CA2992697A1 - Multi-purpose frying pan - Google Patents

Abstract

A kitchen appliance in the form of a multi-purpose frying pan includes a base, a cover with a hot air system, an inner pot, a stirrer and a stirrer drive device. The inner pot can be removed from the base. A pot cavity is formed between the lid cover and the inner pot and the stirrer is located in the pot cavity, and the stirrer drive device is installed in the pan. Covered and on the outside of the hot air system, the stirrer drive device drives the stirrer to rotate. The stirrer drive device is disposed on the lid to prevent water or oil from polluting the motor during the cleaning of the cookware. The stirrer drive device is arranged on the outside of the hot air system to effectively prevent the drive device from blocking the transmission of hot air from the hot air system to the inner pot.

Description

I

r , MULTI-PURPOSE FRYING PAN
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of kitchen appliances, and more particularly to a multi-purpose frying pan.
BACKGROUND

[0002] Currently there are air fryers or frying pans with a hot air system. They are usually equipped with a rotating stirrer to prevent food from being over-cooked or from sticking to the pan. At present, there are mainly two ways to drive the stirrer. One is to install a drive device on the pan's base and transmit the power to a stirring paddle through a rotating shaft. However, such an arrangement may cause oil or water to drip to the drive device, which may result in damage to or reduced life of that device. The other is to place the drive device between the hot air system and the stirring paddle, and then to transmit rotational power to the stirring paddle through the rotating shaft. However, this arrangement affects the hot air transmission of the hot air system, which further reduces the already limited ventilation area, thus prejudicing cooking efficiency and results.
Additionally, in conventional air fryers or frying pans the stirring paddle is usually permanently mounted on the cooker or inner pot, so cleaning the stirring paddle is difficult or inconvenient.
SUMMARY

[0003] According to a first aspect, there is provided a cooking apparatus comprising a base comprising a heating plate and an inner pot located over the heating plate; and a lid closable over the inner pot to form a cooking chamber, wherein the lid comprises a hot air system configured to direct hot air into the cooking chamber and a stirrer drive device configured to be attached to a stirrer.

[0004] The hot air system may comprise a hot air system motor, the stirrer drive device may comprise a drive motor, and the hot air system motor and the drive motor may be laterally offset from each other within the lid.

[0005] The lid may comprise a cover portion and a handle portion positioned above the cover portion, the stirrer drive device and the hot air system may span the cover and handle portions, and the hot air system motor and the drive motor may both located in the handle portion.

[0006] The stirrer drive device may further comprise a drive gear rotatable by the drive motor, and the apparatus may further comprise the stirrer. The stirrer may comprise a gear assembly detachably coupled to an underside of the lid; and a stirring paddle coupled to the gear assembly such that rotation of the gear assembly by the drive motor causes the stirring paddle to rotate.

[0007] The gear assembly may comprise a ring gear mated with the drive gear and a gear bracket spanning an interior of the ring gear.

[0008] The gear bracket may be positioned under the hot air system and comprise a cylindrical side that comprises ventilation holes for venting the hot air to the cooking chamber.

[0009] The ring gear may comprise teeth that mate with the drive gear and that face away from an axis of rotation of the gear assembly.

[0010] The stirrer may further comprise a positioning rod extending through a center of the gear assembly and into the lid; and a stop block at one end of the positioning rod that retains the gear assembly to the underside of the lid.

[0011] The positioning rod and the lid may be threaded to permit screwing and unscrewing of the positioning rod into and out of the lid.

[0012] The hot air system may comprise a propeller for propelling the hot air, and an axis of rotation of the propeller may be coaxial with an axis of rotation of the gear assembly.

[0013] A gear assembly protrusion may extend from an underside of the gear assembly, a paddle protrusion may extends from a top side of the stirring paddle, and the protrusions may be positioned such that rotation of the gear assembly causes the gear assembly protrusion to interfere with the paddle protrusion and rotate the stirring paddle.

