U.S. patent application number 13/469955 was filed with the patent office on 2013-11-14 for cooking grill using pellet fuel.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jonathan Kleinsasser. Invention is credited to Jonathan Kleinsasser.
Application Number | 20130298894 13/469955 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49547650 |
Filed Date | 2013-11-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130298894 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kleinsasser; Jonathan |
November 14, 2013 |
Cooking Grill Using Pellet Fuel
Abstract
A cooking grill has a container with a heating bowl inside one
end wall with a fuel pellet feed for combustion within the bowl and
an automatic igniter for starting the combustion. A grate is
arranged over the heating bowl at the first end of the container
and over the part of the container beyond the heating bowl. An
arch-shaped cover underneath the grate acts to spread heat along
the container and onto parts of the grate beyond the heating bowl
and to carry liquid toward the second end of the container for
collection. The cover has a first portion at the heating bowl with
slots for direct release of searing heat to food products on the
grate with the remainder of the cover being substantially
imperforate. A slide portion is provided to close the slots.
Inventors: |
Kleinsasser; Jonathan; (Ste
Agathe, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kleinsasser; Jonathan |
Ste Agathe |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
49547650 |
Appl. No.: |
13/469955 |
Filed: |
May 11, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/25R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 37/0704
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/25.R |
International
Class: |
F24B 3/00 20060101
F24B003/00 |
Claims
1. A cooking grill comprising: a container having an openable lid
for enclosing a cooking area; a source of heat within the cooking
area for applying heat to a food products to be cooked; a grate
within the cooking area for placement over the source of heat onto
which the food products are placed for cooking; the source of heat
comprising: a heating bowl; a pellet feed system for discharging
pellets of fuel into the bowl at a predetermined rate for
combustion within the bowl to generate heat; the heating bowl being
located at a first end of the container leaving a part of the
container located beyond the heating bowl; the grate being arranged
over the heating bowl at said first end of the container and over
the part of the container beyond the heating bowl; a cover
extending along the container underneath the grate located over the
heating bowl and extending into the part of the container beyond
the heating bowl so as to spread heat from the heating bowl along
the container and onto parts of the grate beyond the heating bowl
and so as to carry liquid including fat falling from the food
products on the grate toward a second end of the container; the
cover having a first portion arranged over the heating bowl
including a plurality of openings for allowing direct release of
heat from the heating bowl upwardly to food products on the grate
above the heating bowl when required; the cover being substantially
imperforate beyond the heating bowl; the cover having a component
by which the plurality of openings are closed by the component to
prevent direct release of heat from the heating bowl upwardly to
food products on the grate above the heating bowl when
required.
2. The cooking grill according to claim 1 wherein the component
forms a separate imperforate cover sheet which is placed over the
openings.
3. The cooking grill according to claim 1 wherein the component
includes a plurality of openings matching the openings in the cover
and is movable relative to the cover from an open position to align
the openings to a closed position to misalign the openings.
4. The cooking grill according to claim 1 wherein the openings form
a series of parallel slots.
5. The cooking grill according to claim 1 wherein the slots are
transverse to the container.
6. The cooking grill according to claim 1 wherein the slots extend
across the heating bowl from one side to the other side.
7. The cooking grill according to claim 1 wherein the openings form
an array arranged to extend over substantially the whole of the
heating bowl and terminate at a position at or just beyond the
heating bowl.
8. The cooking grill according to claim 1 wherein the cover is
arched so as to define center apex along the container and
descending on each side so as to shed liquid to the sides.
9. The cooking grill according to claim 8 wherein the cover has
channels formed along the sides to direct the liquid along the
cover.
10. The cooking grill according to claim 1 wherein the cover
extends to a position adjacent but spaced from a second end of the
container so as to discharge the liquid into a catchment
container.
11. The cooking grill according to claim 1 wherein there is
provided an automatic igniter for the pellets in the heating
bowl.
12. The cooking grill according to claim 1 wherein the automatic
igniter includes a heated element and an air blower.
13. The cooking grill according to claim 1 wherein the pellets are
fed into the bowl by an auger.
14. The cooking grill according to claim 1 wherein the container is
cylindrical.
15. The cooking grill according to claim 1 wherein the cover is
inclined downwardly in a direction away from the heating bowl to
shed the liquid away from the heating bowl.
