Heat shield for preventing bottom surface burning of baked foods

Abstract

Baked goods are often burned by exposure to heat radiation (infrared rays) from heating coils in an electric baking oven. The infrared rays strike the bottom surface of bakeware and heat the surface to the point of burning. The present invention provides a heat shield that protects the bakeware from infrared rays and burning. The present invention comprises a metal sheet having corrugations or bumps. Bakeware is disposed on the bumps. The bumps make point contact with the bakeware, thereby limiting heat transfer to the bakeware. The bumps provide an insulating air gap between the heat shield and bakeware. Also included is a sheet disposed under a wire baking rack. The sheet blocks infrared rays. The sheet can be suspended by hooks or brackets, for example.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of copending patent application Ser. No. 10 / 983,767, filed on Nov. 8, 2004.[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0003] The present invention relates generally to oven bakeware and baking supplies. More particularly, the present invention relates to a simple device for preventing bottom surface burning of baked goods such as cookies, cakes, pies and bread. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] Cooking ovens, particularly electric models, have a tendency to burn or overcook the bottom portion of baked goods such as cookies, cakes, pies and breads. This typically results from infrared radiation striking the bottom of the cookie sheet or breadpan and heating it to an excessive temperature. Insulated (2-layer) cookie sheets are commonly used to avoid this problem. However, insulated breadpans or piepans are generally not available and insulated cookie sheets tend to be expensive. Also, insulated cookie sheets can still b...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] The present invention provides a heat shield for preventing bottom surface burning of baked foods in bakeware. The bakeware is supported by a heat shield. The heat shield comprises a sheet having an array of corrugations or bumps. The corrugations or bumps have limited thermal contact with the bakeware. The corrugations or bumps create an insulating air gap between the heat shield and bakeware.

[0014] A method for preventing bottom surface burning is also provided. In the method, bakeware containing food is disposed on a heat shield having an array of corrugations or bumps, wherein the heat shield and bakeware have an air gap open in a lateral direction.

Problems solved by technology

Cooking ovens, particularly electric models, have a tendency to burn or overcook the bottom portion of baked goods such as cookies, cakes, pies and breads.

This typically results from infrared radiation striking the bottom of the cookie sheet or breadpan and heating it to an excessive temperature.

However, insulated breadpans or piepans are generally not available and insulated cookie sheets tend to be expensive.

Also, insulated cookie sheets can still burn the bottom portion if the cookie sheet is a dark color (e.g. from baked-on food spills) that absorbs radiation.

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