CA1044977A - Self extinguishing portable cooking unit having folding fuel trays - Google Patents
Self extinguishing portable cooking unit having folding fuel traysInfo
- Publication number
- CA1044977A CA1044977A CA288,713A CA288713A CA1044977A CA 1044977 A CA1044977 A CA 1044977A CA 288713 A CA288713 A CA 288713A CA 1044977 A CA1044977 A CA 1044977A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- fuel
- trays
- cooking unit
- cooking
- open
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A40/00—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
- Y02A40/90—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in food processing or handling, e.g. food conservation
- Y02A40/924—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in food processing or handling, e.g. food conservation using renewable energies
- Y02A40/928—Cooking stoves using biomass
Landscapes
- Baking, Grill, Roasting (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A portable cooking unit for use with charcoal or similar fuel comprises dished fuel trays open at both ends and joined pivotally to a frame for movement between a raised substantially vertical position, in which they are adjacent one another, and a lowered substantially horizontal cooking position. Perforate grills are positionable in grill support means located in the fuel trays to retain fuel in the fuel trays for lighting when the fuel trays are in their raised position, and to cook on when the fuel trays are in their lowered position. A top damper is posi-tionable over the upper open end of the fuel trays when they are in their raised position to smother the fuel when cooking is finished.
A portable cooking unit for use with charcoal or similar fuel comprises dished fuel trays open at both ends and joined pivotally to a frame for movement between a raised substantially vertical position, in which they are adjacent one another, and a lowered substantially horizontal cooking position. Perforate grills are positionable in grill support means located in the fuel trays to retain fuel in the fuel trays for lighting when the fuel trays are in their raised position, and to cook on when the fuel trays are in their lowered position. A top damper is posi-tionable over the upper open end of the fuel trays when they are in their raised position to smother the fuel when cooking is finished.
Description
~ELF ~X~I~GUI~ING, RoR~A~L~ ~OOK~NG UNI~
H~YI~G ~OLD~ PU~L ~RAXS
This invention relates to a portable cooking unit and in particular to a cooking unit which is foldable to aid in the ignition and smothering of the fuel.
Prior art portable cooking units generally have a fixed bed into which the fuel is placed for lighting and cooking.
~ grill is positioned in an adjustable manner over this bed to provide a cooking surface.
Since a fixed bed cooking unit has no draft means to aid in the ignition and burning of the fuel, the lighting and warm up of the cooking unit is slow. In a fixed bed cooking unik up ko 45 minukes may be required for the fuel to attain cooking temperature. In addition, when the cooking is finished khe remaining fuel musk either be removed from the cooking unit for smothering or allowed to burn to ash. The former is dirty and dangerous and the latter is costly.
Accordingly, it is the general purpose of the present invention to provide a portable cooking unit having folding fuel trays to aid in rapid ignition and smothering of khe fuel.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a cooking unit which has a lighter drawer in which to place a lighter source for igniting the fuel and to collect the ashes from the fuel trays when the cooking is completed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a cooking unit having grill support means to position the grill in the fuel trays in such a manner as to distribute the charcoal for quick lighting by the lighter source.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a cooking unit which incinerates residual grease and sterilizes the grill while the fuel is being smothered.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a cooking unit which when folded is compact to take up less storage space than fixed bed cooking units of the same 1~4~77 capacity.
The manner in which t~e foregoing and other objects of the invention are accomplished will be apparent from the accompanying specification and claims considered together with the drawings wherein:
Fig. 1 is a top perspective view oE the herein described cooking unit in its open position with one of the perforate grills removed better to show concealed construction;
Fig. 2 is a side perspective view of the cooking unit in its closed position; and Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 The cooking unit of the present invention generally comprises a frame defining a central opening with dished fuel trays pivotally jointed to opposed ends of the frame for move-ment between a raised lighting position and a lowered cooking position. When in their raised position, the fuel trays substantially are vertical and are located adjacent one another.
When in their lowered position, the fuel txays substantially are horizontal.
