Abstract: An insulated cooking utensil has upper and lower substantially planar sheet members secured together with an air chamber interposed therebetween for insulating the upper sheet member from direct heat during cooking. Spaced detents are provided in the lower sheet member to support and maintain the upper and lower sheet members in a spaced relationship. The detents have dome-shaped configurations with relatively large dimensions and a flat spot at the peak to prevent deforming the upper sheet member locally where the detents contact the upper sheet member during use. The upper sheet member is made of aluminum and has a clear anodized coating on its upper surface. An angular disposed flange with an elongated thumbgrip extends along one side of the cooking utensil to facilitate gripping and handling. An expansion space between the outer edges of the sheet members accommodates a relatively greater expansion of the lower sheet member during cooking.

Abstract: A cam actuated retractable burner for an electric range having a removable burner element. In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a burner assembly is provided with a thermal safety switch assembly, a switch installation assembly, a preset thermal switch, a heating element actuator, associated control knobs for the heating actuator, a heating element assembly, a vessel support assembly, and a drip bowl. The present invention represents an improved method of raising and lowering an electrical element for improved cooking characteristics. The present invention allows the user to obtain radiant heat transfer for more even cooking while still allowing traditional conductive heat transfer cooking.

Abstract: A device capable of replacing existing heating elements in electric stoves. The device requires no modification of existing electric stoves. The device enables a user to raise and lower the burner element in an electric range. To facilitate the raising and lowering of the burner element, cookware is supported upon a plurality of vessel support tabs. The burner element is raised and lowered in a plane parallel to the plane of the bottom surface of cookware. By lowering the burner element, the user is able to achieve radiant heat transfer for more even cooking. In addition, lowering the burner element allows the cookware to cool much more quickly without removing the cookware from the range than was possible with traditional electric ranges where the cookware rests directly upon the burner element.