US Patent 10499766 Cooking device and components thereof

Disclosed herein is a cooking system including a housing defining a hollow chamber. An upper portion of the housing defines an opening to the hollow chamber. A food container is receivable within said hollow chamber. A lid configured to cover the upper portion of the housing and the opening in a closed position, is moveable to an open position where the lid does not cover the opening. At least one heating element is associated with the housing or the lid. The cooking system is operable in a conductive cooking mode and a convective cooking mode. In said conductive cooking mode, the cooking system is operable as a conductive cooker and in said convective cooking mode, the cooking system is operable as a convection cooker. The cooking system is operable in the conductive cooking mode and then the convective cooking mode without removing said food container from said hollow chamber.