Abstract: Backyard type gas grills are made suitable for use with solid fuels such as charcoal by removing existing passive radiant heat material such as lava rocks and inserting an apparatus comprising supports (50) and perforated fuel basket (40). The unique design of the invention allows for its implementation in a majority of gas grills on the market by permitting the supports (50), which rest on at least a gas burner, to be positioned and fastened to the fuel basket (40) anywhere and in various directions with respect to the fuel basket (40). Locking means (56) prevent separation of the supports from the fuel basket. By locking the supports (50) to the fuel basket (40), the supports add structural integrity to the fuel basket and prevent the basket from warping and torquing due to repeated exposure to extreme temperature differentials.

Abstract: A portable charcoal-fired roaster including a housing defined with an internal space having an increased cross-sectional area as it extends upwardly, the housing having a bending flange at an upper end thereof, an inner support net seated on the bottom of the housing and adapted to provide a seat for charcoal blocks to be received in the housing in such a fashion that it supports the charcoal blocks in a state suspended from the bottom of the housing, the inner support net having an inverted U-shaped structure to define a space between the bottom of the housing and the top of the inner support net for receiving an ignition material, a plurality of charcoal retaining nets seated on the charcoal blocks laid on the inner support net to retain the charcoal blocks in such a fashion that the charcoal blocks are grouped into charcoal block groups spaced apart from one another and respectively retained by the charcoal retaining nets, each of the charcoal retain nets having a central upward protrusion with an inverted

Abstract: A water circulated grill with spaced apart food supporting tubes and with a water catching system including spaced apart collection troughs to receive condensed water dropping from the sides of the water cooled supporting tubes and heat supply source positioned beneath the collection troughs to supply heat upwardly between the water collection troughs to cook food placed on the food supporting tubes and to heat the collection troughs and vaporize water collected therein.

Abstract: An ash catcher assembly for catching and containing ash and debris that falls through openings in the bottom of a barbecue grill is disclosed. The ash catcher assembly includes a mounting member capable of being removably connected to the barbecue grill, and a basket secured adjacent a bottom of the mounting member. The mounting member has a body portion and at least two resilient connecting members. The resilient connecting members have a transverse tab adjacent an end thereof for interconnecting with the barbecue grill. Generally, the transverse tabs snap into mating openings of the barbecue grill for connecting the ash catcher assembly to the barbecue grill. The basket has an open top end, a closed bottom end, a side wall connecting the top end and the bottom end, and a cavity therein to hold the ash that falls from the kettle. Protrusions and a handle extending from the sidewall of the basket mate with corresponding components of the mating member for removably securing the basket to the mating member.

Abstract: A portable cook stove includes a bowl-like grate supported by a column forming a cavity for supplying air to the grate and for receiving ashes falling through the grate. The column is supported on a tray for receiving and retaining ashes removed from the cavity to reduce the likelihood of a fire from hot coals in the ashes.

Abstract: A barbecue rack including a barbecue grill, a base seat, two support legs and a barbecue tray. The frame of each of the barbecue grill and the base seat has a longitudinal section, whereby the barbecue grill, base seat and the barbecue tray can be stacked into one single unit as a thin rectangular body. Therefore, the storage room is saved and the barbecue rack can be easily quickly assembled. The components of the barbecue rack can be firmly associated and the barbecue grill is not easy to detach and drop and the barbecue grill can be entirely used. The height of the barbecue grill can be stagelessly adjusted by means of the support legs of the base seat as necessary.

Abstract: A portable grill having telescoping legs is disclosed. The grill includes a substantially rectangular grate and two pairs of telescoping legs. Each pair of telescoping legs is pivotally attached to one end of the rectangular grate. The grill can be used to cook food over an open fire, or the grill can be used to cook with charcoal with the aid of a charcoal tray that can be hung below the rectangular grate using S-hooks. The invention also includes a carrying case for allowing the grill to be carried in a backpack without the grill soiling other items in the backpack.