The fuel trays are open at each end to form a flue when they are in their raised position. Thus air can pass from the central opening of the frame through the fuel trays and out their open upper ends.
Grill supports are located within the dished fuel trays to receive perforate grills. The perforate grills are positioned in the grill support in a manner to provide a narrow fuel reten-tion space between the perforate grills and the fuel trays.
Referring to Fig. 1 of the dra~ings, the cooking unit of the present invent~on includes frame 10. The frame defines a rectangular central open area and comprised ~-shaped side portions 12 having tabs 14 depending from each corner. End portions 16 .
.. . . .
~G~4~7 are planar and extend above the upper edge of the side portions.
Outward facing flanges 18 may be located on the end portions to aid in handling the cooking unit. U-shaped legs 20 are located below each of the side portions depending from joinder to tabs 14.
Dished fuel trays 22, to hold the fuel (not sho~n), are joined pivotally to the frame above its side portions. The fuel trays comprise rectangular bottoms 24 and perpendicular sides 25. soth ends of the fuel trays are open. However at the upper ends the bottoms are tapered inwardly to form restricted openings. Outward facing lips 27 are located on the upper ends of the fuel trays adjacent the upper openings.
Locating mounts 28 are located adjacent the lower ends of the side portions of the fuel trays. These serve the function of sealing the lower end o~ the fuel trays against the frame, thereby assisting in smothering the fire at the conclusion of the cooking operation.
Bolts 30 pass through aligned holes in both the end portions 16 of the frame and the locating mounts for joinder of the fuel trays pivotally to the frame. Thus the fuel
H~YI~G ~OLD~ PU~L ~RAXS
This invention relates to a portable cooking unit and in particular to a cooking unit which is foldable to aid in the ignition and smothering of the fuel.
Prior art portable cooking units generally have a fixed bed into which the fuel is placed for lighting and cooking.
~ grill is positioned in an adjustable manner over this bed to provide a cooking surface.
Since a fixed bed cooking unit has no draft means to aid in the ignition and burning of the fuel, the lighting and warm up of the cooking unit is slow. In a fixed bed cooking unik up ko 45 minukes may be required for the fuel to attain cooking temperature. In addition, when the cooking is finished khe remaining fuel musk either be removed from the cooking unit for smothering or allowed to burn to ash. The former is dirty and dangerous and the latter is costly.
Accordingly, it is the general purpose of the present invention to provide a portable cooking unit having folding fuel trays to aid in rapid ignition and smothering of khe fuel.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a cooking unit which has a lighter drawer in which to place a lighter source for igniting the fuel and to collect the ashes from the fuel trays when the cooking is completed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a cooking unit having grill support means to position the grill in the fuel trays in such a manner as to distribute the charcoal for quick lighting by the lighter source.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a cooking unit which incinerates residual grease and sterilizes the grill while the fuel is being smothered.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a cooking unit which when folded is compact to take up less storage space than fixed bed cooking units of the same 1~4~77 capacity.
The manner in which t~e foregoing and other objects of the invention are accomplished will be apparent from the accompanying specification and claims considered together with the drawings wherein:
Fig. 1 is a top perspective view oE the herein described cooking unit in its open position with one of the perforate grills removed better to show concealed construction;
Fig. 2 is a side perspective view of the cooking unit in its closed position; and Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 The cooking unit of the present invention generally comprises a frame defining a central opening with dished fuel trays pivotally jointed to opposed ends of the frame for move-ment between a raised lighting position and a lowered cooking position. When in their raised position, the fuel trays substantially are vertical and are located adjacent one another.
When in their lowered position, the fuel txays substantially are horizontal.
The fuel trays are open at each end to form a flue when they are in their raised position. Thus air can pass from the central opening of the frame through the fuel trays and out their open upper ends.
Grill supports are located within the dished fuel trays to receive perforate grills. The perforate grills are positioned in the grill support in a manner to provide a narrow fuel reten-tion space between the perforate grills and the fuel trays.
