Patent ID: 6872921

Claim:
A programmable slow-cooker appliance comprising: a heating unit including a bottom and a continuous sidewall defining a well-like heating chamber having an open top end, a heating element positioned for providing heat to said well-like chamber, and a pair of handles extending in opposite directions from said continuous side wall; a ceramic cooking unit adapted to be supported by said heating unit and to extend at least partially within said well-like heating chamber; a thermoplastic housing assembly mounted to and projecting from said sidewall of said heating unit, said housing assembly being positioned between said handles of said heating unit and including a top wall, a bottom wall, a pair of side walls, and a vent; a control panel supported by said housing assembly in an inclined position spaced away from said continuous sidewall of said heating unit; a circuit including a programmable controller positioned within said housing assembly and operatively associated with said control panel, said circuit being configured to cause the heating element to operate in a warm mode and a plurality of cooking modes and to allow a user to set cooking time and temperature.