The present application discloses an automated kitchen system comprising: a plurality of ingredient containers and caps; a storage apparatus; a first transfer apparatus configured to move capped containers in the storage apparatus to a location at a cap opening apparatus as to remove the cap from the ingredient container; a cyclic transfer apparatus; a second transfer apparatus configured to move an uncapped ingredient container to the cyclic transfer apparatus. The automated kitchen system further comprises one or more cooking systems, where each cooking system comprises: a cooking apparatus comprising a cooking container and a stirring mechanism; an unloading apparatus to unload food ingredients; a transfer apparatus to move an ingredient container from the cyclic transfer apparatus to a position at the unloading mechanism.

The present application discloses an automated kitchen system comprising: a plurality of ingredient containers and caps; a storage apparatus; a first transfer apparatus configured to move capped containers in the storage apparatus to a location at a cap opening apparatus as to remove the cap from the ingredient container; a cyclic transfer apparatus; a second transfer apparatus configured to move an uncapped ingredient container to the cyclic transfer apparatus. The automated kitchen system further comprises one or more cooking systems, where each cooking system comprises: a cooking apparatus comprising a cooking container and a stirring mechanism; an unloading apparatus to unload food ingredients; a transfer apparatus to move an ingredient container from the cyclic transfer apparatus to a position at the unloading mechanism.

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. A first stop contacts the lower rim at two points, and a second stop contacts the rim at one or two 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.

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. A first stop contacts the lower rim at two points, and a second stop contacts the rim at one or two 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.

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.

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.

An electric cooking pot has a main body, a pot body, two electric heating elements and two knobs. The pot body is mounted on a top of the main body. Two cooking recesses are formed on the pot body. The two electric heating elements with different heating powers are attached to the two cooking recesses respectively. One of the heating elements is strip-shaped and substantially forms a quadrilateral to avoid underheat near edges of the corresponding cooking recess. The knobs protrude from the main body. The two heating elements are respectively controlled by the two knobs. The two cooking recesses and a center of the knobs are arranged along a straight line for ease of use. A length of a contour of the main body reduces gradually from bottom to top of the main body. Therefore, users can enjoy two freshly prepared dishes at same time.

An electric cooking pot has a main body, a pot body, two electric heating elements and two knobs. The pot body is mounted on a top of the main body. Two cooking recesses are formed on the pot body. The two electric heating elements with different heating powers are attached to the two cooking recesses respectively. One of the heating elements is strip-shaped and substantially forms a quadrilateral to avoid underheat near edges of the corresponding cooking recess. The knobs protrude from the main body. The two heating elements are respectively controlled by the two knobs. The two cooking recesses and a center of the knobs are arranged along a straight line for ease of use. A length of a contour of the main body reduces gradually from bottom to top of the main body. Therefore, users can enjoy two freshly prepared dishes at same time.

An electrical appliance for cooking food by two different methods is disclosed. Generally speaking, the appliance comprises a base and two interchangeable cooking lids. The base has an outer surface, an inner cooking chamber open at an upper end, a first heating source coupled to the cooking chamber, an electronic controller for controlling the heating source, and a user interface having a plurality of buttons for inputting cooking parameters to the electronic controller. The first interchangeable lid is securable to the base to cover the open end of the cooking chamber and is movable on the base from a closed and locked position to a closed and unlocked position. Similarly, the second interchangeable lid is positionable atop the base to cover the open end of the cooking chamber and includes a second heating source, an air circulating device and a power connector configured to receive power through a corresponding power connector positioned on the base.

An electrical appliance for cooking food by two different methods is disclosed. Generally speaking, the appliance comprises a base and two interchangeable cooking lids. The base has an outer surface, an inner cooking chamber open at an upper end, a first heating source coupled to the cooking chamber, an electronic controller for controlling the heating source, and a user interface having a plurality of buttons for inputting cooking parameters to the electronic controller. The first interchangeable lid is securable to the base to cover the open end of the cooking chamber and is movable on the base from a closed and locked position to a closed and unlocked position. Similarly, the second interchangeable lid is positionable atop the base to cover the open end of the cooking chamber and includes a second heating source, an air circulating device and a power connector configured to receive power through a corresponding power connector positioned on the base.