Abstract: Techniques regarding the composition and/or structure of oven walls are provided. For example, one or more embodiments described herein can comprise an oven with a heat source configured to heat a hollow space within the oven. The oven further can comprise an oven body that can define the hollow space. Also, the oven body can comprising a plurality of connected sides, wherein one or more of the connected sides comprise a plurality of carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: An adjustable duct start collar may include a base with a flange on a first end of the base and a plurality of tabs on a second end of the base. The base may be constructed of a material of substantially uniform thickness and include at least two slots in the base. The first of the slots may be positioned substantially parallel to a second of the at least two slots. Each of the slots of the at least two slots being able to independently receive the flange, whereby when the base is curved into a cylindrical shape with the flange positioned in the first of at least two slots, the curved base will form a cylindrical shape with a first diameter and when the flange is positioned in the second of the at least two slots, the curved base will form a cylindrical shape with a second diameter.

Abstract: A chop rack that has a first and second sidewall that each has a set of spaced-apart slats connected along their respective lower edges that adjustably and selectively interlock with one another to form a cooking surface that allows for fine-tuned heat adjustments. Additionally, a central portion of both sidewalls does not have a slat to form an opening in the cooking surface to allow heat through to create even cooking conditions.

Abstract: Adjustable gas grill burners are disclosed. Methods of making and using adjustable gas grill burners are also disclosed.

Abstract: An adjustable pitch cooking grate includes generally parallel rods and means for changing the pitch of the rods by moving the rods between a closed configuration and a range of open configurations, with different width gaps therebetween. Scissors linkage at the rod ends can move the rods in unison between the open and close configurations. When the rods have flat upper surfaces the rods create a generally flat, smooth, continuous cooking surface when in the closed configuration and a plurality of generally flat coplanar cooking surfaces when in the different open configurations. The pitch changing means can include manual or motorized means for moving the rods between the open and close configurations. The spacing between the rods in a fully open configuration can be equal to about 1-3 times the lateral dimension of the rods. One or more cooking grates can be supported by the cooking grill frame.

Abstract: A modular trivet arrangement includes trivet members including a first bar, a first footing at a first end of the first bar, a second footing at the second end of the first bar, and one or more transverse bars, each transverse bar being transverse to the first bar and intersecting therewith, the second bar having a third footing at a first end of the second bar and a fourth footing at the second end of the second bar. The intersection between the first and second bars can support a cooking utensil. The modular trivet members include one or more engaging slots adapted to enable engagement with a cooperating modular trivet member.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus with a cooking container in which is received a fuel component support device. The cooking apparatus having an adjustment mechanism drivingly connected with the fuel component support device. The adjustment mechanism includes a handle section and an interconnected shaft assembly connected with the handle section, the interconnected shaft assembly including a first shaft section and a linkage assembly drivingly connected to the first shaft section and positioned between a base portion of the cooking container and the fuel component support device such that rotation of the first shaft, as by a vertical swinging of the handle section, produces an opposite direction change in vertical height in the linkage assembly and the supported fuel component support device. A handle engagement section is provided as in one that includes a plurality of height position stop engagement locations.

Abstract: A multi-part cooking grate with a lower sub-grate with a first plurality of V-shaped cooking members running along a length of the lower sub-grate and having a first predetermined spacing between the first plurality cooking members along a width of the lower sub-grate, and an upper sub-grate with a second plurality of V-shaped cooking members running along a length of the lower sub-grate and having a second predetermined spacing between the second plurality of cooking members along a width of the upper sub-grate.

Abstract: An apparatus for combustion of biomass is provided. The apparatus generally includes opposingly paired sidewalls, a fixed panel traversing the opposingly paired sidewalls, an actuatable panel opposite the fixed panel, and a fuel platform supported by a panel of either of the panels. A portion of the fuel platform is reversibly receivable through a portion of a panel opposite the panel supporting the fuel platform in furtherance of fuel conditioning upon actuation of the actuatable panel.

Abstract: A barbecue cooking system with moveable charcoal chimney device is provided, the system comprises: a firebowl having an open topside and a bottomside, and the bottomside comprising at least one aperture; and a chimney movable through the aperture of the bottomside of the firebowl, and at least a portion of the chimney is situated within the firebowl during a usage position and at least a portion of the chimney is moveable to a position below the firebowl during a stowage position.

Abstract: An adjustable grate is described herein that may be easily adjusted to fit within variously sized grills. The adjustable grate includes a main plate having a plurality of fingers extending from a front side and a rear side. A front slide plate has a plurality of fingers that slidably engage with the fingers on the front side of the main plate. A rear slide plate has a plurality of fingers that slidably engage with the fingers on the rear side of the main plate. The front slide plate, the rear slide plate and the main plate define a cooking surface. The front slide plate and the rear slide plate may be slidably adjusted with respect to the main plate to expand or contract the cooking surface.

