Abstract: An electric grill and method, and an electrically-powered heat radiating module which is removably or permanently positioned in the grill housing. The heat radiating module includes one or more electric heating elements which are preferably contained within a shallow heating cavity which is at least 95% closed to air flow into or out of the heating cavity and is also preferably insulated. Fat and water drippings from the food product flow around the heat radiating module rather than into the heating cavity. An infrared cooking grate assembly with a food support grate positionable on an emitter plate is also provided.

Abstract: An outdoor grill assembly with a cooking grate therein. The cooking grate can be a one-piece structure but is preferably a two-piece structure wherein the upper piece comprises longitudinally extending food support ribs having hollow interiors. The ribs will be positioned over and cover open areas in the lower structure so that combustion gases flowing through the open areas of the lower structure will flow into the hollow interiors of the food support ribs.

Abstract: A brush having bundles of wire bristles which extend from a retaining base wherein the brush also includes deflection support guides for the bundles with openings which surround and contact the active portions of the bundles when the bundles flex during use.

Abstract: A burner apparatus which can be used as a side burner for an outdoor grill. The burner apparatus includes a burner head having a plurality of surrounding discharge ports and a flame guide element positioned in the burner head for receiving the combustible gas feed stream. The flame guide element has a plurality of guide openings which discharge the combustible gas stream into the burner head toward the discharge ports such that the combustible gas stream flows out of the discharge ports of the burner head at an angle which is preferably in the range of from 0° to about 30° upward from horizontal. This greatly increases the effectiveness and fuel efficiency of the burner by increasing the flame contact area for a cooking pot placed on the burner, allowing the use of a more shallow burner pan, and allowing the burner head to be raised.

Abstract: A brush having bundles of wire bristles which extend from a retaining base wherein the brush also includes deflection support guides for the bundles with openings which surround and contact the active portions of the bundles when the bundles flex during use.

Abstract: A grill and a burner assembly therefor. The burner assembly utilizes a V-shaped firebox having a V-shaped combustion chamber containment wall, which defines a combustion chamber of significantly reduced volume. The burner assembly can also have a V-shaped outer insulating wall which is positioned outside of the combustion chamber containment wall such that an insulating gap is formed between the inner V-shaped wall and the outer V-shaped wall. A burner element preferably extends longitudinally within the combustion chamber of the firebox above the bottom of the V-shaped combustion chamber containment wall.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooking, heating, or drying in which, as items or materials are conveyed through a heating chamber by a linear, spiral, or other type of conveyor, hot combustion product gases are delivered upwardly through an upwardly extending first annulus or other flow gap which is closest to the conveyor. The hot combustion product gases are then delivered downwardly through the heating chamber into contact with the items or materials on the conveyor. Next the combustion product gases are delivered from the lower portion of the heating chamber into the lower portion of a second annulus or other flow gap or passage. The second flow gap or passage is separated from the heating chamber by the first annulus or other flow gap. Subsequently, the combustion product gases are delivered upwardly through the second flow gap or passage.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooking or smoking and a fuel combustor therefor. In the cooking or smoking apparatus and method, combustion products produced by the combustor, by a gas burner, or by other means are preferably delivered upwardly through an upwardly extending inner flow gap which at least partially surrounds a cooking or smoking chamber. The combustion products are preferably then delivered downwardly through the cooking or smoking chamber and then upwardly through an upwardly extending outer flow gap which is outside of the inner flow gap and which also at least partially surrounds the cooking or smoking chamber.

Abstract: A grate assembly for cooking food products and a grilling apparatus which uses the grate assembly for supporting the food during cooking. The grate assembly comprises: (a) a lower grate element having a series of parallel peak structures with valleys therebetween and (b) an upper grate element having a series of parallel food support ribs which are sized and spaced such that each rib will be positioned over the top of a corresponding peak structure. The upper food contacting surfaces of the ribs will remain substantially rust-free at atmospheric and cooking conditions.

