A grip for a cookware handle includes a first side, a second side, a pocket between the first side and the second side, a first aperture in the first side, a second aperture in the second side, and a plug comprising a thumb grip. The plug is configured to retain the grip on a shaft received in the pocket by extending through the first aperture, the shaft, and the second aperture.

Cookware is provided having a temperature sensing assembly for indicating a temperature of the cookware. In one embodiment, a cooking pan is provided having a pan body with a cooking surface and a heating surface opposite the cooking surface. A handle can be attached to the pan body, and a thermal gauge can be mounted on the handle. A thermal probe can extend from the gauge into the pan body to measure a temperature of the pan body. In some embodiments, a shield can surround at least a portion of the thermal probe to block the thermal probe from radiant heat.

A cooking vessel includes a base having a flat bottom and a sidewall connected to and surrounding the base, thereby defining an interior space configured for containing food. The base comprises a layered composite material that includes a first layer of the composite material has a positive Poisson's ratio (PPR) and a second layer of the composite material is disposed in contact with the first layer. The cooking vessel includes a material having a negative Poisson's ratio (NPR).

A set of nestable and stackable cookware, for example, a set of pots and pans, is maintained in a stable configuration by stops attached to the outer walls of the cookware. Each stacked and nested item of cookware is supported on the rim of the lower item by two stops attached to its outer wall, on opposite sides of the item. Each stop is shaped and configured to contact the rim of the lower item in the stack at a finite number of points. The points of contact lie in the same plane, which uprightly supports the stacked cookware item on the lower cookware item, without the walls or the base of the stacked cookware item touching the lower item.

According to one example, a system comprises a heat source system and a processor. The heat source system comprises a plurality of heat sources. Each heat source is operable to provide an amount of energy to be used to cook a food item during a cooking process. The processor is operable to determine that a cooking device system has been positioned on or in a first heat source of the plurality of heat sources, determine an identity of the cooking device system that has been positioned on or in the first heat source, and correlate the determined identity of the cooking device system with an identity of the first heat source.

The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods for a low-cost, disposable protective cover for handles and other objects. The disposable cover can include a flexible tube having first and second ends, an inner surface and an outer surface. One or more layers of the tube will preferably include corrugations, ridges, bumps or other non-smooth surface such that air spaces are formed between the handle and the inner surface, or the inner surface and the outer surface.

A cookware handle includes a plastic grip portion molded over a portion of an insert. The insert inserts into a bore of a flange. The grip portion is externally flush with the flange interface and the insert internally connects the grip portion to the flange. This allows the grip portion to be over molded on a first part of the insert so the other portion can be welded or otherwise attached to the flange after external surface finishing of the flange. The insert and flange may be welded together along a portion of the insert that contacts the flange within the bore and that is not visible when the flange is attached to a cookware vessel sidewall to provide the grip molded as a handle for the cookware vessel.

A cookware assembly including a cooking vessel with a vessel side wall and an elongated handle extending outwardly from the sidewall, a cover, an opening in at least one of the vessel side wall and the cover in an area above the elongated handle, and a utensil, where the handle of the utensil rests in relation to the elongated handle and the opening permits the utensil component to reside in the interior of the covered cooking vessel when the cover is on the cooking vessel. The cover can be placed on the cooking vessel in a plurality of positions, to allow the utensil to pass to the interior of the cooking vessel, to allow pouring from the cooking vessel with the cover on, and to seal the cover on the cooking vessel without the utensil. An auxiliary vessel can also be included as part of the cooking assembly.

A cooking vessel includes a base having a flat bottom and a sidewall connected to and surrounding the base, thereby defining an interior space configured for containing food. The base comprises a layered composite material that includes a first layer of the composite material has a positive Poisson's ratio (PPR) and a second layer of the composite material is disposed in contact with the first layer. The cooking vessel includes a material having a negative Poisson's ratio (NPR).

A cookware assembly including a cooking vessel comprising an interior, an exterior, a vessel side wall and an elongated handle extending outwardly from the exterior, a cover, and an opening in at least one of the vessel side wall and the cover above the elongated handle.