WO2020207868A1

WO2020207868A1 - Smokehouse for domestic use

Info

Publication number: WO2020207868A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/059173
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anne KOSKI
Original assignee: Koski Anne
Priority date: 2019-04-08
Filing date: 2020-03-31
Publication date: 2020-10-15
Also published as: FR3094621B1; FR3094621A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a smokehouse for domestic use. According to the invention, the smokehouse (2A,2B) comprises a heat source (22), a grating (26) for supporting food items to be smoked and a support plate (34) interposed between the heat source and the grating (26). The invention is remarkable in that the support plate (34) comprises at least one passage (36, 38) for inserting a container (42) comprising a fuel (50). Therefore, advantageously, the container is positioned as close as possible to the heat source and confined in the container. The positioning of the fuel and the removal of the ashes are thus facilitated by the presence of the support plate (34).

Description

SMOKER FOR DOMESTIC USE

Technical field to which the invention relates

The present invention relates to a smokehouse for domestic use.

Technological background

[0002] Smoking is an ancient technique for preserving food, consisting in exposing food to smoke from the combustion of one or more plant essences. The smoke produced by burning herbal essences contains fungistatic substances that inhibit the growth of molds and yeasts on the surface of food, thereby increasing the shelf life of food. Smoking also allows flavoring, coloring and hardening of the texture of foods. This cooking technique is more and more appreciated by the general public.

[0003] However, smokehouses are bulky enclosures, requiring the use of a significant amount of fuel to achieve a suitable smoke density around the food. The installation of the fuel and its ignition require a certain preparation time. Ashes from combustion should also be removed regularly from the bottom of the smoker. These tedious operations can discourage some or some.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a smokehouse that is simple and quick to use, in order to enable more people to adopt smoking as a new technique of cooking food.

Object of the invention

In order to overcome the aforementioned drawback of the state of the art, the present invention provides a domestic smoking room comprising a heat source, a grid for supporting food to be smoked and a support plate interposed between the source of heat and grill. The invention is remarkable in that the support plate comprises at least one passage to allow the embedding of a container comprising a fuel.

The passage in the smokehouse support plate allows a user to quickly and precisely place a container comprising fuel in the smokehouse. For this, the passage passes right through the support plate so that when the container is embedded in the passage, its bottom emerges from the support plate on the side of the heat source. The container is thus held firmly by the support plate and its bottom is positioned as close as possible to the heat source in order to allow optimal combustion of the fuel. According to another advantage, the passage also makes it possible to simply and easily remove the container after smoking, in order to quickly remove the ash from the fuel which is confined in the container. The presence of the support plate between the heat source and the grid also helps protect the heat source from any residue falling from the grid. As a result, the cleanliness and qualities of the heat source are preserved during smoking. The present invention therefore provides a domestic smoker that is simpler and faster to use, to enable more people to adopt smoking as a new technique for cooking food.

[0007] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the support plate is substantially parallel to the grid, and at least one passage is vis-à-vis the heat source. This embodiment allows optimal positioning in the smoker of a container comprising fuel, so that the bottom of the container is facing the heat source.

[0008] According to another variant embodiment of the invention, the smokehouse comprises a means for controlling the temperature of the heat source. According to a preferred embodiment, the heat source comprises at least one electrical resistance. In operation, the temperature of each electrical resistance can be controlled by means of a rheostat, for example.

[0009] According to another variant embodiment of the invention, the heat source, the grid and the support plate are present in a hermetically closed enclosure, by a cover provided with a depressurization valve. Of course, the cover is removable so as to allow the insertion and removal of food in the smoker. Advantageously, the cover comprises a depressurization valve to limit the rise in atmospheric pressure inside the container. This embodiment makes it possible to control the pressure in the chamber to prevent it from becoming too high and to open the cover during smoking. The valve also allows controlled smoke evacuation after smoking allowing the smoker to be used in confined spaces.

[0010] According to another variant embodiment of the invention, the smoker comprises a drip pan interposed between the grid and the support plate.