[0014] The inner pot may comprise a groove shaped to receive a bottom edge of the stirring paddle, and the bottom edge of the stirring paddle may sit in the groove during stirring.

[0015] A bottom of the stifling paddle may slide against the inner pot during stirring, one of the stirring paddle and inner pot may comprise one of a protrusion and a groove and the other of the stirring paddle and inner pot comprises the other of the protrusion and groove, and the protrusion may fit into the groove during stirring.

[0016] The base may further comprise an outer pot in which the inner pot sits, and the heating plate may be between the inner and outer pots.

[0017] According to another aspect, there is provided a cooking apparatus comprising a base comprising an inner pot; a lid closable over the inner pot to form a cooking chamber, wherein the lid comprises a hot air system configured to direct hot air into the cooking chamber and a stirrer drive device; and a stirrer attached to the stirrer drive device, the stirrer comprising a gear assembly detachably coupled to an underside of the lid; and a stifling paddle coupled to the gear assembly such that rotation of the gear assembly causes the stirring paddle to rotate.

[0018] The hot air system may comprise a hot air system motor, the stirrer drive device may comprise a drive motor, and the hot air system motor and the drive motor may be laterally offset from each other within the lid.

[0019] The lid may comprise a cover portion and a handle portion positioned above the cover portion, the stirrer drive device and the hot air system may span the cover and handle portions, and the hot air system motor and the drive motor may both be located in the handle portion.

[0020] The stirrer drive device may further comprise a drive gear rotatable by the drive motor, and the gear assembly may comprise a ring gear mated with the drive gear.

[0021] The gear assembly may further comprise a gear bracket spanning an interior of the ring gear.

[0022] The gear bracket may be positioned under the hot air system and comprise a cylindrical side that comprises ventilation holes for venting the hot air to the cooking chamber.

[0023] The ring gear may comprise teeth that mate with the drive gear and that face away from an axis of rotation of the gear assembly.

[0024] The stirrer may further comprise a positioning rod extending through a center of the gear assembly and into the lid; and a stop block at one end of the positioning rod that retains the gear assembly to the underside of the lid.

[0025] The positioning rod and the lid may be threaded to permit screwing and unscrewing of the positioning rod into and out of the lid.

[0026] The hot air system may comprise a propeller for propelling the hot air, and an axis of rotation of the propeller may be coaxial with an axis of rotation of the gear assembly.

[0027] A gear assembly protrusion may extend from an underside of the gear assembly, a paddle protrusion may extend from a top side of the stirring paddle, and the protrusions may be positioned such that rotation of the gear assembly causes the gear assembly protrusion to interfere with the paddle protrusion and rotate the stirring paddle.

[0028] The inner pot may comprise a groove shaped to receive a bottom edge of the stirring paddle, and the bottom edge of the stirring paddle may sit in the groove during stirring.

[0029] A bottom of the stirring paddle may slide against the inner pot during stirring, one of the stirring paddle and inner pot may comprise one of a protrusion and a groove and the other of the stirring paddle and inner pot may comprise the other of the protrusion and groove, and the protrusion may fit into the groove during stirring.

[0030] The base may comprise a heating plate positioned under the inner pot.

[0031] The base may further comprise an outer pot in which the inner pot sits, and the heating plate may be between the inner and outer pots.

[0032] According to another aspect, there is provided a multifunctional frying pan comprising a base, a lid with a hot air system, an inner pot, a stirrer, and a stirrer drive device. The inner pot is detachably affixed or placed in the base. Once closed, the lid and the inner pot form a cooking chamber with the stirrer placed inside. The stirrer drive device is mounted on the outside of the hot air system on top of the lid. The stirrer drive device drives the stirrer and causes it to rotate. Placing the stirrer drive device on the lid helps to prevent contamination of a drive motor, which comprises part of the stirrer drive device, by water or oil during cleaning. Placing the stirrer drive device outside of the hot air system may effectively prevent hot air circulation from being blocked or disrupted by the drive device, thus helping to ensure cooking efficiency and results. This design may make adapting to different shapes of the lid and consequent changing locations of the drive motor easier.

