Abstract:
The present invention discloses an apparatus and method that combines traditional open flame cooking and modern cooking techniques (including, but not limited to, convection cooking, conduction cooking, microwave cooking etc). It not only allows traditional cooking steps that take place in open flame but also gives the user an option to switch over to other cooking technique to complete the cooking.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an apparatus and method that for efficient cooking More specifically, it relates to a cooking apparatus that uses dual source of energy and can efficiently switch over between the two modes based on the discretion of the user. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Traditional cooking in Asian countries, and particularly India, has almost unarguably involved open flame cooking. Almost all cuisines and culinary practices developed in these countries have relied on the open flame method of cooking. This method of cooking has been in practice since time immemorial and with changing times and tastes, people have generally developed new cooking methods but centered on the same open flame cooking technique. For instance, preliminary heating, pre-frying, and roasting spices before cooking in open flame and oil is practiced. Similarly, to provide dry, crisp external surface for the ingredients in the dish, main ingredients are cooked in open flame before boiling or heating it with higher water content for complete cooking. 
         [0003]    Even with the advent of modern cooking techniques, and specially the microwave technique, a substantial number of the cooking house-hold still prefer the open flame cooking as their sole cooking technique. Such modern cooking techniques has definitely made the modern day cooking fast, easy, cost &amp; time efficient, but, in public minds, still is not able to match up with the goodness of a traditional open flame cooking. 
         [0004]    These modern cooking techniques depend mostly on an electrical supply as the power source. With a fluctuating electrical supply in most parts of any developing nation, including India, the primary concern in a user&#39;s mind is a loss of time and other resources, if and when, the electrical supply gets off in the course of cooking Indian households also find it difficult to do an investment in money and space that separate cooking instruments dedicated to different styles of cooking might entail on them. 
         [0005]    There is, therefore, a need in the art to provide for a cooking apparatus that combines the benefits of both open flame and other modern cooking techniques cooking into a single apparatus, giving user a much desired advantage of savoring his taste buds by dishes made from different styles of cooking as well as saving cost and space. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary cooking apparatus according an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates another exemplary cooking apparatus according an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention discloses an apparatus and method that combines traditional open flame cooking and modern cooking techniques (including, but not limited to, convection cooking, conduction cooking, microwave cooking etc). It not only allows traditional cooking steps that take place in open flame but also gives the user an option to switch over to other cooking technique to complete the cooking. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    In an embodiment of the invention, a cooking apparatus with a dual source of energy is provided. One of them is based on a traditional open flame and includes flame from gas, naphtha, kerosene like inflammable liquids, wood, coal, electric heating coil, hot gases, steam, superheated steam and vaporized liquid or gases. The other source of energy is based on a modern cooking technique. In a preferred embodiment, the modern cooking technique is a microwave based cooking technique. 
         [0011]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a cooking apparatus  100  according an embodiment of the present invention provides for a dual mode of operation with distinct features for an open flame cooking and microwave cooking. In an embodiment, the cooking apparatus  100  includes a base portion  102 , a temperature resistant gasket  104 , and a top portion  106 . The base portion  102  includes a cavity, made preferably from steel, which forms part of the cooking area for a traditional flame-based cooking. The base portion  102  can receive flame from a conventional flame source having any orientation ensuring flexibility as to the side from which the heat source is given. The cooking apparatus  100  of the present invention is compatible with working on all known sources of open flame energy sources, including but not limited to, convection, radiation, hot gas, steam, and induction. The top portion  106  of the cooking apparatus  100  can be configured to provide a requisite microwave radiation to carry out an alternate cooking method. In an embodiment, the top portion  106  can further comprise of a magnetron based unit  108  configured to generate microwave radiation essential for the functioning of the top portion  106  of the cooking apparatus  100 . In a preferred embodiment, the top portion  106  can be covered by a lid that surrounds the top portion  106  and moves on a hinged joint to open or close the lid over the top portion  106 . In yet another embodiment, the top portion  106  can be made from ceramic material. 
         [0012]    The top portion  106  and the base portion  102  of the cooking apparatus  100  can be separated by a temperature resistant gasket  104 , which not only acts as a physical separator between the two portions but also helps manage an effective temperature range in the respective portions of the cooking apparatus  100 . 
         [0013]    In an embodiment, the exterior of the top portion  106  of the cooking apparatus  100  can have a UI display  110  to indicate temperature or time related to either of the top portion  106  or of the base portion  102  of the cooking apparatus  100 . 
         [0014]    In its working, the cooking apparatus  100  operates both on the traditional mode of flame-based cooking and the modern technique of cooking, preferably microwave. Typical operation may start with an open position of the top portion  106  of the cooking apparatus  100 , and the entire cooking taking place on open flame. The open position of the top portion  106  can allow cooking, mixing, adding, and browning of the ingredients. After this first phase, the microwave lid can be closed down and the operator can switch on the microwave to quickly complete cooking. 
         [0015]    In an embodiment, cooking can start with the top portion  106  of the cooking apparatus  100 , intervened by open flame cooking at the base portion  102 . In yet another embodiment, the cooking apparatus  100  can either be user controlled or can be automated for convenient and faster processing. 
         [0016]      FIG. 2  illustrates another exemplary cooking apparatus according an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0017]      FIG. 2  shows a cooking apparatus  200  comprising a base portion  102  and a top portion  106  separated by a temperature resistant gasket  104 . In an embodiment, the base portion  102  can be a hot plate or an insulation plate, which controls both the hot plate as well as the top portion  106 , which functions as a microwave. 
         [0018]    In another embodiment, the cooking apparatus  200  further comprises of a base container  204  for cooking the food. In an embodiment, the base container  204  has a food grade enamel coating from inside, which is safe and compatible with microwave and induction hot plate. 
         [0019]    In another embodiment, the temperature resistant gasket  104  comprises a handle and gas insulation plate to grip and ensure that there is no inadvertent use. In yet another embodiment the temperature resistant gasket  104  is a transparent glass plate to ensure that the ingredients inside the base container are visible. 
         [0020]    In an embodiment, the top portion  106  has a ceramic and/or metal body with insulation base plate to ensure that the base heat does not affect the container on top. The top portion  106  can also have a display  110  to show the power being consumed by microwave. The display can also be configured to display and configure the program mode. 
         [0021]    In yet another embodiment, the cooking apparatus  200  comprises of vertical gas springs  202  to take the load of the lid. The cooking apparatus  200  further comprises stoppers  206  to ensure that the top portion  106  stops and can then turn around the hinge to open further. The stoppers can further allow the top to rotate around the vertical axis. 
         [0022]    In another embodiment, the base portion  102  can further comprise of a display to show the power being consumed along with other desired parameters. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the top portion  106  and base portion  102  are detachable from each other and can be configured to work with each other when desired by the user. 
         [0023]    In another embodiment, the base container can be multiple shapes and sizes and configurable with the top portion  106  as well as with the base portion  102 . In yet another embodiment, the top portion  102  can simply be lifted from the base container by the user without the use of a hinge or vertical gas spring mechanism. The top portion  102  can, as stated above, also be configured to move up and down to allow conventional cooking and then brought down for use as a microwave.