[001 1] According to another variant embodiment of the invention, the smokehouse comprises a thermal insulation plate interposed between the support plate and the heat source. The thermal insulation plate has at least one passage allowing the circulation of air flow through said plate. Preferably, the thermal insulation plate is removable so as to facilitate access to the heat source for maintenance. According to another embodiment, at least one passage of the thermal insulation plate is positioned opposite a passage of the support plate. This embodiment advantageously makes it possible to direct the heat produced by the heat source, as close as possible to the passage or passages passing through the support plate. It is thus possible to use heat sources of lower power to heat in the same way a refill described below, blocking a passage of the support plate. Preferably, at least one passage of the thermal insulation plate is positioned opposite the heat source. By positioning the passages of the insulation plate facing the passages of the support plate, food placed on the smoker's grid is preserved from an excessive heating temperature, while promoting a high temperature at the level. of the passage (s) of the support plate. According to another alternative, the passage or passages of the thermal insulation plate are of dimensions smaller than the dimensions of the smallest passage of the support plate. This embodiment advantageously makes it possible to limit the size of the dirt likely to pass through the thermal insulation plate, in order to avoid an accumulation of waste from the grid at the level of the heat source.

[0012] According to another variant embodiment of the invention, the support plate comprises holding means for keeping the support plate at a distance from the thermal insulation plate. Eventually, the means can be configured to allow the bottom of a container embedded in a passage of the support plate, to contact a portion of the thermal insulation plate. According to a preferred embodiment, the bottom of a container closes at least one passage of the thermal insulation plate. Preferably, the support plate at least partially or completely covers the thermal insulation plate so as to prevent excessive heating of food present on the grid. In other words, the holding means make it possible to define a volume between the support plate and the thermal insulation plate, making it possible to limit the heating of food present on the grid. This embodiment makes it possible to limit a phenomenon of cooking of foods during their smoking. According to an alternative embodiment, the holding means can be arranged so as to encircle the passage (s) of the support plate, in order to locate the heat passing through the passage (s) at the level of the container held by the support plate. . This embodiment allows a more efficient heating of the container while limiting the cooking of food present on the grid. Preferably, the holding means are configured to maintain a distance between the support plate and the thermal insulation plate, comprised between 2 mm and 10 mm, preferably between 3 mm and 5 mm. The holding means are preferably reversible, they may for example comprise one or more protrusions present at the level of the support plate and / or of the thermal insulation plate intended to bear on the thermal insulation plate and / or the backing plate. The retaining means may comprise an O-ring seal interposed between said plates.

[0013] The invention also relates to a fuel refill for a household smokehouse described above. The refill comprises a non-flammable container comprising one or more plant essences, the container is configured to fit into a passage of the support plate of a smoker described above. The dimensions of the container may vary depending on the nature and quantity of plant species present in the container, so that the bottom of the container is more or less close to the heat source when the container is embedded in a passage of the support plate of a smoker described above. Preferably, the container has a shape flared and / or comprises appendages or rims at its side faces, to facilitate its retention in a passage of the support plate.

[0014] Preferably, the refill container comprises at least one of the following plant species: alder, oak, beech or acacia, possibly embellished with fruit trees such as apple, pear or vine shoot.

[0015] According to an alternative embodiment, the refill comprises a removable cover closing the container.

[0016] The invention also relates to a kit for smoking food, comprising a smokehouse and at least one fuel refill as described above.

Description of figures

The description which will follow with reference to the following accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, will make it possible to better understand what the invention consists of and how it can be carried out:

[0018] [Fig. 1] is a schematic view of a longitudinal section of a smokehouse according to the invention;

[0019] [Fig. 2] shows a top view of a support plate present in the smokehouse shown in Figure 1;

[0020] [Fig. 3] is a schematic view of a longitudinal section of a fuel refill for a smokehouse illustrated in Figure 1;

[0021] [Fig. 4] is a schematic view of a longitudinal section of a smokehouse illustrated in Figure 1 comprising a fuel refill shown in Figure 3;

[0022] [Fig. 5] shows a schematic view of a cross section of an alternative embodiment of a smokehouse according to the invention.

Detailed description of examples

[0023] As a reminder, the invention provides a smoker that is simple and quick to use, in order to allow more people to adopt smoking as a new technique for cooking food.

