Fanning plate for a baked potato

A fanning plate for a baked potato provides an arched top surface to fan out the slices of a Hasselback potato during the seasoning and baking process, allowing the potato slices to crisp properly, as well as raised rims and endcaps to keep the seasonings contained and prevent a mess. Multiple plates may be easily stacked for compact storage.

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PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to kitchen utensils and in particular to a fanning plate for a baked potato. Baking a Hasselback potato involves slicing the potato laterally in thin slices such that it is cut almost through, with the skin and a bit of potato holding the slices together. Seasonings and oil are then sprinkled between the slices and the potato is baked. Unfortunately, it is difficult to hold the potato together while fanning out the slices during the seasoning and baking process. A fanning plate, with an arched top surface to fan out the slices of the Hasselback potato, would resolve this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a fanning plate for a baked potato. The plate provides an arched top surface to fan out the slices of a Hasselback potato during the seasoning and baking process, allowing the potato slices to crisp properly, as well as raised rims and endcaps to keep the seasonings contained and prevent a mess. Multiple plates may be easily stacked for compact storage.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is a fanning plate10for a baked potato.

The first exemplary embodiment is comprised of a fanning plate10which provides a top surface11over an arch10A to fan out the slices of a Hasselback potato during the seasoning and baking process, allowing the potato slices to crisp properly, as well as raised rims12and endcaps to13keep the seasonings contained and prevent a mess. Multiple plates10may be easily stacked for compact storage.

To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user may place the plate10on a counter or other preparation surface, place a large potato on surface, and cut the potato into thin slices, not quite cutting all the way through. The user may then fan out the slices of the potato over the top surface11and sprinkle the seasonings between the slices. One or more plates10, bearing potatoes with seasonings, may then be placed on a cookie sheet or in a baking pan and put into the oven for baking.

In a second exemplary embodiment, a larger plate50may have about the footprint of a cookie sheet. The larger plate50is preferably structured with a pair of arches10A, or more separated by a central flat region50B, with endcaps53at either end. The larger plate50has a top surface50extending over both of the arches50A, the central flat region50B, and the end caps53. A rim52surrounds the perimeter of the larger plate50. The larger plate50is preferably of a size sufficient to accommodate multiple baked potatoes side by side on the same arch50A, for example having a capacity of four or six backed potatoes, two or three on each arch50A.

The plate10or50is preferably manufactured from a rigid, durable material which is heat resistant and dishwasher safe, such as stainless steel, aluminum alloy, or tempered glass. Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.