Referring to Fig. 1 of the dra~ings, the cooking unit of the present invent~on includes frame 10. The frame defines a rectangular central open area and comprised ~-shaped side portions 12 having tabs 14 depending from each corner. End portions 16 .
.. . . .
~G~4~7 are planar and extend above the upper edge of the side portions.
Outward facing flanges 18 may be located on the end portions to aid in handling the cooking unit. U-shaped legs 20 are located below each of the side portions depending from joinder to tabs 14.
Dished fuel trays 22, to hold the fuel (not sho~n), are joined pivotally to the frame above its side portions. The fuel trays comprise rectangular bottoms 24 and perpendicular sides 25. soth ends of the fuel trays are open. However at the upper ends the bottoms are tapered inwardly to form restricted openings. Outward facing lips 27 are located on the upper ends of the fuel trays adjacent the upper openings.
Locating mounts 28 are located adjacent the lower ends of the side portions of the fuel trays. These serve the function of sealing the lower end o~ the fuel trays against the frame, thereby assisting in smothering the fire at the conclusion of the cooking operation.
Bolts 30 pass through aligned holes in both the end portions 16 of the frame and the locating mounts for joinder of the fuel trays pivotally to the frame. Thus the fuel
2~ trays are movable between a raised, substantially vertical posit.ion in which the sides 25 are adjacent each other, Fig. 2, and a lowered substantially horizontal cooking position, Fig. 1.
To support the fuel in the fuel trays when the fuel trays are placed in their raised position, teeth 34 are located on the bottoms of the fuel trays at their lower open ends. The teeth preferably extend inwardly a distance equal to approximately one-half the depth of the fuel trays. The spacing of the teeth is not critical, but they should be close enough together to prevent passage of partially burned fuel until the fuel substantially is consumed. The teeth positioned at each side may be staggered inwardly on the bottom of the fuel trays to prevent partially burned fuel from lodging in the corners.
To maintain even distribution of the fuel longitudinal-ly in the fuel trays when they are placed in their raised position, rails 32 are located transversely on the inside bottom surfaces of the fuel trays. The rails are shallow, preferably extending inwardly a distance equal to approximately 10-20% ;~
of-the depth of the fuel trays.
C-shaped bails 36 are joined pivotally to the upper la ends of the fuel trays to allow the user to carry the cooking unit when the fuel trays are in their raised position. Detents 38 are located in the sides of the fuel trays adjacent the bails to retain the bails releasably in a position normal to the fuel trays. Thus the bails serve as supports when the fuel trays are in their lowered position.
Grill support means 40 are located within the fuel trays inwardly adjacent locating mounts 28. The grill support means comprise multi-slotted brackets 42. Preferably, two such brackets are located at the lower end of each fuel tray with opposed brackets offset from one another to allow moving the trays to thelr raised position. The inward staggering of teeth 34 at the sides of the trays prevents partially burned uel from interfering with the brackets when folding the unit.
Slots 43 are positioned in the brackets so that they angle slightly upwardly when the fuel trays are in their lowered position, as shown in particular in Fig. 1. Thus when the fuel trays are in their raised position, for lighting of the fuel, the perforate grills are positioned to slope inwardly to touch or almost touch at their top to give a triangular configuration. Due to this angle the fuel retention spaces are larger at the top of the fuel trays than at the .. . ., ' :
bottom of the fuel trays. This spreads the flames at the top so that they lick and ignite all of the fuel. The lower portions of the brackets comprise tabs 44 which allow mounting the grill support means to the bo-ttoms of the fuel trays by means of bolts 46. Preferably the brackets are of a length equal to approximately 1-1/2 times the depth of the fuel trays.
Perforate grills 50 fit into the grill support means to supply the cooking surface in the cooking unit. The perforate grills preferably comprise planar rectangular members having a plurality of rectangular openings. Mounting tabs 52 are located at one end of the perforate grills.