Figure 1 illustrates a non-limiting embodiment of a smokehouse 2 according to the invention. The smokehouse comprises an enclosure 4 delimiting a volume 6, the dimensions of which are between 10 and 20 liters, preferably between 12 and 14 liters. The walls 8 of the enclosure are hollow in order to limit heating of the exterior surface of the smoker during its use. The walls of the enclosure 4 are preferably made from a metallic material of the stainless steel type, optionally covered with a layer of enamel or a similar layer to obtain both an aesthetic appearance and facilitate maintenance of the smokehouse. The upper edges 10 of the walls define an opening through which the food is introduced into the smoker. A cover 12 provided with a gripping means 14 allows a user to close the enclosure during smoking. A seal 16 is present between the cover 12 and the upper edges 10 of the enclosure in order to hermetically close the smoker 2. The cover comprises a depressurization valve 18 to limit the maximum atmospheric pressure in the enclosure. Preferably, the depressurization valve is configured to limit the pressure inside the enclosure between 1.013 and 1.053 bars. Of course, the smokehouse also comprises retaining means, not shown in the figures, making it possible to firmly hold the cover on the smokehouse to allow the atmospheric pressure in the enclosure to be raised.

The smokehouse 2 comprises a heat source present at a bottom 20 of the enclosure 4. According to the present example, the heat source is composed of an electrical resistance 22 parallel or substantially parallel to the bottom of the 'pregnant. The electrical resistance 22 is spaced from the bottom 20 of the enclosure, in order to avoid any contact with a liquid that can accumulate on the bottom 20. According to the present example, the electrical resistance 22 is spaced from the bottom 20 by a distance between 15 mm and 25 mm, preferably between 20 mm and 22 mm. The electrical resistance 22 is powered by a power supply module 24 comprising a control member, not shown, allowing a user to select the power released by the electrical resistance. According to the present example, the control unit allows a user to select a heating power between 0 W and 500 W, preferably between 100 W and 300 W.

The smoker comprises a grid 26 in order to position food to be smoked above and at a distance from the electrical resistance 22. The grid is supported on a first edge 28 of the enclosure so as to be parallel or substantially parallel to its bottom 20. According to this example, the grid is separated from the bottom of the enclosure by a distance of between 80 mm and 110 mm, preferably between 85 mm and 100 mm. The grid can be rectangular, oval or other. The largest dimension of the grid is between 340 mm and 380 mm, preferably between 350 mm and 360 mm. The first rim 28 also serves as a support for the positioning of a drip pan 30 under the grid 26. The enclosure also includes a second rim 32 located between the first rim 28 and its bottom 20. This second rim 32 allows the positioning of 'a support plate 34 between the electrical resistance 22 and the drip pan 30. The support plate 34 is parallel or substantially parallel to the bottom of the enclosure, and spaced from the electrical resistance 22 by a distance between 28 mm and 45 mm, preferably between 30 and 36 mm.

As illustrated in Figure 2, at least two passages 36 and 38 pass right through the support plate 34. The passages can be of various shapes, identical or not. The invention is not limited to a number of passages or to a particular form of passage. According to the present example, the passages 36 and 38 are rectangular in shape and their largest dimension is between 100 mm and 70 mm, preferably between 80 mm and 90 mm. The passages are arranged so as to face the electrical resistance 22.

