Multi-surface cooking apparatus

Abstract

The disclosed embodiments generally include a cooking apparatus that includes a plurality of removable and interchangeable cooking surfaces. The cooking apparatus also includes a burner tray positioned below the cooking surface and configured to facilitate grease removal, air intake, and exhaust gas removal of the cooking apparatus.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The currently disclosed embodiments generally relate to cooking apparatus, and more particularly to a cooking apparatus capable of accommodating a variety of types of cooking surfaces. Background Technology

[0002] Professional indoor kitchens may include skillets, which are generally flat cooking surfaces, often made of metal and heated from below using gas or electricity. For example, restaurant chefs use skillets to prepare eggs, potatoes, pancakes, bacon, hamburgers, and more. Because the cooking surface is generally flat, when using an outdoor grill or even cooking with a pan or pot inside an outdoor grill, users may need to use spatulas and other utensils to combine and mix ingredients on the skillet surface in ways that are not easily accomplished. Cleaning with a skillet is relatively easy, as users can use scrapers to push grease, liquids, and debris to the outer edge of the cooking surface for later collection and disposal.

[0003] In recent years, skillets have become increasingly popular in residential settings. For example, outdoor skillets have emerged, which are either attached to a table or trolley cooking surface or offered as standalone (e.g., tabletop) or portable units. Outdoor skillets enable cooking enthusiasts to complete their outdoor cooking options, which often include grills, smokers, and pizza ovens.

[0004] Similar to those found in professional indoor kitchens, outdoor pans typically consist of a wide, flat cooking surface made of cast iron or wrought iron, aluminum, or carbon steel. Because outdoor pans are supplied as stand-alone units, they require their own heat source. Common heat sources include single or multiple flame burners and electrical components. Additionally, cooking in a pan produces grease and other cooking byproducts, which can accumulate on or under the cooking surface if not removed or cleaned.

[0005] Because outdoor skillets use a similar heat source to indoor ovens, gas grills, and other cooking appliances, they are expected to offer a combination of skillet cooking options, especially when cooking multiple dishes that may require different cooking methods. For example, if a user wants to cook a stir-fry in a skillet but also wants to serve it with rice, she would have to cook her stir-fry outside in the skillet while cooking the rice inside on her stovetop or in a rice cooker.

[0006] The embodiments disclosed herein are made in view of these and other considerations. Utility Model Content

[0007] The disclosed embodiments generally include cooking devices capable of accommodating multiple cooking surfaces (e.g., skillets, such as outdoor-use pans), also referred to as multi-surface cooking devices. For example, a multi-surface cooking device may accommodate two or more different types of cooking surfaces, including but not limited to a flat-topped skillet surface, a burner, a cooking stone, a grill grate, and / or a Dutch oven-type plate. In some embodiments, at least some of the cooking surfaces on the multi-surface cooking device are removable and interchangeable as desired according to the user's cooking preferences.

[0008] To facilitate the use of multiple cooking surfaces, multi-surface cooking devices include a tray positioned beneath the cooking surfaces. In some embodiments, the tray may position and secure one or more burners for heating the cooking surfaces. For example, the tray may include multiple burner receiving areas for receiving and securing multiple burners in place. The burner receiving areas may include cutouts and walls positioned around the burners to allow air to converge from beneath the tray to the burners during cooking.

[0009] In some embodiments, the tray may be a single unit that facilitates the following operational features: (i) grease removal, (ii) air intake, and (iii) exhaust gas removal. Advantageously, the tray can facilitate these functions while also allowing the cooking device to accommodate multiple cooking surfaces. In some embodiments, the tray may support an area for holding solid fuels, such as sawdust, which can be burned during cooking to impart additional smoky flavor to food on one or more cooking surfaces.

[0010] The tray can be configured to facilitate the removal of grease from different types of cooking surfaces. For example, adjacent cooking surfaces on a multi-surface cooking device can be positioned to create gaps between them to allow grease and other cooking byproducts to drip onto the edges of either surface and into the tray for removal. Alternatively, the cooking surfaces can include grease drainage features, such as holes or cutouts in the cooking surfaces, to allow grease to drain into the tray below for removal.

[0011] In some embodiments, the tray may include a sloping bottom surface to drain grease into a grease removal area. For example, in embodiments where a gap is formed between adjacent cooking surfaces, grease and other cooking byproducts can drip down onto the bottom surface of the tray through the gap and, due to the sloping bottom surface, flow down to the grease removal area.