16. The cooking grill according to claim 1 wherein the cover is
immediately underneath the grate at the heating bowl.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to a cooking grill for outdoor
grilling and barbecuing of the type which uses compressed fuel
pellets of wood for combustion, an particularly to an improvement
to a grill of this type where extra heat can be obtained for short
term searing of meat.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Recent developments in barbecuing have led to manufacture of
a cooking grill of the type comprising a container mounted on legs
and having an openable top lid for enclosing a cooking area. A
source of heat is provided within the cooking area for applying
heat to a food products to be cooked carried on a grate within the
cooking area. The source of heat includes a heating bowl with a
pellet feed system for discharging pellets of fuel into the bowl at
a predetermined rate for combustion within the bowl to generate
heat. An automatic igniter is provided for starting the combustion
so that the pellet burner is as convenient as gas but provides much
improved food quality. The heating bowl is located at a first end
of the container leaving a part of the container up to the other
end located beyond the heating bowl. The grate is arranged over the
heating bowl at the first end of the container and over the part of
the container beyond the heating bowl. An arch-shaped cover extends
along the container underneath the grate located over the heating
bowl and extends into the part of the container beyond the heating
bowl so as to spread heat from the heating bowl along the container
and onto parts of the grate beyond the heating bowl and so as to
carry liquid including fat falling from the food products on the
grate toward a second end of the container for collection. One
example is sold under the trade name Louisiana-Grills.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is one object of the invention to provide an improved
grilling arrangement for use in a grill of the above general
type.
[0004] According to the invention a cooking grill of the type
described above is modified so as to include a cover having a first
portion arranged over the heating bowl including a plurality of
openings for allowing direct release of heat from the heating bowl
upwardly to food products on the grate above the heating bowl when
required with the cover being substantially imperforate beyond the
heating bowl and the cover has a component by which the plurality
of openings are closed by the component to prevent direct release
of heat from the heating bowl upwardly to food products on the
grate above the heating bowl when required.
[0005] The term "heating bowl" used herein is not intended to limit
the element concerned in terms of its shape or its material and the
bowl may be formed of metal or other materials and may have any
shape provided it acts to receive and contain pellets during
combustion with the heat and gases of combustion rising to the
cover.
[0006] In one arrangement the component forms a separate
imperforate cover sheet which is placed over the openings.
[0007] In another arrangement the component includes a plurality of
openings matching the openings in the cover and is movable relative
to the cover from an open position to align the openings to a
closed position to misalign the openings.
[0008] Other arrangements can also be provided where the openings
allow the heat to escape directly upwardly but can be closed or
covered to halt the direct escape.
[0009] Preferably the openings form a series of parallel slots
since these can cause the typical sear marks on the food product
but other shapes of opening can be provided in a pattern of any
array.
[0010] Preferably if the slots are used they are transverse to the
container so that the arch shape of the cover acts to strengthen
the metal strips forming the cover between the open slots.
[0011] Preferably the slots extend across the heating bowl from one
side to the other side to maximize the heat escape when
required.
[0012] Preferably the openings form an array arranged to extend
over substantially the whole of the heating bowl and terminate at a
position at or just beyond the heating bowl, again to maximize the
heat escape when required.
[0013] As in typical products of this type, the cover is preferably
arched so as to define center apex along the container and
descending on each side so as to shed liquid to the sides where the
cover has channels formed along the sides to direct the liquid
along the cover. However other shapes of cover shedding in
different direction can also be used. Also the cover preferably
extends to a position adjacent but spaced from a second end of the
container so as to discharge the liquid into a catchment container
where it can be discharged to a collection vessel for disposal.
[0014] Preferably the grill is of the type where there is provided
an automatic igniter such as a heated glow element and an air
blower, for the pellets in the heating bowl. However his is not an
essential element and manual lighting can be employed.
[0015] Preferably the pellets are fed into the bowl by an auger
from a supply tank at one end of the container where the auger feed
through an opening at one end of the container into the bowl
carried on the inside of the end wall of the container. Preferably
the container is cylindrical but other shapes and arrangements can
be used.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] One embodiment of the invention will now be described in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a grill according to the
present invention showing the openings in the cover at the heating
bowl in the closed position.
[0018] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a grill the same as that of
FIG. 1 showing the openings in the cover at the heating bowl in the
open position.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the grill of
FIG. 1 showing the openings in the cover at the heating bowl in the
closed or covered position.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a broken isometric view of the grill of FIG. 1
showing the openings in the cover at the heating bowl in the open
position.
[0021] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the cover only of the grill
of FIG. 1.
[0022] In the drawings like characters of reference indicate
corresponding parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] The cooking grill shown in the drawings includes a
cylindrical container 10 mounted on legs 11 and having an openable
top lid 12 for enclosing an interior cooking area 13. The container
10 has a cylindrical peripheral wall 14 closed at two ends by end
walls 15 and 16. The lid 12 forms a continuation of the cylindrical
wall to cover an opening 17 between the end walls 16 and 16. The
lid is carried on internal hinges 18 and is closed by a handle 19
so as to provide an attractive continuation of the cylindrical
wall.
