalytic surface of the oven interior to photo oxidise organic matter deposited on the oven interior. The ultraviolet radiation has the additional effect of making the oven interior hydrophilic so that removal of any remaining organic material by a damp cloth is much easier. There is also a controller for controlling the source of radiation so that the source of radiation irradiates the photocatalytic surface: (a) within a predetermined period for use; (b) at least once within a predetermined period of time, or (c) within a predetermined period after use, or (d) in accordance with any combinations of (a) (b) (c) above. A fan (9) is provided for creating an airflow over the photoactive surface during at least part of the irradiation process. At least three walls of the oven can be made of glass, because the walls can be kept clean very easily. A refrigerator or freezer (20) is also provided. Internal surfaces (21) are coated with photoactive material. A source of radiation (27) is provided for photoexciting the photoactive surface, as described above in relation to the oven.