Abstract: A disposable and interchangeable roasting pan/cover features a base panel with a side wall about its perimeter. A platform for supporting a food product is positioned on the interior surface of the base panel. A handle recess may form the platform so as to define a handle upon the exterior surface of the base panel. Alternatively, a pair of side wall recesses in the interior surface of the side wall may define handles on the side wall exterior surface while enhancing the structural strength of the pan/cover. A rim is disposed about the outer edge of the side wall and features an even number of staggered tongue and groove features. Two of the pan/covers may be oriented with their rims abutted so that one pan/cover serves as a cover for the other serving as a pan. The tongue and groove features of the two pan/covers engage one another so that the cover oriented pan/cover does not slide off of the pan oriented pan/cover holding the food product.

Abstract: A roasting tote rack (10) comprising a one piece perforated frame unit (12) to hold meat (14) which fits into a baking pan (16), so that the meat (14) can be roasted in an oven (18) of a stove (20). A structure (22) is formed into the one piece perforated frame unit (12) for transporting in a convenient manner the meat (14) in the one piece perforated frame unit (12) out of the baking pan (16) from the oven (18) in the stove (20) to a platter on a table after the meat (14) has been roasted.

Abstract: A cone cake baking apparatus comprising: a horizontal baking tin having a plurality of circular openings, a vertical first side wall, and a vertical second side wall; and the first and second side walls each having a securing portion.

Abstract: A container for food products which includes a large, smooth, continuously curved label area on a front wall, a large label area on a top cover, and a pair of stabilizing projections such as beads associated with the bottom edge of the front wall to stabilize the container in a display position in which the top wall is tilted up to an inclined upright position rather than a horizontal position, with the stabilizing projections engaging a support surface on which the container is supported. In its preferred embodiment, the container comprises a pair of compartments joined by a generally horizontal web having a flange which includes a flat stabilizing front transverse edge portion to cooperate with the stabilizing projections on the curved bottom edge of the front wall. The compartments comprise a larger front compartment and a smaller rear compartment to maintain an acceptably low center of mass for satisfactory stability when the container is in its inclined position.

Abstract: A support assembly for holding a chicken or the like for cooking, comprising a support member 11 arranged to extend into the body cavity of the chicken through the posterior end of the chicken cut away during butchering and lie against the backbone region 35. A trussing member 15 extends from the support member 11 at a position proximal to where the posterior end of the chicken locates, and provides a surface on which the drumsticks/legs of the chicken may locate in crossed configuration. At the end of the trussing member 15, located away from the support member 11 is a second support member 19 which is also arranged to extend into the body cavity of the chicken through the posterior end of the chicken cut away during butchering and lie against the keel region 33. The support assembly may be provided with fittings to allow retrofitting to existing cooking trays, or may be welded directly to purpose built racks.

Abstract: A utensil for baking potatoes including at least one member having a bottom wall and a plurality of upwardly extending side walls, the bottom and side walls defining a partially enclosed cooking space between them, and at least one spike member having a first end and a second end, the first end being fixed to the bottom wall and the second end extending through the cooking space between the side walls.

Abstract: A baking and/or cooling rack having at least two shelves formed of wire. The shelves are connected by wire support legs such as at the outside corners of the shelves. The connection between each shelf and its attached support legs is provided by a spring pin. The spring pins form hinges which provide a friction force preventing free movement of the connected support legs with respect to the shelves, but which allows forced movement of the connected support legs with respect to the shelves, thereby allowing the rack to fold between an upright position and a knocked down position. A third shelf may be removably supported by the support legs between the first and second shelves.

