Method and apparatus for securing a power head on an electric cooker

An apparatus for preventing a power head of an electric cooker from being detached from a housing of the cooker during a cooking operation, the power head having a heating unit which extends from a bottom of the power head and into the housing through an opening, and the heating unit having a plurality of first pieces for cooperatively engaging corresponding second pieces formed on the housing proximate the opening to secure the power head to the housing, said apparatus comprising:

• at least one bracket configured to be attached to the bottom of the power head proximate at least one of the first pieces formed on the heating unit;
• wherein said at least one bracket is located such that a portion of the housing defining the opening is received between said at least one bracket and the heating unit of the power head, so that said bracket prevents the housing from expanding during a cooking operation and causing the first pieces and the corresponding second pieces to disengage.

A method for preventing a power head of an electric cooker from being detached from a housing of the cooker during a cooking operation, the power head having a heating unit which extends from a bottom of the power head and into the housing through an opening, and the heating unit having a plurality of first securing pieces for cooperatively engaging corresponding second securing pieces formed proximate the opening of the housing to secure the power head to the housing, said method comprising:

• attaching at least one bracket to the bottom of the power head proximate at least one of the first securing pieces formed on the heating unit;
• wherein said bracket is located such that a portion of the housing defining the opening is received between said at least one bracket and the heating unit of the power head, so that said bracket prevents the housing from expanding when heated and causing the first and second securing pieces to disengage.