The present application discloses an automated kitchen system comprising a first computer and a plurality of second computers which are connected so that the first computer may communicate with any of the second computers. The automated kitchen system also comprises: a plurality of ingredient containers each configured to contain or store food ingredients; caps configured to close on the ingredient containers; a storage apparatus comprising compartments each configured to store a plurality of ingredient containers and refrigeration mechanism configured to cool the food or food ingredients in the containers of the storage apparatus; transport boxes each configured to contain capped ingredient containers; a transportation apparatus configured to move the transport boxes wherein the transportation apparatus comprises motors and sensors; a cap opening apparatus configured to remove a cap from a capped container wherein the cap opening apparatus comprises motors and sensors; a first transfer apparatus configured to move a capped ingredient container from a transport box to the storage apparatus, and also configured to move a capped ingredient container to a location on the cap opening apparatus, wherein the first transfer apparatus comprises motors and sensors; a cyclic transport apparatus comprising a cycle of container holders each configured to hold an ingredient container; a transfer apparatus configured to move an ingredient container from the location of cap opening apparatus to a position on a container holder of the cyclic transport apparatus wherein the second transfer apparatus comprises motors and sensors; and a plurality of cooking systems. Each cooking system comprises a cooking container configured to hold food or food ingredients during a cooking process, a stirring motion mechanism configured to produce a motion in the cooking container as to stir, mix or distribute food or food ingredients held in the cooking container, wherein the stirring motion comprising motors, sensors, and a stove; a cyclic transport apparatus comprising a cycle of container holders each configured to hold an ingredient container; an unloading apparatus configured to unload food ingredients from an ingredient. The above mechanisms and apparatuses comprise electrical or electronic devices and sensors, which are configured to be connected to the second computers.

A slow cooker includes a housing and a removable container. The housing includes a heated receptacle that removably receives the container and is configured to heat the container received therein. The container includes a bowl and a lid that cooperatively define a cooking chamber to receive the food. The bowl and lid are shiftable into and out of a closed position where the bowl and lid cooperatively restrict food ingress and egress relative to the chamber. The container includes a bowl connector and a lid connector associated with the bowl and the lid, respectively. The bowl connector and lid connector are coupled relative to one another to interconnect the bowl and the lid, with the bowl and the lid being shiftable with each other relative to the housing.

A slow cooker includes a housing and a removable container. The housing includes a heated receptacle that removably receives the container and is configured to heat the container received therein. The container includes a bowl and a lid that cooperatively define a cooking chamber to receive the food. The bowl and lid are shiftable into and out of a closed position where the bowl and lid cooperatively restrict food ingress and egress relative to the chamber. The container includes a bowl connector and a lid connector associated with the bowl and the lid, respectively. The bowl connector and lid connector are coupled relative to one another to interconnect the bowl and the lid, with the bowl and the lid being shiftable with each other relative to the housing.

A countertop roaster is configured for stacked or apparatus for multilevel cooking of food. The roaster has a first housing having a first sidewall surrounding a first cooking cavity and a a second housing having a bottom surface extending to a second sidewall surrounding a second cooking cavity. The roaster is configured for use with the first housing alone, or in a stacked configuration with a second housing atop the first housing where different foods can be cooked respectively in said first cooking cavity and said second cooking cavity with heat communicated from an electric heating element in said first housing.

A cookware assembly includes a first vessel, a second vessel positioned removably on the first vessel, a rack, capable of supporting food thereon for cooking, positioned removably on the second vessel, and a handle mounted to the first vessel for movement between an open position detached from the rack and a closed position attached to the rack. The first vessel, the second vessel, and the rack are separable from one another, when the handle is in the open position. The first vessel, the second vessel, and the rack are inseparable, when the handle is in the closed position.

A cookware assembly includes a first vessel, a second vessel positioned removably on the first vessel, a rack, capable of supporting food thereon for cooking, positioned removably on the second vessel, and a handle mounted to the first vessel for movement between an open position detached from the rack and a closed position attached to the rack. The first vessel, the second vessel, and the rack are separable from one another, when the handle is in the open position. The first vessel, the second vessel, and the rack are inseparable, when the handle is in the closed position.

Disclosed herein is a cooking appliance having an improved cooling mechanism. The cooking appliance includes a first cavity forming a first cooking chamber and a second cavity forming a second cooking chamber, and has a cooling mechanism for cooling both the first cavity and the second cavity. A separate third cooling channel is formed to exhaust air from the first cooking chamber. A vent for the first and second cavities may be formed at a lower portion of the second cavity such that air may be exhausted via the vent.

Disclosed herein is a cooking appliance having an improved cooling mechanism. The cooking appliance includes a first cavity forming a first cooking chamber and a second cavity forming a second cooking chamber, and has a cooling mechanism for cooling both the first cavity and the second cavity. A separate third cooling channel is formed to exhaust air from the first cooking chamber. A vent for the first and second cavities may be formed at a lower portion of the second cavity such that air may be exhausted via the vent.

A nestable set of pots including a plurality of pots which are nestable together and a plurality of lids, each lid corresponding to a pot and being removably attached to an outside bottom surface thereof. An articulated exterior handle for the pots, having a first retracted position and a second extended position.

A nestable set of pots including a plurality of pots which are nestable together and a plurality of lids, each lid corresponding to a pot and being removably attached to an outside bottom surface thereof. An articulated exterior handle for the pots, having a first retracted position and a second extended position.