[0033] The stirrer may comprise a gear assembly, a stirring paddle, and a positioning rod. The gear assembly may comprise an annular ring gear and a gear bracket.
The ring gear and the gear bracket can be a one-piece part, or two separate pieces affixed together. The stirring paddle may be detachable from the gear bracket. The gear bracket and stirring paddle may be easily disassembled for easy cleaning. The positioning rod may pass through the center of the gear bracket and be attached to the lid. The gear bracket may rotate around the positioning rod. Ventilation holes may be on the gear bracket. The stirrer drive device may comprise a drive gear, which drives the ring gear to rotate.
The stirring paddle and gear bracket may be easily removed for cleaning.

[0034] Ventilation holes on the gear bracket can effectively allow the hot air from the hot air system being transmitted to the pan. The gear bracket may rotate so that the ventilation holes keep moving, thus redirecting air flow more evenly and, in certain aspects in all directions, and promoting and improving cooking efficiency and results.

[0035] The stirring paddle may be placed on the inner pot. After the lid is closed, the gear bracket may drive the stirring paddle to rotate and stir. The rotating shaft of the stirring paddle may be coaxial with the rotating shaft of the ring gear. The stirring paddle and gear bracket in certain aspects are not attached to each other. When the lid is open, the stirring paddle may be detached from the gear bracket, which makes it easier to remove and clean.

[0036] A round groove may be on the inner pot, and the groove may match a protrusion at the bottom of the stirring paddle. This tongue-and-groove design helps to line up the stifling paddle precisely.

[0037] A round protrusion may be on the inner pot, and the groove may match the groove at the bottom of the stirring paddle. This tongue-and-groove design may help to line up the stirring paddle precisely.

[0038] The protrusions may be cylindrical, conical, or truncated conical protrusions. The corresponding grooves may accordingly be cylindrical, conical, or truncated conical grooves.

[0039] The base may comprise a housing and an outer pot. The outer pot may be affixed in the housing. The inner pot may be attached or simply placed in the outer pot.
The outer pot may also play a role in insulation and supporting the inner pot.

[0040] The multi-function frying pan may comprise a heating plate, which may be fixed to the outer pot. The inner pot may be placed on top of the heating plate. Use of the heating plate may increase the heating temperature at the bottom of one or both of the pots.

[0041] This summary does not necessarily describe the entire scope of all aspects.
Other aspects, features and advantages will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one or more example embodiments:

[0043] FIG. 1 depicts an exploded view of a multi-purpose frying pan, according to one example embodiment;

[0044] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a lid, which comprises part of the pan of FIG.
1;

[0045] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a gear assembly that comprises part of the pan of FIG. 1;

[0046] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the lid of FIG. 2, coupled to gear assembly of FIG. 3;

[0047] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the pan of FIG. 1 with its lid open;

[0048] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the base of the pan of FIG. 1;

[0049] FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the lid of the pan of FIG. 1;

[0050] FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of a stirring paddle that comprises part of the pan of FIG. 1; and

[0051] FIG. 9 depicts an exploded view of a multi-purpose frying pan, according to another example embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] At least some example embodiments described herein are directed at a cooking apparatus in the form of a multi-purpose frying pan that can effectively protect an electrical motor and prevent it from being damaged by liquids, such as oil, during one or both of pan use and cleaning. In at least some example embodiments, the pan comprises a heat plate in its base so that food being cooked in the pan can be heated by one or both of convection (by hot air circulated by a hot air system that comprises the electrical motor) and conduction (by the heat plate). Additionally or alternatively, in at least some example embodiments a gear assembly attached to an underside of the pan's lid and used to rotate a stirrer is removable from the lid, thereby facilitating cleaning of the gear assembly and the hot air system.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 1-8, in at least one example embodiment a multi-purpose frying pan 100 comprises a base 1, a lid 3 with a hot air system 2, an inner pot 4, a stirrer 5, and a stirrer drive device 6. The inner pot 4 is attached to or placed in the base 1. When the lid 3 is closed, it forms a cooking chamber with the inner pot 4. The stirrer 5 is located inside the chamber. The stirrer drive device 6 is mounted on the lid 3 and on the outside of the hot air system 2. The stirrer drive device 6 drives the stirrer 5 to rotate.

