Abstract: An outdoor cooking oven comprises a reconfigurable heat deflector system and independently-controllable air vents that enable the cooking oven to be configured for various cooking methods, such as low and slow cooking or grilling. At least first and second shelves are mounted within a cooking chamber with the second shelf positioned beneath the first shelf. A heat deflector system disposed on the second shelf comprises at least first and second heat deflector elements that are removable from the cooking chamber to enable a user to reconfigure the heat deflector system to vary indirect heating of food items disposed on the first shelf. At least first and second air vents disposed in a bottom side of the exterior encasement beneath the cooking chamber are independently controllable to allow at least first and second airflows from the vents to be independent varied.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a kamado cooker that looks like an iconic kettle-style grill are disclosed. Certain embodiments comprise a ceramic kettle base having an exterior surface and an interior surface and defining an aperture at its bottom, a ceramic lid hinged to the ceramic kettle base, a kettle support bowl defining an inner concave surface and an outer convex surface and a central aperture, a kettle securing collar defining an inner concave surface and an outer convex surface and a central aperture, and a plurality of legs mechanically received by a plurality of leg support extensions associated with the outer convex surface of the kettle support bowl.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a kamado-style grill and smoker having one or more air-intake openings and one or more exhaust openings. Like conventional kamado-style grills and smokers, a user may manually adjust the air-intake opening(s) and/or exhaust opening(s) to manually control the air flow, and thus the temperature, within the cooking chamber. However, unlike the prior art, the kamado-style grill and smoker includes an integrated fan unit that provides a completely different and alternative air-intake pathway for drawing air into the cooking chamber and controlling the cooking or smoking temperature using a fan. By providing this alternative mechanism for controlling the temperature in the cooking chamber, the kamado-style grill and smoker disclosed herein can be operated using either manual or automated temperature control, making it accessible to both novice and experienced users alike.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a kamado-style grill and smoker having one or more air-intake openings and one or more exhaust openings. Like conventional kamado-style grills and smokers, a user may manually adjust the air-intake opening(s) and/or exhaust opening(s) to manually control the air flow, and thus the temperature, within the cooking chamber. However, unlike the prior art, the kamado-style grill and smoker includes an integrated fan unit that provides a completely different and alternative air-intake pathway for drawing air into the cooking chamber and controlling the cooking or smoking temperature using a fan. By providing this alternative mechanism for controlling the temperature in the cooking chamber, the kamado-style grill and smoker disclosed herein can be operated using either manual or automated temperature control, making it accessible to both novice and experienced users alike.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a system for conversion of a kamado cooker to a griddle comprises a support rack and a griddle component. The support rack is configured to seat within a lower bowl portion of the kamado cooker and define a plurality of vertical post structures. The griddle component defines a sloped cooking surface and comprises a rim aspect at least partially surrounding the sloped cooking surface and a drain slot. The griddle component is configured to be received by the plurality of vertical post structures of the support rack. When in use, grease on the sloped cooking surface is directed to the drain slot which discards the grease into combusting fuel (such as charcoal) beneath the griddle component, thereby mitigating or preventing grease fires.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a pelletized fuel delivery and combustion system are disclosed. Certain embodiments are configured to be detachably mounted to the exterior of a kettle-styled grill such as, but not limited to, a Weber® charcoal grill. When mounted to the kettle-styled grill, a firebox is external to the kettle and delivers thermal energy and smoke to the interior of the kettle by, and through, at least one damper port in the kettle. In this way, embodiments of the solution do not require significant, if any, modification to the kettle-styled grill in order for the kettle-styled grill to use a pelletized fuel source. Embodiments may also include temperature loop control and/or a thermal energy and smoke distribution plate configured to be set within the kettle of the grill.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a pelletized fuel delivery and combustion system are disclosed. Certain embodiments are configured to be detachably mounted to the exterior of a kettle-styled grill such as, but not limited to, a Weber® charcoal grill. When mounted to the kettle-styled grill, a firebox is external to the kettle and delivers thermal energy and smoke to the interior of the kettle by, and through, at least one damper port in the kettle. In this way, embodiments of the solution do not require significant, if any, modification to the kettle-styled grill in order for the kettle-styled grill to use a pelletized fuel source. Embodiments may also include temperature loop control and/or a thermal energy and smoke distribution plate configured to be set within the kettle of the grill.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a kamado-style cooker configured for use with pelletized fuel are disclosed. Certain embodiments include a cooking space above a firebox space. Various novel aspects of the cooker provide for thermal energy management within the firebox space such that temperature sensitive components of a wood pellet storage, delivery and combustion subsystem (e.g., electronic controllers, motors, pellet hopper and auger) may be housed within the firebox space, I.e., housed internal to the ovoid structural envelope of the cooker.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a kamado-style grill and smoker having one or more air-intake openings and one or more exhaust openings. Like conventional kamado-style grills and smokers, a user may manually adjust the air-intake opening(s) and/or exhaust opening(s) to manually control the air flow, and thus the temperature, within the cooking chamber. However, unlike the prior art, the kamado-style grill and smoker includes an integrated fan unit that provides a completely different and alternative air-intake pathway for drawing air into the cooking chamber and controlling the cooking or smoking temperature using a fan. By providing this alternative mechanism for controlling the temperature in the cooking chamber, the kamado-style grill and smoker disclosed herein can be operated using either manual or automated temperature control, making it accessible to both novice and experienced users alike.

