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 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 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.