With Separate Support For Fume-producing Material Patents (Class 99/482)
  • Patent number: 7196291
    Abstract: An improved food oven apparatus and related methods for preparing food utilizing digitally controlled heating elements and a smoker unit. User-operable controls in communication with a digital controller allow for independent control of the heating elements and the smoker unit. One or more electric fans can be provided for reducing condensation from forming within a control unit of the food oven. A heating element connection assembly can also be provided for reducing stress exerted on the heating elements caused by the repeated expansion and contraction of the compartment. The food oven can also be provided with an air cleaning apparatus configured to perform a multi-stage cleaning process, thereby eliminating the need for a separate fixed hood system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Inventor: Herman Cothran
  • Patent number: 7159509
    Abstract: An outdoor cooking machine including a combination of horizontal and vertical smoker/grills. A vertical smoker/grill is connected to a horizontal smoker/grill by a tube with a damper. A variety of outdoor cooking techniques are provided, singly or in combination, by the outdoor cooking machine. Among these cooking techniques are: cold/slow smoking, hot smoking, steaming, double boiling, deep frying, stewing, food warming, spit/rotisserie cooking, conventional grilling, baking, an open firepit function, an outdoor fireplace function, and a tabletop function. Some cooking techniques use a single fire while others combine multiple fires from one or more smoker/grills to enhance and/or change cooking options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Roy Welcome Starkey
  • Patent number: 7157668
    Abstract: An oven is disclosed having a first food preparation apparatus in the form of a convection heat source and/or a steam production assembly and/or a radiating heat source, and a second food preparation apparatus in the form of a smoking assembly. The oven can operate at least one of the food preparation apparatus simultaneously with the smoking assembly or separately from the smoking assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Alto-Shaam, Inc.
    Inventor: Janus Bartelick
  • Patent number: 7063006
    Abstract: A fire pit grill apparatus includes a housing that has a top wall, a bottom wall and a perimeter wall extending between the top and bottom walls. A motor is mounted in the housing. A drive shaft is mechanically coupled to the motor and is rotated when the motor is turned on. The drive shaft extends through and is rotatably coupled to a panel. Each of a plurality of legs has an upper end pivotally coupled to the panel. A sleeve is positioned on the drive shaft which is selectively couplable along a length of the drive shaft. A plurality of hooks is attached to the sleeve. A grill includes a perimeter edge having a plurality of tethers attached thereto. Each of the tethers is removably attached to one of the hooks to suspend the grill from the drive shaft. The grill is rotated when the motor is turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Inventors: Darlene V. Spehle, Joseph W. Spehle
  • Patent number: 7044050
    Abstract: A barbecue system includes a housing including a plurality of monolithically formed side walls sized and shaped for defining a cooking cavity therebetween. The housing further includes a plurality of rigid support legs attached to a bottom one of the side walls. The support legs are outwardly canted at an oblique angle from the housing. The barbecue system further includes a mechanism for withdrawing heat and smoke from the cavity in such a manner that ambient air and ambient temperature within the enclosed environment can remain substantially smoke-free and heat-free during cooking operations and a mechanism for supplying heat into the cavity. A mechanism for disseminating an artificially-flavored air stream is also included. The disseminating mechanism is positioned vertically above the heat supplying mechanism and a cooking platform is registered above the disseminating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Inventor: Willie Cook
  • Patent number: 7004063
    Abstract: A barbeque grill assembly includes a grill housing, a support frame, and a side rack. The grill housing includes a lower housing part that has an upright lower lateral wall. The support frame is mounted movably on the lower lateral wall, has an inner end that extends into the lower housing part and an outer end that is disposed outwardly of the lower housing part, and is movable horizontally between extended and retracted positions relative to the lower lateral wall. The side rack is coupled pivotally to the outer end of the support frame, and is pivotable to a horizontal unfolded position, in which the side rack is disposed on top of the support frame, when the support frame is at the extended position. The side rack is further pivotable from the unfolded position to a vertical folded position to permit retraction of the support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Shuan Li
  • Patent number: 7000528
    Abstract: A barbecuing push cart employing LPG and charcoal for barbecuing is disclosed. The barbecuing push cart comprises a hand-pushing cart and a barbecuing oven mounted on the push cart. The opening of the oven has an inner edge wall on which a barbecuing net can be mounted. The internal bottom section of the oven housing is provided with an LPG oven plate. An elevating device having a charcoal plate is provided between the oven opening and the LPG oven plate. One side end of the elevating device is horizontally projected out with a rocking shaft which is projected through the oven and extended toward the user. A downward lifting door is formed at the elevating device and the elevating region of the charcoal plate. An ignition element linked to the LPG stove plate is protruded out from the oven and an ignition button is formed. The frame wall of the oven housing, corresponding to the rocking shaft, is a multi-stage engaging slots. Thus, the barbecuing oven can be operated using both charcoal and LPG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Grand Hall Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: William Home
  • Patent number: 6971305
