a food cooking machine comprises a generally cylindrical vessel having liquid impervious walls , a closed end and an open end . a removable cap having a central axial vent opening closes the open end . the vessel is detachably supported on a base having a drive means engageable with the vessel for rotating the vessel about an axis substantially aligned with the vent opening and oriented between horizontal and an acute angle to horizontal and with the capped end of the vessel at least as elevated as the other end thereof . external heating means are provided for applying heat to the vessel contents through the vessel walls during rotation . the temperature in the vessel is selectively regulated by means of a temperature controller having a temperature sensing probe supported on the base in alignment with the vent opening in such manner that the opening is not blocked nor vessel rotation impeded . the probe senses the temperature of gases escaping through the vent opening and may be external to the vent opening or have an end projecting into the vessel through the opening . in one embodiment the drive train is coupled to the vessel cap for rotating the vessel .