Abstract: A kamado-style grill and smoker having one or more air-intake openings and one or more exhaust openings is provided. A user may manually adjust the air-intake opening(s) and/or exhaust opening(s) to manually control the air flow, and thus the temperature, within the cooking chamber. In addition, the kamado-style grill and smoker includes an integrated fan unit that provides a completely different and alternative air-intake pathway for drawing air into the cooking chamber and controlling the cooking or smoking temperature using a fan. By providing this alternative mechanism for controlling the temperature in the cooking chamber, the kamado-style grill and smoker can be operated using either manual or automated temperature control, making it accessible to both novice and experienced users alike.

Abstract: A system for a forced air flow into a kamado-style cooker comprises a control unit and an adapter defining an airflow duct with an entrance aperture and an exit aperture. The adapter is configured to removably mount over a lower damper port in a kamado-style cooker such that the exit aperture is aligned with the lower damper port. The control unit comprises an electric fan, one or more sensor input ports, and an airflow exit duct. The control unit is configured to separably mate with the adapter such that the airflow exit duct of the control unit is received by the entrance aperture of the adapter. Advantageously, a forced air flow generated by the electric fan, in response to a temperature signal input, passes out of the control unit, through the adapter, and into a body portion of the kamado-style cooker to encourage, facilitate and manage combustion within the cooker.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a kamado-style grill and smoker having one or more air-intake openings and one or more exhaust openings. Like conventional kamado-style grills and smokers, a user may manually adjust the air-intake opening(s) and/or exhaust opening(s) to manually control the air flow, and thus the temperature, within the cooking chamber. However, unlike the prior art, the kamado-style grill and smoker includes an integrated fan unit that provides a completely different and alternative air-intake pathway for drawing air into the cooking chamber and controlling the cooking or smoking temperature using a fan. By providing this alternative mechanism for controlling the temperature in the cooking chamber, the kamado-style grill and smoker disclosed herein can be operated using either manual or automated temperature control, making it accessible to both novice and experienced users alike.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a system and method for improving rotisserie grilling applications are disclosed. The system may include a support frame comprising at least one central shaft, a first side shaft, and a second side shaft. The system may also include a basket coupled to the two side shafts. The basket may comprise a locking device that couples to the first side shaft and a side shaft engagement mechanism that couples to the second side shaft. The basket may define a volume for receiving foodstuff. The side shaft engagement mechanism may comprise a clamp, such as clamp having a substantially c-shaped geometry. The support frame may further comprise a side shaft mounting unit that receives the one central shaft within a central portion of its geometry. The side shaft mounting unit may further comprise cylindrical shaped couplers for holding two side shafts relative to the central shaft.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a kamado-style cooker configured for use with pelletized fuel are disclosed. Certain embodiments include a cooking space above a firebox space. Various novel aspects of the cooker provide for thermal energy management within the firebox space such that temperature sensitive components of a wood pellet storage, delivery and combustion subsystem (e.g., electronic controllers, motors, pellet hopper and auger) may be housed within the firebox space, I.e., housed internal to the ovoid structural envelope of the cooker.

Abstract: An onion chopper includes container, a blade tray, and pivoting lid. The blade tray is removably mounted on an upper rim of the container and includes a sweeper positioned at one end of the blade tray. The sweeper is dimensioned to fit within the sidewalls forming the container to be used to clear chopped food bits from the container after they are cut by the grid of blades.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a pelletized fuel delivery and combustion system are disclosed. Certain embodiments are configured to be detachably mounted to the exterior of a kettle-styled grill such as, but not limited to, a Weber® charcoal grill. When mounted to the kettle-styled grill, a firebox is external to the kettle and delivers thermal energy and smoke to the interior of the kettle by, and through, at least one damper port in the kettle. In this way, embodiments of the solution do not require significant, if any, modification to the kettle-styled grill in order for the kettle-styled grill to use a pelletized fuel source. Embodiments may also include temperature loop control and/or a thermal energy and smoke distribution plate configured to be set within the kettle of the grill.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a kamado-style cooker configured for use with pelletized fuel are disclosed. Certain embodiments include a cooking space above a firebox space. Various novel aspects of the cooker provide for thermal energy management within the firebox space such that temperature sensitive components of a wood pellet storage, delivery and combustion subsystem (e.g., electronic controllers, motors, pellet hopper and auger) may be housed within the firebox space, I.e., housed internal to the ovoid structural envelope of the cooker.