    Abstract: An assembly for generating a continuous stream of smoke for food processing such as barbecue cooking includes a reusable cartridge holder for holding upright a disposable smoke generating cartridge. The cartridge includes an outer covering enclosing a chamber. The covering includes a perforated top, a non-perforated upper portion designed to not burn during the process and a readily combustible lower portion. At the bottom of the chamber is a readily combustible tinder material that is easily set afire by the burning lower portion. The balance of the chamber is filled with wood pellets that smolder and emit desirable smoke when ignited by the tinder, the smoke passing upward through the perforated top. The convection currents produce a stream of smoke without the need for a fan. The pellets don't fall through the cartridge after the bottom portion burns away because they swell up and are held in place within the upper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Inventor: Thomas A. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6935226
    Abstract: A barbeque smoking box includes a metal container that encloses woodchips. Within the mass of the woodchips is located a frangible liquid container that ruptures when subjected to the heat of a barbeque grill. The liquid then permeates and soaks the woodchips in the frangible container. As the barbeque grill continues to heat the soaked woodchips, smoke is generated and passes in an continuous control manner through a number of small openings formed in the external package so as to smoke food that is being prepared in the grill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Inventor: Andrew Feinberg
  • Patent number: 6923111
    Abstract: An enclosed mobile container having a refrigeration unit for providing conditioned air to a mixing chamber located at the front of the container. Air penetratable cartons containing perishable produce are stacked in rows along the length of the container to create a pair of supply air plenums running along each side wall of the container and a return air aisle running along the center of the container. A gas generator is mounted in the mixing chamber to add a ripening agent to the conditioned air. Fans force the supply air from the mixing chamber into the plenums under pressure so that the supply air is passed through the cartons into heat transfer relationship with the produce and the air is returned to the mixing chamber via the center aisle. A fresh air exchanger is mounted in the container for venting the ripening agent to ambient after the completion of a ripening cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: David D. Kiefer, Jan M. Parker
  • Patent number: 6899020
    Abstract: A smoker oven that includes a housing having an internal cavity having a top portion, a mid-portion, and a lower portion. The internal cavity houses a support frame that has at least one generally horizontal support surface for supporting and rotating a jerky rack. The jerky rack holds food items in sheet form, such as strips of jerky, at an angle to the horizontal support surface, so that upon rotation of the jerky rack the food items in sheet form cause an agitation and motion of the air within the cavity to produce even heating of the food items and cause fluids released by the food item to flow off of the food item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Hi Mountain Jerky, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean Clark
  • Patent number: 6892628
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus (100) includes a housing (102), a food supporting structure (202), such as a grill and/or a rotisserie and a heat source below the food supporting structure. A delivery tube (114) ends in a plurality of nozzles (206) spaced from each other and above the food supporting structure. A pump (110) is selectively activated by an electronic control circuit to inject a basting liquid into the delivery tube from a supply tube (112). By periodically activating the pump, a basting liquid is applied to food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Inventor: Robert Theodore Northern
  • Patent number: 6868777
    Abstract: A novel combination cooker and smoker and a novel method of efficiently cooking and smoking foodstuffs are disclosed. The combination cooker and smoker utilizes a novel forced air smoke recirculation path made efficient and compact with the use of single and double-acting dampers for airflow directional control. Efficiency over current cookers and smokers is also gained with a novel method of continuously delivering combustibles to a heat source using a vibrating fuel tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Inventors: Mike Higgins, James K. Stewart
  • Patent number: 6845705
    Abstract: A barbecue grill has a stand, a body, a grid and an adjusting device. The body is attached to the top of the stand. The grid is adjustably mounted on the body with the adjusting device. The adjusting device has a shaft and a positioning device. The shaft is moveably extended through the body and is rotatably connected to the grid. The positioning device is mounted between the body and the grid and is connected to the shaft to hold the shaft at a desired position. Accordingly, the grid can be rotated away from the body when the user want to add charcoal into the body or pick the roasted food from the grid. The use of the barbecue grill is convenient and versatile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Inventor: Shang-Chih Chen
  • Patent number: 6840160
    Abstract: The invention provides cooking apparatus (10) comprising a base unit (12) having an inner shell (40) which defines an interior compartment (51), a combustion chamber (14) for holding combustion material; and insulating means (16) including a first annular air channel (18), at least partially surrounding the interior compartment (51).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Cobb International Limited
    Inventor: Kenneth Michael Hall
  • Patent number: 6841759
    Abstract: An indoor barbecue is provided for indoor cooking of food. The barbecue has a body defining a cavity and a lid for engaging with the body to define a cooking chamber. A cooking rack is supported by the body within the cooking chamber and a container is disposed within the cooking chamber for receiving charcoal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Candaplan Resource Inc.