One of the mounting tabs is located at one of the edges of the perforate grills and the opposed tab is offset inwardly from the other edge to align with the offset brackets o the grill support means. Openings 54 are located outwardly adjaaent the offset tabs and slots 56 are located inwardly adjacent the edge located tabs to provide clearance for the opposed brackets when the fuel trays are placed in their rasied position.
Lighter drawer 58 is mounted slidably below frame 10 to hold a lighting charge (not shown) such as kindling or crumpled paper used to ignite the fuel. The lighter drawer comprises bottom 60, sides 62, and ends 64. The top portions of the sides are flared outwardly to engage the side portions 12 of the frame in a sliding relationship. Lip 66 is located on the front end of the lighter drawer to allow opening it.
Pull 67, fabricated from a thermally non-conductive material, is positioned on the front end of the lighter drawer to aid in opening it when hot. The lighter drawer fits into the frame in such a manner that when it is closed, the lower open ends of the fuel trays are sealed. The lighter drawer is configured 9~7 in a manner to allow the flared top portions of the sides to freely slide on the frame. Thus the drawer may be moved to a position opening its front portion or removed entirely from the frame.
The central elements of teeth 34 are offset inwardly on the bottom of the fuel trays a distance sufficient to pro-vide clearance for the drawer, so that when it is opened and closed it will not jam because of partially burn~d fuel wedged between and projecting below the teeth.
TQP damper 68 is configured to fit over lips 27 at the upper end of the fuel trays as shown in Fig. 3, thus closing the top opening. The top damper is configured to engage the lips tightly to squeeze the opposed sides 25 of the fuel tray into contact with one another.
Grill engagement means, such as clip 70, is located on the top surface of the top damper to engage the perforate grill and to allow use of the top damper as a handle for the perforate grill when hot. The clip preferably is joined to the top damper by welding. Handle 72 extends from a raised tab 73 on the engagement means to allow manipulation when the top damper is hot. In addition the handle may be used for carrying the ùnit in the event that bails 36 should become misplaced.
The handle is fabricated from a thermally non-conductive material such as wood or plastic.
The cooking units of the present invention can be made of any suitable heat resistant material, such as cast iron, steel of aluminum. However, cast iron will better withstand severe use and provide more overall durability and longer lifé.
It will be noted that while the preferred embodiment shows a small portable unit, different size units also may be made. If desired a large unit for patio or backyard use could include wheels to allow movement.
The manner of use of the herein described cooking unit is as follows:
To fill the cooking unit with fuel the top damper 68 is removed from the fuel trays. The bails 36 are placed in their lowered position in detents 38. The fuel trays then ,~
are placed in their lowered position as shown in Fig. 1, and both perforate grills 50 are removed from the grill support means 40.
Fuel is distributed evenly over the bottom of the fuel trays in a manner to fill the fuel trays to the desired extent. If charcoal briquettes are used, one layer of charcoal will serve this purpose. This layer may cover all or part of the tray area,,to provide the needed amount of cooking surface.
The perforate grills are repositioned in the fuel support means in the lowermost slots of the brackets and the fuel trays are placed in their raised position. It will be noted that rails 32 in conjunction with the perforate grills maintain most of the fuel in its evenly di~tributed position when the fuel trays are raised. Teeth 34 prevent fuel which is not maintained in its original position from dropping out of the fuel trays. The top damper is not replaced leaving the upper ends of the fuel trays open.
To light the fuel, lighter drawer 58`is pulled open to allow insertion of a lighting charge. The lighting charge may comprise one of the commercially available lighter materials. Alternatively, kindling or crumpled paper soaked with lighter fluid may be used. It is important that the lighter charge provide long lasting hot flames to insure thorough lighting of the fuel. If the fuel is charcoal it also may be soaked with lighter fluid to insure good ignition.
1~91 4~'77 The lighter drawer is placed in a partially open position, as shown by the phantom lines of Fig. 2, as required to provide the necessary draft. In the normal operation of the unit the drawer is opened a distance equal to about one tenth its length in order to achieve this purpose.
