Abstract: A barbecue cooker for cooking foods having a cooker bowl, a closure for the bowl, one or more heat sources for producing heat extended within the bowl, and an infrared emitter positioned within the bowl above and adjacent to each heat source. A movable support structure is also taught for revolving food around a central heat source.

Abstract: A gas barbecue that has a housing having a generally rectangular shape with opposing side and end walls, an open interior, an open top, gas control means, a cooking grill, a primary burner assembly located below the cooking grill, and an upper radiant burner. The upper radiant burner is positioned above the cooking grill and includes a tube burner and a radiating means. The radiating means has a perforated mesh with the tube burner positioned beneath the perforated mesh such that heat generated by the tube burner passes through holes in the perforated mesh thereby heating the perforated mesh and causing the mesh to generate and direct infrared radiant heat into the open interior of the barbecue. The holes in the perforated mesh help to enhance the heating of the radiating means and assist in the radiation of infrared heat into the open interior of the barbecue.

Abstract: The present invention is a grill intended for use in outdoor cooking. A burner assembly and a grid are enclosed in a housing that is arranged for even distribution of heat through the grid, and the grill is selectively usable to barbecue meat with or without wood flavoring or to steam meat and other food.

Abstract: A broiler type grilling appliance oscillates the food supporting grille under a heat source zone so that the broiled food subject receives direct heat incidence from the heat source for only a portion of a controlled, periodic cycle. Additionally, the supporting grille is guided to oscillate over the arc of a large radius circle that subtends a chord having a 15.degree. to 25.degree. angle from the horizontal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for barbecue grilling of food comprising an outer housing (1) having a grill (2) upon which food can be placed, a radiant heat source (3) located below the grill (2), and a supply (4) of combustible gas and air mixture to heat the radiant heat source (3). The radiant heat source (3) comprises a chamber located within the outer housing, the inner chamber (3) being spaced from the outer housing (1) to define an air passage (9) and wherein a supply of pressurized air flows in the air passage (9), the pressurized air providing a primary source of air for mixing with the combustible gas and a secondary source of air which passes into the inner chamber (3) thereby increasing oxidizing conditions within the inner chamber.

Abstract: A conversion broiler assembly to adapt a single-sided cooking apparatus to a double-sided cooking apparatus. The conversion broiler assembly has a rear housing that is mountable to the single-sided cooking apparatus. The rear housing movably receives left and right stanchions that are pivotally attached to left and right support arms with a broiler positioned therebetween. The left and right stanchions and support arms are generally hollow and provide passageways for combustion air, exhaust air, gas lines and electrical lines to and from the broiler. A rail system having two rails with running surfaces and one rail with an inclined running surface support rollers on the left and right stanchions to provide for smooth and easy lateral translation of the broiler relative to the rear housing. The conversion broiler assembly has a flue system for directing air flow and high temperature exhaust away from the assembly when in use while maintaining a substantially cool rear wall of the assembly.

Abstract: A gas barbecue having a rectangular body, gas control means, a cooking grill, and a burner assembly. The burner assembly includes an elongate tube burner and a generally L-shaped tube burner having a primary tube member and a secondary tube member intersecting the primary tube member thereby forming the general L shape. The free end of the secondary tube member is positioned in close proximity to the elongate tube burner such that the ignition of the elongate tube burner causes cross-ignition of the L-shaped tube burner when gas is supplied thereto.

Abstract: A toaster having a movable bakery product shield for enhanced toasting quality. A wide slot cavity to receive bakery goods for toasting is defined on one side thereof by an upstanding, stationary product retainer spaced apart from a heating element and, on the other side thereof, by a movable product retainer having a deflector shield connected along its upper edge. Interiorally of the toaster, a carriage mechanism is mounted on an end wall for vertical reciprocal movement between an up position and a down position. Connected to the carriage mechanism and extending longitudinally through the slot cavity is a bread support shelf which is inclined toward the stationary product retainer to cause the lower edge of a bread slice placed in the toaster slot to engage the stationary product retainer.