    Inventor: A. Omar Elwedini
  • Publication number: 20040237801
    Abstract: A combination of 2 Smoker/Grills, one horizontal and one vertical. The top of the vertical Smoker/Grill #B is connected to the bottom of the horizontal Smoker/Grill #A by a tube with a damper (#38). Cooking options from the Smoker/Grill HA include: cold or slow smoking, food warmer, spit or rotisserie cooking, conventional grill, oven and tabletop. Cooking options from Smoker/Grill #B include: conventional grill, two forms of a modified conventional grill, hot smoker, steamer, double boiler, deep fryer or turkey fryer, stew pot, two forms of an oven, an outdoor fireplace, an open fire pit and a table top. Accessories from FIG. 4. need to be used with most of these options. Most options from Smoker/Grill #A can be used with most options from Smoker/Grill #B. See CHART #1 for more clarification. Some combinations can use a single fire and some combinations can combine the fires from both grills to enhance/change cooking options.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventor: Roy Welcome Starkey
  • Patent number: 6820538
    Abstract: A combination grill and food smoker having a dual smoker chamber configuration in fluid or vented communication with the grilling chamber of a grill, wherein the dual smoker chamber configuration functions in association with a generally centrally disposed smoke stack and a smoker particle smoldering rate regulatory means to ensure even dispersion of heat and smoke throughout the grilling chamber of a grill for even cooking and flavoring of meats, fish, vegetables, or the like, therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventor: Shannon Roescher
  • Publication number: 20040216622
    Abstract: An apparatus for soaking wood chips or chunks in a liquid and draining the liquid from the wood chips or chunks includes at least a container and a lid. The container includes a sidewall and a bottom surface. The bottom surface and at least a portion of the sidewall are contiguous for containing a liquid therein and for holding the wood chips or chunks within the liquid. The lid has at least one aperture and may be removably coupled to the container. The method places the wood chips or chunks into the apparatus, places all or part of the apparatus into a soaking medium or otherwise fills the apparatus with a soaking medium, soaks the wood chips or chunks, drains the soaking medium from the apparatus, and then positions the wood chips or chunks in a useful position for cooking either with further manipulation or by placement of the entire apparatus in the cooking area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventor: John C. Martin
  • Patent number: 6810792
    Abstract: A barbecue oven having an internal firewall separating a cooking chamber and a fire chamber. The firewall has a generally arcuate shape that forms an upwardly tapered duct connecting the fire chamber to the cooking chamber along an interior wall. As configured, the cooking chamber has a generally elliptical shape that promotes the recirculating of the heat and smoke within the cooking chamber. The constricted throat of the aperture creates an accelerated current of heat and smoke directed into the cooking chamber. The heat and smoke is directed up the rear wall, then passes across the top of the cooking chamber, down the front, and is then entrained in the current from the fire chamber. Thereafter, the heat and smoke exit the cooking chamber through portals opening into exhaust ducts contained within the sidewalls. Electric heating elements are placed adjacent to an elevated, elongated vessel containing the solid fuel such as wood or charcoal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: David B. Knight & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: David B. Knight
  • Patent number: 6789462
    Abstract: A high volume multi-chamber barbecue and smoker apparatus is provided, including multiple smoker chambers and multiple heating chambers interconnected by a ventilation and exhaust system of pipes with manually operated valves for controlling air and smoke flow between multiple chambers as well as to the outside environment. The ventilation and exhaust system permits ventilation and drafting to the apparatus to be controlled so that a charcoal or wood fire can be more quickly and efficiently started, and then air ventilation and smoke selectively adjusted during cooking to control the amount of heat or smoke delivered to the food in various smoker and heating chambers of the multi-chamber apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: Mark Hamilton