The lighter source then is ignited. With the lighter drawer in a partially open position air may enter the fuel trays through openlngs behind and in front of the lighter drawer. Thus a flue is formed through the fuel trays and out their opened top ends and a draft is created when the lighter charge is ignited. The flames of the lighter charge are drawn into direct contact with the fuel located in the fuel trays to light it quickly and uniformly.
The inwardly angled grill giving larger spaces at the top of the fuel trays insures ignition of all of the fuel.
The unit then is ready for cooking by repositioning the fuel trays in their lowered position. Bails 36 convert from handles to serve as legs and support the fuel trays during the cooking. The perforate grilIs may be repositioned in the grill support means as desired to provide the proper cooking position relative the fuel. As shown in Fig. 1, top damper 68 may be used as a handle for the perforate grills by placing clip 70 on the perforate grills thus allowing handling them when hot.
When the cooking is completed the perforate grills are placed again in the lowermost slots of brackets 42.
Lighter drawer 58 is placed in its closed position. The fuel trays are placed again in their raised position. It will be noted that when the fuel trays are raised the ashes from the fuel will drop into the lighter drawer. The partially burned fuel, however, will be maintained in the fuel trays by teeth 3~.
77 - :
Top damper 68 is positioned on the fuel trays, squeezing them together and closing the openings at the upper end. The fuel trays essentially are saaled and the remainin~ `
fuel is smothered. Thus the remaining fuel can be reused for a subsequent cooking rather than completely burned to ash as is the ca~se in previous cooking units. One charge of fuel may last for up to 4 or 5 cookings on thawed meats and the like, and up to 3 cookings on frozen meats and the like.
When the fuel trays are closed and the top damper is installed the heat generated by the fuel, until it is smothered, is trapped in the cooking unit. The resulting high temperature incinerates any grease on the perforate grills which are located adjacent the fuel. The cooking unit therefore is self cleaning, eliminating the grill cleaning associated with prior cooking units.
When the fuel has been completely smothered, the lighter drawer can be removed from the frame and the ash emptied from it. This eliminates the dirty removal of ash from a grill base as is necessary in the prior cooking units, It will be noted that when a smaller cooking area is required fuel may be placed in only one of the fuel trays.
When cooking is performed on only one of the fuel trays the unused fuel tray may be placed in its raised position to serve as a windbreak. In addi-tion when there is fuel in one of the fuel trays, baked potatoes, corn on the cob or the like may be placed behind the perforate grill of the other fuel tray and rapidly cooked by moving both of the fuel trays to their raised positions.
Also it will be noted that due to the high draft created in the unit when in the closed position, it may serve _ g _ as a small blacksmith forge. Furthermore, by partially closing the damper the unit will burn the fuel slowly and may be used as a portable heater when in the closed position.
It will be noted also that the lighter drawer may ~:
be used as an oven or it may be filled with water for use as a cooking pan.
, -- 10 --.
To support the fuel in the fuel trays when the fuel trays are placed in their raised position, teeth 34 are located on the bottoms of the fuel trays at their lower open ends. The teeth preferably extend inwardly a distance equal to approximately one-half the depth of the fuel trays. The spacing of the teeth is not critical, but they should be close enough together to prevent passage of partially burned fuel until the fuel substantially is consumed. The teeth positioned at each side may be staggered inwardly on the bottom of the fuel trays to prevent partially burned fuel from lodging in the corners.
To maintain even distribution of the fuel longitudinal-ly in the fuel trays when they are placed in their raised position, rails 32 are located transversely on the inside bottom surfaces of the fuel trays. The rails are shallow, preferably extending inwardly a distance equal to approximately 10-20% ;~
of-the depth of the fuel trays.
C-shaped bails 36 are joined pivotally to the upper la ends of the fuel trays to allow the user to carry the cooking unit when the fuel trays are in their raised position. Detents 38 are located in the sides of the fuel trays adjacent the bails to retain the bails releasably in a position normal to the fuel trays. Thus the bails serve as supports when the fuel trays are in their lowered position.