Abstract: A barbecue cooking system with moveable charcoal chimney device is provided, the system comprises: a firebowl having an open topside and a bottomside, and the bottomside comprising at least one aperture; and a chimney movable through the aperture of the bottomside of the firebowl, and at least a portion of the chimney is situated within the firebowl during a usage position and at least a portion of the chimney is moveable to a position below the firebowl during a stowage position.

Abstract: An adjustable grate is described herein that may be easily adjusted to fit within variously sized grills. The adjustable grate includes a main plate having a plurality of fingers extending from a front side and a rear side. A front slide plate has a plurality of fingers that slidably engage with the fingers on the front side of the main plate. A rear slide plate has a plurality of fingers that slidably engage with the fingers on the rear side of the main plate. The front slide plate, the rear slide plate and the main plate define a cooking surface. The front slide plate and the rear slide plate may be slidably adjusted with respect to the main plate to expand or contract the cooking surface.

Abstract: A firelog burner is provided that includes a base and an artificial firelog support frame pivoted to the base. A pair of non-burning artificial firelogs are removably mounted on the support frame. The base has a fire directing member extending along a back thereof and in an upward direction for directing flame between the artificial fire logs. The non-burning artificial fire logs in the support frame are operably pivoted above the base and toward the flame directing member to raise the support frame and the non-burning artificial firelogs for the insertion of placement of a burning artificial firelog in the base. The firelogs and support frame may then be pivoted in the opposite direction to an operating position.

Abstract: A convertible cooking grate provides dual cooking surfaces for use with barbecue grills. In a first position, a grate-like cooking surface is formed by a plurality of spaced apart bars that support an item being cooked above the heat source. In a second position, a substantially flat griddle-like cooking surface is formed by a plurality of bars having substantially coplanar surfaces that fit closely together. The bars are rotatably supported by pins that extend from each end thereof and fit into corresponding holes in an outer frame. A mechanical linkage is provided to rotate the bars together simultaneously between the first and second positions.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a gas grill or add-on component for a gas grill that provides the additional functionality of permitting grilling with either gas, charcoal briquettes, or wood chips. The additional functionality of being able to cook with charcoal or wood chips on a gas grill is achieved by positioning moveable flaps in a second position thus providing a horizontal surface above the gas burner, yet below the cooking surface, upon which to place charcoal briquettes. Spaces on either side of each pair of flaps allow the gas burners to be used to ignite the charcoal briquettes or wood chips. Once the charcoal briquettes or wood chips are ignited, use of the gas burner is discontinued. The charcoal or wood chips are permitted to burn to complete ash, then the moveable flaps are placed to a first position thus forming an apex that permits the ash to fall into an ash pan located in the bottom of the firebox.

Abstract: A portable grill that folds to a very compact configuration, with the legs folded underneath a firebox and a side table folded beneath the legs. The side table may be folded outward to present the handle for transporting the grill on wheels while the legs are folded underneath the grill. A charcoal grate assembly reconfigures to provide a very efficient and fast manner of removing charcoal from the firebox. An ash pan located below the firebox includes an ash pan lid that allows charcoal to be quickly extinguished, and the grill to be cooled in a very short period of time so that it is ready for transport. A hinge provides a convenient manner of keeping a lid for the grill in a raised position, even in windy conditions.

Abstract: An adjustable searing grate for a barbecue grill comprises a cooking surface and an outrigger device. The cooking surface comprises a plurality of searing wires arranged in a substantially parallel configuration and a longitudinal member disposed substantially perpendicularly to the plurality of searing wires. Each of the plurality of searing wires has a substantially oval cross-section. The longitudinal member supports the plurality of searing wires. The outrigger device is adapted to slidably engage the cooking surface. The outrigger device is slidably fixed along one of the plurality of searing wires and the longitudinal member in order to adjust a dimension of the adjustable searing grate.

Abstract: An adjustable searing grate for a barbecue grill comprises a cooking surface and an outrigger device. The cooking surface comprises a plurality of searing wires arranged in a substantially parallel configuration and a longitudinal member disposed substantially perpendicularly to the plurality of searing wires. Each of the plurality of searing wires has a substantially oval cross-section. The longitudinal member supports the plurality of searing wires. The outrigger device is adapted to slidably engage the cooking surface. The outrigger device is slidably fixed along one of the plurality of searing wires and the longitudinal member in order to adjust a dimension of the adjustable searing grate.

