Abstract: A cooking device comprises a base and a heating element supported by the base. A cooking plate is heated by the heating element and includes at least a first cavity for receiving an item being cooked. At least a first temperature probe is disposed in the first cavity for piercing the item being cooked.

Abstract: An apparatus for encasing a product in a curved casing and the like and which includes an encasing machine having a stuffing tube including a discharge end which has a plurality of apertures, and wherein a product to be encased in pumped through the stuffing tube and exits the discharge end and moves generally normally relative to the longitudinal axis of the stuffing tube, and a selectively rotatable chuck assembly is borne by the encasing machine and includes a first end having a unitary wall which is substantially circular in shape, and a second end which is discontinuous, and wherein a curved collagen casing to be filled, upon exiting the chuck assembly, moves generally radially outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis of the chuck whereby the collagen casing is maintained in a proper attitude such that the casing is filled with the product to be encased, and wherein the stuffing tube is adapted to fold the product being encased against the wall of the collagen casing being filled such that the deleter