Abstract: A multi-functional barbecue grill arrangement which includes a charcoal support rack that enables the grilling arrangement to be used for searing, as well as a conventional barbecue cooking. A barrel-type grilling chamber is supported by a sturdy, A-shaped support frame. A layer of insulating, heat-resistant material, such as cement, lines the lowermost portion of the interior surface of the grilling chamber. Charcoal can be placed on the cement lining and/or on a charcoal support rack disposed above the cement lining, but below one or more food grills. The charcoal support rack, which has a length less than the food grill(s), is translatable on rails to enable the user to position ignited charcoal in close proximity to food on the grilling surface so that the food is seared from the rapid and intense application of heat.

Abstract: An outdoor cooking apparatus for baking food, is provided including a tray having a bottom surface with an inner section and an outer section which is separate from the inner section. Multiple legs are coupled to the tray to support the apparatus on the ground, or other substantially flat surface. A platter is disposed over at least a portion the inner section. The platter has a plate and a projecting member extending from the plate, or through an aperture in the plate, for supporting the food. A cylindrical upper member is provided having an interior cavity and an opening to this cavity at the bottom of the upper member. Through this opening, the upper member is positionable on the tray over the platter along either an annular gap between the inner and outer sections, or in the inner section.

Abstract: A support housing for portable grill for storing and supporting a grill in a spaced apart relation from a ground surface. The support housing for portable grill includes a housing that has a base panel and a peripheral sidewall upwardly extending from the base panel. The peripheral sidewall defines an interior of the housing. A base portion of the grill is insertable in the interior of the housing. An upper rim of the grill is positioned towards an upper rim of the housing.

Abstract: A smoker attachment for heating and burning smoker particles in a barbecue grill. The smoker attachment includes a housing having a side wall, end wall, and bottom wall fining a cavity therein. The bottom wall of the housing has a plurality of openings and the side walls have a plurality of corresponding cutouts adjacent the bottom wall such that the cutouts in the side walls cooperate with the openings in the bottom wall. The openings provide access to the cavity of the housing such that a conductive member within the barbecue grill is able to contact the housing adjacent the opening to position the housing within the bottom chamber of the barbecue grill. The conductive member further passes through the opening of the housing into the cavity of the housing to define a portion of the perimeter of the cavity for directly contacting and heating the smoker particles within the housing.

Abstract: A grill has horizontal shelves attached to its sidewalls for holding charcoal vertically along the sidewall in different compartments. Compartments are selected for cooking according to the amount of heat required and the size and configuration of the food. A mesh framework with screens attached hold the coals in position. Cooking progress is viewed through a window and a transparent dome cover. The positioning of the coals relative to the food allows cooking from all sides speed cooking. Cooking racks of various shapes accommodate all foods.

Abstract: A barbecue grill having a cooking surface and a retractable light mounted to an upper portion of the lower grill housing and moveable between a first operable position and a second stored position. In the operable position the light is oriented to illuminate the cooking surface of the grill. In the stored position, the top surface of the light is substantially aligned with the cooking surface and the top surface of an auxiliary shelf attached to the grill. The light may also be supplied separately for retrofit on any existing grill.

Abstract: This invention provides charcoal cookers the ability to concentrate the fuel and to be able to remove the divider without disrupting the grill or food cooking on it while in operation. The invention further provides charcoal cookers with the ability to reposition a charcoal grill divider of this invention without disrupting the grill or food cooking on it while in operation.

Abstract: A patio table and outdoor barbecue combination in which a burner pit is positioned in the upper section of a table central, hollow-core pedestal, and can be covered when not in use by a lid flush with the upper surface of the table slab. In the charcoal-fuel embodiment, the cooking griddle, charcoal plate, and ash-collecting bucket are held at successively space-apart levels within the inner wall of the burner pit which has an inverted frusto-conical shape. In the gas-fired embodiment, a small propane canister is conveniently located under the table top.

Abstract: A griddle is disclosed having a base with a surface for cooking food items that is heated by pressurized steam circulated through a passageway in the base from a temperature controlled boiler. Steam injected beneath a cover adapted to be placed over the food items cooking on the heated surface can greatly decrease the required cooking time for the food item. A grill heated by the same pressurized steam is also disclosed with a similar cover and steam injection feature.

