Abstract: Smoldering wood or other solid fuel near the bottom of a vertically elongated enclosure or pit produces heat and smoke which rises freely through the full width of the enclosure or pit to slowly cook food products supported on a plurality of horizontal removable grill racks above the source of heat. A pair of drip collection pans at the bottom of the enclosure or pit on opposite sides of the solid fuel support extend for the full depth of the enclosure or pit. A deflector for drippings having inclined panel portions is arranged above the fuel support and below the lowermost grill rack and diverts food drippings to the two drip collection pans to protect the drippings from contact with the smoldering fuel and preventing excessive heating of the drippings.

Abstract: Plural heating elements for a corresponding number of self-adjusting smoldering wood supports are independently timed and thermostatically controlled to create a wider range of adjustability and versatility in the cooker to thus widen the variety of products which can be cooked as well as refining and rendering more sensitive the cooking procedures.