  • Patent number: 6782801
    Abstract: A stove top barbecue assembly for placement over a flame of a gas stove. The assembly has a base ring which has a center opening which is at least as large as the flame of the gas stove. A cage, which is made from a metal with openings, contains cinders which are heated by the gas flame. A grill is supported by the base ring over the cage and includes channels to guide any grease to the outer periphery of the base ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventors: Jose Correa, Reynolds K. Ohai
  • Patent number: 6776084
    Abstract: The invention is a barbecue consisting of a base with an extension at its top side, a hollow-cylindrical center part attached to the base, one or several rests attached to this hollow-cylindrical center part and several coal pans inserted in the rests. Furthermore, the barbecue has a hollow-cylindrical upper part attached to the center part. This upper part is equipped with cutouts in which one or several gridirons are inserted. The upper part can be rotated in relation to the center part. The extension of the base, the hollow-cylindrical center part and the hollow-cylindrical upper part form a columnar and vertical axis of the barbecue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Rudolf Wild
  • Publication number: 20040149144
    Abstract: Barbecue apparatus is provided comprising a support structure, a fire basket, and an optionally removable and adjustable cooking grid operatively positioned above the fire basket. The fire basket is in the form of a generally squat horizontal rectangular enclosure comprising two spaced operatively horizontal mesh panels and a side panel extending between the edges of the two mesh panels along at least three sides thereof. The fire basket is supported in a manner, typically on an axle located centrally with respect of the front and back thereof, for enabling it to be inverted during the combustion of solid fuel contained therein about an axis that is generally parallel to any open region between the edges of the two mesh panels. The fire basket is preferably open along one side that is maintained uppermost when inverting the fire basket for use and which can be directed lowermost to empty the fire basket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Mathuloe William Qubeka
  • Patent number: 6745673
    Abstract: An outdoor cooking device including a base having a lid movably mounted thereto and disposable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. A main seal is provided along a main interface to permit the lid to substantially enclose an upper portion of the base when in the closed configuration so as to restrict access to the interior of the apparatus by the elements and/or various insects, small animals, as well as other pests and vermin. Additionally, the apparatus includes a plurality of ports as required for operation of the outdoor cooking apparatus, and a port seal assembly structured and disposed in sealing engagement with at least some of the plurality of ports, while the apparatus is not in use. The apparatus may also include a skirt and a skirt cover structured to substantially enclose a lower portion of the base, while the apparatus is not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Julio N. Martinez
  • Patent number: 6740347
    Abstract: Automatic pear processing machine, performing the operations of singularizing the pears, picking them up from a container (2), peeling and coring them, and separating the edible parts, wherein the improvement consists, besides other things, in providing elements (14, 25, 26, 27, 20) allowing to immediately reject pears of irregular form, which would necessarily lead to waste material, and moreover, in providing holes (46, 53) of very small diameters, on the blades (44, 45) used for cutting the pears into segments. The holes (46, 43) of very small diameter, or “microholes”, allow to inject a fluid, so as to ensure the detachment of the core from both halves of the pears, and the detachment of these parts from the blades (44, 45).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: ABL S.r.l.
    Inventor: Carlo Ascari
  • Publication number: 20040089163
    Abstract: An indoor barbecue is provided for indoor cooking of food. The barbecue has a body defining a cavity and a lid for engaging with the body to define a cooking chamber. A cooking rack is supported by the body within the cooking chamber and a container is disposed within the cooking chamber for receiving charcoal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: Candaplan Resources Inc.
