GrillClean, a barbeque grill cleaning system

Abstract

GrillClean is a new method of cleaning the cooking grid of an outdoor barbeque grill. Rather than the usual method of scraping the debris from the grid while it is on the cooking unit, causing the debris to fall into the unit, this device involves removing the cooking grid from the grill and immersing it in a water bath with scrub brushes and scrub pads along with spray nozzles of water, resulting in a more complete cleaning in a much shorter period of time. This is because both sides of the grid are being cleaned at the same time with brushes and scrub pads the full width of the cooking grid and at the same time the grid is being immersed in a water bath and then rinsed by a spray as it is removed.

Description

This invention is a device used for the cleaning of the homeowner's barbeque grill cooking grid.

The device can be constructed of various materials such as metal, fiberglass, or plastic. It consists of an upright rectangular shaped water bath into which the soiled barbeque cooking grid will be immersed for cleaning. It includes water spray nozzles, scrub pads and scrub brushes to enhance the cleaning procedure.

Outdoor cooking on a barbeque has become very popular but there has been a persistent problem of having a dirty cooking grid whenever starting to cook. Several cleaning devices have been made but they all involve scraping or brushing the debris off the cooking grid where it then falls into the grill where it accumulates, risking a fiery flare-up. There is always some residual soot which is then transferred to the food that is placed on the grill.

This device is designed to clean the cooking grid more efficiently by having the cooking grid removed from the cooking unit and placed into the Grillclean device where scrub brushes and scrub pads along with water jets and a water bath quickly and effectively remove the charred debris with the waste being discarded in the water.

The device consists of an upright rectangular container having approximate dimensions of 20 inches tall, 14 inches wide and 2 inches deep. Near the top on one end is an inlet nozzle where a standard garden hose connection can be made. This then connects to a tube along the inside of the device which provides spray nozzles directed into the device to spray onto the cooking grid as it is initially inserted into and then withdrawn from the device. Along the side walls of the device there are also scrub brushes and scrub pads which further aid in the removal of debris from the grid. There is another outlet valve and nozzle near the bottom on one end, which serves as a drain. This also has the standard hose thread so that a hose can be attached to direct the soiled water away from the unit and into a receptacle or perhaps into a garden area. This drain can also be left closed, and the device can be carried to another location to dispose of the soiled water.

To effect the cleaning of the grid, one simply removes the cooking grid from the cooking unit and inserts the grid into the cleaning device in much the same way a piece of bread is inserted into a toaster and generally with one or two up and down movements, similar to the cleaning action of a plunger style golf ball cleaner, the grid is effectively cleaned and then removed and placed back on the cooking unit.

It is anticipated that the device will be constructed of metal, most likely stainless steel, although it could also be constructed of fiberglass, plastic or composite materials. Additional features of the device would include support legs so that the unit can stand upright on a flat surface, with the option of a mounting bracket to allow the device to be attached to a wall or deck railing. Also, one side of the unit would feature a dropdown hinged portion that would then facilitate changing of the scrub pads and scrub brushes.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: This depicts a front angle view with a cutaway to show the detail inside.

FIG. 2: This is another cutaway view from the end to show how the grid would slide into the unit and the relationship of the scrub pads and brushes to the grid.

FIG. 3: This shows the three flat views with approximate dimensions, including; 3(a) a view of the top of the unit, 3(b) the end of the unit, 3(c) the side of the unit

Claims

1. This device involves a unique new way of cleaning the outdoor barbeque grill. It is the first to feature removing the grid to place it into the cleaning device and incorporates water and mechanical friction (the pads and brushes) to accomplish a more complete cleaning, without the accumulation of debris in the cooking unit.