Abstract: The invention relates to a baking mold for manufacturing moldings, comprising a lower baking section mounted on a lower arm and an upper baking section mounted on an upper arm, wherein the baking sections, in the closed condition of the baking mold and in superposed condition, define at least one baking form, and wherein during use the upper arm can be fixedly connected with the lower arm. At least one of the baking sections is movably connected with the relevant arm, and pressure means are included for pressing under bias on the baking section in the closed condition of the baking mold and thereby closing the baking form at least during normal use.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus enables a user to cook either by steaming or by boiling. The apparatus includes a burner having a base that is specially shaped to cradle a pot. An upper ring extends above the support surface of the burner for engaging the sidewall of the pot should the pot be tipped inadvertently. A removable basket fits the pot interior, the basket having a base that registers against the bottom of the pot and a vertically extending portion that includes hooks for receiving a bail that can then removably attach to the basket at the periphery of the pot. The burner includes an upper ring member that is supported above the bottom of the pot and a lower ring member that engages an underlying supporting ground surface. Struts extend between the rings are shaped and cradle the bottom of the pot and its sidewall respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooking or heating a material has a base formed from a thermally conductive material. The base has a floor and a wall which define a receptacle adapted to receive the material to be heated. The cooling apparatus further includes a lid, also formed of a thermally conductive material. A heat source is provided in thermal connection with the wall. A second heat source may also be provided in thermal connection with the lid. The lid is provided with a vent to permit fluids generated during use of the apparatus to escape.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for roasting a poultry item having a breast portion to be faced downward, first and second leg portions, and first and second wing portions. In one embodiment, the device comprises first and second members each having a first leg portion, a second leg portion and an upper support portion. The first and second leg portions of the first and second member extend downward from and are substantially perpendicular to their corresponding upper support portion. The upper support portion of the first and second member each comprise a wing support portion and a leg support portion. The first and second leg portions of the first member are rotatably connected to the first and second leg portions of the second member, respectively.

Abstract: A device for grilling small pieces of food is described which is a basket including a mesh. The device fits inside of conventional grills even when the lid of the grill is closed and can be easily removed for shaking and turning over of the small pieces of food without their falling out. The basket optionally has a removable lid that can be used independently of the device as a cooking surface. When the lid is in place, the entire device may be turned over. When the lid is either off or in the up position, the food inside the basket may be stirred or moved.

Abstract: A wok having an electric heating element a first portion of which extends in the area of the underside of the central portion of the wok and a second portion continuous with the first portion which extends circumferentially on the underside of the wok in a substantially part circular path extending over curved portions of the wok surrounding the central portion, the heating element being secured to the outer surface of the wok.

Abstract: A safety fork for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows over an open fire. The fork has an elongated shaft with a handle at one end and a hook at the other. The hook is formed from a pair of tines extending forwardly, then bending rearwardly forming a bight defining a food holding area adapted for receipt of one or more hot dogs or marshmallows and finally extending rearwardly, said tines having a plane of symmetry passing through the shaft. Forwardly and rearwardly extending portions of tines are in stacked planes so that the food holding area continues for a distance along the forwardly extending portion of the tines.

Abstract: A multi-layer or multi-shelf baking and cooling rack which provides a plurality of layer surfaces which will fit into an oven of a stove for receiving articles to be baked thereon. Its lower layer will rest upon the lowest positioned oven shelf and provide three layers in spaced vertical relation thereabove with the normal second shelf of the oven being positionable upon the upper oven rack supports to provide four baking levels. The unit is removable from the oven for cooling of the baked products. The unit consists of a lower rack having a forward and rearward leg rotatable thereon into vertical positions. The rearward leg is provided with a pair of spaced shelf elements rotatably attached thereto with the frontmost ends of such shelf elements provided with hook elements to engage with the forward leg of the lower rack when the same is shifted to its vertical position. The rotatable connections allow for complete collapsing of the unit for storage purposes.

Abstract: A cake container (1) having a through-hole (16) occupying the entire bottom thereof consists of an annular circumferential wall (2). When the hot plate (8) is heated with the container (1) along with the cake batter (10) placed thereon, the heat is directly transmitted to the cake batter (10) by way of the through hole (16). Thus, the batter (10) is efficiently heated, and the oil added to the batter (10) is also efficiently dispersed. This improves the taste of the cake.

Abstract: A new baking form assembly for forming a product pre-positioned on the standing rack before baking. In this way the need for the transfer of the product from the shape form to the standing rack after baking is negated. The inventive device includes a shape form which defines an enclosure for the forming of a product, characterized in that a standing rack is removably juxtaposed a bottom wall inside the shape form, the arrangement being such that on release of the product from the shape form the product is pre-positioned on the standing rack. In this way the need for the transfer of the product from the shape form to the standing rack is negated.