Abstract: A loose-material grate includes a grate surface for receiving loose material and a chamber arrangement below the grate surface supplies the grate surface with a gas, for example cooling air. A lattice arrangement with adjustable openings is provided spaced from the grate surface. The adjustable openings communicate with grate surface openings of the associated grate surface. The lattice arrangement preferably is divided into several lattice sections, which have openings adjusted independently from one another, whereby the adjustable openings of the lattice sections, each sealed off from other lattice sections, communicate with the grate surface openings of associated areas of the grate surface. The adjustable openings of the lattice sections enable adjustment of the resistance of the grate, if necessary, differently at various grate sections depending on the demands for cooling.

Abstract: An outdoor cooking unit comprises a hollow, hemispherical base that increases in diameter from top to bottom. Detachably secured to the hemispherical base is a hollow, hemispherical firebox that decreases in diameter from top to bottom. Supported by the firebox is a hollow, hemispherical cover that increases in diameter from top to bottom. Disposed within the firebox is an adjustable fuel element holder, which is contractable and expandable to regulate the concentration and diffusion of heat provided by the fuel elements. A heat sensitive device controls the expansion of the fuel element holder in accordance with the intensity of the heat in the firebox.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new "universal" heat distribution article for replacing a rack supporting lava rock or a custom-fitted heat distribution plate. The article includes at least a pair of plates (and preferably four plates), each of which has rows of apertures. The plates are in partial overlapping contact with one another and those apertures at the kettle central region are at least partially closed by the other plate. On the other hand, those plate apertures at the kettle side perimeter regions are fully open. Upward air flow at the kettle central region is restricted, heat is distributed toward the sides of the kettle and the temperature gradient across the cooking surface is materially improved. A retrofit kit and details of the heat distribution plate are also disclosed.

Abstract: An adjustable shutter grate for barbecue grills is disclosed having a lower grate member and an upper grate member. The grate members have generally identical patterns of slots formed therethrough with generally identical patterns of bars delimiting the slots. The upper grate is slidable with respect to the lower grate such that the slots may be in complete registry to allow full heat transmission therethrough or the bars of the upper grate may be disposed to overlie the slots of the lower grate, thereby preventing flare-ups in the fire box from burning the food being cooked or to extend cooking time.

Abstract: A grate for holding a manufactured log (artificial log) has a pair of end supports which are adjustable along a pair of rods passing through the end supports. The log rests near its ends on saddles presented by the end supports and sags into engagement with the rods as it burns.

Abstract: Freestanding fireplace grates of different lengths are assembled from a kit that has a set of U-shaped bars of the same size and shape and a set of nuts and bolts. The assembled grates have a center module interfitted between two side modules. The modules are formed of the U-shaped bars.

Abstract: A duct fitting for connecting a branch duct to a main duct including a tubular body having cutting teeth formed on one end thereof for cutting a hole in the main duct by pressing the cutting teeth against the main duct and rotating the tubular body about its longitudinal axis. Subsequent to cutting of the hole, the cutting teeth are bent into engagement with the interior of the main duct to squeezingly hold the main duct between the bent over teeth and a resiliently deflectable mounting flange provided on the tubular body. An air diversion scoop is mounted in the bore of the tubular body and is pivotably moved so that a portion of the scoop extends from the tubular body into the main duct.

Abstract: The specification discloses a grate replacement kit for a solid fuel burning firebox. The kit includes an extendable grate, adaptable to a variety of different size fireboxes, and a scale to be mounted on the outside of the firebox. Further included is a hinge assembly for pivotally mounting one end of the grate to the firebox with the opposite end of the grate operatively supported by the scale. The scale is responsive to the weight of the grate and any fuel supported thereon to indicate when restoking is required to prevent the fire from burning out. Preferably, a signal device responsive to the scale is included to emit a signal in a location remote from the firebox when additional wood is required.

Abstract: A burner for combusting particulate fuels comprises a combustion chamber fitted with a plurality of grates stacked in stairstep fashion, each having a downwardly sloping surface over which the fuel flows continuously as it burns. The grates may be horizontally adjustable to change the downward slope of the flowing fuel. Each grate rests upon supports projecting from opposite side walls of the burner. The supports extend beyond the downwardly sloping surfaces of the grates and beyond the forward edge of the fuel bed so that the flow of fuel is diverted by the supports away from the side walls of the firebox, creating air passages which allow air to flow directly to the flame. The burner is fitted with a hopper for receiving and containing the fuel with a baffle plate depending from it shaped to distribute the fuel across the width of the grate in a manner which promotes the flow of the fuel.