Abstract: A combination cooking system and methods for cooking having a simplified venting structure are provided. In one embodiment, the cooking system can include a housing having a hollow chamber for receiving food, a lid coupled to the housing for enclosing food within the chamber, and at least one heating element. In use, a seal disposed between the lid and housing can be selectively removed to create an air gap there between, thus providing a simplified method for venting air within the housing and thereby enabling the system to operate in different cooking modes. A locking element for locking the lid relative to the housing and/or an adjustable vent can also be selectively used to control venting within the system to enable the system to operate in different cooking modes.

Abstract: A cooking system includes a housing having a hollow interior and a container disposable within the hollow interior and including a bottom surface. The container defines a container cavity for receiving food to be cooked. A support body is positionable within the hollow interior to support food. The support body is disposable within the container cavity. The container cavity includes a clearance area between a bottom of the support body and the bottom surface of the container. A heating element operably coupled to the support body.

Abstract: A cooking system includes a housing having a hollow interior and food is receivable within said hollow interior. A heating element is associated with the housing and a support body supports food within the hollow interior. The support body includes a body having a plurality of diffuser ribs. A plurality of channels is formed between the plurality of diffuser rib and at least one of the plurality of diffuser ribs and the plurality of channels is operable to deflect a relatively downward flowing fluid relatively horizontally across said support body.

Abstract: A cooking system including a housing having a hollow interior and food being receivable within said hollow interior. A support body supports food within the hollow interior and a heating element is positioned to heat the hollow interior and the support body. A temperature sensor is operable to monitor a temperature of the support body. The temperature sensor is located remotely from said heating element.

Abstract: A cooking system includes a housing having at least one internal compartment and a cooking container receivable within said at least one internal compartment. A cooking volume is defined within an interior of said cooking container. A bottom surface of said cooking container is angled upwardly. A heating element is associated with said at least one internal compartment.

Abstract: A cooking system includes a housing defining a hollow chamber configured to receive food. The housing has an upper portion defining an opening to said hollow chamber. A lid is movable relative to the housing between an open position and a closed position. The lid seals the opening to the hollow chamber when in the closed position. A portion of the lid is selectively positionable to form a pressure-tight heating volume between the hollow chamber and the portion of said lid. At least one heating element is associated with at least one of the housing and the lid. The at least one heating element is arranged within the pressure-tight heating volume.

Abstract: A cooking system includes a housing having at least one internal compartment and a cooking container receivable within said at least one internal compartment. A cooking volume is defined within an interior of said cooking container. A bottom surface of said cooking container is angled upwardly. A heating element is associated with said at least one internal compartment.

Abstract: A cooking system includes a housing defining a hollow chamber configured to receive food, a controller configured to operate the cooking system in a plurality of modes including a conductive cooking mode and a convective cooking mode, a first temperature sensor operable by the controller to detect temperature in the hollow chamber during the conductive cooking mode, and a second temperature sensor operable by the controller to detect temperature in the hollow chamber during the convective cooking mode. The controller is configured to receive an initial user input that initiates at least one of the conductive cooking mode and the convective cooking mode and switch between operation of the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor following the initial user input and without further user input.

Abstract: A combination cooking system and methods for cooking having a simplified venting structure are provided. In one embodiment, the cooking system can include a housing having a hollow chamber for receiving food, a lid coupled to the housing for enclosing food within the chamber, and at least one heating element. In use, a seal disposed between the lid and housing can be selectively removed to create an air gap there between, thus providing a simplified method for venting air within the housing and thereby enabling the system to operate in different cooking modes. A locking element for locking the lid relative to the housing and/or an adjustable vent can also be selectively used to control venting within the system to enable the system to operate in different cooking modes.

Abstract: A cooking system includes a housing having at least one internal compartment and a cooking container receivable within said at least one internal compartment. A cooking volume is defined within an interior of said cooking container. A bottom surface of said cooking container is angled upwardly. A heating element is associated with said at least one internal compartment.

Abstract: A cooking system includes a housing having at least one internal compartment and a cooking container receivable within said at least one internal compartment. A cooking volume is defined within an interior of said cooking container. A bottom surface of said cooking container is angled upwardly. A heating element is associated with said at least one internal compartment.

Abstract: A cooking system includes a housing defining a hollow chamber configured to receive food. The housing has an upper portion defining an opening to said hollow chamber. A lid is movable relative to the housing between an open position and a closed position. The lid seals the opening to the hollow chamber when in the closed position. A portion of the lid is selectively positionable to form a pressure-tight heating volume between the hollow chamber and the portion of said lid. At least one heating element is associated with at least one of the housing and the lid. The at least one heating element is arranged within the pressure-tight heating volume.

Abstract: A cooking system includes a housing having at first internal compartment and a second internal compartment. At least one cooking container is receivable within one of the first internal compartment and the second internal compartment. At least one cooking volume is defined within an interior of the at least one cooking container. At least one heating element is disposed in said housing.

Abstract: A cooking system includes a housing having a first cooking zone and a second cooking zone and at least one heating element associated with said first cooking zone and said second cooking zone. The cooking system is operable in a synchronized mode, and in said synchronized mode a first cooking operation performed in said first cooking zone and a second cooking operation performed in said second cooking zone are synchronized to be completed simultaneously.

Abstract: A cooking system includes a housing having a hollow interior and food is receivable within said hollow interior. A heating element is associated with the housing and a support body supports food within the hollow interior. The support body includes a body having a plurality of diffuser ribs. A plurality of channels is formed between the plurality of diffuser rib and at least one of the plurality of diffuser ribs and the plurality of channels is operable to deflect a relatively downward flowing fluid relatively horizontally across said support body.

Abstract: A cooking system includes a housing having at first internal compartment and a second internal compartment. At least one cooking container is receivable within one of the first internal compartment and the second internal compartment. At least one cooking volume is defined within an interior of the at least one cooking container. At least one heating element is disposed in said housing.

Abstract: A cooking system including a housing having a hollow interior and food being receivable within said hollow interior. A support body supports food within the hollow interior and a heating element is positioned to heat the hollow interior and the support body. A temperature sensor is operable to monitor a temperature of the support body. The temperature sensor is located remotely from said heating element.