Abstract: A baking support that is a flat sheet of metal bent into a particular 3-dimensional shape and having a body portion and a plurality of leg portions. Optionally, the support includes stippling and/or depressions. Optionally, the support includes neck and head portions, with a bend to prevent the dough from sliding down the support. Optionally, there are a series of removable slats or dowels that extend through holes in the support surface about which the dough is arranged to create knees and elbows. Optionally, a finger extends from the surface for creating holes or openings in the baked product.

Abstract: A meat roasting device having an automatically rotated barbecue grill mainly comprising: a furnace frame, a barbecue grill, and a driving device, wherein said driving device is fixed on the support plate of the furnace frame, and is engageable with a barbecue grill having an elastic clamping force by a driving bushing. When the driving device rotates, the barbecue grill may be driven to rotate by the driving bushing in the furnace frame.

Abstract: The invention is an expandable volume food preparation tool for precisely and quickly forming a quantity of dough into a plurality of uniform dough blocks having a predetermined volume and shape. Included therein is a base plate having a base opening disposed therethrough. The base opening is defined by a continuous substantially vertical interior base sidewall arranged to define a predetermined outline shape. A base volume is defined by the void enclosed by the base sidewall. To enable the user to manipulate the base plate, a handle is mounted to the base plate. Additionally, a removable primary extension plate is mounted to the base plate. The primary extension plate includes an extension opening defined by a continuous, substantially vertical, interior extension sidewall arranged to define an outline shape substantially identical to the outline shape of the base opening. An extension volume is defined by the void enclosed by the extension sidewall within the primary extension plate.

Abstract: An earthen kiln cooking pot comprising a pot body, a plurality of erection posts and a plurality of support columns, whereby in its application a pit is dug on the ground, the material so dug out is used to fill the erection posts and the support columns and to cover the surface of the pot body where the material is retained within the pot body by means of the retention wall while the ventilation tube is exposed outside the material; then the support columns are arranged around the circumference of the pit according to the size of the pot body, the erection posts are placed on the support columns, and the pot body is placed on the erection posts to complete the erection of the present invention; for cooking purpose a fuel is placed and burned within the pit to heat the pot body, the erection posts and the support columns as well as the material therein while by action of the ventilation tube on the pot body, the fuel is kept on burning, till the pot body, the erection posts and the support columns as well as

Abstract: A device for grilling small pieces of food is described which is a basket made of a perforated metal. The device fits inside of conventional grills even when the lid of the grill is closed and can be easily removed for shaking and turning over of the small pieces of food without their falling out. The basket optionally has a removable lid that can be used independently of the device as a cooking surface. When the lid is in place, the entire device may be turned over. When the lid is either off or in the up position, the food inside the basket may be stirred or moved.

Abstract: A rack for grilling chicken legs in a barbecue and the like comprises a metal surface having downwardly extending support members at both ends and a plurality of predetermined slots to hold chicken legs upside down. The support members position the rack at a spaced distance above a cooking source or fire providing sufficient space for the legs to hang vertically substantially perpendicular to the fire. The slots comprise a plurality of parallel apertures, each including a central circular aperture for insertion of the legs and a pair of narrow elongated slots leading in opposite directions from the circular aperture. The rack may be pivotally mounted to the barbecue so that it moves into position above the fire when the lid is opened or it may be manually placed on the open barbecue. In operation, the chicken legs are inserted through the circular aperture, slid along the slot, and locked in place by the bone at the lower joint.

Abstract: A food patty molding machine of the type utilizing a linearly reciprocable mold plate utilizes a direct rotary actuator drive which provides virtually direct linear transfer of the drive force to the ends of the linear drive shafts which support the mold plate. This results in the virtual elimination of high wear lateral loads. An encoder is directly linked to the rotary actuator drive shaft to provide accurate mold plate position signals which are utilized to control the operation of completely independently driven knock-out devices and to control operation of the feed ram during the feed stroke. Servo valve control of the hydraulic power unit which drives the rotary actuator and the feed ram cylinders also responds to suitably processed encoder signals to provide a wide range of speed and position control.

Abstract: A carrier for shallow downwardly dished flexible aluminum food pans. The carrier is generally channel-shaped, having a bottom wall and side walls extending upwardly from the opposite side edges of the bottom wall. Flanges extend laterally inwardly from the upper edge portions of the side walls and are adapted to engage over the side margins of the pan. The carrier is supported by at least two carrying straps each having its ends secured to the flanges. The carrier is open at both ends so that it may support food pans of varying lengths.

