A food holding tray and a system for holding prepared food items include a shell that defines at least one food receiving area internal to the shell. A plurality of sensors are arranged about the shell and directed into the food receiving area. A processor is communicatively connected to the plurality of sensors to receive signals from the sensors. The processor calculates holding data from the signals received from the sensors.

Provided is a method for producing a handle subassembly made to be mounted to a body (2) to form a cooking vessel (1), said subassembly including a handle (20), a sensor (30), particularly a temperature sensor, equipped with at least one flexible insulated conducting element (31, 32) which is connected to a connector (17) of a control circuit (28), said subassembly including a receiving area (49) for the conducting element (31, 32) a part of which (49b) is disposed in the handle (20).

A placeable cooktop utensil includes: a handle for handling the placeable utensil; a controller; a transmitter unit for transmitting signals from the placeable utensil to the cooktop; and at least one input unit having at least one input area integrated in the handle for a user of the placeable utensil to input a user command, the transmitter unit and the at least one input unit being connected in signal communication with the controller, and the cooktop being controllable by the user command. The handle has a gripping portion for gripping and manually moving the placeable utensil and at least one input portion. The at least one input area is in the at least one input portion. At least one sensor for detecting the handle being approached and/or contacted by the user, is in the gripping portion.

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.

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 cookware system that measures temperature is disclosed. In certain embodiments disclosed herein, the system includes a cooking base and a handle. The cooking base is connected to a temperature sensor. The handle includes a display that indicates a temperature level as measured by the temperature sensor. In certain embodiments, a desired temperature level can be set through a user interface in the handle which can allow a user to be notified when the cooking base reaches the desired temperature level. Advantageously, by notifying the user when the cooking base reaches the temperature level, the user can either adjust a cooktop power level to adjust the heat or start cooking using the cookware system.

The invention relates to a handle for a cooking vessel that includes at least one thermoelectric generator. The thermoelectric generator includes at least a first contact surface thermally connected to a heat sink and the heat sink is formed from a material that undergoes a phase transition when heated to temperatures varying between 50 C. and 70 C.

Provided herein are kitchen utensils, in particular temperature-maintenance saucepans, frying pans, pots and woks. The temperature-maintenance zero-cooking utensil may include a small solar panel being arranged at the end of the utensil's handle, a command control system located on the top of the handle or grips of the temperature-maintenance utensils, an OFF button (circuit-breaker) arranged between the command control system and the small motor, a small motor incorporated in the handle or grips of the utensils, and cooling liquid or distilled water (Elephant's-civ technology) with its pressurized zone. Sensors and connecting pipes are arranged around the right and left sides and between the body and base of the pan. Electrical wires may connect all of the systems of the temperature-maintenance zero-cooking utensils together.

A vessel for frying, baking or cooking foodstuffs, includes at least one visible first material and one visible second material, wherein at least the first material reversibly changes color thermochromically when heated. The coloring of the two materials is selected in order for a color difference between the two materials to change visibly when the vessel is heated.

A cooking appliance having a temperature measuring device for selecting a pre-determined temperature appropriate for cooking a specific type of food product, the cooking appliance having a module selectively attachable to and removable from an end portion of the handle, the module including a plurality of selectable pre-determined temperatures and a signaling device for indicating to a user when the selected temperature has been reached, the temperature measuring device being coupled to the module through the handle.