Abstract: A diversified cooking appliance for use outdoors or indoors which can readily be transformed to perform all the cooking modes normally performed in conventional kitchen ovens. The main body of this invention comprises two separate chambers, the lower being stationary and the upper being separably hinged to the lower. Platforms of various materials can be placed in the lower chamber to facilitate various arts of cooking while withstanding cooking temperatures. A heat source consists of the two separate adjustable burners suspended in the upper chamber. Two cold air intake apertures are provided at each side of the base of the lower chamber, with the updrafted cold air being the driving force which stimulates the hot cooking temperatures. The air is subsequently deflected between the suspended burners and the heat deflecting baffle, thereby distributing evenly hot temperatures throughout the enclosure.

Abstract: The barbecue comprises a gridiron (3) and cooking means (10,11,12) arranged laterally below said gridiron. These cooking means comprise a blue flame gas burner (10), as well as a radiant grille (12) and a deflector flap (11) which are movable with respect to the burner (10). Adjustment of the position of the flap (11) and the grille (12) with respect to the burner (10) allows the cooking mode (convection/radiation) to be varied.

Abstract: An electric toaster having an automatic resetting heat reduction assembly. The toaster includes one or more cavities to receive bagels, bread, or other food products, and a plurality of heating elements located within the cavities to toast the food products. A carriage assembly movable between a raised nontoasting position and a lowered toasting position lowers and raises the food products into and out of the toasting cavities. When lowered to the toasting position, the carriage assembly activates a heat activation assembly which completes an electrical circuit between a power source and the heating elements, thereby energizing the heating elements to toast the food products. The toaster also includes a heat reduction assembly settable between an original full heat position and a depressed reduced heat position.

Abstract: A unique outdoor full function cooking appliance including a cart, a grill fixedly mounted on the cart and having a hemispherical body and a lid, two ring burners one disposed within the other, mounted within the hemispherical body, a flame tamer arranged within the hemispherical body and located above the two ring burners, a supporting mount fitted in a central portion of the flame tamer, a circular disc, and a cooking wire grid mounted with the hemispherical body and located above the supporting mount, whereby the cooking appliance combines the functions of barbecue gas grill, stove and oven in one unit thereby enabling it to be used with other cooking wares for making soup, sauce, frying dishes, and vegetable in addition to barbecuing.

Abstract: An oven for baking a food product that comprises a bottom. At least one stone covers the bottom and includes a baking area in which the food product may be baked. A top is connected to the bottom and constructed to form a chamber over the baking area. A constant heat source is connected to the bottom to provide a constant heat within the chamber. The constant heat source is disposed above the bottom. A supplemental heat source is provided below the stone to supply additional heat to the baking area.

Abstract: A cooking appliance, such as a gas grill, includes a cooking pit, at least one radiant gas burner on a side wall of the pit, a receptacle for collecting liquid and cooking juices, and a bottom assembly which is heat-retaining and permeable with respect to the liquids flowing toward the collecting receptacle. The cooking appliance further includes a water spray assembly which allows steam cooking.

Abstract: A cooking oven has a housing and walls which enclose an oven chamber in which a rotisserie supports food to be cooked. The heat for cooking the food derives from a burner having a plenum and tiles in front of the plenum, with the tiles being exposed to the oven chamber along the upper wall of the chamber and near the rear of the chamber. A removable baffle fits into the oven chamber along the upper wall ahead of the burner and it forms an air duct in which two blowers revolve. The blowers draw air from within chamber into the duct and forces it out of the duct downwardly so that it impinges on the food as the food passes beneath the discharge region of the duct, A deflector keeps the air so discharged for disturbing the flame along the tiles of the burner.

Abstract: A stove top grill assembly for barbecuing foods comprising a base portion (12) with supporting means (20, 16) for a cooking grill (10) and a stone (14) enclosing a central cavity (18). When in use the stone (14) rests directly over a burner or concentrated heat source surface separating foods being cooked on the grill (10) above from flames below and allowing rapid heat distribution without flame penetration. Conversely the stone (14) captures food and grease drippings from above converting them to flavor inducing smoke for barbecuing without igniting.

