Stackable Cooking Apparatus

Abstract

The apparatus includes a lower vessel and an upper vessel mounted atop the lower vessel. The lower vessel, which can be disposed on the heated surface of a stove, includes a first top wall having apertures therethrough, and defines a first volume in the lower vessel. The upper vessel includes a second top wall free of apertures, and defines a second volume in the upper vessel. Food items to be cooked are placed on the first top wall so that the food item resides in the second volume. Heat from the heated surface rises into the first volume, through the apertures and into the second volume, to cook the food item therein. Means are provided for maintaining the vertical stability of the vessels when the vessels are stacked.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A stackable cooking apparatus comprising:
 a lower vessel comprising a top wall;   an upper vessel adapted to be mounted atop the lower vessel; and   the lower vessel further comprising an open bottom to allow thermal energy radiated from a heat source to directly heat an interior of the lower vessel.   
     
     
         2 . The stackable cooking apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the stackable cooking apparatus is supported by a heat source. 
     
     
         3 . The stackable cooking apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the top wall of the lower vessel comprises a plurality of perforations. 
     
     
         4 . The stackable cooking apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the lower vessel further comprises a recess in an upper portion thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The stackable cooking apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the top wall is adapted to support a food item thereon. 
     
     
         6 . The stackable cooking apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the upper vessel mounted atop the lower vessel substantially surrounds a food item supported by the top wall of the lower vessel. 
     
     
         7 . The stackable cooking apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the upper vessel further comprises a crimped end portion defining an open bottom. 
     
     
         8 . The stackable cooking apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the crimped end portion of the upper vessel is configured for mating engagement with a recess of the lower vessel. 
     
     
         9 . The stackable cooking apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the open bottom of the crimped end portion opens to an interior of the upper vessel. 
     
     
         10 . The stackable cooking apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the upper vessel is adapted to receive heat thereinto flowing from the interior of lower vessel. 
     
     
         11 . The stackable cooking apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the top wall of the lower vessel comprises a plurality of perforations, and the heat flows into the upper vessel through the plurality of perforations. 
     
     
         12 . The stackable cooking apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the heat flows into a hollow interior of the upper vessel and cooks a food item. 
     
     
         13 . The stackable cooking apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the open bottom of the lower vessel opens directly onto the heat source. 
     
     
         14 . The stackable cooking apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the heat source supports the stackable cooking apparatus. 
     
     
         15 . A stackable cooking apparatus comprising:
 a lower vessel comprising a top wall;   an upper vessel adapted to be coaxially mounted atop the lower vessel;   the lower vessel further comprising an open bottom to allow thermal energy radiated from a heat source to directly heat an interior of the lower vessel; and   wherein the open bottom of the lower vessel opens directly onto the heat source, and the heat source supports the stackable cooking apparatus.   
     
     
         16 . The stackable cooking apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the lower vessel comprises a sidewall, and the sidewall and the top wall define a volume therebetween. 
     
     
         17 . The stackable cooking apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the upper vessel comprises a sidewall and a top wall that define a volume therebetween. 
     
     
         18 . The stackable cooking apparatus of  claim 15  further comprising an intermediate vessel wherein the intermediate vessel comprises a top wall having a plurality of perforations. 
     
     
         19 . The stackable cooking apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the top wall of the intermediate vessel is adapted to support a food item thereon. 
     
     
         20 . The stackable cooking apparatus of  claim 18  further comprising a plurality of handles coupled to respective ones of the upper vessel, the intermediate vessel, and the lower vessel for transporting the upper vessel, the intermediate vessel, and the lower vessel.