[0024] A source of heat 20 is provided within the cooking area for
applying heat to a food products to be cooked carried on a grate 22
within the cooking area and bridging the container at a height
above the heat source and bridging a top edge 17A of the opening 17
at the front and carried on a support ledge at the rear to form a
conventional horizontal flat perforated grate for the food
products.
[0025] The source of heat 20 includes a metal heating bowl or pan
20A carried on the inside of the end wall 15 of the container with
an auger pellet feed system 20B driven by a motor 20C for
discharging pellets of fuel through an opening 20D in the end wall
15 into the bowl 20A at a predetermined rate for combustion within
the bowl to generate heat.
[0026] An automatic igniter 21 is provided for starting the
combustion. This includes an electrically heated glow element 21A
and an air blower 21B so that air passes through the wall 15 at the
bowl through an opening 21C and the heat and air cause combustion
in the pellets to automatically start. The igniter is operated for
a period of time and then halted to allow combustion to continue
driven by the feed of the pellets and the rate of air flow. The
operating components of the igniter are contained in a housing 21D
mounted on the end wall 15 outside the interior combustion area
13.
[0027] The heating bowl is located at a first end 15 of the
container leaving a part P of the container up to the other end 16
located beyond the end wall 20E of the heating bowl. The grate 22
is arranged over the heating bowl 20A at the first end 15 of the
container and over the part P of the container beyond the heating
bowl so that food products can be placed on to the grate throughout
the area of the container 10 under the lid 12.
[0028] An arch-shaped cover 23 extends along the container
underneath the grate 22 located over the heating bowl and extends
into the part P of the container beyond the heating bowl 20A so as
to spread heat from the heating bowl along the container 10 and
onto parts of the grate 22 beyond the heating bowl and so as to
carry liquid including fat falling from the food products on the
grate toward the second end 16 of the container for collection.
[0029] The arch-shaped cover defines a center apex 23A along the
container and descending on each side to up-standing side flanges
23B, 23C so as to shed liquid to the sides where the cover has
channels formed along the sides by the flanges to direct the liquid
along the cover to the remote end 23D adjacent the wall 16. The
cover has a first end 23E close to the end wall 15 and extends to a
position adjacent but spaced from the second end wall 16 of the
container and is mounted on the sides of the container 10 so that
it is inclined downwardly toward the wall 16 so as to discharge the
liquid into a catchment container 23F at the wall 16 where it can
be discharged to a collection vessel at a spout 23G for
disposal.
[0030] In this embodiment, the cover is formed in two sections
including a main cover section 23H and a second closure portion
23J. The main cover section 23H has a first portion 23K arranged
over the heating bowl 20A including a plurality of openings 23M for
allowing direct release of heat from the heating bowl 20A upwardly
to food products on the grate 22 above the heating bowl 20A when
required. The cover section 23H is substantially imperforate beyond
the heating bowl. Thus the openings are arranged only at the
heating bowl to allow direct upward release of heat to the food on
the grate. The incline of the cover causes the cover to be closely
adjacent or just below the grate at the heating bowl so that the
food on the grate is directly adjacent the heat from the heating
bowl for a very hot searing action. Other food on the remainder of
the grate does not have this direct line of sight to the heat and
hence is heated in the conventional manner by convection of heat in
the air passing around the end of the cover and by radiation from
the heated cover.
[0031] The openings 23M form an array arranged to extend over
substantially the whole of the heating bowl and terminate at a
position 23N at or just beyond the heating bowl to maximize the
heat escape when required.
[0032] The openings 23M form a series of parallel slots 23P
transverse to the container so that the arch shape of the cover
acts to strengthen the metal strips 23Q forming the cover between
the open slots 23P. The use of slots can cause the typical sear
marks on the food product. The slots extend across the heating bowl
from one end 23R adjacent one side flange 23B to an opposed end
adjacent the other side flange 23C to maximize the heat escape when
required.
[0033] The second part 23J of the cover 23 forms a component by
which the plurality of openings are closed by the component when
moved to a position overlying the openings to prevent direct
release of heat from the heating bowl to the food products on the
grate above the heating bowl when the searing actions is not
required. Thus the component 23J forms a separate imperforate cover
sheet which is placed over the openings 23M.
[0034] In another arrangement, the second part 23J of the cover 23
includes a plurality of openings or slots 23M matching the openings
in the main cover part 23H and is movable relative to the cover
over a short distance from an open position in which the slots are
aligned to a closed position to misalign the slots. A component
outside the container can be provided to effect the sliding
movement of the second part 23J without the necessity to manually
engage the part or even to open the lid.
* * * * *