[0054] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the pan 100. The inner pot 4 sits on the base 1, and a stirring paddle 52 that comprises part of the stirrer 5 sits on the inner pot 4.
The lid 3 comprises a handle portion 12 and a cover portion 10, with the handle portion 12 attached to a top side of the cover portion 10. Within the handle portion 12 resides a hot air system motor 16 (depicted in FIGS. 2 and 4) and a drive motor 14 (also depicted in FIGS. 2 and 4), which comprises part of the stirrer drive device 6. The cover portion 10 delineates a top of the cooking chamber when the lid 3 is closed over the inner pot 4.
Attached to an underside of the cover portion 10 is a gear assembly 51, which comprises part of the stirrer 5 and which is rotatably driven by the stirrer drive device 6. Gear assembly protrusions 32 (shown in FIGS. 5 and 7) on an underside of the gear assembly 51 are rotated against analogous paddle protrusions 30 located on a top side of the stirring paddle 52, thereby rotating the paddle 52.

[0055] Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, there are shown a sectional view of the lid 3 when the lid 3 is not coupled to the gear assembly 51, a perspective view of the gear assembly 51 itself, and a sectional view of the lid 3 when it is coupled to the gear assembly 51, respectively.

[0056] FIG. 2 shows the handle portion 12 attached to and positioned over the .. cover portion 10. A hot air system motor 16 that comprises part of the hot air system 2 and a drive motor 14 that comprises part of the stirrer drive device 6 are both positioned within the handle portion 12. The cover portion 10 is rotationally symmetric about a rotational axis. The hot air system motor 16 comprises an output shaft 38 that is coaxial with the rotational axis. The motor's 16 output shaft 38 is attached to and consequently rotates a propeller 18, which propels hot air through the cooking chamber when the lid 3 is closed and the hot air system 2 is on. The propeller's 18 axis of rotation is coaxial with the output shaft 38, and the propeller 18 is contained within a ventilated air system housing 20. At the bottom of the housing 20 and coaxial with the rotational axis is an aperture 34 for receiving a shaft 531 of a positioning rod 53, as discussed further below.

[0057] The drive motor 14 of the stirrer drive device 6 is positioned within the handle portion 12 and is laterally offset from the hot air system motor 16.
The drive motor 14 comprises an output shaft 40; due to the curvature of the handle portion 12 and as the drive motor 14 is laterally offset from the hot air system motor 16, the output shafts 40,38 of the drive motor 14 and hot air system motor 16 are not coaxial or parallel.
The output shaft 40 rotates a drive gear 61, which in turn rotates the gear assembly 51, as discussed further below.