Abstract: An adjustable grill grid construction 10 including at least one generally rectangular open framework member 20 having a pair of opposed side channel elements 21, 22 and a centerline brace element 23 provided with a plurality of spaced transverse recesses 24 which are dimensioned to at least partially receive the intermediate portion 33 of a plurality of rod members 30 which are moveable relative to the framework member 20 and adapted to be captively engaged relative to the centerline brace element 23 by a bar clamp member 40 to vary the spacing of the rod members 30 relative to the framework member 20.

Abstract: A portable barbecue apparatus comprises a hollow base of truncated pyramidal configuration for storing fuel. The hollow base supports a firebox thereon. A cooking grill-oven is disposed above the firebox. A carriage is employed to support the barbecue apparatus. The carriage is pivotally attached to a two-wheeled trailer to permit portability for the barbecue apparatus.

Abstract: The heat gun adapter for accelerated kindling and burning out of combustible solids, (K) especially charcoal, is formed by a shielding cover (1) which is open up to the combustible material (K) and stores and conducts heat to the combustible material (K). The shielding cover has a connecting sleeve (2) for a pipe connection piece (3) that attaches to the heat gun (4).

Abstract: A barbecue grill debris catching trough for mounting to a back of a barbecue grill to catch debris falling from the grill between the gap formed between the lower portion of the barbecue grill and the hood portion of the barbecue grill. The barbecue grill debris catching trough includes an elongate trough having a bottom wall, a spaced apart pair of end walls, and a spaced apart pair of side walls extending between the end walls. A hanging clip with an outwardly facing resilient clip portion upwardly extends from one of the side walls.

Abstract: An open grill assembly, with a radiant heating sheet, can be assembled together into a rigid grill, with rods forming a frame supporting the radiant sheet and the grid in a spaced apart relationship. The components can be disassembled into a compact bundle, preferably a flat bundle. When assembled, in a preferred embodiment, the radiant heating sheet is adapted to rest on the top of the burner, so that the rods forming the frame need not touch the ground, allowing a single, economical design to be used with most, and perhaps all, commercially available burners. In operation, the burner heats the radiant heating sheet and radiant heat from the sheet cooks food on the grid.

Abstract: A charcoal, gas or electric-fired, fuel-isolated cooker comprising: an outer box separated by rigid insulation from an inner box, a multi-level cooking grill with a detachable grease catchpan, a heat chamber to isolate food from fuel source and to provide an additional hot surface for grilling items such as bread, removable cooking spikes, an optional flavor chip box, insulated handles, magnetized utensil hooks, a magnetically secured door, solid fuel, gas manifold or electric heating element holders, and an extendable vent pipe for use with solid fuel(charcoal briquettes) or gas combustion options.

Abstract: A campfire box forms an enclosure having an open top, a closed bottom floor, and inner and outer side walls extending around the periphery of the enclosure with the inner side walls being of insulating material. One or more layers of fire insulating material cover the floor. The insulating side panels and floor provide a cavity formed of fire insulating material for enclosing combustible material.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cooking enhancement system for retarding excessive flame and creating a burst of spray to steam a product being cooked with an automatic means for distributing water onto an excessive flame activated by a photodetector that senses light from the excessive flame.

Abstract: An indirect heat barbecue oven and smoker which utilizes an elongate chamber for receiving combustibles so that smoke may be produced therein and wherein there is provided a rotating wheel with support arms, wherein each pair of support arms support an open mesh tray upon which foods or the like may be positioned and wherein the bottom of the oven forms a slanted floor of the oven and acts to receive and direct grease and fluids so that the same may be drained to the outside of the oven without contamination of the burners.

Abstract: A portable barbecue grill apparatus has multiple functions including barbecuing, baking, roasting, and pan broiling, some of which can be accomplished simultaneously on joined cooking elements. The grill apparatus can have an extendable rear lid having a rotisserie attached to a base. Alternatively, a pair of slotted side plates attached to the lid and covered by a heat shield can permit the spacing of the spit from the burner in the lid according to the size of the rotating fool. The lid and base each contain heating elements energized by one or two portable propane tanks.