    Inventor: A. Omar Elwedini
  • Patent number: 6722266
    Abstract: A multipurpose outdoor table is disclosed to include a polygonal table top formed of a polygonal base plate with a polygonal center opening and face slats arranged on the polygonal base plate around the polygonal center opening, and a barbecue grill unit selectively mounted in the polygonal center opening of the tabletop between a first position where the face slats of the barbecue grill unit are disposed in flush with the face slats of the tabletop, and a second position where the barbecue grill of the barbecue grill unit stands at the top side for roasting meat, the barbecue grill unit having a heat-insulating center sleeve adapted to support a parasol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Jim Chi Hsiang Yang
  • Patent number: 6718865
    Abstract: The present invention (10) discloses a grill platform (14) having brackets (22) having apertures (24) therein for inserting fasteners (32) for attachment to a structure such as an outdoor deck (12) with the platform (14) being supported by the brackets (22). The brackets (22) are selectively placed providing means to mount the grill platform (14) at a variable height on the deck (12) structure so that the grilling surface is at an optimal height. A planar rectangular-shaped platform (14) is mounted upon the brackets (22) and provides a planar surface for the placement of a grill (16). The tray (14) can be mounted flush to a vertical upright of the angle bracket, or offset to suit the deck structural elements. The platform (14) also provides a hole (30) for drainage of water and other outdoor contaminating elements. Hook and loop straps (20) are selectively positioned and affixed to the legs (18) of the grill (16) and deck structure (12) to prevent undesired movement of the grill (16) from the platform (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Donald J Monteleone
  • Patent number: 6708604
    Abstract: A light, foldable food cooker that will move from an expanded position to a collapsed position which can be used as a barbeque, stove, oven and smoker, and still fit into a confined area is very desirable. The device has a folding center section assembly made up of side walls, back walls, front doors and support plates pivotally mounted to fold out quickly, with a cover on top. A firebox provides both a spark and ashtray which is easily inserted in the expanded device. With food racks, water tray and fire box, this device can be assembled and disassembled in minutes. The incorporation of the water tray in the smoking process makes a tremendous difference in the quality of smoked meat, especially with fresh fish where the product is tender and moist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Inventor: Richard A. Deichler, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6708601
    Abstract: A barbecue push-cart with retractable supports is disclosed. The push-cart includes a cart body and a grilling device, and the cart body comprises an enhancing board, an upright support, a plurality of pegs and locking members, the four corners of the enhancing board are perpendicularly mounted with a connection block protruded from the top of the partition, and the cart body, between two connection blocks is mounted with a lateral wall, and at the connection block and the lateral wall, a shaft peg is inserted through so as to fix the connection block and the side wall, at a position corresponding to the peg, a locking member is inserted so that the support is fixed to a locking hole positioned on the locking member, thereby unlocking or releasing the locking member, the retractable support is capable of being stacked onto the enhancing board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Grand Hall Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: William Home
  • Patent number: 6706301
    Abstract: The cooking apparatus comprises a heat source within an enclosure, and a hollow chamber with an open upper and lower end which sits on or above the heat source. The hollow chamber together with the enclosure provide a cooking apparatus which has a bulbous, convex form. The chamber may be an accessory which can be removably attached to a barbecue, and it is preferably made from clay or metal. Optionally, skewers may form part of the apparatus, and they may be positioned vertically within the chamber to cook any food thereon. The skewers are preferably solid or hollow, and are longer than the height of the hollow chamber. A lid may be provided for the upper end of the chamber, and holes may be formed in the boundary of the upper opening to support the skewers. A vent may be provided in the lower region of the hollow chamber, or in the enclosure which is adjustable to regulate the size of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventor: Nicholas John Vaughan
  • Patent number: 6705211
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electric roaster for smoked meat which comprises an outer shell, an inner pan covered by heating elements located inside the outer shell, an up lid, a supporting ring located on the bottom of the inner pan, a tray for holding the meat located within the inner pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventors: Shou-Cai Dong, Li Huang
  • Patent number: 6705213
    Abstract: A smoke generator has an air pump with control valve to supply a continuous controllable air supply to a smoking fuel on a grid in a fire box. Smoke is directed to the food processor from a smoke output within the fire box and above the grid. A chimney extends from the top of the fire box. It is filled with fuel. This fuel is fuel is not in the air stream, so it does not burn. As fuel on the grid is consumed, fuel from the chimney drops onto the grid. This provides a continuous feed of fresh so that the device can generate a uniform controllable stream of smoke over a long period of time unattended. A disposable fuel cartridge is also provided for ease of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas A. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6701829