I
t 4 100581 The gear assembly 51 as depicted in FIG. 3 comprises a ring gear 511 that circumscribes a gear bracket 522. In the depicted embodiment the gear 511 and bracket 522 are integral; they may, for example, be welded together. In at least some different embodiments (not depicted), the gear 511 and bracket 522 may be detachably coupled together, such as by using clips. The gear bracket 522 comprises a generally cylindrical wall that has ventilation holes 22. Extending between the wall and the bracket's 522 center are three bracing arms 42. The arms 42 converge at a location that includes an aperture 36 about which the cylindrical wall is rotationally symmetric.
100591 FIG. 4 depicts a sectional view of the lid 3 with the gear assembly 51 detachably coupled to the underside of the cover portion 10. Detachably coupling the assembly 51 to the cover portion 10 permits the assembly 51 to be removed, thereby making cleaning of the gear assembly 51 and the air system housing 20 more convenient.
The stirrer 5 comprises the gear assembly 51, the stirring paddle 52 (depicted in FIGS. 1, 5, 8 and 9), and the positioning rod 53. The positioning rod 53 comprises a shaft 531 having a stop block 532 at one end. The shaft 531 is threaded and screwable into the underside of the cover portion 10 through the apertures 36,34. When the gear assembly 51 is positioned such the aperture 36 in the gear bracket 522 is coaxial with the aperture 34 in the air system housing 20, and the shaft 531 is subsequently screwed into and thereby affixed to the cover portion 10, the stop block 532 positions and restricts the gear bracket 522 between the stop block 532 and the lid 3. The teeth, which are on the outside of the ring gear 511, mesh with the teeth of the drive gear 61, which comprises part of the stirrer drive device 6.
Consequently, when the drive motor 14 drives the output shaft 40, the drive gear 61 drives the ring gear 511 to rotate, which causes the gear bracket 522 to rotate about the shaft 531 and the stirring paddle 52 to rotate as discussed further below. While the stop block 532 is used to retain the gear assembly 51 in the depicted embodiment, in at least some different embodiments (not depicted), the gear assembly 51 may be detachably coupled to the lid 3 in a different manner. For example, the gear assembly 51 may be detachably coupled to the lid 3 magnetically, by using clips, or the gear assembly 51 may be threaded and screwed into the lid 3.