Abstract: A convection based cooking apparatus with an insulating baffle to provide improved air-flow and isolation between a cooking chamber and a heating chamber. The heating chamber and the cooking chamber are positioned side by side, and separated by the insulating baffle. The insulating baffle is hollow for holding a liquid and includes an opening for emitting steam. An air passage exists between the heating chamber and the cooking chamber, in such a way that, heated air passes through the passage, flows over the insulating baffle to combine with the steam, and then into the cooking chamber. The air passage is located near the top of the heating chamber and the cooking chamber. As the air passes over the insulating baffle, the air is diffused throughout the cooking chamber and thereby uniformly distributed across a cooking surface within the cooking chamber.

Abstract: A modular outdoor grill for cooking over a bed of combustible fuel or by means of convection heating from an externally mounted firebox. The modular grill comprises a housing with an outwardly, horizontally pivotal food-supporting tray, a vertically extending standard for supporting said housing, and either a horizontally reciprocating fuel-supporting grate or an externally mounted firebox.

Abstract: An apparatus for improved heat circulation and containment when smoking or grilling using electric, gas, or charcoal as the heat source. The base design enhances heat containment, and offers a channel design in the bottom of the base pan. The strategically placed openings and legs add additional ventilation for improved air circulation.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a modular fireplace having a first side wall, a second side wall, and a back wall that is contiguous with the first side wall and the second side wall and defines an interior open-faced firebox region having a substantially "U" shape in top plan view. The first side wall is constructed from a plurality of sequentially stacked modular first side blocks and the second side wall is formed from a plurality of sequentially stacked modular second side blocks. The back wall has a first modular corner block, a second modular corner block, and at least one substantially vertical spacer block that are joined so that the first corner block and the second corner block are contiguous with the spacer block. To aid in the efficient drafting of the fireplace, each of the spacer blocks may have a spacer block air chamber extending therein from an open upper end on the spacer block top end to a closed lower end proximate the spacer block bottom end.

Abstract: An outdoor-type cooking device for the heating and cooking of foods is disclosed. The cooking device comprises a base with a support housing extending upwardly to support a grilling enclosure. The grilling enclosure includes a cooking surface and a removable hood. The support housing is made from a non-metal material which is molded into a hollow thin walled structure. The support housing may be configured to have a decoratively shaped exterior. In addition, the support housing forms a working surface adjacent the cooking surface. The base forms a ground engaging support base as well as providing support for a fuel canister. The hollow support housing is also adapted to support and house the fuel canister. The removable hood is configured to cover the cooking surface and has a front and rear surface which extend between two spaced apart sides.

Abstract: The flavor producing plate, resembling an inverted egg carton, has a smooth surface topography comprising symmetrical, convex protuberances disposed in a symmetrical array. Excess food drippings are drained away through through-openings (having diameters greater than 12 millimeters) located within the interstices between protuberances. Plate cleanability is improved by coating the surface with an anti-stick coating of poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) preferably containing reinforcing particles that enhance the coating's scrub resistance. The plates can be made from cast, wrought, or sintered metal such as iron, aluminum, copper, or bronze. Plate mass provides an areal heat capacity (Q.sub.A) in the range of from 500 to 3,000 Joules per square centimeter thereby retaining the heat sink and heat modulating functions of prior art plates.

Abstract: A food smoker for providing a smoky flavor to food. The food smoker includes an elongate cylinder having opposed open ends and an interior adapted for receiving wood chips. The cylinder has a plurality of rows of generally equally spaced apertures extending through it. The apertures are positioned in an upper 1/3 portion of the cylinder. A pair of end caps are detachably coupled to the ends of the cylinder.

Abstract: A barbecue grill modified by a smoke directing sleeve to convert the grill into a food smoker in which there is a sleeve of rolled form adapted to be unrolled to fit on the grill to position a food supporting grill spaced from the source of heat, and providing handles on the sleeve in position to allow removal of the sleeve to free up access to the fuel in the cooking grill. The rolled form constitutes a kit and the kit is adapted to extend the utility of the barbecue grill for food smoking treatment.

