Patent ID: 7167642

Claim:
An apparatus for heating and holding foodstuffs or other contents needing heating without high heat flux to the contents, comprising: a first vessel for containing the foodstuffs or other contents being heated; a second vessel adapted for allowing at least portions of the first vessel to be installed into and removed from a first vessel receiver having at least portions thereof within the first vessel; said first and second vessels being further adapted to provide a close-fitting relationship when the first vessel is installed into the second vessel for helping to retain heat therebetween; a baffle mounted between the first and second vessels and at least partly below the first vessel; said baffle having at least one opening therethrough for reducing radiant heating of the first vessel and for affecting air flow in a heating space formed between the first and second vessels when the first vessel is installed into the second vessel; a heat source for heating said first and second vessels; wherein the baffle and the heat source are arranged with the baffle between the heat source and first vessel and so as to have a contiguous communicating air space through which convective air flow may pass through the baffle in said heating space between the first and second vessels.