SOLAR-POWERED GRILL

Abstract

A solar-powered grill is assembled from a kit which includes a set of generally flat, foldable components, made of an inexpensive material such as cardboard. The grill includes a flexible, reflective sheet, held by a bottom piece and a pair of side panels, to define a generally parabolic curvature. The side panels define slots for mounting a food item in a region into which sunlight will be focused by the reflective sheet. A pair of tabs forms an aiming device, to insure correct orientation of the body of the grill. The orientation may be altered by placement of the body in a different position on a separate base, or by adjusting the height of one end of the base. The grill may be quickly assembled, without the need for tools, and may be discarded after a single use, or may be disassembled for later re-use.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of cooking, and provides an inexpensive, disposable, solar-powered device for the grilling of foods.

Outdoor cooking is a popular activity, but it is usually feasible only in areas immediately adjacent to the home, or in limited areas of public parks. Conventional grills operate with electric power, natural gas, or with fuels such as charcoal or the like. To operate a conventional grill, it is necessary either to locate the grill near an electric or gas utility connection, or it is necessary to transport a fuel, such as a bag of charcoal or a canister of compressed gas. If the grill is located in the back yard of a home, it is convenient to operate the grill by any of the above means.

When one seeks to cook in a location far removed from the home, however, the task can become much more difficult. Except for the limited areas provided in public parks, where cooking is permitted, it may be difficult, inconvenient, and/or illegal to cook food in remote areas. Such areas may include beaches, mountains, forests, or other wilderness areas. In many such areas, the use of an open flame may be prohibited by law. Even if there are no such prohibitions, it is at least inconvenient, and at times impractical, to transport heavy items such as compressed gas cylinders or large bags of charcoal to a remote location.

It is known that the energy from the sun can be channeled to produce heat, and that such heat can be used to cook food. The major requirements for such a process are the availability of sunlight, and a means for focusing the sunlight so as to perform the cooking.

The present invention applies the principle of solar cooking or grilling, and provides a practical and economical apparatus for doing so.

In particular, the present invention provides a solar-powered grill which is made of inexpensive materials, and which can be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled, and which can be discarded after use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a solar-powered grill which can be quickly assembled from a kit, and which can be either discarded after a single use or disassembled and reassembled later.

The solar-powered grill includes a body and a distinct base. The body comprises a curved reflective surface, and a pair of spaced-apart side panels, the side panels imparting a curvature to the reflective surface. Preferably, the curvature is parabolic. The reflective surface may be provided on a bottom piece which comprises a structural member of the grill, or it may be provided in the form of a separate reflective sheet which is held against a bottom piece by flaps formed in the side panels, the flaps being folded over to press against the sheet.

The grill includes an aiming device, formed from one or more pairs of tabs extending from one or both of the side panels. In the preferred embodiment, one of the tabs of the pair has a pinhole and the other tab does not. When the body of the grill is properly oriented, a spot of light, passing through the pinhole of the first tab, appears on the second tab. The orientation of the grill body can be changed by changing the placement of the body on the base, and/or by adjusting the height of one end of the base.

The aiming device could alternatively be made from tabs having no pinholes. Instead of a pinhole, one could form the upper tab as a thin strip which casts a shadow on the lower tab. Other equivalent structures could be provided instead of a pinhole.

The food to be cooked is impaled on a skewer or stick, the stick being held within slots or notches formed in the side panels. A drip tray may also be suspended from the side panels, and positioned to receive drippings from the food item.

The solar-powered grill is preferably provided in the form of a kit comprising generally flat pieces made of cardboard, or other equivalent foldable and inexpensive material. The kit includes a generally rectangular bottom piece, a sheet of reflective material, a pair of side panels having foldable flaps with parabolic edges, and a structure which can be folded to form a base. The kit may also include an element which can be folded to produce a drip tray, and a glare shield.

The invention also includes the method of assembling the solar-powered grill from the above-described kit, and of operating the assembled grill.

The method of operation includes orienting the body of the grill with the aid of the aiming device described above. The aiming is performed by adjusting the orientation of the body relative to the base, until a spot of light, formed by sunlight passing through the pinhole in one of the above-described tabs, impinges on the nearby unperforated tab. Serrations on the body prevent the body from slipping relative to the base, after a particular orientation has been selected. The aiming process can also be accomplished, in part, by adjusting the vertical position of one end of the base.