I

L00601 Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 7 in particular, a disc 28 secured to an underside of the gear bracket 522 is visible. Extending from an underside of the disc 28 are gear assembly protrusions 32. The stirring paddle 52 is placed on the inner pot 4 and similarly shaped paddle protrusions 30 extend from a top side of the paddle 52. The protrusions 30,32 are positioned such that when the gear assembly 51 is secured to the underside of the lid 3 and the lid 3 is closed, rotation of the gear assembly 51 causes the gear assembly protrusions 32 to rotate, which consequently interfere with the paddle protrusions 30 and drive the stirring paddle 52 to rotate and stir. The paddle 52, disc 28, gear assembly 51, and propeller 18 all rotate about the common rotation axis.
[0061] The disc 28 in the depicted embodiment is positioned centrally on the gear bracket 522 such that the positioning shaft 531 extends through it; however, in at least some alternative embodiments (not depicted) the disc 28 may be elsewhere positioned, or may be absent entirely. For example, in at least some alternative embodiments, the protrusions 32 may extend directly from the underside of the arms 42.
[0062] In at least one example alternative embodiment, a structure for the stifling mechanism follows: the stirrer 5 comprises the large gear assembly 51, the stirring paddle 52, and the positioning rod 53. The gear assembly 51 comprises the ring gear 511 and the gear bracket 522, which can be integrally one piece or two pieces mounted together. The stirring paddle 52 is detachable from the gear bracket 522. The positioning rod 53 passes through the center of the gear bracket 522 and is attached to the lid 3. The gear bracket 522 can rotate about the positioning rod 53. The gear bracket 522 has ventilation holes. The stirrer driving device 6 comprises the drive gear 61, which drives the ring gear 511 to rotate.
The teeth of the ring gear 511 may face towards or, as shown in the embodiment of FIGS.
3 and 4, away from the gear's 511 axis of rotation.
[0063] Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 8 in particular, there are shown a front perspective view of the pan's 100 base 1 and a bottom plan view of the stirring paddle 52, respectively. The inner pot 4 is shown sitting in the base 1 in FIG. 6, and has a groove 24 shaped such that a bottom edge 26 of the paddle 52 fits therein. The groove 24 helps to retain the paddle 52 in a set location while it is being driven by the stirrer drive device 6.
[0064] While the groove 24 is shown as being in the inner pot 4 with the paddle 52 fitting in the groove 24, in at least some alternative embodiments (not depicted) one or more grooves 24 may additionally or alternatively be in the paddle 52, and a portion of the inner pot 4 or elsewhere in the base 1, such as a protrusion extending therefrom, may fit in those one or more grooves 24. Furthermore, while the bottom edge 26 of the paddle 52 fits in the groove 24 in the depicted embodiment, in at least some alternative embodiments (not depicted) a different portion of the paddle 52, such as a protrusion extending therefrom, may fit in the groove 24.
[0065] Additionally, while the groove 24 in the depicted embodiment is circular, in at least some alternative embodiments (not depicted) the groove 24 may be differently shaped. For example, the protrusions may be cylindrical, conical, frusto-conical protrusions, or a combination thereof; and the corresponding grooves may accordingly be cylindrical, conical, or frusto-conical, or a combination thereof.
[0066] Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown an exploded view of the pan 100, according to another example embodiment. The pan 100 of FIG. 9 is identical to the pan 100 of FIGS. 1-8, except the base 1 further comprises a housing and an outer pot 7 positioned therein, and a heating plate 8 between the pots 4,7. The outer pot 7 may be permanently or detachably coupled to the housing 1. The inner pot 4 in the depicted example embodiment sits in the outer pot 7; in at least some different embodiments (not depicted), the inner pot 4 may be affixed to the outer pot 7 in some manner, such as by using a type of permanent or detachable coupling. The heating plate 8 is affixed to an interior of the outer pot 7, and the pot body of the inner pot 4 is placed on top of the heating plate 8.
[0067] In the embodiment of FIG. 9, cooking may be performed using one or both of convection (by means of the hot air system 2) and conduction (by means of the heating plate 8). Furthermore, while the gear assembly 51 is detachably coupled to the lid 3 in the embodiment of FIG. 9, in at least some different embodiments, the pan 100 may comprise the heating plate 8 and the gear assembly 51 may be permanently attached (e.g., through welding) to the lid 3.
[0068] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. Accordingly, as used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and "comprising", when used in this specification, specify the presence of one or more stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and groups. Directional terms such as "top", "bottom", "upwards", "downwards", "vertically", and "laterally" are used in the following description for the purpose of providing relative reference only, and are not intended to suggest any limitations on how any article is to be positioned during use, or to be mounted in an assembly or relative to an environment. Additionally, the term "couple" and variants of it such as "coupled", "couples", and "coupling" as used in this description are intended to include indirect and direct connections unless otherwise indicated. For example, if a first device is coupled to a second device, that coupling may be through a direct connection or through an indirect connection via other devices and connections. Similarly, if the first device is communicatively coupled to the second device, communication may be through a direct connection or through an indirect connection via other devices and connections.
[0069] It is contemplated that any part of any aspect or embodiment discussed in this specification can be implemented or combined with any part of any other aspect or embodiment discussed in this specification.
[0070] One or more example embodiments have been described by way of illustration only. This description is presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the form disclosed. It will be apparent to I
, .
persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claims (35)

1. A cooking apparatus comprising:
(a) a base comprising a heating plate and an inner pot located over the heating plate; and (b) a lid closable over the inner pot to form a cooking chamber, wherein the lid comprises a hot air system configured to direct hot air into the cooking chamber and a stirrer drive device configured to be attached to a stirrer.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hot air system comprises a hot air system motor, the stirrer drive device comprises a drive motor, and the hot air system motor and the drive motor are laterally offset from each other within the lid.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the lid comprises a cover portion and a handle portion positioned above the cover portion, the stirrer drive device and the hot air system span the cover and handle portions, and the hot air system motor and the drive motor are both located in the handle portion.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 or 3, wherein the stirrer drive device further comprises a drive gear rotatable by the drive motor, and wherein the apparatus further comprises the stirrer, the stirrer comprising:
(a) a gear assembly detachably coupled to an underside of the lid; and (b) a stirring paddle coupled to the gear assembly such that rotation of the gear assembly by the drive motor causes the stirring paddle to rotate.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the gear assembly comprises a ring gear mated with the drive gear and a gear bracket spanning an interior of the ring gear.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the gear bracket is positioned under the hot air system and comprises a cylindrical side that comprises ventilation holes for venting the hot air to the cooking chamber.