Abstract: An expansible rack for holding food pouches within a rethermalizer unit includes a pair of side members pivotally connected at their lower end portions to a bottom member, the upper end portions of the side members having support pins for supporting the rack from the top edge of a reservoir in a rethermalizer unit. The pivotal connections of the side members with the bottom member permit the side members to be rotated toward and away from one another, thereby providing the capability of adjusting the rack to accommodate variously sized food pouches between the side members. A rethermalizer unit for use with the rack includes a plurality of notches disposed around the perimeter of the top edge of the reservoir. The support pins of the rack are placed in notches selected according to the desired spacing of the side members to accommodate the food pouch contained therebetween.

Abstract: A bread baking pan and complementary protective carrier. The pan has edge flanges that enter complementary recesses at the edges of the carrier, and which serve to protect the user from injury by the edges of the pans. The carrier eliminates any air zones defined between the base of the pan and a corresponding face of the carrier, one embodiment of the carrier being fabricated from wire, and another embodiment providing face to face contact between the base of the carrier and the pan.

Abstract: A double roasting pan that has identical pan halves that fit together to form the double roasting pan. There are diagonally arranged protrusions and recesses provided on the pan halves which fit together to prevent shifting of the pan halves relative to each other. Even if the pan halves are turned into either one of two positions 180.degree. relative to one another they will still fit. The protrusions and recesses on each pan half are "axially symmetrical" relative to the particular pan half. Rigid handles are provided on the pan halves with the handles being incorporated into the one piece construction of the pan halves, and disposed so that when the pan halves are placed together to form the double roasting pan the flanges on the handles of one of the pan halves are spaced from the flanges on the handles of the other of the pan halves so that room is provided to accommodate a gloved or mitted hand of the user when picking up the top one of the pan halves.

Abstract: A food patty molding machine of the type utilizing a linearly reciprocable mold plate utilizes a direct rotary actuator drive which provides virtually direct linear transfer of the drive force to the ends of the linear drive shafts which support the mold plate. This results in the virtual elimination of high wear lateral loads. An encoder is directly linked to the rotary actuator drive shaft to provide accurate mold plate position signals which are utilized to control the operation of completely independently driven knock-out devices and to control operation of the feed ram during the feed stroke. Servo valve control of the hydraulic power unit which drives the rotary actuator and the feed ram cylinders also responds to suitably processed encoder signals to provide a wide range of speed and position control.

Abstract: A rack for supporting poultry in a baking pan during a cooking operation includes two slidably interconnected sections that can be pulled apart for disengagement from the turkey or chicken after the rack has been transferred from the baking pan to a serving tray or platter. Each section of the rack has a lifter handle to facilitate the process of lifting and moving the rack.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming tortillas into baked, oil-free taco shells. The invention may also be used to retain the shape of commercially prepared pre-formed fried taco shells during their reheating, and to hold baked or reheated taco shells during their filling and serving. The apparatus has a series of linear, parallel spaced crests in the shape of inverted, round bottomed "V"s, with such dimensions as to make a form corresponding to an inverted, taco shell shape. The crests have a plurality of perforations to allow for a uniform and rapid forming and baking of the tortillas upon the crests.

Abstract: A device for cleaning barbecue gratings comprises a heat reflective perforated plate for placement on the barbecue grating and a removable handle for use in conjunction with said plate for placement and removal thereof. The material of construction of said plate is selected from the group consisting of highly polishable stainless steels, chromium-plated steels, steels coated with heat-resistant reflective materials and aluminum. Both sides may be polished allowing said plate to be reversed in use extending the useful life thereby. The device having sufficient slots and holes therein located to facilitate removal of gas and excess heat. Another lower cost embodiment comprises a hinged, two-piece wire or angled metal frame which allows heat-reflective aluminum foil to be suspended tautly within said frame to maintain foil flatness and to evenly distribute heat.

Abstract: A smokeless grill suitable for use upon a conventional gas or electric range in which a lower base element is of shorter longitudinal dimension than a mating cover element which defines a transversely extending horizontal opening adapted to be positioned directly over a gas or electric heating element or burner. Heat emanating from the burner rises under convection as well as radiation to enter the opening and heat air enclosed by the cover. The heated air circulates in a continuous loop between the base element and the cover element to cook food supported upon a grill element disposed therebetween, the configuration of the grill allowing the heated air to pass both above and below the grill. Because no air is introduced into the device, the food cooks essentially without burning or smoking, and all combustion occurs externally of the interconnected base element and cover element.