    Abstract: Two steel plates with perforations in both sheets have narrow bent edges which overlap when the two plates are placed together to for a rapid smoker with approximately ¾ inch between the plates. A layer of wood chips is placed in the rapid smoker and the smoker placed directly on the heating source of any type of grill. The wood catches fire quickly through the bottom perforations and sends smoke through the top perforations. The perforation are configured in the top and bottom steel plates in such a way as to accomplish rapid ignition of wood producing smoke and control of the burning/smoking process. This process produces two cooking zones and adds additional favor to the cooked food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Samuel Farrow
  • Patent number: 6698335
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus enables a user to cook bu boiling, steaming or frying food items. The apparatus includes a burner having a base that is specially shaped to cradle a pot. The pot has a valved flowline that enables the user to drain any fluid that was used for cooking (eg. water, oil, seasoned water, stock, etc.). An upper section above the support surface of the burner for engaging the sidewall of the pot should the pot be tipped inadvertently. The burner includes upper members that are supported above the bottom of the pot and a lower member that engages an underlying supporting surface. The upper pot support members include a ring with a bent, U-shaped section that extends on opposite sides of and under the valved drain flowline. The burner frame can have a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending legs. Radial and circumferentially spaced struts define part of the frame and are shaped and cradle the bottom of the pot and its sidewall respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Inventor: Norman R. Bourgeois
  • Publication number: 20040025714
    Abstract: A barbecue grill smoker for placement in a barbecue grill to produce a flavored smoke when heated. The smoker includes a heat resistant receptacle with an interior cavity for receiving a flavored smoke source. The receptacle has a lid with a smoker control mechanism that serves to regulate the release rate of the smoke via a plurality of aligning apertures and openings that are moved from an open to closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Ryan Neal, Andrew Kahler, Scott Dobias, Kenneth Jordan
  • Patent number: 6681686
    Abstract: In a cocoshell filtered cold smoke apparatus, a heating stove receives a smoke generating material made of coconut shell. A cooling chamber internally provided with multiple filter layers communicates with the heating stove. A liquid cooling unit is respectively connected to a first liquid pipe and a second liquid pipe. An end of the first liquid pipe is connected through first filter cartridges to the liquid cooling unit, and another end of it provided with nozzles is positioned at an upper portion inside the cooling chamber. A gas compressor unit is connected to the cooling chamber to compress the gas and store it in a gas bottle. A meat smoking part includes a smoking chamber inside which are received multiple pieces of meat, placed on a supporting frame, to be smoked. A carriage is further provided to facilitate the displacement of the supporting frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Inventor: Fu Chiu
  • Publication number: 20030226453
    Abstract: A BBQ push-cart with retractable supports is disclosed. The push-cart includes a cart body and a grilling device, and the cart body comprises an enhancing board, an upright support, a plurality of pegs and locking members, the four corners of the enhancing board is perpendicularly mounted with a connection block protruded the top of the partition, and the cart body, between two connection block is mounted with a lateral wall, and at the connection block and the lateral wall, a shaft peg is inserted through so as to fix the connection block and the side wall, at a position corresponding to the peg, a locking member is inserted so that the support is fixed to a locking hole positioned on the locking member, thereby unlocking or releasing the locking member, the retractable support is stacked onto the enhancing board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventor: William Home
  • Publication number: 20030217647
    Abstract: A multi-purpose cooking apparatus includes a housing including a direct heat cooking area on one side and an indirect heat cooking area on the other side adjacent to the direct heat cooking area. A burner or burners are disposed beneath the direct heat cooking area. A removable cooking pan, having an open bottom formed by spaced rods, is located, in use, above the burners and below the direct heat cooking area. A removable water pan is interchangeable with the cooking pan and is selectively positionable within the housing in a first position beneath the indirect heat cooking area wherein heated water evaporating from the pan moistens the food, and a second position beneath the direct heat cooking area when the cooking pan is removed, wherein the water pan can be used for steaming as well as boiling and frying.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventor: Fletcher D. Jones
  • Publication number: 20030213378
    Abstract: Two steel plates with perforations in both sheets have narrow bent edges which overlap when the two plates are placed together to for a rapid smoker with approximately ¾ inch between the plates. A layer of wood chips is placed in the rapid smoker and the smoker placed directly on the heating source of any type of grill. The wood catches fire quickly through the bottom perforations and sends smoke through the top perforations. The perforation are configured in the top and bottom steel plates in such a way as to accomplish rapid ignition of wood producing smoke and control of the burning/smoking process. This process produces two cooking zones and adds additional favor to the cooked food.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventor: Samuel Farrow
  • Patent number: 6644178
