Patent ID: 6293271
Filing Date: 2001-09-25
Classification: A47J,Y10S

Abstract:
A multifunctional cooking pot including a base portion, a removable cover having an outer edge, the base portion and the cover defining a cooking chamber, the base portion comprising a liquid-retainable vessel having an upstanding wall terminating in an upper edge thereof, a removable lower rack supported within the base portion, a removable upper rack comprising at least one rack member supported on the base portion above the lower rack, and a cover support provided on the base portion outwardly of the upper rack for receiving the outer edge of the cover in seating relationship, whereby the cooking pot is operable in any one of a plurality of cooking modes including:an open charcoal-grilling mode wherein the cover and the upper rack are removed from the base portion, charcoal is placed on the lower rack and ignited, the upper rack is replaced, and food to be cooked is placed on the upper rack;a closed charcoal-grilling mode wherein the cover and the upper rack are removed from the base portion, charcoal is placed on the lower rack and ignited, the upper rack is replaced, food to be cooked is placed on the upper rack, and the cover is replaced;an externally-heated charcoal-grilling mode wherein the cover and the upper rack are removed from the base portion, charcoal is placed on the lower rack, the base portion is placed over a source of heat to heat the charcoal, the upper rack member is replaced, food to be cooked is placed on the upper rack, and the cover is replaced;a grilling and smoking mode wherein the cover and the upper rack are removed from the base portion, charcoal and wood chips are placed on the lower rack, the base portion is placed over a source of heat to heat the charcoal and the wood chips, the upper rack is replaced, food to be cooked is placed on the upper rack, and the cover is replaced;a deep-frying mode wherein at least the cover and the upper rack are removed from the base portion, the base portion is partially filled with cooking oil, the food to be cooked is immersed in the cooking oil, and the base portion is placed over a source of heat;a boiling and simmering mode wherein at least the cover and the upper rack are removed from the base portion, the base portion is partially filled with liquid, and the base portion is placed over a source of heat;a steaming mode wherein the cover and the upper rack are removed from the base portion, the base portion is filled with water to a level below the lower rack, food to be steamed is placed on the lower rack, the upper rack is replaced, additional food to be steamed is placed on the upper rack, the cover is replaced, and the base portion is placed over a source of heat;a first oven mode wherein the cover and the upper rack are removed from the base portion, food to be baked or roasted is placed on the lower rack, the cover is replaced, and the base portion is placed over a source of heat; anda second oven mode wherein the cover and the upper rack are removed from the base portion, food to be baked or roasted is placed on the lower rack, the upper rack is replaced, additional food is placed on the upper rack, the cover is replaced, and the base support is placed over a source of heat.