The invention therefore has the primary object of providing a solar-powered grill.

The invention has the further object of providing a solar-powered grill which can be easily assembled from a kit, and which can be discarded or disassembled after use.

The invention has the further object of providing a compact kit for assembling a solar-powered grill.

The invention has the further object of providing a solar-powered grill which has means for aiming the grill so as to cook a food item.

The invention has the further object of simplifying the task of cooking food in remote locations.

The invention has the further object of providing an economical means for cooking food, without the need for electric power, natural gas, or other fuel.

The reader skilled in the art will recognize other objects and advantages of the present invention, from a reading of the following brief description of the drawings, the detailed description of the invention, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides a plan view of a kit comprising a set of components which can be assembled to form the solar-powered grill of the present invention.

FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of the solar-powered grill of the present invention.

FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of the bottom piece of the solar-powered grill of the present invention, the figure illustrating the flexibility of the bottom piece.

FIG. 4 provides a perspective view showing a step in the assembly of the components of the kit of FIG. 1, namely the insertion of tabs formed in the bottom piece into corresponding slots in a side panel.

FIGS. 5A-5D provide perspective views showing various further steps in the assembly of the kit of the present invention, relating to the insertion and anchoring of a reflective sheet within the solar-powered grill.

FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of a drip tray, forming part of the solar-powered grill of the present invention.

FIG. 7 provides a perspective view of the drip tray of the present invention, the drip tray being attached to a glare shield.

FIG. 8 provides a fragmentary perspective view of the bottom piece and side panels of the solar-powered grill of the present invention, and showing the insertion of the drip tray and glare shield.

FIGS. 9A and 9B provide perspective views of the base of the solar-powered grill of the present invention, FIG. 9B showing the base with its bottom side up.

FIG. 10 provides a side elevational view of the solar-powered grill of the present invention, showing the body of the grill resting on the base.

FIG. 11 provides a side elevational view similar to that of FIG. 10, but wherein the base has been raised at one end, and wherein the position of the body of the grill relative to the base has been altered.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The solar-powered grill of the present invention is preferably provided in the form of a kit, shown in FIG. 1, from which the grill can be assembled. The components of the kit include side panels 1 and 2, bottom piece 6, base 3, drip tray 4, glare shield 5, and reflective sheet 7. In the preferred embodiment, all of the components shown in FIG. 1, except for the reflective sheet, are made of cardboard, or some other equivalent inexpensive and foldable material. When provided as a kit, the components are all generally flat structures, as shown in FIG. 1. These structures can then be folded, without the need for tools, to produce elements used to build the solar-powered grill. The structure and function of the various components of the kit will be explained more fully in the following description.

The dotted lines in FIG. 1 represent score lines, i.e. lines along which the material has been weakened to facilitate folding.

FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of the assembled solar-powered grill of the present invention. The basic objective of the assembled structure is to provide a reflective surface having a generally parabolic curvature, so that the rays 20 of sunlight are reflected by said surface, and become concentrated on the hot dog 22, or on an equivalent elongated food item, located at or near a focus of the parabola. More generally, the rays of sunlight are focused on a selected region, such that a food item placed in the selected region will be cooked or grilled.

The hot dog 22 is impaled on a skewer or stick 28 which is inserted into central slots 80 (one of the central slots being most clearly shown in FIG. 8) formed in the side panels. Although FIG. 8 shows the central slot most clearly, these slots are also visible in the side panels 1 and 2, shown in FIG. 1, and in FIG. 2.

Disposed on either side of the central slots 80 are auxiliary slots 82. The purpose of the auxiliary slots is to provide an alternative position for the skewer, which position is displaced from the region in which the incoming light is most intensely focused. That is, slots 82 provide mounting areas which are intentionally chosen to be out of perfect focus. When a skewered food item is mounted in these auxiliary slots, it does not cook, but instead becomes merely warmed. The auxiliary slots can therefore be conveniently used for defrosting of frozen food, before the actual cooking begins.