[0012] In some embodiments, the grease removal area may include a recessed channel with a sloping bottom surface that supplies grease received from the bottom surface of the tray to a grease outlet, which may be a hole or cutout in the bottom surface of the grease removal area. In some embodiments, the grease outlet may include a vertical sloping channel for transporting grease and other cooking byproducts to a grease cup located below the tray. The grease cup may be removable to allow for easy disposal of grease.

[0013] The tray may also include an air intake system and an exhaust gas removal system, which, during cooking, respectively allow air to be supplied to the burner and exhaust gases to be removed from the cooking device. In some embodiments, such as when a lid is included on top of the cooking surface, the air intake system and the exhaust gas removal system may be configured to allow the cooking device to have a convection effect that allows for uniform cooking on one or more cooking surfaces.

[0014] Burners typically require primary and secondary air intakes, which each supply air to the burner to burn fuel when it is ignited. Embodiments of the currently disclosed utility model provide an air intake system that facilitates the use of multiple cooking surfaces in a multi-surface cooking appliance. In some embodiments, pipes may be positioned vertically below each burner in the multi-surface cooking appliance; for example, the multi-surface cooking appliance may have one burner per cooking surface, and each pipe may be coupled to the burner to deliver a primary air source and fuel (e.g., propane gas) to the burner during use. Additionally, the burner may include a collar or other surface positioned around at least a portion of the burner and include multiple air intake holes to supply secondary air to the burner. The combination of the primary and secondary air sources for the burners in the multi-surface cooking appliance allows the burners to ignite and remain ignited during cooking. Furthermore, when the burner is positioned within a burner receiving area of ​​a tray, the burner receiving area can provide secondary airflow from below the tray and to the burner (e.g., via the collar or other surface). For example, the walls of the burner receiving area can be positioned around the burner so that air can be drawn in from below the tray and flow between the wall and the burner, while preventing grease from leaking downwards below the burner tray.

[0015] The tray can also allow exhaust gases to be removed through exhaust vents. For example, the tray may include multiple exhaust outlets located in or adjacent to the rear wall of the tray. When the tray is positioned in a cooking appliance, the exhaust outlets (collectively referred to as exhaust vents) facilitate the removal of exhaust gases from the burner through, for example, a hollow channel located between the tray and the exhaust vents. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Specific features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate the same or similarly functional elements. The following figures depict details of the disclosed embodiments. The present invention is not limited to the precise arrangements shown in these figures, as the drawings are provided by way of example only.

[0017] Figure 1A This is a perspective view of an exemplary multi-surface cooking apparatus according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, and it illustrates lines A-A' and B-B' through which respectively can be produced. Figure 3A and Figure 3C The cross-section of the structure.

[0018] Figure 1B According to certain embodiments of this disclosure Figure 1A A front view of an exemplary multi-surface cooking appliance.

[0019] Figure 1C According to certain embodiments of this disclosure Figure 1A Rear view of an exemplary multi-surface cooking appliance.

[0020] Figure 1D According to certain embodiments of this disclosure Figure 1A A perspective view of an exemplary multi-surface cooking device, wherein the cooking surfaces are removed.

[0021] Figure 2A This is a perspective view of an exemplary burner tray according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, which can be used with multi-surface cooking appliances, such as... Figure 1A-1D The multi-surface cooking device shown is illustrated with line C-C', through which a process can produce... Figure 2C The cross-section of the structure.

[0022] Figure 2B According to certain embodiments of this disclosure Figure 2A A top view of an exemplary tray.

[0023] Figure 2C According to certain embodiments of this disclosure, by causing a vertical plane to pass through... Figure 2A The line C-C' in the middle is generated Figure 2A A cross-sectional view of the tray.

[0024] Figure 2D According to certain embodiments of this disclosure Figure 2A The diagram shows a front view of the tray, and illustrates line D-D' through which the following can be generated. Figure 2D The cross-section of the structure.

[0025] Figure 2E According to certain embodiments of this disclosure, by causing a vertical plane to pass through... Figure 2D The line D-D' in the middle is generated Figure 2A A cross-sectional view of the tray.

[0026] Figure 3A According to certain embodiments of this disclosure, by causing a vertical plane to pass through... Figure 1A The line A-A' in the middle is generated Figure 1A-1D The cross-sectional view of the multi-surface cooking device is shown.

[0027] Figure 3B According to certain embodiments of this disclosure Figure 3A A close-up view of the cross-section.

[0028] Figure 3C According to certain embodiments of this disclosure, by causing a vertical plane to pass through... Figure 3A The line B-B' in the middle is generated Figure 1A-1D The cross-sectional view of the multi-surface cooking device is shown.

[0029] Figure 3D According to certain embodiments of this disclosure Figure 3C A close-up view of the cross-section.

