Abstract: A fry pot includes a burner tube that is secured to the walls of the fry pot with front and rear end welds. A front end weld shield consists of a stainless steel clad first molded ceramic positioned between the gas burner and the front of the burner tube and a rear end weld shield consists of a second molded ceramic having a brim shaped portion positioned in the rear of the burner tube. Both end weld shields have grooves within which the respective end welds are received.

Abstract: A plurality of natural or LP gas-fired burners each having a port construction which produces a substantially even distribution of heat over the cooking surface of a griddle top is disclosed. Each burner includes a longitudinally extending portion having a first and a second series of ports, each series being positioned in a substantially linear orientation and each positioned substantially parallel to one another and to the longitudinal axis of the longitudinally extending portion of the burner. Each series of ports include a first grouping of ports having an orientation with respect to normal so as to produce flames directed toward the front of the griddle top and a second grouping of ports having an orientation with respect to normal so as to produce flames directed toward the rear of the griddle top. A pilot flame or gas ignition device is positioned at the transition point between the first plurality of ports and the second plurality of ports.

Abstract: A top side cooker includes a cooking head that is counterbalanced by a pair of gas cylinders. A lift arm couples the gas cylinders to the cooking head. A compression spring is fitted on the rod of each gas cylinder to provide a positive force at the end of the rod travel for precluding the heavy cooking head from crashing into the grill surface.

Abstract: A deep fat fryer includes a housing having a door and a removable access panel that shields a frypot, one or more gas burners and gas and air regulators. A control panel supports user controls and includes vents for channeling air over the user controls during burner operation. A drain valve for emptying the contents of the frypot extends through an orifice in the access panel and has a handle that prevents closure of the door unless the drain valve is fully closed. The blower version of the gas burner includes a removable restrictor plate for determining the heat characteristics thereof.

Abstract: A deep fat fryer includes a plurality of open-ended burner tubes that are end-welded between opposing walls of the fry pot. A front heat shield is formed from a pair of steel sheets and is positioned between the wall of the fry pot and the burner so that the end weld is protected from the burner flame. Airflow is established over the end weld during operation of the burner. A rear heat shield is positioned in the rear of the burner tube and blocks the rear end weld from the hot combustion products. The spaces between the rear heat shield and the burner tube inner wall and the fry pot outer wall are filled with insulation.

Abstract: A top side cooker has a pivotally mounted cooking head that is movable from an open position to a cooking position where its flat cooking surface is urged, by the weight of the cooking head, into engagement with the flat cooking surface of a grill. A simultaneously adjustable front foot and rear foot are coupled to the cooking head for establishing a distance between the cooking surface and the grill surface. A handle operates a worm gear arrangement coupled to a shaft, which extends from the front to the back of the cooking head. A front and a rear pinion gear engage front and rear racks that are coupled to the front foot and the rear foot, respectively. The handle rotates the shaft which simultaneously moves the front foot and the rear foot to adjust the distance between the cooking surface and the grill surface. The front foot includes indicia for indicating the distance.

Abstract: A natural or LP gas-fired laminated griddle top structure providing an even distribution of heat over its cooking surface is disclosed. The griddle top includes an upper plate formed from a relatively thick iron or steel plate and a plurality of relatively thick lower plates formed from a dissimilar material having a high thermal conductivity. A thermal break is provided between adjacent lower plates and each lower plate has a channel provided therein for the receipt of a temperature sensing device. In addition, laterally extending grooves are provided in the bottom surface of the lower plates increasing the resulting heat transfer surface improving the thermal efficiency of the griddle top. One or more natural or LP gas-fired burners and associated controls are provided adjacent each lower plate permitting the entire cooking surface to be maintained at the same temperature or portions thereof to be maintained at different temperature, if desired.

Abstract: A pressure adjustment mechanism for a top side cooker head includes an adjustable element secured to the top side cooker head arm. In one embodiment the element is adjustable in discrete one-half turn increments of a screw and in another embodiment is continuously adjustable. Both embodiments change the moment arm of a pneumatic cylinder ram that applies a counterbalance force to the cooker head. The invention permits adjustment of the force applied to foodstuffs on the griddle surface from 0 to the weight of the cooker head.

Abstract: An automatic cooking vessel includes a container having a water level tube coupled to the lower portion thereof and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom. A high water level and a low water level sensors are coupled to the interiors of respective portions of the water level tube. The water level tube provides a substantially straight, unobstructed entry to the container for ease of cleaning. Two heating units are positioned in the container above the entry point of the water level tube. Two temperature sensors are coupled to respective thermostats for controlling respective energy flow devices for supplying energy to the respective heating units. The energy flow devices are coupled in series so that for temperatures below a first temperature both heating units are operated and as the temperature approaches a second temperature, equal to the boiling point of water, only one of the heating units operates. Both electric and gas versions of the cooking vessel are shown.

Abstract: A temperature control means for a cooking griddle wherein a tubular thermostat is clamped to the bottom of the griddle plate, shielded from direct engagement by the heating medium and having a predetermined portion of the temperature sensing bulb of the thermostat directly exposed to the heating medium for cooperation with the actuating fluid in the thermostat tube so as to operate the on-off switch of the heating medium within a temperature range of about 5 degrees F.