Abstract: A smokeless grill suitable for use upon a conventional gas or electric range in which a lower base element is of shorter longitudinal dimension than a mating cover element which defines a transversely extending horizontal opening adapted to be positioned directly over a gas or electric heating element or burner. Heat emanating from the burner rises under convection as well as radiation to enter the opening and heat air enclosed by the cover. The heated air circulates in a continuous loop between the base element and the cover element to cook food supported upon a grill element disposed therebetween, the configuration of the grill allowing the heated air to pass both above and below the grill. Because no air is introduced into the device, the food cooks essentially without burning or smoking, and all combustion occurs externally of the interconnected base element and cover element.

Abstract: A baking pot which includes a pot body having a hot air inlet, a trim mounted in the hot air inlet of the pot body and having a conical center hole, a turbine wheel having a wheel shaft mounted in the conical center hole of the trim by a bearing, a drip plate mounted within the pot body above the turbine wheel, a grid mounted on the pot body above the drip plate, and a pot cover covered on the pot body over the grid, the pot cover having a rotary knot, a plurality of air vents equally spaced around the rotary knob, and a shutter plate fastened to the rotary knot and turned by it to close/open the air vents of the pot cover.

Abstract: A gas barbecue grill has a housing, a grate supported by the housing for supporting food for cooking, and a gas burner for supplying heat. The gas burner includes at least one fluidic burner element centrally located and projecting a heating flame aligned substantially along the centerline and downward. A heat distribution member having an axis aligned with the centerline has at least a pair of downwardly diverging planar elements with the burner projecting a flame along the centerline which heats the center of the distribution member. The heat distribution member has first and second groups of apertures, the first group of apertures being proximate one end of the heat distribution member and spaced from the center of each of said planar elements. A second group of apertures formed proximate the end of heat distribution member opposite the burner end and spaced from the center of the distribution member and in each of the planar elements.

Abstract: A deflector shield for an automatic food cooking machine. The automatic food cooking machine of the present invention includes a deflector shield that protects the gas outlet ports from grease, drippings, and other debris falling from the cooking food products. The shields are heated by the gas flames and therefore cook the food by radiant heat, while convective heat is directed around the edges of the shields and towards the food. Finally, the shields serve to protect the food products from direct exposure to the gas flames as required by USDA regulations.

Abstract: A convertible barbecue capable of grill cooking and rotisserie cooking. The barbecue includes one or more radiant such as briquette trays for holding refractory briquettes underneath a food item to be cooked. In the grill-cooking mode, the briquette trays are supported horizontally underneath a grill rack, while in the rotisserie mode a front briquette tray is removed and a rear briquette tray is angled so as to be out from underneath a spit for rotisserie cooking of food items. In an alternative configuration both front and rear briquette trays may be repositioned toward the rotisserie spit.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for cooking pizza which comprises (a) a pan element having a base floor and peripheral walls extending upwardly therefrom; (b) a plate element superimposed over and spaced above the base floor section of the pan element; (c) a preferably domed shaped lid element superimposed over the pan element and having an interior reflective surface; and (d) means for applying heat to said apparatus. A method of using this apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A toaster having a toaster body, and a bread inlet port formed of a longitudinally extended opening opened at the top portion of the toaster body is composed of a pair of heating members respectively including heaters being parallely installed to a lower portion of the inlet port at adjacent a lengthwisely extended side wall of the toaster body horizontally movably toward and apart therefrom, a carriage member downwardly movably installed to the bottom portion of the inlet port to receive the sliced bread inserted therefrom, and a space regulating member including a link of which a first end being pivotably fixed to the widthwisely extended side surface of the heating member at adjacent gravity center thereof and a second end being pivotably supported by the toaster body, and a spring attached to the position where the second end of the link being supported and linearly extended toward the bottom of the carriage member to receive the carriage member moved toward the spring.

Abstract: A conveyor toaster has air chambers at opposite sides and at the top of the oven for reducing surface temperatures of the out side housing panels of the oven which a worker might touch. A wire link conveyor belt extending through the oven and carrying food products at a speed which toasts those food product during their dwell time within the oven. The conveyor belt is tensioned by a spring bias so that a force directed against the spring bias creates a slack which enables an installation, removal, and reinstallation of the conveyor belt. A heating element is supported at a height above the belt which may be during manufacturing to accommodate the height of a food product conveyed by the conveyor. A loading rack at the front of the housing has two stable positions for enabling either batch loading or continuous loading.