[0030] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of an exemplary multi-surface cooking apparatus with a lid according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Figure 1A-1D An exemplary multi-surface cooking apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. The multi-surface cooking apparatus 100 includes a plurality of cooking surfaces 110a-110c, which may be removable and interchangeable by the user depending on their cooking preferences. For example, as... Figure 1A As shown, the multi-surface cooking appliance 100 may be configured with a burner grate 110a and two pan cooking surfaces 110b and 110c. The burner grate 110a may allow a portion of the multi-surface pan 100 to be converted into a burner stovetop. For example, the burner grate 110a may comprise a steel or cast iron cooking grate. The pan cooking surfaces 110b and 110c comprise broad, flat top surfaces similar to those of a conventional flat-bottomed boiler cooktop, which may be constructed of, for example, cast iron or wrought iron, aluminum, or carbon steel. In some embodiments, the pan cooking surfaces 110b and 110c may be spaced apart, allowing grease to drain from the edges of the pan cooking surfaces 110b and 110c into areas below the cooking surfaces. In other embodiments (not shown), the multi-surface cooking appliance 100 may be configured with various other types of cooking surfaces now known or discovered later, including grill grates, soapstones, fryer inserts, ceramic inserts, Dutch ovens, and saltstones, etc.

[0032] The multi-surface cooking appliance 100 may include one or more heating elements for heating cooking surfaces 110a, 110b, and 110c. The heat output of the heating elements may be adjustable by the user to increase or decrease as desired. For example, in Figure 1D In the example embodiment shown, one or more heating elements include a plurality of burners 120. Each burner 120 may be coupled to a control knob 121 for adjusting the heat output of the burner 120, such as by controlling the amount of gas or electricity (e.g., voltage or current) supplied to the burner. The heating elements may be coupled to a fuel or energy source, such as a propane tank or a power outlet. For example, as Figures 3A-3C As shown, each burner 120 can be connected to a corresponding pipe 122 for supplying propane gas to the burner.

[0033] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1A As shown, the multi-surface cooking appliance 100 includes a burner tray 130. The burner tray 130 can be held in place within the body 140 of the cooking appliance 100, such as by placing it on a support (not shown) or attaching it to one or more walls or other internal surfaces within the body 140, and the burner tray can be positioned below cooking surfaces 110a, 110b, and 110c. The burner tray 130 can also hold one or more of the burners 120 in place.

[0034] Figures 2A-2E An example embodiment of a burner tray 130 removed from a multi-surface cooking appliance 100 is illustrated. The burner tray 130 generally includes a container for receiving grease and other cooking byproducts from cooking surfaces 110a, 110b, and 110c. The size and shape of the burner tray 130 can be configured to fit within the body 140 of the cooking appliance 100. For example, as... Figure 2A and 2B As shown, the burner tray may be rectangular. It should be understood that the burner tray 130 may be any desired size and shape to accommodate use with a multi-surface cooking apparatus according to embodiments disclosed herein.

[0035] The burner tray 130 may include a plurality of burner receiving areas 131. In some embodiments, such as Figure 2A and 2BAs shown, the burner receiving area 131 typically includes a cutout 132 sized and shaped to receive a burner at least partially positioned therethrough, and may also include a wall 133 positioned above and / or around the cutout 132 for securing the burner. The cutout 132 may be approximately the same shape as the burner. The wall 133 facilitates the movement of air from below the burner tray 130 and towards the burner, while substantially preventing leakage of grease and other cooking byproducts from below the burner tray 130. It should be understood that the burner tray 130 may include the same number of burner receiving areas 130 as the number of burners, and may accommodate additional heating elements as desired.

[0036] The burner tray 130 may also include an inclined main bottom surface 134, i.e., such that it is inclined generally toward the grease removal area 135, for example as... Figure 2C As shown. In some embodiments, the main bottom surface 134 may slope downward from the rear region of the burner tray 130 to the front region of the burner tray 130, or vice versa.

[0037] In some embodiments, the burner tray 130 may include a grease removal area 135 positioned at the bottom of an inclined main bottom surface 134. The grease removal area 135 may include a grease removal area 136 having an inclined bottom surface 136 (e.g., ...). Figure 2D and 2E (As shown) and the recessed channel of grease outlet 137. When grease enters the burner tray 130, it can descend along the inclined main bottom surface 134 into the grease removal area 135, and down along the inclined bottom surface 136 into the grease outlet 137. Grease outlet 137 can be connected to grease chute 150, which can store grease in grease removal drawer 155 (both are in...). Figure 3A (See diagram in the middle).

