Abstract: The present invention relates to leg enhancements for barbecue grills (10) and specifically to a leg mounting element (100) for interconnecting each leg (6) to the cooking chamber (8) and a support assembly (200) for interconnecting the legs (6) to one another (6).

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved cooking grate assembly 10 for use with barbecue grills. The cooking grate assembly 10 provides a cooking grate 12 that has an opening 34 and an insert 14 that is removably positioned therein. The cooking insert 14 is securely supported within the opening 34 by the supports 30 that are attached to the cooking grate 12. The insert 14 may have alternative cooking surfaces 64, 66 on opposite sides and may be flipped over to utilize the alternative surfaces 64, 66. Additionally, various cooking inserts 14, 102 having various cooking surfaces 64, 108 can be interchangeably positioned within the cooking grate 12.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for igniting charcoal typically used on an outdoor grill is disclosed. The apparatus (10) includes a generally cylindrical housing (12), a charcoal support member (30) disposed therein, a heat shield (18) attached to the outside of the housing, and a first (20) and a second (24) handle which cooperate together to provide safer handling of the apparatus and charcoal briquettes.

Abstract: A fuel support grill rack (10) for use in a barbecue grill (11) is disclosed. The grill rack (10) is positioned below a cooking grid. The grill rack (10) includes a substantially horizontal first surface (20) for supporting charcoal and a second surface (21) comprised of a pair of troughs (30a,30b) formed by at least two trough walls (31) angularly depending downwardly from the first surface (20). Each trough (30a,30b) further includes a first end trough (32), a second end trough (33), and an inner trough (34) disposed therebetween. The inner trough (34) is deeper and extends below the first and second end troughs (32, 33). The apices (35, 36) of the first end trough and the second end trough are positioned above an apex (37) of the inner trough (34).

Abstract: A skewer assembly (12) that incorporates a counterbalancing device (42) for use with a barbecue grill (10) or other rotisserie assembly includes a generally rectangular shaft (20) that has a handle (22) releasably secured to one end thereof through a releasable end piece (24). The counterbalancing device (42, 42a) has a counterweight (15, 62) on one free end thereof and an elongated slot (48, 60) intermediate opposite ends. A threaded stud (32) forming part of and extending outwardly from the main body (30) of the end piece (24) is threaded through the elongated slot (48,60) of the counterbalancing device (42,42a) and into a threaded opening (34a) extending inwardly into the shaft (20) to frictionally grip the counterbalancing device (42,42a) between an abutment (40) on the handle (22) and an abutment (36) on the end piece (24).

Abstract: A gas burner (11) for a charcoal grill having a bowl (12) includes an elongated burner tube (30) secured to the bowl and passed through an opening (36) in the bowl (12) so as to be positioned in a substantially horizontal manner below and substantially parallel to a bed of charcoal supported on a charcoal support grid (18). The burner has a propane tank (42) connected to the free end thereof outside the bowl (12) and has air intake openings (44) in the tube (30) adjacent the free end. A venturi section (46) is formed into the tube (30) downstream of the air intake openings (44) and elongated diametrically-opposed, horizontal slots (50) defining the gas exit ports are positioned downstream of the venturi section (46). An igniter assembly (52) having its electrode (56,60) extending through an opening into the tube (30) is located between the venturi section (46) and the slots (50) to ignite the flowing gases.

Abstract: A smoker attachment 200 for a portable gas grill 10, the smoker attachment 200, 250 including a housing and a support mechanism (201, 300) for the housing above the heat producing section to allow the flavoring of food which is cooked using the gas grill. The housing defines an open topped chamber that is closed by a hinged cover (230) and has an apertured bottom wall segment (214). The housing supports a water tray (234) and has a bottom slotted wall (212, 213, S). The support (201, 300) defines a heat-directing channel which directs heat to the bottom wall.

Abstract: A portable barbecue grill assembly is disclosed that includes a barbecue kettle (10) having a generally semi-hemispherical bottom bowl (11) and a generally semi-hemispherical removable kettle cover (12). An ash catcher (100) and a cover holder (30) are secured to the bottom bowl (11). A cart (50) is employed for holding the kettle (10) adjacent one end of a fuel tank (72), ignitor assembly (43) and a storage bin (80) with cover (70) adjacent the other end. The cart (50) includes two parallel side support structures (52), each including a horizontal upper side member (53) and a pair of vertical posts (56,57), with the side support structures being connected to each other near their bottoms by a pair of substantially parallel lower transverse cross-members (66) and adjacent their tops by a pair of substantially parallel upper transverse cross members (66a). A pair of lower horizontal side support members (54) connects at each end to one of the lower cross-members ( 66).

Abstract: A gas grill including a fire box and a cover hinged thereto has a cradle pivotally supported in the cover and positioned to be within the cover when the cover is opened and suspended over the cooking grid when the cover is closed. The portable grill also has a smoker attachment which is supported above the heat producing section. A work supporting surface is pivoted on the frame of the grill and has a novel latch mechanism for holding the surface in the horizontal position.

Abstract: An auxiliary rack assembly (60) that is fastened to the bottom (11) of a barbecue kettle (10) is disclosed. The assembly (60) includes an auxiliary grid (61) for holding items above or to the side of a cooking grid (42). The auxiliary grid (61) has a plurality of posts (62) connected its perimeter for supporting a rail (63). The assembly (60) also includes a rigid articulating arm (90) with two ends (91,93) and a cantilever section (92) disposed therebetween and separated therefrom by elbows (94,95). The arm (90) is interconnected at one end by a kettle bracket member (80) and at the other end to the auxiliary grid (61). The kettle bracket (80) is fastened to the kettle (11) and permits rotation of the articulating arm (90) interconnected thereto. The grid (60) can also be interconnected to a rack bracket member (85) which permits further rotation of the articulating arm (90) interconnected thereto.

Abstract: An ash catcher assembly (2) for catching ash and debris falling out through openings in the bottom (11) of a barbecue kettle (10) is disclosed. The assembly (2) is easily installed and is removably mounted on the bottom (11) of a barbecue kettle (10). The assembly (2) includes a cylindrical basket (90) for holding the ash that has an interconnected handle member (80) for gripping. Outwardly extending projections (81,84) of the handle member (80) extend outwardly through openings (94,93) in the basket (90) and cooperate with a cylindrical mounting ring (60). The mounting ring (60) has a plurality of slots (62,65) for receiving the projections (81,84). The assembly (2) is secured to the kettle (10) by a transverse mounting band (51) that is fastened to the bottom (11) of the kettle (10) and connected to the mounting band (60).

Abstract: An improved cart (50) for holding a barbecue kettle (10) is disclosed. The kettle (10) is supported by a pair of opposed side brackets (67) that are fastened on each side to a horizontal upper side member (53). The cart (50) has a tray assembly that includes a removable tray (70) resting on a sliding cradle (72) disposed between the upper side support members (53) that is movable between an opened and closed position. A closable storage bin (80) with an inclined bottom (81) is disposed between the upper side support members (53) and below the sliding cradle (72) and is accessible when the sliding cradle (72) is in an opened position. The cart (50) further includes a work surface adjacent the kettle (10) and between the upper side support members (53) and a shelf (95) for holding additional items disposed below the storage bin (80) and between the two side support structures (52).