The invention features a cooking apparatus having a number of compartments for the cooking of different foods under different cooking conditions. Aspects of embodiments of the contemplated invention include a lid portion, an upper portion that is vertically retractable and removably engaged with a bottom portion. The cooking apparatus is modular and, as such, enables the use of multiple cooking apparatuses for the steaming and/or boiling of different foods within the same pot or cooking unit at the same time.

Modular outdoor grills may include a grill housing and grill lid collectively enclosing one or more burners. In some examples, work surfaces or shelves coupled to the grill housing may be removable and/or pivotable. In some examples, the grill may be powered by both a battery and propane fuel. In some examples, the grill is controllable using a mobile digital device.

A charcoal-fueled barbecue grill and smoker includes a duct system with “volcanoes” on the inside of the lower grill chamber that match holes in a tube fitted to the lower grill chamber, such that a turning of the tube provides precise venting and temperature control during cooking. A rear stabilizer attached to the lower grill chamber allows the grill to be used either with or without a stand, preventing the grill from toppling over when the lid is opened. The grill may include one or more removable shelves. An ash evacuation system includes a frusto-conical ash bucket that attaches at a hole in the lower grill chamber and held in place by the rear stabilizer using an ash bucket hanger.

A beverage or foodstuff preparation system (2) comprising: a base unit (74); a removable component (76) having a beverage or foodstuff component processing system (4); a power coupling (78) adapted for inductive power transfer of electrical energy between the base unit and the removable component when the removable component (76) is coupled with the base unit (74).

Disclosed is a kitchen machine that can be operated with a plurality of different food-processing modules. The kitchen machine is configured to identify each of the plurality of food-processing modules. The kitchen machine may comprise a first connector configured to be electrically connected to a second connector of a food-processing module, a processor electrically connected to the first connector and configured, when the first connector is electrically connected to the second connector, to initiate, during a first time interval, a sending of a plurality of first output signals via the first connector to the second connector, initiate, during a second time interval after the first time interval, a receiving of a plurality of first input signals from the second connector via the first connector, and identify the food-processing module based on the plurality of first input signals.

A method for cooking is disclosed. In response to an oven being selected to cook a food item, a determination is made whether or not any oven is being engaged in cooking. If no oven is being engaged in cooking, then temperature-control mode is utilized to control oven temperature of the selected oven. If one oven is currently being engaged in cooking, then another determination is made whether or not the total current demand by the two ovens to cook respective food items exceeds a predetermined current limitation under temperature-control mode. If the total current demand does not exceed the predetermined current limitation, then temperature-control mode is utilized to control oven temperature of the two ovens. If the total current demand exceeds the predetermined current limitation, then time-control mode is utilized to control oven temperature of the two ovens.

A portable modular oven provides a collapsible, portable and affordable cooking device that uses wood or charcoal as a heat source. Various components of the oven are preferably constructed of 22-gauge steel, with the exception of a rectangular ceramic cooking surface. The oven can be easily disassembled and its components can be stored inside its base portion to maximize portability. The oven is designed to be a proper pizza oven that can quickly reach temperatures well above 600° F. The height of the cooking surface may be adjusted, as well as the temperature, to accommodate oven baking of a multitude of food items. The oven is designed to be used at home, camping, or tailgating.

A grill stove includes a kettle, legs, and a lid. The kettle includes an outer wall with a ventilation aperture, an inner wall, and a top collar extending between the inner wall and the outer wall and connecting the top portion of the outer wall to the top portion of the inner wall to form a dual-walled kettle. A base pan may be attached to the outer wall and may form a bottom of the kettle. A nest pan may have an edge and a ventilation aperture. The edge of the nest pan may be attached to the bottom portion of the inner wall and disposed above the base pan. The nest pan and the base pan being spaced apart to form a gap therebetween. The ventilation aperture of the nest pan may be in fluid communication with the ventilation aperture of the outer wall. An ash pan may be removably positionable above the nest pan.

A chafing dish set may comprise a stand, a water pan capable of being restably coupled to the stand, wherein the water pan comprises a holding portion configured to receive and hold a liquid, and a food pan capable of being restably coupled to the water pan, wherein the food pan comprises an interior portion configured to receive and hold at least one of a food and a liquid. In some embodiments, the chafing dish set further comprises a lid capable of being restably coupled to the food pan, wherein the lid is configured to substantially cover the interior portion of the food pan.

Mountable trays for temperature probe hubs are disclosed. An example mountable tray includes a central portion, a peripheral portion, and a mounting arm. The central portion includes at least one drainage opening extending through the central portion. The peripheral portion is coupled to and extends upwardly from the central portion. The mounting arm is coupled to and extends upwardly from the peripheral portion. The mounting arm is configured to mount the mountable tray to a flange.