[0038] like Figure 1A and 3C As shown, the burner tray 130 may also include one or more exhaust outlets 138, which facilitate the discharge of exhaust gases from the burner to the exhaust port 160. In some embodiments, such as Figure 2A As shown, the exhaust outlet 138 may include an inclined channel located within or adjacent to the rear wall of the burner tray 130. For example... Figure 3B and 3CAs shown, the inclined channel of exhaust outlet 138 facilitates the delivery of exhaust gases to the exhaust zone between burner tray 130 and exhaust port 160. Exhaust outlet 138 may include one or more openings through which exhaust gases exit the cooking appliance. Exhaust port 160 may include one or more additional exhaust openings, such as those placed on exhaust outlet 138, to provide a more aesthetically pleasing appearance at the exhaust outlet.

[0039] Figures 3A-3D Various cross-sectional views of a multi-surface cooking appliance 100 are shown to illustrate an exemplary air intake system for a burner 120. For example, each of the exemplary burners 120 may include a pipe 122 configured to deliver a primary airflow and fuel to the burner 120. The pipe 122 may be generally vertically oriented and extend upward toward its associated burner 120.

[0040] In some embodiments, the burner 120 may further include an air inlet collar 123, which includes a plurality of orifices for delivering a secondary airflow to the burner 120. For example, the secondary airflow may be drawn in from below the tray 130, between the wall 133 and the burner 120, and drawn into the air inlet collar 123. In some embodiments, the burner 120 may further include an air exit collar 124, which includes a plurality of exhaust port orifices for removing exhaust gases from the burner 120 during use. The air exit collar 124 may be positioned above the wall 133 of the burner tray 130. Thus, during use, both primary and secondary airflows can be supplied to the burner 120.

[0041] Figure 4 The illustration shows a multi-surface cooking appliance 100 that further includes a lid 180. For example, the lid 180 can be used during cooking and can provide a convection effect when connected to an exhaust system provided by a burner tray 130.

[0042] The multi-surface cooking appliance 100 may also be configured with a secondary fuel source for imparting heat and flavor to the food cooked in the cooking appliance, such as a wood chip unit for burning wood chips or other solid fuels during cooking.

[0043] Multi-surface cooking appliances may include a trolley, which may be fixed or movable, to allow the cooking appliance to be used outside the kitchen, such as outdoors.

[0044] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that other modifications and alternatives may be implemented based on the exemplary embodiments described herein.

Claims

1. A cooking apparatus, characterized by, Comprising: a. at least two interchangeable and removable cooking surfaces; b. a burner tray positioned below the at least two interchangeable and removable cooking surfaces, the burner tray configured to provide (i) grease removal; (ii) air intake; and (iii) exhaust removal.

2. The cooking apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one of the interchangeable and removable cooking surfaces is selected from the group comprising: a flat top flat bottom pan surface, a burner surface, a soapstone, a grill grate, a Dutch oven type of pan, and a fryer.

3. The cooking apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least two adjacent interchangeable and removable cooking surfaces are separated by a gap for removing and transporting grease from the cooking surfaces to the burner tray.

4. The cooking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein A main bottom surface of the burner tray is downwardly inclined.

5. The cooking apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, Further comprising a grease removal area positioned proximate to the main bottom surface of the burner tray.

6. The cooking apparatus according to claim 5, wherein The grease removal area comprises a recessed channel having an inclined bottom surface and a grease outlet.

7. The cooking apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The grease outlet comprises a vertical chute configured to transport grease to a grease cup positioned below the burner tray.

8. The cooking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The burner tray further comprises a plurality of exhaust outlets positioned along a rear wall of the burner tray.

9. The cooking apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, Further comprising an exhaust port positioned above the plurality of exhaust outlets.

10. The cooking apparatus according to claim 9, wherein The exhaust area is defined between the exhaust port and the burner tray.

11. The cooking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein Further comprising at least one burner positioned below the at least two interchangeable and removable cooking surfaces.

12. The cooking apparatus according to claim 11, wherein, Further comprising a tube coupled to the at least one burner and configured to transport primary air supply and fuel to the burner.

13. The cooking apparatus according to claim 12, wherein, The burner further comprises an air flow collar for transporting secondary air to the burner.

14. The cooking apparatus according to claim 13, wherein, The burner tray comprises a burner receiving area comprising a cutout and a wall extending over and around the cutout.

15. The cooking apparatus according to claim 14, wherein, The wall is disposed below the collar for transporting secondary air supply to the burner.

16. The cooking apparatus of claim 1, wherein, Further comprising an insert for burning solid fuel.

Images