The major structure of the solar-powered grill is defined by base 3, bottom piece 6, and side panels 1 and 2. The side panels include flaps 23 (only the flap of side panel 2 being visible in the view of FIG. 2). These flaps have a generally parabolic shape, and are foldable relative to the body of the side panels, as will be discussed in detail later. The flaps hold the reflective material 7 against the bottom piece 6, and help to define and maintain the parabolic shape of the surface of the bottom piece, and of the reflective sheet. The edges of the side panels opposite to the flaps are also of parabolic shape, as shown in FIG. 1.

The flaps 23, also clearly shown in FIG. 1, also include tabs 29, formed by punching the material of the flap so that the tabs 29 can be pushed out. The tabs 29 are intended to engage cut-outs 42, formed in the side panels. Thus, a part of each side panel, i.e. the tab 29, will become locked to itself when the flaps are folded over and the tabs are inserted into the cut-outs.

The body of the solar-powered grill rests on base 3, but is not affixed to the base. Instead, as will be explained later, the body of the grill can be set on the base in any of various angular positions, and will retain the angular position selected by the user. The user chooses this position according to the location of the sun, with the help of an aiming mechanism. Arrow 26 shows how the angle of placement of the body can be changed. As used in this specification, the term “body” refers to the entire solar-powered grill except for the base.

The aiming mechanism includes a pair of tabs, formed in one or both of the side panels. As shown in FIG. 2, side panel 1 includes tabs 24 and 25. Tab 24 includes pinhole 27. The tabs and pinhole are arranged such that, when sunlight passing through the pinhole forms a spot of light on the tab 25, the body is correctly aimed to grill the food. The tabs do not control the orientation of the body, but are used only as an indicator. The user adjusts the position of the body until the spot of light indicates that the body is positioned correctly.

The positions of the tabs 24 and 25 are also illustrated in FIG. 1. Note that the aiming mechanism comprising tabs 24 and 25 is disposed off-center from the central slots 80.

The aiming mechanism may be constructed in other ways. For example, instead of having two tabs dedicated to the aiming mechanism, there can be one tab which casts a shadow, or directs light, onto another member, such as one of the central tabs 41, discussed later, or some other part of the grill. Thus, in the more general case, the aiming mechanism may be deemed to include only one tab.

The major steps in the assembly of the solar-powered grill are illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5A-5D. FIG. 3 shows the bottom piece 6. The bottom piece includes a plurality of segments, which may be formed by scoring the bottom piece along score lines, such as those identified by reference numeral 30. Reference numerals 31 and 32 designate typical adjacent segments. Every other segment, exemplified by segment 31, includes a pair of curved tabs 33. Each segment having the curved tabs is longer than the adjacent segment which has no tabs. The segments without tabs are substantially rectangular. Due to the scoring, and the formation of the bottom piece into a plurality of segments, the bottom piece is capable of being curled as suggested in FIG. 3. Thus, the bottom piece can be considered as a flexible member, which may assume a variety of shapes of curvature.

As shown in FIG. 4, the bottom piece 6 is attached to side panel 1 by inserting the various tabs 33 into corresponding slots 40 formed in the side panel. The other side panel 2 can then be attached to the bottom piece in the same way. FIG. 1 shows the slots formed in each side panel, the slots being arranged linearly along the periphery of each side panel. The slots are formed along the edge which is opposite the flap of the side panel. Central tabs 41, formed on the bottom piece, are larger than the other tabs, and provide a locking means relative to central slots 83 formed in the side panels (see FIG. 1). Thus, central tabs 41 enhance the structural integrity of the device by helping to secure the side panels to the bottom piece.

Also, the four corners of the bottom piece 6 have foldable tabs 86 which also provide a locking mechanism for the corners, as suggested by FIG. 2.

FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate the further steps in the assembly of the solar grill. In FIG. 5A, the reflective sheet 7 has been inserted into the structure comprising the bottom piece and the side panels 1 and 2. The flaps are then folded over, as illustrated in FIGS. 5B and 5C, which show flap 50 being gradually folded in the direction indicated by arrows 52 and 53. In FIG. 5D, the flap 50 has been folded over completely, but flap 51 has not yet been folded. Flap 51 can then be folded over in a similar manner. When the flaps have been so folded, the reflective sheet is held firmly between the edges of the flaps and the bottom piece.

FIGS. 5B and 5C also show one of the tabs 29 which engages cut-out 42. The cut-out is visible in all four figures, in a foreshortened view. Engagement of the tabs 29 with the side panels prevents the flaps from springing partially open, which would greatly interfere with the operation of the grill.

