Abstract: Described herein are automated cooking apparatuses for storing and cooking food items as well as methods of operating such apparatuses. In some examples, an automated cooking apparatus comprises a storage unit, a delivery unit, and a cooking unit. The storage unit may be equipped with a refrigeration unit and a container delivery opening. The delivery unit is aligned with this opening and configured to load a set amount of the food items into each food compartment of the cooking unit. The cooking unit moves its food compartments through a cooking tank (e.g., filled with a cooking liquid and heated using a set of heating elements) and into a cooked food receiver. The storage unit or, more specifically, its uncooked food container unit is positioned proximate (e.g., within 200 millimeters) to the cooking tank thereby reducing the time for transporting the food items relative to the cooking time.

Abstract: Described herein are automated cooking apparatuses for storing and cooking food items as well as methods of operating such apparatuses. In some examples, an automated cooking apparatus comprises a storage unit, a delivery unit, and a cooking unit. The storage unit may be equipped with a refrigeration unit and a container delivery opening. The delivery unit is aligned with this opening and configured to load a set amount of the food items into each food compartment of the cooking unit. The cooking unit moves its food compartments through a cooking tank (e.g., filled with a cooking liquid and heated using a set of heating elements) and into a cooked food receiver. The storage unit or, more specifically, its uncooked food container unit is positioned proximate (e.g., within 200 millimeters) to the cooking tank thereby reducing the time for transporting the food items relative to the cooking time.