An apparatus to preheat food products prior to actual cooking which is characterized by a tray for carrying the food products mounted for reciprocation within a reservoir filled with water at a given temperature. The reciprocating movement effects efficient mixing of the hot water entering the reservoir to assure that the food products are efficiently exposed to the hottest water available in the reservoir. The apparatus also includes unique combination of valve means and flow control means to effect reciprocation of the tray at given time intervals and a continuous addition of hot water to the reservoir during a complete pre-heating cycle.