Abstract: A ceramic meat cooker is inserted into a center portion of a piece of meat. The cooker is shaped to hold the meat in an upright vertical alignment above the rack of an oven or above a grill. While the heating element cooks the outside of the meat, the cooker cooks the inside of the meat providing more evenly cooked foods in a shorter amount of time. The meat cooker has a conical shape that holds the meat above a cooking surface. The meat in turn does not soak in saturated fat extruded from the meat during cooking providing cooked meat containing less fat. A flared base at the bottom end of the ceramic cooker supports the cooker and the meat in an vertical upright position eliminating the need for special spit attachments above the cooking system.

Abstract: An improved roasting rack having an infinitely adjustable width comprising two interlocking frameworks. A first and a second framework each include a plurality of grate members. Each grate member comprises a base end and an elongated arm extending away from the base end and forming a distal end of each framework. An upper cross-bar is affixed to the distal end of each framework and a lower cross-bar is affixed to the inside surface of the base ends adjacent the elongated arms. The first framework inserts into the second framework, to join the framework and form a roasting rack, such that the elongated arms interleave with each other and so that the upper cross-bar of each framework rides on a continuous top bearing support surface provided by the elongated arms of the other framework. The infinitely adjustable width of the roasting rack is characterized by the position of the upper cross-bar of each framework on the continuous top bearing support surface of the other framework.

Abstract: A rib rack with sauce pan comprised of a rack system comprised of elongated rods. The rack system is arranged to hold a plurality of racks of ribs therein. The device includes a sauce pan having an open top, a closed bottom, and upwardly extending peripheral edge. The upwardly extending peripheral edge has a plurality of apertures formed therethrough. The sauce pan is positionable beneath the rack system within a grill or other cooking medium.

Abstract: A device for grilling small pieces of food is described which is a basket including a mesh. The device fits inside of conventional grills even when the lid of the grill is closed and can be easily removed for shaking and turning over of the small pieces of food without their falling out. The basket optionally has a removable lid that can be used independently of the device as a cooking surface. When the lid is in place, the entire device may be turned over. When the lid is either off or in the up position, the food inside the basket may be stirred or moved.

Abstract: A dome cover for cooking utensils, including a dome-like cover body made from a meshed steel plate by stamping and defining a plurality of small open spaces in it, and a knob raised from the top center of the dome-like cover body, the dome-like cover body having a stepped outward flange around the border, which stepped outward flange has a rim around the border reinforced by a steel wire.

Abstract: A pastry bag supporting device for facilitating the filling, cleaning, drying or storing of pastry bags. Also, an assembly comprising the pastry bag supporting device, a pastry bag positioned therewith, and a support system; and methods for using the pastry bag supporting device or the assembly.

Abstract: A device for grilling small pieces of food is described which is a basket including a mesh. The device fits inside of conventional grills even when the lid of the grill is closed and can be easily removed for shaking and turning over of the small pieces of food without their falling out. The basket optionally has a removable lid that can be used independently of the device as a cooking surface. When the lid is in place, the entire device may be turned over. When the lid is either off or in the up position, the food inside the basket may be stirred or moved.

Abstract: Applicants' invention comprises an apparatus for safely yet effectively handling steam table pans. The apparatus is a frame formed from cylindrical steel of a shape and size for surrounding a steam table pan under its lateral flange. The frame includes two handles positioned so as not to interfere with proper seating of the pan in the receptacle hole in the steam table. One embodiment of the pan handling device includes lid/pan clamps for securing the pan handling device to a steam table pan as well as for securing a pan lid to a pan such as when food is to be stored in a pan.

Abstract: The invention is a reinforcing support structure for a pan adapted to contain an object. The pan has a pan bottom and a sidewall extending upwardly from the periphery of the pan bottom. An outwardly extending rim is formed on the upwardly extending sidewall around the entire circumference of the pan. An outer support for holding the pan has an upper support portion and a lower support portion. The upper support portion is applied to the entire outwardly extending rim of the pan to support and reinforce the extending rim. The lower support portion also includes a plurality of horizontal support members wherein at least one of the horizontal support members is formed in a zigzag shape. An object support rack is disposed within the pan to support the object when the object is disposed in the pan. The object support rack includes a spacer for spacing the object apart from the pan bottom.