Grill support means 40 are located within the fuel trays inwardly adjacent locating mounts 28. The grill support means comprise multi-slotted brackets 42. Preferably, two such brackets are located at the lower end of each fuel tray with opposed brackets offset from one another to allow moving the trays to thelr raised position. The inward staggering of teeth 34 at the sides of the trays prevents partially burned uel from interfering with the brackets when folding the unit.
Slots 43 are positioned in the brackets so that they angle slightly upwardly when the fuel trays are in their lowered position, as shown in particular in Fig. 1. Thus when the fuel trays are in their raised position, for lighting of the fuel, the perforate grills are positioned to slope inwardly to touch or almost touch at their top to give a triangular configuration. Due to this angle the fuel retention spaces are larger at the top of the fuel trays than at the .. . ., ' :
bottom of the fuel trays. This spreads the flames at the top so that they lick and ignite all of the fuel. The lower portions of the brackets comprise tabs 44 which allow mounting the grill support means to the bo-ttoms of the fuel trays by means of bolts 46. Preferably the brackets are of a length equal to approximately 1-1/2 times the depth of the fuel trays.
Perforate grills 50 fit into the grill support means to supply the cooking surface in the cooking unit. The perforate grills preferably comprise planar rectangular members having a plurality of rectangular openings. Mounting tabs 52 are located at one end of the perforate grills.
One of the mounting tabs is located at one of the edges of the perforate grills and the opposed tab is offset inwardly from the other edge to align with the offset brackets o the grill support means. Openings 54 are located outwardly adjaaent the offset tabs and slots 56 are located inwardly adjacent the edge located tabs to provide clearance for the opposed brackets when the fuel trays are placed in their rasied position.
Lighter drawer 58 is mounted slidably below frame 10 to hold a lighting charge (not shown) such as kindling or crumpled paper used to ignite the fuel. The lighter drawer comprises bottom 60, sides 62, and ends 64. The top portions of the sides are flared outwardly to engage the side portions 12 of the frame in a sliding relationship. Lip 66 is located on the front end of the lighter drawer to allow opening it.
Pull 67, fabricated from a thermally non-conductive material, is positioned on the front end of the lighter drawer to aid in opening it when hot. The lighter drawer fits into the frame in such a manner that when it is closed, the lower open ends of the fuel trays are sealed. The lighter drawer is configured 9~7 in a manner to allow the flared top portions of the sides to freely slide on the frame. Thus the drawer may be moved to a position opening its front portion or removed entirely from the frame.
The central elements of teeth 34 are offset inwardly on the bottom of the fuel trays a distance sufficient to pro-vide clearance for the drawer, so that when it is opened and closed it will not jam because of partially burn~d fuel wedged between and projecting below the teeth.
TQP damper 68 is configured to fit over lips 27 at the upper end of the fuel trays as shown in Fig. 3, thus closing the top opening. The top damper is configured to engage the lips tightly to squeeze the opposed sides 25 of the fuel tray into contact with one another.
Grill engagement means, such as clip 70, is located on the top surface of the top damper to engage the perforate grill and to allow use of the top damper as a handle for the perforate grill when hot. The clip preferably is joined to the top damper by welding. Handle 72 extends from a raised tab 73 on the engagement means to allow manipulation when the top damper is hot. In addition the handle may be used for carrying the ùnit in the event that bails 36 should become misplaced.
The handle is fabricated from a thermally non-conductive material such as wood or plastic.
The cooking units of the present invention can be made of any suitable heat resistant material, such as cast iron, steel of aluminum. However, cast iron will better withstand severe use and provide more overall durability and longer lifé.
It will be noted that while the preferred embodiment shows a small portable unit, different size units also may be made. If desired a large unit for patio or backyard use could include wheels to allow movement.
The manner of use of the herein described cooking unit is as follows:
To fill the cooking unit with fuel the top damper 68 is removed from the fuel trays. The bails 36 are placed in their lowered position in detents 38. The fuel trays then ,~
are placed in their lowered position as shown in Fig. 1, and both perforate grills 50 are removed from the grill support means 40.