Abstract: An electric toaster includes a housing defining a toaster cavity. A comestible support rack is mounted within the toasting cavity for supporting the bread to be toasted in a horizontal plane within the cavity. The toaster includes first and second heaters mounted respectively above and below the support rack. The cavity includes radiant energy reflecting surfaces above and below the support tray to direct energy generated by the heaters of the toaster to uniformly toast each side of the comestible. Heat shields are positioned between each of the heaters and the food support rack. The heat shields aid the reflective surfaces in uniformly toasting the surfaces of the comestible.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooking food which includes the utilization of heat conductive bar members arranged to be placed over the heat surface or source, with the bar members spaced apart at a distance of between about 1/8 of an inch and 11/4 of an inch. The heat-conductive bar members are supported a thermally conductive barrier such as aluminum foil.

Abstract: The cooking appliance includes a cooking plate (1) which is removable and provided with openings (2), heating elements (3) mounted beneath the plate (1) and a container (7) for collecting the fats from cooking. The lower face of the cooking plate (1) includes housings (9) of "U"-shaped cross section above the heating elements (3), the openings (2) not emerging into the housings (9). These housings (9) rest at their lower part on a metal wall (10) separate from the housings (9) and are adjacent to the edges of the cooking plate (1).

Abstract: A combined unit for cooking, heating and/or gratinating food comprises a support member (12) on which rests a pair of vertically spaced plates (20, 26). The lower plate (20) is adapted to receive food to be gratinated while the upper plate (26) is adapted to receive food to be cooked and/or heated. The unit comprises means (36) for deflecting heat over the food on the lower plate and under the upper plate to cook and/or heat thereon.

Abstract: A novel environmental steam energy storage energizer is provided for transferring heat, e.g., to water for use with a heated vessel, e.g., a Dutch oven or a skillet, i.e., to provide an "environmental steam energy storage energizer oven". The environmental steam energy storage energizer includes a cylindrical body which is open both at its top and its bottom, and is constituted by an upper curved peripheral wall, a lower curved peripheral wall and a median floor extend between the curved peripheral walls to form an essential part of the environmental steam energy storage energizer. The median floor provides a trap chamber below the median wall and which is bounded peripherally by the lower curved peripheral wall. At least one pre-determined, fixed-diameter escape aperture is provided in the lower peripheral wall to permit the escape of steam bubbles generated by heating which has been trapped in the trap chamber and to stabilize the environmental steam storage energizer.

Abstract: An electric toaster includes a grate heating body having a reflector. A barlike heating element is disposed in front of the reflector. A shielding device is disposed in front of the heating element. The shielding device includes a field having a plurality of spaced-apart substantially round or polygonal shielding bars with a reflective surface extending approximately parallel to the heating bar and to one another.

Abstract: An electric toaster includes a housing defining a toaster cavity. A comestible support rack is mounted within the toasting cavity for supporting the bread to be toasted in a horizontal plane within the cavity. The toaster includes first and second heaters mounted respectively above and below the support rack. The cavity includes radiant energy reflecting surfaces above and below the support tray to direct energy generated by the heaters of the toaster to uniformly toast each side of the comestible. Heat shields are positioned between each of the heaters and the food support rack. The heat shields aid the reflective surfaces in uniformly toasting the surfaces of the comestible.

Abstract: An electric toaster is suspended from the lower surface of a kitchen cabinet. The electric toaster has a horizontally disposed toasting compartment. An inner wall defines the toasting compartment and is spaced from an outer housing wall. A partition extends in the space between the inner and outer housing walls to separate the space into inner and outer air paths. An air inlet is in fluid flow communication with the inner air path to obtain convective cooling of the inner air path. The air in the outer air path provides an insulating barrier to minimize the transfer of heat from the toasting compartment to the housing wall.

