I batch anneal, but days I run the kiln I also torch, so I can make the large focals that won't survive batch annealing. I load the batch beads into a home made rack that DH fabricated for me out of stainless steel - here's a picture of it loaded for firing[ the large notch clears the pyrometer, the small notches indicate where the element is so I don't put a mandrel through those holes.
I leave the bottom open, with just a couple of empty mandrels across so that I can use them as racks for beads I make while the kiln is running.