[quote=edwardma]It’s a heating element – most likely from an old toaster. Current flows from one side to the other across the wavy coils, and the small rings keep it from bending out of shape as it expands and contracts from heating and cooling.[/quote]
it’s not a heating element. no way, it’s a short circuit.
Real heating elements have lots of insulators to force current in desired locations.
It’s some sort of fryer, look for holes or hooks
to pin a cover to it.