GRILL

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a grill with at least one receptacle designed to hold a fuel. A grill of the type mentioned above can be used for cooking food.

[0002] It's common practice to provide a receptacle made of fireproof material into which a fuel can be poured and then ignited. Solid fuels such as charcoal, charcoal briquettes, or even logs can be used. Grilled food, such as fish, meat, or vegetables, can then be cooked over the resulting bed of embers.

[0003] This well-known grill has the disadvantage that fat dripping from the food in the embers can cause a grease fire, thus damaging the food. In particular, carcinogenic substances can be produced during grilling. Furthermore, odors, pollutants, and fine dust are released into the atmosphere, causing a nuisance to residents and passersby. Limited solutions to this problem can be found in documents US5918536A and US5431093A, each of which features a food holder and receptacles arranged on either side, each with a functionally associated lid, which is arranged below and offset to the side of the food holder.

[0004] Based on the prior art, the invention is therefore based on the object of providing a cooking device which has a lower environmental impact and which is suitable for providing food with improved taste and / or lower pollutant content.

[0005] The object is achieved according to the invention by a grill according to claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

[0006] According to the invention, a grill with at least one receptacle is proposed. The receptacle can be made of a metal, an alloy, or a ceramic. For example, the receptacle can be made of sheet steel, stainless steel, an oxide ceramic, and / or fireclay. The walls of the receptacle define a receiving space designed to accommodate at least one fuel.

[0007] The fuel usable in the grill can be, for example, a solid fuel, in particular charcoal or charcoal briquettes. In other embodiments of the invention, another solid fuel can also be used, for example, logs, animal dung, or wood pellets. In yet other embodiments of the invention, a gas, gasoline, or oil burner can be arranged in the receiving space of the receptacle. When the grill is in operation, the fuel within the receptacle undergoes an exothermic reaction, releasing heat.

[0008] According to the invention, it is proposed that the at least one receptacle has a lid. The lid can be made of a metal, an alloy, or a ceramic. The lid seals the receptacle at the top, so that no solid or liquid substances can enter the receptacle from above due to gravity. Exhaust gases are directed beneath the lid, preventing them from affecting the grilled food.

[0009] The food is positioned offset to the side and above the receiving container using a food holding device and exposed to the infrared radiation emitted by the container. However, the lid prevents fat dripping from the food from entering the receiving container, thus preventing or reducing the risk of a grease fire or the release of fine dust from the receiving container. For this purpose, the food holding device is designed to position the food above the level defined by the lid(s). This allows easy access for the operating personnel and a simple visual check of the cooking process.

[0010] The grill according to the invention contains a plurality, namely 5 to 30, of said receptacles, which are arranged at a distance from one another. This allows the thermal output and / or the available grilling surface to be increased, so that grilled food can be cooked in a shorter time and / or in larger quantities. The respectively assigned lids of the plurality of receptacles can be essentially flat and located within a common plane. This allows additional cookware to be placed on the lids and thus heated. The grill according to the invention thus allows, on the one hand, grilling with radiant heat and, on the other hand, keeping warm, frying, and cooking through direct heat transfer.

[0011] In some embodiments of the invention, a water or sand bath can be arranged between adjacent receptacles. The water or sand bath can be designed to collect fat dripping from the food being grilled during operation, so that this fat can be easily removed from the grill. Furthermore, the water or sand bath can dissipate the heat contained in the dripping fat, thus reliably preventing a grease fire. In some embodiments of the invention, the lid can have a catalytic coating. Such a catalytic coating can, in particular, contain a metal catalyst or an oxide. As a result, pollutant-containing gases and vapors emanating from the food being grilled and / or the fuel can be catalytically converted on the surface of the lid, thus further reducing pollutant emissions from the grill.In some embodiments of the invention, the catalyst may be selected from platinum and / or vanadium and / or rhodium and / or titanium dioxide. The catalyst may be configured to oxidize gaseous pollutants such as CO, CH x , polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzenes, toluenes, ethylbenzene, or xylenes.

[0012] According to the invention, a grilling food holding device is arranged in the space between adjacent receptacles. The arrangement of the grilling food next to the receptacle ensures that dripping fat or falling grilling food does not come into contact with the receptacle or the lid of the receptacle and thus does not burn, releasing pollutant-containing gases and vapors. The grilling food holding device can, for example, be designed to accommodate a grill grate and / or at least one spit. In some embodiments of the invention, such a spit can be rotated manually or by motor. In other embodiments of the invention, the spit can have a flat, for example oval or rectangular cross-section, so that it does not rotate in the grilling food holding device and the grilling food is held in a defined position. At least the axis of rotation of the spit can be above the axis defined by the spit.the lids are located on the defined level.

