A remote temperature monitoring system includes a first unit operatively connected to one or more temperature sensors for sensing the temperature of one or more materials or food items being cooked or heated. The first unit transmits the sensed temperature to a second unit that is located remotely from the first unit during heating. The second unit is programmable with the desired temperature and/or heating parameters of the item. By monitoring the temperature status of the item over time, the system determines when the food has reached the desired temperature or degree of cooking, and notifies the user.

Devices and methods for automating the process of making flatbread, such as roti. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a housing, an ingredient metering assembly, a mixing bowl assembly, a mixing actuator assembly, a cooking assembly, and an electronic assembly. The housing defines an interior volume and has several access openings with corresponding lids and/or covers. The ingredient metering assembly includes a flour container assembly, a flour delivery system, a water reservoir, and an oil reservoir. The mixing bowl assembly includes two bowls and a measurement system. The mixing actuator assembly includes a mixing mount, a mixing motor, a mixing paddle assembly, and a lower motor. The cooking assembly includes two platens and an actuator assembly. The electronic assembly includes a power source, a control module, and a LCD input/output screen. All components are integrated within the housing such that the apparatus is a consumer grade countertop appliance.

Devices and methods for automating the process of making flatbread, such as roti. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a housing, an ingredient metering assembly, a mixing bowl assembly, a mixing actuator assembly, a cooking assembly, and an electronic assembly. The housing defines an interior volume and has several access openings with corresponding lids and/or covers. The ingredient metering assembly includes a flour container assembly, a flour delivery system, a water reservoir, and an oil reservoir. The mixing bowl assembly includes two bowls and a measurement system. The mixing actuator assembly includes a mixing mount, a mixing motor, a mixing paddle assembly, and a lower motor. The cooking assembly includes two platens and an actuator assembly. The electronic assembly includes a power source, a control module, and a LCD input/output screen. All components are integrated within the housing such that the apparatus is a consumer grade countertop appliance.

In an embodiment, an automatic food preparation and serving method comprises: releasing, from one or more magazines in a storage apparatus, a plurality of food canisters, each loaded with a different ingredient of a human consumable dish or meal, onto a canister transportation mechanism under program control by one or more digital electronic processors; transporting, using the canister transportation, the plurality of food canisters to a food dispensing mechanism under program control of the one or more processors; retrieving, using a bowl placement apparatus, a bowl from a bowl dispensing apparatus and placing the bowl on a bowl orientation mechanism below the food dispensing mechanism under program control of the one or more processors; dispensing, using the food dispensing mechanism, the ingredient of the human consumable dish or meal from the plurality of food canisters into the bowl under program control of the one or more processors; removing the plurality of food canisters using a canister removing apparatus into a bin using gravity.

In an embodiment, an automatic food preparation and serving method comprises: releasing, from one or more magazines in a storage apparatus, a plurality of food canisters, each loaded with a different ingredient of a human consumable dish or meal, onto a canister transportation mechanism under program control by one or more digital electronic processors; transporting, using the canister transportation, the plurality of food canisters to a food dispensing mechanism under program control of the one or more processors; retrieving, using a bowl placement apparatus, a bowl from a bowl dispensing apparatus and placing the bowl on a bowl orientation mechanism below the food dispensing mechanism under program control of the one or more processors; dispensing, using the food dispensing mechanism, the ingredient of the human consumable dish or meal from the plurality of food canisters into the bowl under program control of the one or more processors; removing the plurality of food canisters using a canister removing apparatus into a bin using gravity.

A thermal immersion circulator includes a main body having a receiving cavity, a partitioning member received in the main body to divide the main body into an upper portion and a lower portion, a heating element provided in the lower portion of the main body, a circulator pump provided in the lower portion of the main body, and a handle assembly. When the lower portion of the main body is immersed in the cooking cavity, the circulator pump is adapted for sucking water into the lower portion of the main body through a water inlet for being heated by the heating element. The heated water is then guided to be discharged out of the main body through a water outlet.

A thermal immersion circulator includes a main body having a receiving cavity, a partitioning member received in the main body to divide the main body into an upper portion and a lower portion, a heating element provided in the lower portion of the main body, a circulator pump provided in the lower portion of the main body, and a handle assembly. When the lower portion of the main body is immersed in the cooking cavity, the circulator pump is adapted for sucking water into the lower portion of the main body through a water inlet for being heated by the heating element. The heated water is then guided to be discharged out of the main body through a water outlet.

A split electric rice cooker includes: a base (100) provided with a weighing-device mounting groove (120) at a bottom thereof; a cooker body configured to rest on the base (100) and separable with respect to the base (100); a weighing device (500) provided in the weighing-device mounting groove (120), the weighing device (500) comprising a weighing sensor (510) and a support leg (520); a press cover (600) provided to the bottom of the base (100) and shielding the weighing-device mounting groove (120), the press cover (600) being provided with a press-cover clearance hole (601) for the support leg (520) to pass downwards, and the support leg (520) being connected to the weighing sensor (510); or the support leg (520) being integrally provided to the press cover (600) and able to push the weighing sensor (520) along with deformation of the press cover.

A heating appliance includes a translucent cooktop and a burner in communication with the cooktop. The burner is operable between deactive and active states. The upper surface of the cooktop defines a cooldown state after the burner is moved from the active to the deactive state. A light module includes a light source and is in an illuminated state when the burner is in the active state and when the cooktop is in the cooldown state. A light guide extends from the light module and around a portion of the burner. The light guide is positioned such that the light source directs light through the light guide. The outer surface of the light guide includes a formed surface that directs light upward and through the cooktop, wherein the light guide is visible through the cooktop when the light module is in the illuminated state.

A heating appliance includes a translucent cooktop and a burner in communication with the cooktop. The burner is operable between deactive and active states. The upper surface of the cooktop defines a cooldown state after the burner is moved from the active to the deactive state. A light module includes a light source and is in an illuminated state when the burner is in the active state and when the cooktop is in the cooldown state. A light guide extends from the light module and around a portion of the burner. The light guide is positioned such that the light source directs light through the light guide. The outer surface of the light guide includes a formed surface that directs light upward and through the cooktop, wherein the light guide is visible through the cooktop when the light module is in the illuminated state.