The assembly shown in FIGS. 5A-5D assures that the reflective sheet will comprise a surface having the shape defined by the edges of the side panels. In particular, the bottom piece assumes a generally parabolic shape because it is attached to the edges of the parabolic side panels. Note that the slots 40 in the side panels are pre-cut, and arranged along the parabolic edges of those panels. Then, the folding of the flaps, which also have edges that are parabolically shaped, urges the sheet firmly against the bottom piece, and further assures that the sheet will maintain a parabolic shape.

While a parabolic shape is preferred, the shape could be modified somewhat. The sheet need not be an absolutely perfect parabola; in the embodiment shown, the surface defined by the bottom piece comprises a plurality of articulated segments, each of which is flat, but which together form a generally parabolic surface. The shape of the surface of the reflective sheet also depends on the shape of the edges of the side panels. In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated most clearly in FIG. 1, both edges of the side panels are generally parabolic. The invention is intended to include embodiments which show minor deviations from a perfect parabolic shape.

In an alternative embodiment, the bottom piece could be attached to the side panels only at two points, such as the ends of the side panels. In this case, instead of being affixed by a plurality of closely-spaced tabs, the bottom piece would simply hang from the side panels, like the main cable of a suspension bridge. The curvature of the reflective sheet, however, would still be parabolic, or nearly parabolic, because the flaps of the side panels, when folded over, would impose a parabolic shape on the reflective sheet.

FIG. 6 shows drip tray 4 after its sides 60 have been folded. The drip tray defines collector portion 61 which, when the drip tray is installed in the grill, extends substantially across the width of the grill, and which collects drippings from the food being cooked. The sides 60 terminate in hook portions 62. As shown in FIG. 7, the hook portions are inserted through closed slots formed in glare shield 5, the closed slots being most clearly visible in FIG. 1 and identified by reference numeral 85. A pair of open slots 70 (only one of which is visible in FIG. 7) allow the glare shield to be inserted into slots 84 formed in the side panels. As shown in FIG. 1, there is only one pair of slots 84. Alternatively, there could be two pairs of slots 84, similar to auxiliary slots 82. When the glare shield is inserted into slots 84, the side panels support the glare shield, and the drip tray is suspended from the glare shield as shown in FIG. 8. Note that the closed slots and the open slots of glare shield 5 are both visible in the plan view of FIG. 1.

The drip tray includes counterbalance portion 71, shown most clearly in FIG. 7. The counterbalance portion insures that the drip tray will hang directly under the food item, even though the drip tray is suspended from a point which is laterally displaced from the food item. Alternatively, the drip tray could be provided without a counterbalance portion, and could hang from the skewer. The latter is not the preferred structure, because it makes inserting and removing the skewer more difficult, and increases the risk that hot drippings will spill on the grill operator.

FIG. 8 shows the position of the drip tray 4 when it is suspended from glare shield 5, the glare shield being inserted into the slots 84, described above, formed in the side panels of the grill. Each side panel may have a notch 84 (see FIG. 1) for accommodating the glare shield. Alternatively, two notches 84 could be formed in each side panel, so that the glare shield could be inserted on either side of the central slot 80.

The major purpose of the glare shield is to prevent light from shining into the eyes of those who are sitting adjacent to the grill. The glare shield will block a predetermined range of angles of reflected light. This range of angles is a function of the size and shape of the glare shield. In addition to serving as a glare shield, this component also provides a convenient means for mounting the drip tray.

FIGS. 9A and 9B provide perspective views of the base 3 on which the body of the solar-powered grill rests. FIG. 9A shows the base in the normal position, and FIG. 9B shows the base inverted, so as to illustrate better the structure on the bottom of the base. The base has side portions 90 which have a generally trapezoidal shape. The trapezoidal shape means that the base is higher at one end (the right-hand side in FIG. 9A) than at the other end. One end of the base has end flap 91, which is attached to the base, and which can be folded out so as to be interposed between the ground and the bottom of one end of the side portion 90, thereby further raising each side portion. The base has two such end flaps 91. Engagement of the end flaps 91 enables the user to vary further the angle made by the grill relative to the rays of the sun. The end flaps 91 are especially useful early and late in the day, when the sun makes a relatively small angle with the horizontal.