Fuel is distributed evenly over the bottom of the fuel trays in a manner to fill the fuel trays to the desired extent. If charcoal briquettes are used, one layer of charcoal will serve this purpose. This layer may cover all or part of the tray area,,to provide the needed amount of cooking surface.
The perforate grills are repositioned in the fuel support means in the lowermost slots of the brackets and the fuel trays are placed in their raised position. It will be noted that rails 32 in conjunction with the perforate grills maintain most of the fuel in its evenly di~tributed position when the fuel trays are raised. Teeth 34 prevent fuel which is not maintained in its original position from dropping out of the fuel trays. The top damper is not replaced leaving the upper ends of the fuel trays open.
To light the fuel, lighter drawer 58`is pulled open to allow insertion of a lighting charge. The lighting charge may comprise one of the commercially available lighter materials. Alternatively, kindling or crumpled paper soaked with lighter fluid may be used. It is important that the lighter charge provide long lasting hot flames to insure thorough lighting of the fuel. If the fuel is charcoal it also may be soaked with lighter fluid to insure good ignition.
1~91 4~'77 The lighter drawer is placed in a partially open position, as shown by the phantom lines of Fig. 2, as required to provide the necessary draft. In the normal operation of the unit the drawer is opened a distance equal to about one tenth its length in order to achieve this purpose.
The lighter source then is ignited. With the lighter drawer in a partially open position air may enter the fuel trays through openlngs behind and in front of the lighter drawer. Thus a flue is formed through the fuel trays and out their opened top ends and a draft is created when the lighter charge is ignited. The flames of the lighter charge are drawn into direct contact with the fuel located in the fuel trays to light it quickly and uniformly.
The inwardly angled grill giving larger spaces at the top of the fuel trays insures ignition of all of the fuel.
The unit then is ready for cooking by repositioning the fuel trays in their lowered position. Bails 36 convert from handles to serve as legs and support the fuel trays during the cooking. The perforate grilIs may be repositioned in the grill support means as desired to provide the proper cooking position relative the fuel. As shown in Fig. 1, top damper 68 may be used as a handle for the perforate grills by placing clip 70 on the perforate grills thus allowing handling them when hot.
When the cooking is completed the perforate grills are placed again in the lowermost slots of brackets 42.
Lighter drawer 58 is placed in its closed position. The fuel trays are placed again in their raised position. It will be noted that when the fuel trays are raised the ashes from the fuel will drop into the lighter drawer. The partially burned fuel, however, will be maintained in the fuel trays by teeth 3~.
77 - :
Top damper 68 is positioned on the fuel trays, squeezing them together and closing the openings at the upper end. The fuel trays essentially are saaled and the remainin~ `
fuel is smothered. Thus the remaining fuel can be reused for a subsequent cooking rather than completely burned to ash as is the ca~se in previous cooking units. One charge of fuel may last for up to 4 or 5 cookings on thawed meats and the like, and up to 3 cookings on frozen meats and the like.
When the fuel trays are closed and the top damper is installed the heat generated by the fuel, until it is smothered, is trapped in the cooking unit. The resulting high temperature incinerates any grease on the perforate grills which are located adjacent the fuel. The cooking unit therefore is self cleaning, eliminating the grill cleaning associated with prior cooking units.
When the fuel has been completely smothered, the lighter drawer can be removed from the frame and the ash emptied from it. This eliminates the dirty removal of ash from a grill base as is necessary in the prior cooking units, It will be noted that when a smaller cooking area is required fuel may be placed in only one of the fuel trays.
When cooking is performed on only one of the fuel trays the unused fuel tray may be placed in its raised position to serve as a windbreak. In addi-tion when there is fuel in one of the fuel trays, baked potatoes, corn on the cob or the like may be placed behind the perforate grill of the other fuel tray and rapidly cooked by moving both of the fuel trays to their raised positions.
