Abstract: A heating apparatus for use in an automatic vending machine includes a heating room having an upper opening, a magnetron disposed within the heating room for generating high-frequency waves, a support shaft penetrating the bottom wall of the heating room, a receptacle connected to the upper end of the support shaft for receiving a commodity package, and a raising/lowering mechanism connected to the lower end of the support shaft for rotating and vertically moving the support shaft. The support shaft is raised by the raising/lowering and rotating mechanism to project the receptacle out of the heating room from the upper opening. Upon receipt of a commodity package, the receptacle is lowered into the heating room, and then the package is irradiated with high-frequency waves to cook the commodity therein. Upon completion of the cooking, the receptacle is again raised, and the commodity package is discharged out of the heater apparatus.