FIG. 9B provides more detail about how the end flaps 91 can be folded over and hooked onto a portion of the base, so as to provide the function described above.

FIGS. 10 and 11 provide side elevational views illustrating the adjustment of the position of the body of the solar-powered grill relative to its base. The edges of the side panels which are intended to rest on the base 3 are preferably serrated, so that the serrations 100 can lock onto the base. Due to the serrations, when the user sets the body of the grill onto the base, the body will not change its angular position after being set down. In FIG. 11, the body has been set down in a position which is different from that shown in FIG. 10. Also, in FIG. 11, the end flap 91 on the base has been engaged, so as to raise one end of the base. Thus, the orientation of the grill has been changed, both by setting the body down in a different position on the base, and by raising one end of the base.

The above changes in orientation could be made together or separately. That is, one can simply lift the body from the base, and set the body down in another position. Or one could engage the end flap 91 to change the orientation of the grill. Or one could perform both of the above steps.

The solar-powered grill of the present invention can be quickly assembled, without the need for tools. Except for the reflective sheet, the grill is made of cardboard, or of some other inexpensive and foldable material, so it can be discarded after a single use. Alternatively, the components can be easily disassembled for later re-assembly and re-use. To use the grill again, it is desirable to wash the reflective sheet to remove the juices that may spatter from the food item. Because the components are initially provided in a flattened form, and are light in weight, the grill can be easily carried, by a hiker or camper, to a remote area, such as mountains or wilderness areas. Of course, the grill can be used in more populated places, simply to enable users to experience the scientific wonder and fun of solar cooking.

In an alternative embodiment, the reflective sheet and the bottom piece can be combined into one component. In this embodiment, at least one surface of the bottom piece is reflective, or has a reflective coating or a reflective lamination. The reflective bottom piece eliminates the need for handling of a separate reflective sheet, but has the disadvantage that it increases the expense of making the grill, because of the need for a lamination or coating step. Both the single-piece and multiple-piece embodiments are intended to be included in the present invention.

To grill a food item, such as a hot dog, using the solar-powered grill of the present invention, one places the hot dog on a skewer, and inserts the skewer in the slots 80 formed in the side panels. One should periodically rotate the hot dog to achieve even cooking. On a clear day, it will typically take about 8-10 minutes for the food to become hot, and it will take about 12-15 minutes for the food to become crisp, with slight burn marks. The result is a grilled hot dog which is virtually indistinguishable from a hot dog that has been cooked on a conventional grill.

The invention can be modified in various ways. As noted above, the reflective surface can be a separate sheet, or it can be formed integrally with the bottom piece. The exact curvature of the reflective sheet or bottom piece can vary from a perfect parabolic shape. Other means of holding the food item to be cooked could be used. Instead of making the components of the grill from cardboard or other foldable material, one could build the unit from pieces of non-foldable material, such as a relatively rigid plastic, and could assemble these pieces using foldable hinges made of a thin sheet of plastic, paper, or other foldable material. These and other modifications, which will be apparent to the reader skilled in the art, should be considered within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A solar-powered grill, comprising:

a) a body, the body comprising means for supporting a reflective surface, the body including a pair of spaced-apart side panels, the side panels including means for imparting a curvature to the reflective surface, the curvature being sufficient to focus incoming light onto a selected region, the side panels comprising means for mounting a food item within said selected region, and

b) a base, the base being distinct from the body, wherein the body rests on the base.

2. The solar-powered grill of claim 1, wherein the supporting means comprises a bottom piece, the bottom piece being attached to the side panels.

3. The solar-powered grill of claim 2, wherein the bottom piece includes a plurality of tabs which are inserted into slots formed in the side panels.

4. The solar-powered grill of claim 1, wherein the reflective surface is provided as a separate flexible sheet, wherein each of the side panels includes a flap having a curved edge, the flap being folded over the side panel so as to contact the sheet, and to impart a shape of said curved edge to said sheet.

5. The solar-powered grill of claim 1, wherein the side panels include edges having serrations, and wherein the body rests on the base such that the serrations engage the base and prevent movement of the body.

6. The solar-powered grill of claim 1, wherein the base includes an end flap which comprises means for adjusting a vertical position of an end of the base.

7. The solar-powered grill of claim 1, further comprising a drip tray, the drip tray being inserted into a glare shield, the glare shield being suspended from the side panels, wherein the drip tray is positioned to receive drippings from a food item located in said selected region.