Also it will be noted that due to the high draft created in the unit when in the closed position, it may serve _ g _ as a small blacksmith forge. Furthermore, by partially closing the damper the unit will burn the fuel slowly and may be used as a portable heater when in the closed position.
It will be noted also that the lighter drawer may ~:
be used as an oven or it may be filled with water for use as a cooking pan.
, -- 10 --.
Claims (6)
1. A portable cooking unit for use with charcoal or similar fuel, comprising:
a) a frame, b) dished trays pivotally joined to the frame and position-able between a raised, substantially vertical position in which the fuel trays are located adjacent one another and a lowered, substantially horizontal cooking position, c) perforate grills removably positionable in the trays in a manner to provide a fuel retention space between each tray and grill for receiving the fuel, and d) a plurality of teeth on the open lower ends of the trays projecting inwardly therefrom when the trays are in their raised position and spaced apart to retain pieces of fuel within the fuel retention space but to allow fuel ash to gravitate downwardly between them.
a) a frame, b) dished trays pivotally joined to the frame and position-able between a raised, substantially vertical position in which the fuel trays are located adjacent one another and a lowered, substantially horizontal cooking position, c) perforate grills removably positionable in the trays in a manner to provide a fuel retention space between each tray and grill for receiving the fuel, and d) a plurality of teeth on the open lower ends of the trays projecting inwardly therefrom when the trays are in their raised position and spaced apart to retain pieces of fuel within the fuel retention space but to allow fuel ash to gravitate downwardly between them.
2. The cooking unit of claim 1 comprising grill mounting means positioned for maintaining the grills in upwardly converging relation to each other when the trays are in their raised position, thereby exposing to flame rising vertically from below pieces of fuel retained against the upwardly converging grills along substantially the length of the grills for promoting uniform ignition of the fuel.
3. The cooking unit of claim 1 including a drawer mounted removably on the frame below the fuel trays for receiving fuel ash therein and movable between open and closed positions.
4. The cooking unit of claim 3 including damper means mounted across the open upper ends of the fuel trays in their raised position and movable between open and closed positions, the damper and drawer cooperating when in their closed positions to exclude air from the fuel trays and thereby extinguish the fuel.
5. The cooking unit of claim 1 comprising:
a) fuel retention means on the trays for retaining pieces of fuel within the fuel retention space while allowing fuel ash to gravitate downwardly between them when the trays are in their raised position, b) a drawer mounted on the frame below the fuel trays for receiving fuel ash therein, and movable between open and closed positions, and c) damper means mounted across the open upper ends of the fuel trays in their raised position and movable between open and closed positions, the damper and drawer cooperating when in their closed positions to exclude air from the fuel trays and thereby extinguish burning fuel contained in the trays.
a) fuel retention means on the trays for retaining pieces of fuel within the fuel retention space while allowing fuel ash to gravitate downwardly between them when the trays are in their raised position, b) a drawer mounted on the frame below the fuel trays for receiving fuel ash therein, and movable between open and closed positions, and c) damper means mounted across the open upper ends of the fuel trays in their raised position and movable between open and closed positions, the damper and drawer cooperating when in their closed positions to exclude air from the fuel trays and thereby extinguish burning fuel contained in the trays.
6. The cooking unit of claim 1 in which the fuel trays have open upper ends and open lower ends to form a flue allowing air passage therethrough when the fuel trays are in their raised position.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US05/630,611 US4046132A (en) | 1975-11-10 | 1975-11-10 | Self extinguishing, portable cooking unit having folding fuel trays |
| CA261,418A CA1024028A (en) | 1975-11-10 | 1976-09-17 | Self extinguishing portable cooking unit having folding fuel trays |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1044977A true CA1044977A (en) | 1978-12-26 |
Family
ID=25668364
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA288,713A Expired CA1044977A (en) | 1975-11-10 | 1977-10-14 | Self extinguishing portable cooking unit having folding fuel trays |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1044977A (en) |
-
1977
- 1977-10-14 CA CA288,713A patent/CA1044977A/en not_active Expired
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