Food preparation device with stirring system

1. A food preparation device comprising:

a receptacle having a substantially planar bottom, a substantially vertical, annular sidewall having one edge in continuous contact with the bottom, an annular rim in continuous contact with the sidewall, vertically opposed to the bottom, and a handle projecting from the annular sidewall;

a removable agitation assembly comprising:

a crank shaft extending substantially parallel to a plane defined by the substantially planar bottom of the receptacle and extending through the handle, through the annular sidewall, and into an interior of the receptacle, wherein the crank shaft has a first axis of rotation;

a rotating handle attached to the crank shaft, wherein the rotating handle is configured to be rotated by a user to rotate the crank shaft about the first axis of rotation;

a stabilizing assembly provided within the interior of the receptacle and formed by a support frame, wherein the stabilizing assembly removably engages the annular sidewall;

a drive shaft having the same first axis of rotation and in line with the crank shaft, wherein the drive shaft is carried by the stabilizing assembly;

a quick connect coupling joining the drive shaft and the crank shaft and configured to removably connect the drive shaft and crank shaft and configured to transfer rotation from the crank shaft to the drive shaft;

an agitation shaft substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the bottom of the receptacle, the agitation shaft having a second axis of rotation;

a gear assembly mechanically linked to the drive shaft and to the agitation shaft to transfer rotation about the first axis of rotation to the second axis of rotation;

at least one paddle proximate the bottom of the receptacle and coupled to the agitation shaft, such that rotation of the crank shaft imparts movement to the at least one paddle.

2. The food preparation device of claim 1 , further comprising a lid in removable contact with the annular rim of the receptacle.

3. The food preparation device of claim 2 , wherein the lid is transparent.

4. The food preparation device of claim 1 , wherein the paddle is substantially parallel to the plane defined by substantially planar bottom.

5. The food preparation device of claim 1 , wherein the paddle is coupled to the agitation shaft at an angle of less than 180 degrees.

6. The food preparation device of claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing assembly engages the annular sidewall proximate to an entry of the crank shaft into the interior of the receptacle.

7. The food preparation device of claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing assembly removably attaches to a mount secured to the annular sidewall.

8. The food preparation device of claim 1 , wherein the support frame has a casing surrounding the drive shaft, and gear assembly.

9. The food preparation device of claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing assembly extends through the annular sidewall and the crank shaft and drive shaft are engaged through the annular sidewall.

10. The food preparation device of claim 1 , wherein the receptacle and agitation assembly are formed of rigid or semi-rigid material.

11. The food preparation device of claim 1 , wherein the handle is formed of a heat resistant materials.

12. The food preparation device of claim 1 , further comprising a motor for driving the drive shaft.

13. A food preparation device with a stirring mechanism comprising:

a container having an attached handle, an aperture extending longitudinally through the handle and through a sidewall of the container, a crank shaft extending through the aperture, and having a hand crank on a first end of the crank shaft, the second end of the crank shaft removably connecting to a horizontal drive shaft, a stabilizing assembly provided within the interior of the container and formed by a support frame, wherein the horizontal drive shaft is carried by the stabilizing assembly, a quick connect coupling joining the drive shaft and the crank shaft, the horizontal drive shaft being engaged with a gear assembly that translates rotational movement from the horizontal crank shaft and drive shaft to rotational movement of a vertical agitation shaft engaged with the gear assembly, wherein the quick connect coupling engages the crank shaft such that the crank shaft is removable from the horizontal drive shaft and the agitation assembly via a quick connect/disconnect mechanism; and

a rigid transparent lid separable from the container.

14. The food preparation device with a stirring mechanism of claim 13 , wherein a first end of the agitation shaft engages the gear assembly and extends vertically toward the bottom of the receptacle, and wherein a second end of the agitation shaft has one or more paddles connected thereto and seated at or above the bottom of the receptacle.

15. The food preparation device with a stirring mechanism of claim 14 , wherein the gear assembly, crank shaft, and drive shaft are supported by the stabilizing assembly.

16. The food preparation device with a stirring mechanism of claim 15 , wherein the stabilizing assembly, gear assembly, crank shaft, and drive shaft with paddles are quickly attachable/removable from the receptacle.

17. The food preparation device of claim 13 , further comprising a motor for driving the drive shaft.

18. The food preparation device of claim 1 , wherein the quick connect coupling comprises a polygonal key male component and a polygonal receiving female component.