Abstract: A grate assembly for cooking food products and a grilling apparatus which uses the grate assembly for supporting the food during cooking. The grate assembly comprises: (a) a lower grate element having a series of parallel peak structures with valleys therebetween and (b) an upper grate element having a series of parallel food support ribs which are sized and spaced such that each rib will be positioned over the top of a corresponding peak structure. The upper food contacting surfaces of the ribs will remain substantially rust-free at atmospheric and cooking conditions.

Abstract: A device has an inner wall with a plurality of flow openings and defining a smoking chamber. A solid outer wall surrounds the inner wall to define a flow gap between the inner wall and outer wall. A top cover extends to enclose the smoking chamber and the flow gap from the top. Openings may be provided for air flow into and out of the device.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooking comprising a cooking cavity for receiving a food item and a burner positioned within a bottom portion of the cooking cavity for delivering a combustion gas in the cooking cavity which will flow upwardly to heat the vertically-extending interior surface of the cooking cavity. The upward flow of combustion gas within the heating cavity is operable for heating the vertically extending interior surface in a manner such that the food item positioned in the cooking cavity will be cooked at least predominantly by infrared radiation.

Abstract: A lower housing has a fuel grate situated at a predetermined level within the lower housing for supporting a fuel source. The lower housing has a first wall defining a plurality of air intake openings proximate the level of the fuel grate.

Abstract: An upright electric roaster and smoker having an air flow passage outside of, and adjacent to, the food heating chamber. The air flow passage has an upper inlet in the heating chamber so that air flows upwardly through the heating chamber from a bottom air inlet and subsequently flows downwardly through the air flow passage from the upper inlet of the passage to an outlet located in a lower portion of the passage.

Abstract: An outdoor cooking apparatus with a lid having a flue gas flow channel therein which extends over at least most of the upper opening of the cooker firebox. The flue gas flow channel is formed between an inner lid wall and a second lid wall outside of the inner wall. One or more inlet openings are provided in the inner wall for receiving the cooker flue gas and one or more discharge openings are provided in the second wall for discharging the flue gas.

Abstract: A grilling apparatus having one or both of a rear wind diverting structure and a front side and/or rear side air inlet which will cause a positive pressure differential to be maintained within the grilling apparatus even when subjected to high wind conditions.

Abstract: A grill and a burner assembly therefor. The burner assembly utilizes a V-shaped firebox having a V-shaped combustion chamber containment wall, which defines a combustion chamber of significantly reduced volume. The burner assembly can also have a V-shaped outer insulating wall which is positioned outside of the combustion chamber containment wall such that an insulating gap is formed between the inner V-shaped wall and the outer V-shaped wall. A burner element preferably extends longitudinally within the combustion chamber of the firebox above the bottom of the V-shaped combustion chamber containment wall.

Abstract: A grilling apparatus comprising: a base housing; a cooking grate positionable on or in an upper portion of the base housing; a radiant heat cavity within the base housing below the cooking grate; at least one electric heating element within the radiant heat cavity; and a reflective surface within the radiant heat cavity which diverges outwardly in an upward direction at an angle of from 20° to 60° from horizontal.

Abstract: An outdoor cooking apparatus with a lid having a flue gas flow channel therein which extends over at least most of the upper opening of the cooker firebox. The flue gas flow channel is formed between an inner lid wall and a second lid wall outside of the inner wall. One or more inlet openings are provided in the inner wall for receiving the cooker flue gas and one or more discharge openings are provided in the second wall for discharging the flue gas.

Abstract: A cooking grate and a grill assembly having one or more of the cooking grates therein. The cooking grate can be a one-piece structure but is preferably a two-piece structure wherein the upper piece comprises longitudinally extending food support ribs having hollow interiors. The ribs will be positioned over and cover open areas in the lower structure so that combustion gases flowing through the open areas of the lower structure will flow into the hollow interiors of the food support ribs.