Abstract: A thermally insulated vessel for cooking, serving, and storing of foods and beverages, particularly adapted for use in microwave cooking units. A double-walled vessel is provided, including an outer container and a removable inner container, both having substantially similar shapes. The inner container is supported by a grooved flange extending outward from its upper rim which rests on the upper rim of the outer container. The inner container and the outer container are separated by a narrow gap, forming an enclosed air cavity. The flange groove and rim are designed to allow air to escape from the cavity to relieve the pressure caused by hot foods or beverages in the vessel, and to resist air and liquid flow into the cavity as the vessel cools. A raised lid is further provided, fitting over the inner container, and having a flat top and a recessed handle, to allow several vessels to be stacked on each other for cooking or storing.

Abstract: A microwave coffee making apparatus (10), adapted for use in a microwave oven to heat water (66), has a water reservoir (12) with at least one aperture (49) near the bottom thereof, a coffee grounds basket (13) positioned to receive water from at least one water reservoir aperture (49), a pitcher (11) positioned to receive brewed coffee (17) from the coffee grounds basket (13), and a manually operated valve means (14) located adjacent the at least one water reservoir aperture (49) to control draining of the water reservoir (12) into the coffee grounds basket (13). To brew coffee (17) with this coffee making apparatus (10), the water reservoir (12) is filled with the desired amount of water (66), a measured amount of coffee grounds (37) is placed in the coffee grounds basket (13), the flow of water (66) from the water reservoir (12) is initiated by opening the valve (14), and microwave energy is applied to the coffee making apparatus (10) to heat the water.