Abstract: A self-draining cooking pot, such as a pasta pot, which facilitates the draining of liquid. A handle assembly includes a valve module which is readily-removable to facilitate cleaning, and a strainer to block the passage of food into the valve while permitting the flow of liquid. Included as part of the removable valve module is a sliding shaft with a resilient sealing member mounted on one end, and the sealing member is spring-biased against a valve seat. The handle assembly also includes a trigger lever for manual actuation of the valve. To prevent inadvertent draining of the pot, a lock-closed device engages the trigger lever until released by a pushbutton. To facilitate removal of the readily-removable valve module, a similar lock-open device is provided for the sliding shaft.

Abstract: A self-draining pot apparatus is set forth wherein a cooking vessel is formed with a pivotally and normally biased closure overlying, in a sealing arrangement, a plurality of openings enabling draining of fluid contained in said vessel during a cooking procedure. A removable screen oriented at an elevated position within said vessel enables steaming of various foods, such as vegetables, positionable on said screen. A finger lever positioned within a handle integrally secured to said vessel has secured thereto a flexible tether engaging said closure to enable opening of said closure and draining of the fluid within said vessel.