Apparatus and methods for at least semi-autonomous meal storage and cooking

A method of using a countertop storage and cooking device having a thermal container, a first heating element, and a second heating element different from the first heating element, the thermal container, the first heating element, and the second heating element disposed in a housing of the countertop storage and cooking device, the method comprising:

• inserting a food container having a food item disposed therein into an inner volume of the thermal container, a water jacket disposed in the housing and surrounding the inner volume, the water jacket defining a guide that receives at least an edge portion of the food container inserted in the inner volume;
• conveying fluid into the food container via an inlet disposed in the inner volume of the thermal container and after inserting the food container in the inner volume, the fluid being heated by the first heating element prior to being conveyed to the food container;
• cooling a volume of water circulating through the water jacket such that thermal energy from the food item is transferred to the cooled volume of water, the volume of water circulating through the water jacket fluidically isolated from the inner volume;
• heating, via the first heating element, the volume of water circulating through the water jacket such that thermal energy from the heated volume of water is transferred to the food item;
• and
• supplying, in response to a criterion being satisfied, a flow of electric power operable to energize the second heating element to transfer thermal energy to the food item, the thermal energy from the second heating element being independent of the thermal energy from the heated volume of water.

A countertop storage and cooking device, the device comprising:

• a housing;
• a thermal container disposed in the housing, the thermal container defining an inner volume configured to receive a food container having a food item disposed therein;
• a liquid circulation system disposed within the housing and configured to circulate a volume of liquid through a liquid jacket disposed in the housing and at least partially surrounding the thermal container, the volume of liquid fluidically isolated from the inner volume, the liquid circulation system including:
• an inlet extending through the liquid jacket such that an end portion is disposed in the inner volume, the inlet configured to convey fluid to the food container disposed in the inner volume,
• a cooling element at least partially disposed in the housing and configured to cool the volume of liquid circulating through the liquid jacket when the device is in a first operating mode allowing thermal energy to be transferred from the food item to the cooled volume of liquid, and
• a first heating element disposed in the housing and configured to heat the volume of liquid circulating through the liquid jacket when the device is in a second operating mode allowing thermal energy to be transferred from the heated volume of liquid to the food item;
• and
• a second heating element disposed in the thermal container and isolated from the liquid jacket, the second heating element configured to transfer radiant energy to the food item disposed in the inner volume when the device is in a third operating mode.