COOKING STAND FOR SKEWERED FOOD ITEMS

A cooking stand is provided. The cooking stand includes a frame with a plurality of frame members. Each of the frame members includes an elongated support disposed horizontally. A first upright extends vertically from a first end of the elongated support and a second upright extends vertically from a second end of the elongated support. A first notch is formed on an upper edge of the first upright and a second notch is formed on an upper edge of the second upright. The first notch and the second notch align with one another and are disposed directly above the elongated support.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to grilling peppers and, more particularly, to a cooking stand for grilling skewered peppers.

Cooking jalapeno poppers on the grill can be messy. The cheese can melt and run out of the pepper and the peppers can burn easily. Existing products used for grilling jalapeno poopers consist of holes that are used to support the peppers. The pepper must be properly sized to fit within the holes without falling over. Further, existing holders do not protect the bottom of the peppers from direct flames, therefore leaving the bottom of the pepper susceptible to burning.

As can be seen, there is a need for a cooking stand that properly cooks jalapeno poppers and other types of peppers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a cooking stand comprises: a frame comprising a plurality of frame members, each frame member comprising:

an elongated support disposed horizontally and comprising a first end and a second end; a first upright extending vertically from the first end, wherein a first notch is formed on an upper edge of the first upright, and a second upright extending vertically from the second end, wherein a second notch is formed on an upper edge of the second upright, wherein the first notch and the second notch align with one another and are disposed directly above the elongated support, wherein each of the elongated supports are substantially parallel relative to one another; a first gap is formed in between each of the elongated supports, wherein the first gap extends along a substantial length of the elongated supports, and the first uprights are adjoined together and the second uprights are adjoined together.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of grilling a food item comprises: providing a cooking stand comprising: a frame comprising a plurality of frame members, each frame member comprising: an elongated support disposed horizontally and comprising a first end and a second end; a first upright extending vertically from the first end, wherein a first notch is formed on an upper edge of the first upright, and a second upright extending vertically from the second end, wherein a second notch is formed on an upper edge of the second upright, wherein the first notch and the second notch align with one another and are disposed directly above the elongated support, wherein each of the elongated supports are substantially parallel relative to one another; a first gap is formed in between each of the elongated supports, wherein the first gap extends along a substantial length of the elongated supports, and the first uprights are adjoined together and the second uprights are adjoined together; placing the cooking stand on a cooking surface; securing food items to at least one skewer; and placing the skewer within an aligned first notch and second notch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a stand used to cook jalapenos and other items on a grill or in the oven. The present invention allows for the use of any sized pepper without worrying that they will fall over and lose their filling. The cooking stand holds the peppers in an upright position, preventing the cheese from dripping out. The legs of the device also protect the peppers from direct flames and help to keep the bottom of the peppers from burning.

Referring toFIGS. 1 through 4, the present invention includes a cooking stand. The cooking stand includes a frame10with a plurality of frame members12. Each of the frame members12includes an elongated support14disposed horizontally. A first upright16extends vertically from a first end of the elongated support14and a second upright16extends vertically from a second end of the elongated support14. A first notch18is formed on an upper edge of the first upright16and a second notch18is formed on an upper edge of the second upright16. The first notch18and the second notch18align with one another and are disposed directly above the elongated support14.

The elongated supports14may include a substantially planar bottom surface to rest on a cooking surface, such as a grill or oven and support the frame10in an upright position. Each of the elongated supports14are substantially parallel relative to one another. A first gap is formed in between each of the elongated supports14. The first gap extends along a substantial length of the elongated supports14, from the first end to the second end.

Each of the frame members12may support a skewer20. The skewer20rests within the aligned first notch18and second notch18of the frame members12. Since the first notch18and second notch18are directly above the elongated supports14, the elongated supports14may prevent direct flames from hitting the food items22disposed on the skewers20. However, the first gaps allow enough heat and smoke to reach the food items22to cook the food items22in a preferred amount of time.

The first uprights16are adjoined together and the second uprights16are adjoined together. The uprights16may be adjoined together along a top portion. A second gap may be formed in between each of the first uprights16and a third gap may be formed in between each of the second uprights16. The first, second and third gaps may join together forming a separation between each of the frame members12, allowing additional heat and smoke to cook the food items22.

The length of each of the elongated supports14may be about six inches up to about eighteen inches. For example, the length of the elongated supports14may be about twelve inches, which is a common length for a skewer20. The height of each of uprights16may be about three inches up to about eight inches. The height allows the user to cook stuffed jalapenos by securing the jalapeno to the skewer20in an upright and vertical position. Therefore, the stuffing remains within the jalapenos.

The present invention may be made of metal, such as steel. The present invention may be made by cutting with a precision laser machine on a 16 gauge 5 foot by 10 foot sheet of HR steel. The measurements are accurately measured for each stand that is cut out by this machine.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. The user prepares their jalapeno peppers to their desired recipe. The peppers are then skewered about ¾ of the way from the bottom of the peppers to the top of the peppers, allowing the peppers to hang vertically; which keeps the ingredients inside the peppers and prevents them from falling over and spilling. The user then places the skewered peppers on the stand, making sure to utilize the notches on the sides of the stand to keep the skewers in the proper place. The stand is designed to be used on a standard outdoor grill, but it can be placed on a cookie sheet and used in the oven.