Abstract: A cooking utensil comprising a receptacle for batter and a pumping member at least partially in the receptacle. The receptacle has a bottom wall and an open top and the pumping member is mounted for movement toward and away from the bottom wall. A heater having a cooking surface can be received in the receptacle through the open top. The heater is coupled to the pumping member so that the heater drives the pumping member toward the bottom wall as the heater is moved toward the bottom wall. This elevates the batter in the receptacle toward the heater.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a hot plate and more specifically to an industrial hot plate for use in highly corrosive environments where chemicals of high acidity or high alkalinity are employed. An epoxy foam is utilized both to thermally isolate the heated surface from the base structure and to protect the heating element and the associated electrical circuit from damage from the active chemical agents that may be involved upon using the instant hot plate.