Abstract: A method of processing a product, such as a food product, by sequential application of different processing steps in a single vessel, is disclosed. Untreated product is placed inside a bottom-unloading basket that is then placed within a covered vessel. For processing a food product, the invention uses a porous steamer apparatus for insertion into a covered cooking vessel. The steamer apparatus is comprised of two unfastened pieces, a basket and a support base. The basket holds the food product, has an open-ended top and an open-ended bottom, and rests firmly upon, but is not fastened to, the support base. The support base has an inverted conical shape and a vertical pole having a hook-shaped upper terminus. After steam-cooking, the pressure dome, basket and support base are removed from the vessel, while the food product remains in the vessel and is subjected to further processing, such as mechanical mixing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of processing a product, such as food product, are disclosed. Untreated product is placed inside a bottom-unloading basket that is, in turn, placed within a covered vessel. For processing a food product, a porous steamer apparatus is provided for insertion into a covered cooking vessel. The steamer apparatus is comprised of two unfastened pieces, a basket and a support base, each of which has a plurality of small holes through which steam, but not food product, may pass. The basket holds the food product, is roughly cylindrical in shape, has an open-ended top and an open-ended bottom, and rests firmly upon, but is not fastened to, the support base during the steam-cooking process. The support base has an inverted conical shape and a vertical pole that has a hook-shaped upper terminus and that is integrally-connected to and protruding above and below the uppermost point of the support base.