Abstract: An apparatus for warming one or more tortillas or other flat foods is disclosed. A round top pan and a round bottom pan each have a flat, circular base portion defined by an interior and an exterior flat surface. The base portions are surrounded by an integral curved rim portion that extends to one side of the base portion and terminates in an annular symmetrical lip. The base and rim portions, together, define a heating space therebetween, and the pans are positionable with lips in mutual contact in a closed orientation. The pans are hinged together so that the top pan is rotatable into an open orientation about a hinge. Each pan includes a handle portion that, when the pans are brought into the closed position, together form a handle structure suitable for gripping.

Abstract: A pan is provided for baking taco shells in an oven for holding the baked shells while filling and serving. The pan has a plurality of elongate parallel tapered ridges with troughs between the ridges. The inverted shell is placed astride a ridge. As the shell is pushed onto the tapered ridge it is gradually opened up. It is held in this open position during baking and retains this open configuration when turned upright and seated in a trough where it is fully supported during filling and serving. At each end of the trough, a stop element slopes upward from the bottom of the trough. It is high enough to retain any spilled contents in the trough as well as preventing the tacos from sliding off the pan when tilted. The stop element also serves to facilitate grasping of the filled taco from below by gradually lifting up the taco as it is slid along the trough and over the stop element.

Abstract: A convenient serving-size pan (10) with flange (13), and flanged lid (11) removably attached by a hinge (14), enabling a wide range of pourable, particulate, and solid foods to be cooked in quantity in forced-air convection ovens. The pan and lid are fabricated of highly heat conductive materials with interior surfaces suitable for direct food contact. Exterior surfaces of the pans are smooth and plain to minimize insulative film coefficients and maximize heat transfer. A vertical stacking system provides effective use of oven space while maintaining sufficient space between pans for effective heat transfer.

Abstract: A method for preparing a food product having a predetermined perimetrical shape from a moldable mixture of food product ingredients. The method, in a preferred form, comprises the steps of providing a plurality of substantially planar panels that can be removably interconnected; bending and interconnecting the panel members to form a panel assembly having the desired perimetrical shape; placing the panel assembly on a bottom member to form a cavity; sealing the intersection between the panel assembly and the bottom member; pouring the moldable food product into the cavity and processing the food product to cause it to solidify; and thereafter, removing the panel assembly from the food product.

Abstract: A cone cupcake baker comprising a housing having large parallel front and rear walls in a rectangular configuration with long horizontal edges and short vertical edges, the housing having essentially square shaped side panels with horizontal edges and vertical edges coupled to the vertical edges of the front and rear panels, a support plate or a rectangular configuration in a horizontal orientation positioned within the walls adjacent to the upper edges thereof, the support plate having a plurality of rows of apertures with a plurality of apertures in each row, the apertures adapted to support objects with their bases spaced separately from the lower edges of the panels; and support rods extending outwardly from the support panels and extending downwardly therefrom to a common elevational orientation beneath the lower edges of the panel.

Abstract: The invention comprises a vertical spit for retaining one or more fowl such as chickens or other birds during display, roasting, and warming. The vertical spit comprises a unitary zig-zagging rod comprising two or more roast retaining means, each roast retaining means comprising a downwardly projecting cradle portion for holding trussed legs of the fowl and an upwardly projecting triangular portion for insertion into a carcass of the fowl. Each roast retaining means is positioned in continuous vertical relationship and preferably each roast retaining means projects from an opposite side of the vertical spit from an adjacent roast retaining means.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention, a convection oven rack is provided which includes a base portion and a plurality of bracket portions attached thereto. Each bracket has a curved interior side that corresponds to the exterior curved shape of a cooking dish insertable between the brackets and on top of the base portion. Attached to the second end of each bracket is a handle portion for gripping. A plurality of padded insulating pads are positioned on the top side of the base portion and the interior side wall of the brackets. In operation, the rack remains attached to the dish during cooking. When cooking is completed, the lid of the dish, which houses a fan and cooking element, is removed so that the rack serves as an insulated holding means whereby food may be served directly from the dish.