Abstract: A convection meat cooker characterized by an elongated, cylindrical cooker tank which, in a preferred embodiment, is provided on a portable cooker frame and includes concentric outer, middle and inner shells. The inner shell defines an interior cooking chamber which is hermetically sealed by a door hinged to the outer shell at one end of the cooker tank and a cylindrical, annular heat chamber is defined between the middle and inner shells throughout the length of the cooker tank. Insulation is typically provided between the middle and outer shells of the cooker tank. A heat entrance port extends from the middle shell and receives a propane-fueled burner for heating the cylindrical heat chamber and a heat exit port vents excess heat from the annular heat chamber. An open water container may be removably attached to the cooker frame and pressure vent piping provided in fluid communication with the cooking chamber is immersed in water provided in the water container.

Abstract: A charcoal igniter which has a thermal barrier attached to the top of the charcoal ignition chamber. The thermal barrier restricts airflow though the charcoal chamber and retains heat within the chamber to accelerate the burning process. The thermal barrier is perforated to allow air to flow through at a reduced rate to retain hot gas from ignition within the charcoal chamber. The thermal barrier may contain thermally resistive material, such as granulated or crushed lava roc which both retains heat to accelerate the ignition and improves safety by filtering exhaust gases to prevent ash and sparks from escaping. The thermally resistive material also acts to re-radiate heat back into the charcoal chamber to further accelerate the ignition of the charcoal. The charcoal igniter has a central charcoal chamber to hold charcoal and a top mounted thermal barrier to prevent heat from escaping.

Abstract: A collapsible fuel-burning stove includes a burner assembly and a collapsible frame for supporting the burner assembly, the frame including a plurality of support members, the support members being pivotal relative to one another about a common axis on which the burner assembly is supported.

Abstract: A compound hand held tool for use with the round pot belly type of barbeque grills that have circular grills made of heavy wire. While the primary purpose of the invention is to operate as a handle for such grills, it is also designed to be used to scrape grills to help clean them, to open and close hot air vents normally found on barbeque grills and to manipulate hot charcoal briquets. In the preferred embodiment this tool is made by machine working stainless steel and is provided with a heat resistant handle.

Abstract: A combination gas and charcoal grill that includes a housing, a heat distribution element, a gas burner, and an ash pan drawer. The heat distribution element is disposed in the housing for supporting one of lava rocks and ceramic briquettes when the combination gas and charcoal grill is being used as a gas grill and for supporting charcoal briquettes when the combination gas and charcoal grill is being used as a charcoal grill. The gas burner is disposed in the housing for heating the one of the lava rocks and the ceramic briquettes when the combination gas and charcoal grill is being used as the gas grill and for initially igniting the charcoal briquettes when the combination gas and charcoal grill is being used as the charcoal grill.

Abstract: A barbecue grill includes a body defining a heating chamber and having an open top. A main food supporting grill is mounted on the body in a generally horizontal manner so as to span at least a portion of the open top. Walls extend generally upwardly from portions of the body. The walls include opposing side walls and a rear wall extending between the side walls. A grate is mounted between the side walls and is in spaced relation to the rear wall so as to define a generally vertically arranged fire chamber for holding a source of heat generating fuel. A secondary food supporting grill is mounted between the side walls, forwardly of the grate and above and generally parallel to the main grill.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a top cover for a barbecue grill which includes a casting with an aperture formed in the surface. A flexible insert is designed to close the aperture. The casting includes a support on at least one side of the aperture and at least one fastener to hold the insert in place in the casting. The support and fastener also seal the aperture by pressing the insert against the casting.

Abstract: A turbo-charcoal barbecue is designed with five main features; a detachable turbo unit, an adjustable rotisserie ensemble, a moveable charcoal tray, removable ash trays, and fire screen. The detachable turbo unit is positioned to recirculate hot air from underneath the charcoal tray and redistribute the hot air to the upper and lower areas of the grill. The turbo-charcoal barbecue includes an adjustable rotisserie ensemble. Both the turbo unit and rotisserie are driven by a 12 volt motor or from an electrical outlet using a transformer. The charcoal tray sits on a plate which is attached to a crank shaft mechanism used for raising and lowering the charcoal tray. A rectangular shaped fire screen contains small holes spaced evenly apart from each other designed to both block flash flames and allow the heat produced from the ignited briquets to flow through it.