Abstract: A pizza baking pan includes a wok having a center through hole, a rack having an inside annular flange raised from a recessed center portion thereof and a plurality of vent holes around the border thereof surrounding the recessed center portion for passing heat, a ceramic baking plate supported on the inside annular flange inside the recessed center portion, and a dome cover covered on the rack over the ceramic baking plate and having a transparent lid in the center for viewing the inside of the pan.

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: To provide for both top and bottom heating of baked goods in a portable table-top baking oven, a bottom part (2, 2') is closed off by a removable cover (3, 3') which is essentially dome-shaped, and made of unglazed heat-resistant stoneware. The space beneath this cover defines a baking space. The cover is formed with introduction openings 4, 4', preferably three or four, uniformly positioned about the lower circumference and open at the bottom. The cover is seated on the bottom part which, in one embodiment, retains fuel-supplied heaters, for example three, positioned circumferentially around the outer circumference of the bottom part, heat being distributed through an apertured heat distribution plate 7 beneath a carrier plate (10) for the goods to be baked, and around the outside through a gap (16) between the carrier plate and the dome-shaped cover and into the baking space of the dome-shaped cover; in another embodiment (FIGS.

Abstract: A bread toaster includes a cooling system for the casing which includes structure for dividing the air flow rising in an air guide duct into a laminar part and a second part which is supplied to the upper region of the toasting chamber.

Abstract: A self-contained cooker and grill having quadrilateral doors with a separate cooking grate attached to each door. Closure of all doors provide a conventional barbecue type cooker or smoker with a full sized grate and a common area for support of solid fuels. The multiple door cooker allows the operator to vary cooking times and heating of four different cooking surfaces. Each door can be opened independently allowing the operator to access the immediate cooking surface without disrupting the remaining cooking surfaces. An upper grate is provided in a fixed, movable, or rotational arangement for adaptation to various cooking requirement.

Abstract: An electric grilling appliance includes a pair of infrared radiation emitting heaters disposed within a housing on opposite sides of a food holder. The food holder includes a pair of metal food holder plates of a size and configuration to directly contact, on their inner surfaces, substantially the complete outer surface of the food article to be grilled. The outer surfaces of the metal food holder plates are blackened to absorb the infrared radiation emitted by the heaters. Springs urging the metal food holder plates towards each other into firm contact with the food article to be grilled.

Abstract: An apparatus for grilling food includes a base, a reflector positioned within the base, a heating element mounted upon the base and spaced above the reflector, and a food-supporting grill. The reflector includes a downwardly sloped bottom surface having a central region shaped to define a flavor well and a plurality of perforations disposed outside of the flavor well to direct drippings away from the flavor well.

Abstract: The grill has separately adjustable left and right grill surfaces and independently controllable left and right burner portions. A removable heat shield impedes heat transfer between the left and right sides, to permit different cooking temperatures at the same time. A slotted heat distribution plate minimizes hot spots on the grill surface while allowing a controlled flare-up to enhance the barbecue flavor.

Abstract: A broiler having a cabinet with spaced burners therein and grill sections above the burners. Inverted V-shaped radiants above the burners direct radiant heat outwardly and upwardly onto the grill sections. Deflector members above the radiants deflect convected heat passing around the radiants also outwardly onto the grill sections. Baffle elements directly over the deflector members and located between the grill sections prevent greases, etc. from dripping onto the deflector elements. An inclined drip pan is water cooled to prevent greases, etc. dropping from meat on the grill sections from burning and consequent smoking.

Abstract: Apparatus for broiling whole chickens which have been severed along the breast bone for opening into a generally flat condition includes a housing having opposing laterally spaced sets of upright gas-fueled infrared heaters defining therebetween a cooking chamber and an endless chain conveyor for transporting chickens suspended by their legs through the chamber. To maintain generally constant air temperature within the cooking chamber, the opposed sets of infrared heaters are staggered with respect to one another with reflector plates arranged between each pair of adjacent heaters in each set in facing relation to a heater of the other set, and a hood structure is provided for creating an exhaust air flow from the cooking chamber.

