Another way to avoid burning chili: Sometimes I want to make a large amount of chili, as for a picnic, and where I want it to simmer for several hours. In these cases I use an electric "crockpot". Mine has two heats. It does not burn, it holds a lot, and it holds the heat well. I first fry what I want to, then dump in in the crock. I can then follow with another panfull, or two. Andy.