Abstract: A portable outdoor steamer system comprising a hollow container with an open top and a closed generally inverted dome-shaped bottom with a cover in a dome-shaped configuration. The steamer also contains a hollow support with a circular upper end secured to the lower surface of the bottom of the container. Also provided are heating components including a burner secured in the upper extent of the support on a circular plate, a hook-up mounted externally on the base and operatively coupled to the burner and a heat control dial mounted externally of the housing on a control panel operatively coupled to the burner with air holes through the base above the plate and a door formed in the housing to provide access to the burner.

Abstract: An oven apparatus includes a support unit which supports a cylindrically shaped oven unit which includes a first oven end and a second oven end. An oven access door is located at each oven end. Drawer guide tracks are supported by interior portions of the oven unit and extend outward from the interior portions of the oven unit. Grill drawers are supported by the respective drawer guide tracks. Fuel access doors having adjustable draft valves are located on the respective oven ends, and a damper-containing vent pipe is connected to the oven unit. The oven access doors are supported by the oven ends by horizontally oriented access door hinges. The oven access doors are located above the drawer guide tracks. The oven unit includes drain ports located at bottom portions of the oven unit. A thermometer is supported by the oven unit. First and second trays are supported at the respective oven ends, and the trays are located astride of the oven access doors.

Abstract: A barbecue grill apparatus is provided for cooking food items, including a housing having a housing bottom wall and a housing side wall, an upright grill support member extending centrally within the housing, and at least two food supporting grid sections mounted one above the other on the grill support member, at least one of the food supporting grid sections being mounted rotatably relative to the other food supporting grid section, so that one of the grid sections is rotatable to a position underneath another of the food supporting grid sections. The apparatus preferably additionally includes a fuel supporting grid mounted to the grill support member below the at least two food supporting grid sections and spaced above the housing bottom wall.

Abstract: A barbecue device includes a housing and two covers pivotally secured to the side portions of the housing. The covers each includes a leg for enclosing the side portions of the housing when the covers are folded to the folded position, and for elevating the housing when the covers are rotated to the open position. A gas stove may be received in the housing, and a gas bottle may be secured to one of the covers for supplying the gas to the stove. A protective cap is supported on the stove and includes an upwardly curved structure having a number of side facing openings.

Abstract: A barbecue rotisserie apparatus comprising a conventional barbecue apparatus and a novel rotisserie apparatus. The rotisserie apparatus comprises a ring having a substantially U-shaped cross section, rollers that are rotatably secured within their axis of rotation within the ring U cross section, and a drive apparatus secured to the barbecue for rolling the ring around the bowl of the barbecue apparatus. A bracket means on the ring supports the grill. The drive apparatus comprises a motor, friction wheel, and rigid enclosure.

Abstract: A barbecue grill has a grill burner and a cooking grate disposed within a housing with an upper portion pivotally mounted on a lower portion. Means is provided for supporting the housing upper portion in a partial open pivotal position. A smoke incinerator is mounted on the housing upper portion, and has a burner for generating a flame. Smoke is converted to invisible exhaust gases by heating the smoke with the flame. A grill burner locking means is provided, which will prevent unignited fuel from accumulating in the housing in the event that the incinerator burner fails to ignite.

Abstract: A connector is provided for securing a conduit to a fluid source, which source includes a noncircular cylindrical pedestal having a fluid source outlet extending therethrough and an annular groove surrounding the pedestal. The connector includes an inlet port engageable with the fluid source outlet and an outlet port in fluid communication with the inlet port and engageable with the conduit. A collet includes a base, and a plurality of fingers extending from the base substantially parallel to an axis of the inlet port, each finger being disposed a common radial distance from the axis of the inlet port and including a radially extending pawl spaced from the base. An annular cam has a noncircular cylindrical receptacle correspondingly engageable with the noncircular cylindrical pedestal of the fluid source and having an axis coincident with the axis of the inlet port.

Abstract: A new portable cooking utensil for creating toasted marshmallows while outdoors. The inventive device includes a grill portion comprised of a plurality of concentric rings. The plurality of concentric rings include an innermost ring and an outermost ring. A central container is secured within the innermost ring of the grill portion. A removable container is received within the central container.