7. The apparatus of any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the ring gear comprises teeth that mate with the drive gear and that face away from an axis of rotation of the gear assembly.

8. The apparatus of any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the stirrer further comprises:
(a) a positioning rod extending through a center of the gear assembly and into the lid; and (b) a stop block at one end of the positioning rod that retains the gear assembly to the underside of the lid.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the positioning rod and the lid are threaded to permit screwing and unscrewing of the positioning rod into and out of the lid.

10. The apparatus of any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the hot air system comprises a propeller for propelling the hot air, and wherein an axis of rotation of the propeller is coaxial with an axis of rotation of the gear assembly.

11. The apparatus of any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein a gear assembly protrusion extends from an underside of the gear assembly, a paddle protrusion extends from a top side of the stirring paddle, and the protrusions are positioned such that rotation of the gear assembly causes the gear assembly protrusion to interfere with the paddle protrusion and rotate the stirring paddle.

12. The apparatus of any one of claims 4 to 11, wherein the inner pot comprises a groove shaped to receive a bottom edge of the stirring paddle, and the bottom edge of the stirring paddle sits in the groove during stirring.

13. The apparatus of any one of claims 4 to 11, wherein a bottom of the stirring paddle slides against the inner pot during stirring, one of the stirring paddle and inner pot comprises one of a protrusion and a groove and the other of the stirring paddle and inner pot comprises the other of the protrusion and groove, and the protrusion fits into the groove during stirring.

14. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the base further comprises an outer pot in which the inner pot sits, and the heating plate is between the inner and outer pots.

15. A cooking apparatus comprising:
(a) a base comprising an inner pot;
(b) a lid closable over the inner pot to form a cooking chamber, wherein the lid comprises a hot air system configured to direct hot air into the cooking chamber and a stirrer drive device; and (c) a stirrer attached to the stirrer drive device, the stirrer comprising:

a gear assembly detachably coupled to an underside of the lid; and (ii) a stirring paddle coupled to the gear assembly such that rotation of the gear assembly causes the stirring paddle to rotate.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the hot air system comprises a hot air system motor, the stirrer drive device comprises a drive motor, and the hot air system motor and the drive motor are laterally offset from each other within the lid.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the lid comprises a cover portion and a handle portion positioned above the cover portion, the stirrer drive device and the hot air system span the cover and handle portions, and the hot air system motor and the drive motor are both located in the handle portion.

18. The apparatus of any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the stirrer drive device further comprises a drive gear rotatable by the drive motor, wherein the gear assembly comprises a ring gear mated with the drive gear.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the gear assembly further comprises a gear bracket spanning an interior of the ring gear.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the gear bracket is positioned under the hot air system and comprises a cylindrical side that comprises ventilation holes for venting the hot air to the cooking chamber.

21. The apparatus of any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the ring gear comprises teeth that mate with the drive gear and that face away from an axis of rotation of the gear assembly.

22. The apparatus of any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein the stirrer further comprises:
(a) a positioning rod extending through a center of the gear assembly and into the lid; and (b) a stop block at one end of the positioning rod that retains the gear assembly to the underside of the lid.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the positioning rod and the lid are threaded to permit screwing and unscrewing of the positioning rod into and out of the lid.

24. The apparatus of any one of claims 18 to 23, wherein the hot air system comprises a propeller for propelling the hot air, and wherein an axis of rotation of the propeller is coaxial with an axis of rotation of the gear assembly.