    Abstract: A smoker oven that includes a housing having an internal cavity having a top portion, a mid-portion, and a lower portion. The internal cavity houses a support frame that has at least one generally horizontal support surface for supporting a jerky rack, the support frame being suspended from the top portion of the housing. A heater and a smoke source, positioned immediately over the heater are located in the lower portion of the internal cavity, so that an amount of smoke released in the lower portion is allowed to rise to the support frame to expose the support surface of the support frame to the amount of smoke as a filter is used to remove the smoke form the top portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: Dean Clark
  • Patent number: 6640695
    Abstract: A pizza insert has at least one tile that rests on a rack that is advantageously spaced above a barbeque grill by a support structure that is connected to the rack and extends downwardly therefrom. The pizza insert also has a rim that extends upwardly from the rack and substantially prevents the tile from moving in horizontal directions. The rim extends away from the rack a distance less than the thickness of the tile so that the rim does not obstruct access to the pizza placed on the tile. Also disclosed are a kit for the pizza insert and the method of using the pizza insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Inventor: Steven Stark
  • Publication number: 20030196562
    Abstract: A grill cover device includes a flexible cover defining a hollow recess having an open mouth. The recess is adapted to receive an associated grill therein when the flexible cover is in an expanded condition. A flexible resilient frame is connected to the flexible cover. The frame exerts a biasing force on said flexible cover to bias the cover into its expanded condition. The frame and the flexible cover are selectively resiliently deformable as a unit against the biasing force of the frame into a collapsed storage configuration in which the frame and cover are folded upon themselves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventor: James R. Trickett
  • Patent number: 6626090
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus for improved heat circulation and containment when smoking or grilling using electric, gas, or charcoal as the heat source. The base pan design enhances heat containment, and offers a channel design in the bottom of the base pan. A flame disk for even heat distribution is provided and can be used in conjunction with the base pan, and prevents internal food drippings from escaping through the disk. The disk design enhances the heat efficiency, and safeguards against drippings or ashes falling through to the burner or ground. The holes in the disk are raised, and has attached covers strategically placed over the holes to deter drippings or ashes from falling through. A fire pit container is also provided and designed for use with the base pan. The fire pit container supports a heat source such as a gas burner which directs a flame toward the base pan open hole and also toward the underside of a flame disk when a flame disk is suspended above the base pan hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventors: John D. McLemore, Don McLemore
  • Patent number: 6626089
    Abstract: A cooking and smoking apparatus having a housing that has an upper section and a firebox section. A drawer-like meat rack is slideably connected to the housing upper section. A coal rack is connected to the housing firebox section for holding charcoal. A drain is connected to the housing firebox section. The drain allows slow draining of water from wood chips placed in the housing firebox section. A vent is connected to the housing firebox section. The vent is capable of variable flow for regulating the burn rate of charcoal and wood chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventor: Leroy Hubert
  • Publication number: 20030177913
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventor: J. Scott Dellinger
  • Publication number: 20030159597
    Abstract: A device for filtering the smoke produced by a cooker is provided. The cooker has a main body having an upper cover, and receives an inner pot. The main body has a rear holding part having a receiving room communicating with a vent aperture formed between the inner pot and the main body. The upper cover is pivoted to a support member formed on top of the holding part. The holding part has a rear opening. The filtering device includes a curved net fitted to the support member, thus allowing smoke to travel from the vent aperture into the receiving room. The filtering device further has a fan, a rear net, and a filter cotton. The fan is disposed in the receiving room, and faces the rear opening. The rear net is fixedly disposed in the rear opening. The filter cotton is disposed on an inner side of the rear net.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventor: Chin-Tao Lin
  • Publication number: 20030150336
    Abstract: A combination grill and food smoker having a dual smoker chamber configuration in fluid or vented communication with the grilling chamber of a grill, wherein the dual smoker chamber configuration functions in association with a generally centrally disposed smoke stack and a smoker particle smoldering rate regulatory means to ensure even dispersion of heat and smoke throughout the grilling chamber of a grill for even cooking and flavoring of meats, fish, vegetables, or the like, therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventor: Shannon Roescher
  • Publication number: 20030140801
    Abstract: An electric roaster for smoked meat includes: an outer shell; an inner pan, with its outer surface covered by heating elements; an up lid. The electric roaster for smoked meat further includes: a tray for containing the meat roasted, a supporting ring, and an outer pan, wherein said supporting ring is disposed on said inner pan; said tray is disposed on said supporting ring; said inner pan, said tray and said supporting ring can be taken out of and reset into inside said electric roaster said up lid is disposed on the top of the said inner pan; said outer pan is disposed outside said inner pan; and some wood material for producing smoke is put around said supporting ring. Said inner pan, said tray and said supporting ring may be integrally formed or separated units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Shou-Cai Dong, Li Huang