Abstract: A stainless steel sheet metal housing has three sets of supports which are vertically disposed, with respect to each other. One or more burners are mounted on the lower most support. A heat distribution member or members are mounted on the intermediate support. Grids or griddles are mounted on the upper most support. All of the burners, heat distribution members, grids and griddles may be lifted in or out of said housing whereby different combination of components may be provided. The heat distribution means may be either a plurality of ceramic briquettes or a radiant metal plate. This way, the charbroiler may be configured in many different ways to accommodate the changing tastes of customers, either in the short term over the course of a day or in the long term over a number of weeks, months or years.

Abstract: A salamander-type overhead broiler/cooler has a base on a support adapted to hold a foodstuff to be heated, a heating unit vertically displaceable on the support energizable to radiate heat downward at the support, and a horizontal light curtain at a predetermined spacing fixed relative to and below the heating unit so that the light curtain can be broken by a foodstuff on the base when the unit is lowered. A motor is connected between the unit and the support for vertically displacing the unit and the light curtain on the support and a controller connected between the light curtain and the motor means arrests downward displacement of the unit when the light curtain is broken by a foodstuff on the base.

Abstract: A stove top grill assembly having a contoured base defining an annular channel about an opening within the placement over a burner of a stove. A grill plate having a plurality of aligned parallel grooves therein each having oppositely disposed slots at their respective ends. The grill plate rest on the perimeter edge of the base in spaced relation to the opening and annular channel which is filled with water to catch the grease.

Abstract: An oven and method for cooking solid foods. The oven comprises an elongated housing divided into tandem cooking zones each with separate cooking and heating chambers. Food products are carried on a vapor pervious conveyor through the cooking chambers as a distinct cooking process vapor is recirculated in each zone at different rates between the heating and cooking chambers. In one zone, the process vapor is circulated generally laterally of the conveyor over the food in a turbulent mode and then recirculated for reheating in a path parallel to the conveyor.

Abstract: A smoking unit for a gas grill, which smoking unit is characterized by a housing shaped to fit inside the gas grill, a bottom provided in the housing for receiving a quantity of smoke-generating wood chips and a perforated smoke tray located above the bottom panel for containing a water or flavor-enhancing liquid and channeling smoke to a grill or grate which supports meat or other food to be smoked. An access opening is located in the front of the housing adjacent to the gas grill lid to facilitate access to the smoked food when the lid is raised. In a first preferred embodiment of the invention the smoking unit is constructed as a separate unit for removable insertion in an existing gas grill and in a second preferred embodiment, the smoking unit is shaped integrally with or is permanently mounted in the gas grill.

Abstract: A barbecue cooking device includes a housing having a casing defining a combustion chamber supported centrally therein spaced from the walls of the housing. A heat shield surrounds the combustion casing and is spaced therefrom. A diffuser plate is mounted in the combustion chamber and includes openings in at least a portion thereof for the passage of air under pressure for creating a primary combustion zone. Air is forced against the bottom of the diffuser plate under pressure by an electrically driven fan. The combustion casing has a top open end spaced from the open top end of the housing where a cooking grill is supported. Air also is caused to flow between the combustion casing and the heat shield to supply air to the area at the top of the combustion casing for mixing with heated fuel gas from the primary combustion zone, whereby a secondary combustion zone is created above the combustion chamber and beneath the cooking grill.

Abstract: The elevated, open-topped housing of a solid fuel-burning barbecue grille is provided with a hinged top lid and upper and lower swing-out doors which respectively carry horizontally disposed food and solid fuel-supporting grate structures that are moved out of and into the housing interior, through framed housing side wall openings, as the doors are opened and closed, thereby permitting food items to be placed on the upper grate, and charcoal to be placed on the lower grate, externally of the housing and without lifting the housing lid. To prevent cooking heat escape from the housing interior when the upper door is opened, a hinged flap automatically pivots downwardly to cover the upper door opening when the upper door is opened. When the upper door is closed, an interior tab member theaid vent pipe in a selected one of said open and closed positions thereof.

Abstract: The cooking assembly directs initial hot gases from a heat source against a heat semiconductive base. It then guides the gases to flues behind partitions that define sides of a cooking chamber. The gases flow over the partitions, down past food to be cooked, and then out vents. A uniform temperature distribution is achieved in the cooking chamber. The cooking assembly can be a barbecue cooker.