a countertop cooking device such as a slow cooker or rice cooker which operates to initially reach a heat within the cooking cavity sufficient for sauteeing or braising food . a microprocessor communicating with a temperature sensor monitors the cooking cavity in order to sense drops in temperature . when a sudden drop in temperature occurs due to the addition of liquid to the cooking cavity , the device is caused to drop to a lower cooking temperature appropriate for boiling , simmering , or maintaining food warmth .