Abstract: Pellet grills and associated methods of operation are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes an end cap, a liner coupled to the end cap, and a compartment formed between the end cap and the liner. The example pellet grill further includes a lighting module having a light source. The light source is positioned within the compartment. The light source is configured to project light through an opening formed in the liner and into an interior of a cooking chamber of the pellet grill.

Abstract: Example inset frames configured to interchangeably support cooking accessories of various shapes and sizes within a cookbox of a grill are described. An example inset frame is configured to be positioned within a cookbox of a grill. The inset frame comprises a support lattice configured to interchangeably support a rectangular cooking accessory and a circular cooking accessory within the cookbox of the grill.

Abstract: Burner tubes for gas grills are disclosed. An example burner tube includes an open front end, a closed rear end located opposite the open front end, opposing upper and lower surfaces extending between the open front end and the closed rear end, opposing right and left side surfaces extending between the upper surface and the lower surface and between the open front end and the closed rear end, and a hollow interior defined by the upper surface, the lower surface, the right side surface, and the left side surface. The hollow interior has a rectangular cross-sectional profile that tapers in a direction moving from the open front end toward the closed rear end. The burner tube further includes a plurality of gas ports extending upwardly from the upper surface, with each one of the gas ports having an exit opening raised above the upper surface.

Abstract: Slidable waste management systems for cookboxes of grills are disclosed. An example waste management system is configured to be coupled to a cookbox of a grill. The example waste management system includes a first guide rail and a second guide rail that are couplable to the cookbox, The example waste management system further includes a waste tray slidably coupled to the first guide rail and the second guide rail. The waste tray is movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The waste tray has an upper opening and a lower opening. The upper opening is configured to receive waste from the cookbox when the waste tray is in the closed configuration. The example waste management system further includes a waste bin coupled to and located below the waste tray. The waste bin is configured to receive the waste from the waste tray via the lower opening.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for protecting against unsafe electric current conditions. A protections circuit may be used in a device, such as an electric grill, that has one or more electric loads, such as heating elements. The protection circuit may protect against various failure scenarios, including, without limitation, instances of ground fault, over current, driver failure, and failure of a microprocessor. In response to a failure, the protection circuit may trip a latch relay or disable a triac driver to stop current from flowing.

Abstract: The present disclosure related to an electric grill's housing, controller, and a mounting bracket which mounts the controller to the housing. The mounting bracket is generally hollow and forms a thermal barrier between the controller and the housing, wherein the thermal barrier protects the controller from heat generated in the housing. As a result, the controller does not require insulation and may include lower temperature rated components. Moreover, the mounting bracket may have metallic tabs which interface with spring elements on the controller, thereby fastening the controller to the bracket. These spring elements and metallic tabs may be in electric communication with the housing, thereby allowing the controller to act as an electric ground with respect to the housing.

Abstract: Pellet grills and associated methods of operation are disclosed. An example pellet grill includes a lid, a cooking chamber, an engine, and one or more processors. The lid is movable between a closed position and an open position. The engine is configured to output heat to the cooking chamber. The one or more processors are configured to detect a closing movement of the lid. In response to detecting the closing movement, the one or more processors are configured to command the engine to operate in an increased output mode that increases the heat output of the engine.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for a digital power supply that can provide independent power control, and control variable power, for two or more electrical loads. Disclosed embodiments may reduce the magnitude of harmonic currents and/or flicker introduced into a power system. Embodiments include a microprocessor that delivers power to electric loads using phase-controlled AC current. The microprocessor may calculate a power array corresponding to a requested power for each electric load. Logic is provided for populating the power army in a pattern that reduces the magnitude of harmonic currents and flicker.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for a digital power supply that can provide independent power control for two or more electrical loads. Some disclosed embodiments provide continuous, variable power and other disclosed embodiments provide discrete power levels. Disclosed embodiments may reduce the magnitude of harmonic currents and/or flicker introduced into a power system. Embodiments include a microprocessor that delivers power to electric loads using phase-controlled AC current. In some embodiments, the microprocessor may calculate a power array corresponding to a requested power for each electric load. Logic is provided for populating the power array in a pattern that reduces the magnitude of harmonic currents and flicker. Portions of the disclosure include a band controller for delivering power to achieve and maintain a desired target temperature, and a wireless controller for controlling temperature from a remote device.

Abstract: Example L-shaped smoker boxes for gas grills are disclosed. An example smoker box includes a base and a lid. The base includes a bottom wall having an L-shaped profile. The lid includes a top wall having an L-shaped profile.

Abstract: Example dual-burner assemblies for cookboxes of gas grills are disclosed. An example dual-burner assembly includes a first burner tube and a second burner tube. The first burner tube has a first maximum heat output. The second burner tube has a second maximum heat output. The second burner tube is spaced apart from the first burner tube by a distance of no more than 0.750 inches. The second maximum heat output is less than the first maximum heat output.

Abstract: Cases for portable grills are disclosed. An example case includes a base, a first flap extending from the base, a second flap extending from the base, a third flap extending from the base, and a fourth flap extending from the base. The base is centrally located relative to the first, second, third, and fourth flaps. The case is configured to be positioned in an open configuration in which the first flap extends radially away from the base in a first direction, the second flap extends radially away from the base in a second direction that differs from the first direction, the third flap extends radially away from the base in a third direction that differs from the first and second directions, and the fourth flap extends radially away from the base in a fourth direction that differs from the first, second, and third directions.

Abstract: Burner Tubes for Gas Grills are disclosed. An example burner tube includes a linear burner tube including a venturi member disposed within a hollow interior of the linear burner tube proximate an open front end of the linear burner tube. The venturi member includes a front face having an opening configured to receive a neck of a gas valve, an upper flange extending rearwardly from an upper edge of the front face, the upper flange having a downwardly-extending V-shaped segment configured to constrict a region of the hollow interior, and a lower flange extending rearwardly from a lower edge of the front face, the lower flange having an upwardly-extending V-shaped segment configured to further constrict the region of the hollow interior.