As mentioned above, each passage of the support plate 34 is configured to allow the embedding of a fuel refill 40 in the enclosure 4 of the smokehouse 2. A non-limiting example of refill 40A is illustrated by FIG. 3. According to this example, the refill 40A comprises a non-flammable container 42A. Preferably, the container is made from a metallic material, for example from aluminum. The container 42A comprises a bottom 44A and a side wall 46A so as to define a volume 48A of between 0.7 dL and 1.5dL, preferably between 1 dL and 1.2 dL. The container comprises at least one of the following vegetable essences 50A for smoking a food: alder, beech, oak or acacia. In order to preserve the properties of the gasolines, the refill comprises a removable cover 52A hermetically sealing the container 42A. The removable cover 52A comprises a gripping means 54A in order to facilitate its removal, before the refill is placed in the smoker 2. As illustrated in Figure 3, the contour of the side wall 46A of the refill 40A is of complementary shape to a passage 36 of the support plate, so as to allow the embedding of the refill 40A in said plate. support as illustrated in Figure 4. The side wall 46A of the refill 40A is slightly flared so that its bottom 44A protrudes from the support plate 34 and is vis-à-vis the electrical resistance 22. More precisely, the angle formed between the bottom 44A and the side wall 46A is chosen so that the bottom 44A is present at a precise distance from the electrical resistance 22. The value of this angle varies depending on the composition of the fuel present in the refill 40A as well than its weight, so that the bottom 44A of the recharge is more or less distant from the electric resistance 22. The distance between the bottom of a recharge and the electric resistance 22 is between 0.7 cm and 3 cm , preferably between 1 cm and 2 cm. Advantageously, by precisely controlling this distance as a function of the nature and quantity of fuel contained in the refill, the smoking process is optimized. For example, as illustrated by FIG. 4, the refill 40A comprises 1 dL of alder as fuel and its bottom 44A is positioned 15 mm from the electrical resistance. The refill 40B includes 1 dl of oak as fuel and its side wall 46B is more flared so that its bottom 44B is positioned 10 mm from the electrical resistance. In other words, the support plate 34 offers the possibility of positioning in the smokehouse 2 refills containing fuels in different proportions and / or compositions, at different distances from the electrical resistance 22. As a result, the invention makes it possible to start from the same heat source to carry out the combustion of vegetable essences in optimum temperature ranges for smoking. The invention thus allows better controlled smoking of food.

It should be noted that the refills 40A and 40B can alternatively comprise other means for maintaining in a passage of the support plate, for example comprising lugs on the outer face of their side wall, so as to be supported on the contours of a passage. Other alternatives for maintaining a search through a passage of a support plate are of course conceivable.

The passages 36 and 38 of the support plate 34 also allow precise positioning of the fuels in the smokehouse, in a direction parallel to the grid 26. As a result, the invention makes it possible to smoke different foods at the same time, with a fuel specific to each food. It is thus possible to optimize the smoking time of several foods, while simultaneously allowing different smoking for each food. According to the present example illustrated by FIG. 4, the refill 40A comprises as fuel 50A 1 dl of beech for smoking trout 56A for example, and the refill 40B comprises as fuel 50B 1 dl of alder for smoking poultry 56B for example .

[0032] According to another advantage, the support plate 34 also allows easy and rapid removal of the refills, when their fuel is exhausted. The invention therefore allows easier and faster maintenance of the smokehouse, by allowing the ashes of the fuel to be kept in its refill.

According to an alternative embodiment illustrated by Figures 1 and 4, the smoker may include a thermal insulation plate 58 positioned between the support plate 34 and the electrical resistance 22. It should be noted that the reference numerals designate in the attached figures, the elements common to the various variant embodiments. The thermal insulation plate 58 bears against the walls 8 of the enclosure 4 so as to be parallel or substantially parallel to the support plate 34. The thermal insulation plate 58 has several passages 60, so as to allow the circulation of an air flow through said plate. The passages 60 are of smaller dimensions than the dimensions of the passages 36 and 38, in order to limit the accumulation of waste at the level of the resistance 22. Advantageously, the passages 60 are positioned between the electrical resistance 22 and the passages 36 and 38. , so as to channel the heat produced by the resistor 22 at the level of the refills 50 which close the passages 36. This allows the containers of the refills to be heated to a desired temperature, using a lower power electrical resistance. According to another advantage, a food item 56 positioned on the grid 26 is also preserved from excessive heating. According to the present example, the thermal insulation plate is arranged so as not to be in contact with the refills positioned in the grid 26. the support plate and is made of stainless steel. According to an alternative embodiment of a smokehouse 2B according to the invention, illustrated in Figure 5, a smokehouse 2B may include a support plate 34 resting on the thermal insulation plate 58. More specifically, the plate support comprises protuberances 62 bearing on the thermal insulation plate. The protrusions 62 are configured to maintain a distance between the support plate and the thermal insulation plate, between 2 mm and 10 mm, preferably between 3 mm and 5 mm. According to the present example, the protuberances 62 are configured to allow the bottom 44A of a container 40A to be in contact with the thermal insulation plate 58 so as to close at least one passage 60 of the thermal insulation plate. Preferably, the support plate 34 covers the thermal insulation plate so as to prevent excessive heating of food present on the grid. It should be noted that according to the present example, the smoker also comprises a thermal probe 64 positioned at the level of the cover 12, so as to allow a user of the smoker to control the temperature inside the enclosure 4 during smoking. .