8. The solar-powered grill of claim 1, further comprising an aiming device, the aiming device comprising first and second spaced-apart tabs affixed to the grill.

9. The solar-powered grill of claim 8, wherein the first tab includes a pinhole positioned to direct light impinging on the first tab onto said second tab.

10. The solar-powered grill of claim 1, further comprising an aiming device, the aiming device comprising a tab which is affixed to the grill.

11. A solar-powered grill, comprising:

a) a body, the body comprising a bottom piece, a reflective sheet of material supported by the bottom piece, and a pair of spaced-apart side panels, the side panels including foldable flaps having generally parabolic edges, the flaps being folded over to impart a parabolic curvature to the reflective sheet, the side panels also including slots for mounting a food item, and

b) a base, wherein the body rests on the base.

12. The solar-powered grill of claim 11, wherein the bottom piece includes a plurality of tabs which are inserted into slots formed in the side panels.

13. The solar-powered grill of claim 12, wherein the body and the base are distinct components, wherein the side panels include edges having serrations, and wherein the body rests on the base such that the serrations engage the base and prevent movement of the body.

14. The solar-powered grill of claim 13, wherein the base includes an end flap which comprises means for adjusting a vertical position of an end of the base.

15. The solar-powered grill of claim 11, further comprising a drip tray, the drip tray being inserted into a glare shield, the glare shield being suspended from the side panels.

16. The solar-powered grill of claim 11, further comprising an aiming device, the aiming device comprising first and second spaced-apart tabs formed in at least one of the side panels, wherein the first tab includes a pinhole positioned to direct light impinging on the first tab onto said second tab.

17. A kit for making a solar-powered grill, the kit comprising:

a) a bottom piece defining a generally rectangular area,

b) a sheet of reflective material, the sheet being sized to coincide generally with said rectangular area of the bottom piece,

c) a pair of side panels, each side panel including an edge having a generally parabolic shape and a flap, the flap also having an edge with a generally parabolic shape, the side panels being sized such that an edge of the side panels has a length which generally coincides with a length of the bottom piece, and

d) a base.

18. The kit of claim 17, further comprising a drip tray and a glare shield, the glare shield defining a pair of closed slots, the drip tray including hooked portions for engaging said closed slots, the glare shield also including a pair of open slots for engagement of the glare shield with the side panels.

19. The kit of claim 18, wherein the edge of the side panel is serrated.

20. The kit of claim 17, wherein each side panel includes a plurality of slots disposed in a vicinity of the edge of the side panel, wherein the bottom piece defines a plurality of tabs, and wherein the tabs are sized to fit into the slots of the side panels.

21. The kit of claim 17, wherein the base is foldable into a structure having a generally trapezoidal cross-section.

22. The kit of claim 21, wherein the base includes a pair of end flaps.

23. The kit of claim 17, wherein all of the elements of the kit are generally flat structures, made of a foldable material.

24. The kit of claim 17, wherein at least one of the side panels includes a pair of spaced-apart tabs.

25. The kit of claim 24, wherein one of said spaced-apart tabs has a pinhole.

26. A method of assembling a solar-powered grill from a kit, the method comprising:

a) attaching a pair of side panels to a bottom piece, such that the side panels are attached near edges of the bottom piece, the side panels including foldable flaps,

b) placing a reflective sheet over the bottom piece, and

c) folding the flaps over the side panels so as to press the reflective sheet against the bottom piece, so as to form a grill body.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising providing a food item impaled on a stick, and mounting the stick in slots formed in side panels, wherein the food item is positioned to receive light reflected and focused by said reflective sheet.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising resting the body on a base, the body and the base being distinct elements.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the resting step includes choosing an orientation of the body relative to the base, and placing the body on the base in a chosen orientation.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the body includes an aiming device, and wherein the step of placing the body on the base is performed while monitoring the aiming device to insure that the body is oriented so as to focus sunlight onto the food item.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the aiming device includes first and second tabs, attached to the grill, wherein the first tab has a pinhole which permits light to pass through to the second tab, and wherein the monitoring step comprises adjusting an orientation of the body such that light passing through the first tab forms a spot on the second tab.

32. The method of claim 28, further comprising adjusting a height of one end of the base.