25. The apparatus of any one of claims 18 to 24, wherein a gear assembly protrusion extends from an underside of the gear assembly, a paddle protrusion extends from a top side of the stirring paddle, and the protrusions are positioned such that rotation of the gear assembly causes the gear assembly protrusion to interfere with the paddle protrusion and rotate the stirring paddle.

26. The apparatus of any one of claims 18 to 25, wherein the inner pot comprises a groove shaped to receive a bottom edge of the stirring paddle, and the bottom edge of the stirring paddle sits in the groove during stirring.

27. The apparatus of any one of claims 18 to 25, wherein a bottom of the stirring paddle slides against the inner pot during stirring, one of the stirring paddle and inner pot comprises one of a protrusion and a groove and the other of the stirring paddle and inner pot comprises the other of the protrusion and groove, and the protrusion fits into the groove during stirring.

28. The apparatus of any one of claims 15 to 27, wherein the base comprises a heating plate positioned under the inner pot.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the base further comprises an outer pot in which the inner pot sits, and the heating plate is between the inner and outer pots.

30. A multi-functional frying pan comprising a base, a lid with a hot air system, an inner pot, and a stirrer, wherein the inner pot is fixed or placed in the base, a pan cavity is formed between the lid and the inner pot, and the stirrer is positioned in the pan cavity, characterized in that a stirrer drive device is mounted on the lid, outside of the hot air system, and the drive device drives the stirrer to rotate, wherein the base comprises a housing and an outer pot, the outer pot is removable and affixed to the housing, and the inner pot is removable and affixed or loosely placed in the outer pot, and further comprising a heating plate affixed in the outer pot, and wherein a pot body of the inner pot is placed on top of the heating plate.

31. The multi-function frying pan of claim 31, wherein:

the stirrer comprises a large gear assembly, a stirring paddle, and a positioning rod;
the large gear assembly comprises a ring gear and a gear bracket;
the ring gear is integrally or detachably mounted to the gear bracket;
the stirring paddle is detached from the gear bracket;
the positioning rod is mounted on the lid through the center of the gear bracket;
the gear bracket is capable of rotating around the positioning rod;
the gear bracket comprises ventilation holes;
the stirrer drive device comprises a drive gear; and the driving gear drives the ring gear to rotate.

32. The multi-function frying pan of claim 31, wherein:
the stirrer comprises a gear assembly, a stirring paddle, and a positioning rod;
the gear assembly comprises a ring gear and a gear bracket;
the ring gear and the gear bracket are integrally or detachably mounted together;
the stirring paddle and the gear bracket are two independent structures;
the stirring paddle is placed on the inner pot;
when the lid is closed, the gear bracket is capable of driving the stirring paddle to rotate and stir;

a rotating shaft of the stirring paddle is coaxial with a rotating shaft of the ring gear;
the positioning rod comprises a shaft and a stop block;
the shaft of the positioning rod is fixed to the lid through a center of the gear bracket;
the stop block positions and restricts the gear bracket between the stop block and the lid;
the gear bracket rotates around the shaft of the positioning rod;
the gear bracket comprises ventilation holes;
the stirrer drive device comprises a drive gear which drives the ring gear to rotate.

33. The multi-functional frying pan of claim 32, wherein the inner pot has a groove at a position corresponding to the rotation of the stirring paddle, the stirring paddle has a protrusion at the position of the rotation, and the groove and the protrusion fit into each other.

34. The multi-functional frying pan of claim 32, wherein the inner pot has a protrusion at a position corresponding to the rotation of the stirring paddle, the stirring paddle has a groove at the position of the rotation, and the groove and the protrusion fit into each other.

35. The multi-function frying pan of claim 33 or 34, wherein the protrusion is cylindrical, conical, or a truncated conical shape; and the groove is cylindrical, conical, or a truncated conical shape.