The advantages of the invention described above will allow a greater number of people to adopt smoking as a new technique for cooking food, by offering a smokehouse that is simple and quick to use while allowing precise and varied smoking. .

Claims

[Claim 1] A smoker (2A, 2B) for household use comprising a heat source (22), a grid (26) for supporting food to be smoked and a support plate (34) interposed between the heat source and the grid (26), characterized in that the support plate (34) comprises at least one passage (36, 38) to allow the embedding of a container (42) comprising a fuel (50).

[Claim 2] Smoking room (2A, 2B) for domestic use according to

preceding claim, characterized in that the support plate (34) is substantially parallel to the grid (26), and in that at least one passage (36, 38) is opposite the heat source (22).

[Claim 3] Smoker (2A, 2B) for domestic use according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a means (24) for controlling the temperature of the heat source (22).

[Claim 4] Smoking room (2A, 2B) for domestic use according to

preceding claim, characterized in that the heat source comprises at least one electrical resistance (22).

[Claim 5] Smoking room (2A, 2B) for domestic use according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heat source

(22), the grid (26) and the support plate (34) are present in an enclosure (4) hermetically sealed by a cover (12) provided with a depressurization valve (18).

[Claim 6] Smoker (2A, 2B) for domestic use according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a thermal insulation plate (58) interposed between the support plate (34) and the source of heat (22), and in that the thermal insulation plate (58) has at least one passage (60) allowing the passage of an air flow through the thermal insulation plate (58).

[Claim 7] Smoking room (2A, 2B) for domestic use according to

preceding claim, characterized in that at least one passage (60) of the thermal insulation plate (58) is positioned opposite a passage (36) of the support plate (54). [Claim 8] A smoking room (2A, 2B) for domestic use according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that at least one passage (60) of the thermal insulation plate (58) is positioned opposite of the heat source (22).

[Claim 9] Smoker (2A, 2B) for domestic use according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the passage or passages (58) of the thermal insulation plate (60) are of smaller dimensions at most small passage (36) of the support plate (34).

[Claim 10] Smoking room (2B) for domestic use according to one of

claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the support plate (54) comprises holding means (62) for keeping the support plate (54) away from the thermal insulation plate (60).

[Claim 11] Refill (40A, 40B) with fuel for a smokehouse (2A, 2B) for domestic use, characterized in that it comprises a non-flammable container (42A, 42B) comprising one or more vegetable essences (50A, 50B) , and in that the container (42A, 42B) is configured to fit into a passage (36, 38) of the support plate (34) of a smoker (2A, 2B) according to one of the preceding claims .

[Claim 12] Refill (40A, 40B) with fuel according to

preceding claim, characterized in that the dimensions of the container (42A, 42B) vary depending on the nature and the quantity of plant species (50A, 50B) present in the container (42A, 42B), so that the bottom (44A, 44B) of the container (42A, 42B) is more or less close to the heat source (22) when the container (42A, 42B) is embedded in a passage (36, 38) of the support plate (34 ) of a smokehouse (2A, 2B) according to one of claims 1 to 10.

[Claim 13] Refill (40A, 40B) with fuel according to

claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the container (42A, 42B) comprises at least one of the following plant species: alder, beech, oak or acacia.

[Claim 14] Refill (40A, 40B) with fuel according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the container (42A, 42B) is closed by a removable cover (52). [Claim 15] Kit for the smoking of food comprising a smoker (2A, 2B) according to one of claims 1 to 10 and at least one refill (40A, 40B) with fuel according to one of claims 11 to 13.