[0013] In some embodiments of the invention, at least one ventilation opening may be provided in at least one side wall of the receptacle. This allows a gaseous oxidizing agent, such as ambient air, to be supplied to the fuel arranged in the receiving space of the receptacle.

[0014] In some embodiments of the invention, the receptacle can have at least one ash removal device. The ash removal device can be arranged below the receiving space intended for the fuel. The ash removal device can, for example, be in the form of a drawer, so that the remaining fuel can be easily removed from the receptacle.

[0015] In some embodiments of the invention, the receiving container can have a length of approximately 30 cm to approximately 100 cm. In other embodiments of the invention, a receiving container can have a length of approximately 30 cm to approximately 60 cm. This allows the receiving container to be arranged parallel to a spit, for example. Depending on the length of the receiving container, the length of the spit can be selected such that it can accommodate, for example, a small amount of grilled food intended for one person. A longer receiving container allows the use of longer spit-like objects, which can, for example, completely accommodate several chickens, a suckling pig, or a lamb.

[0016] In some embodiments of the invention, the grill according to the invention can further comprise a housing. The housing can also be made of a metal, an alloy, a mineral material, or a ceramic. For example, the housing can be made of sheet steel, stainless steel, or fireclay. The housing can be configured to accommodate a plurality of receptacles, optionally a water or sand bath between the receptacles, and a grill food holding device. In this way, the grill can be easily transported with the housing. Furthermore, such a grill can replace existing, known grill stations by inserting the housing into a chimney or fireplace at the installation site instead of the previous bed of embers.

[0017] In some embodiments of the invention, the housing can contain at least one air duct. Such an air duct can run beneath the receiving containers or beneath the water or sand bath. This allows even internal receiving containers to be easily supplied with the necessary combustion air. Alternatively or additionally, the air duct can also be used to remove combustion exhaust gases. For this purpose, the air duct can be designed with multiple flow channels.

[0018] In some embodiments, the air duct may have a plurality of outlets or openings, each of which leads into at least one receiving container. This allows the supply air required for combustion to be supplied to the receiving containers in a targeted manner.

[0019] In some embodiments of the invention, the air duct can be equipped with one or more throttle valves and / or at least one fan. This allows the air flow supplied to all or individual receptacles to be specifically controlled or regulated. This allows the amount of fuel converted, and thus the heating output and temperature, to be adapted to the respective cooking or grilling task.

[0020] In some embodiments of the invention, the combustion exhaust gases can be directed beneath the lid. This allows the thermal energy contained in the exhaust gases to be transferred to the lid, enabling efficient fuel utilization. Furthermore, uncontrolled escape of the combustion exhaust gases is prevented, preventing them from coming into contact with the food being grilled. The food is thus gently cooked by radiant heat. The impact of dust and exhaust gases on the food being grilled is avoided.

[0021] In some embodiments of the invention, the receptacle can have a width of approximately 5 cm to approximately 20 cm or approximately 10 cm to approximately 15 cm. This allows the receptacles to be arranged at a distance of approximately 10 cm to approximately 30 cm, so that the limited width of the installation space can be optimally used for the grilled food without fat dripping from the grilled food hitting the receptacles or their lids. For this purpose, the distance between adjacent receptacles can be between approximately 5 cm and approximately 30 cm or between approximately 10 cm and approximately 25 cm.

[0022] In some embodiments of the invention, the grill can have a length of about 2 to about 5 or from about 1.5 to about 4 m. During off-peak times, when only a small amount of food is to be prepared, only a portion of the receptacles can be fueled, so that only a portion of a comparatively large grill can be used. This approach also allows one portion of the grill to be used for food preparation and another portion to be prepared for future use, so that one portion of the grilling area is available at all times and another portion of the grilling area is being maintained.

[0023] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to figures without limiting the general inventive concept. Figure 1 an axonometric representation of an embodiment of the grill according to the invention. Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section of the Figure 1 grills shown. Figure 3 shows a first, to Figure 2 orthogonal cut. Figure 4 shows a second, to Figure 2 orthogonal cut.

[0024] Based on the Figures 1 to 4 An embodiment of a grill 1 according to the invention is explained in more detail. Figure 1 an axonometric representation and the Figures 2 , 3 and 4 Different sections. Identical components of the invention are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures, so that not all features need to be described for all figures in the following description.

[0025] The grill 1 according to the invention has a housing 4. The housing 4 can be made of a fireproof material, for example, sheet steel, stainless steel, ceramic, fireclay, or brick. The housing 4 serves to accommodate the remaining components of the grill 1, so that the grill 1 is easily transportable or can be used as a replacement for a conventional, open ember bed in an existing chimney or fireplace. The housing 4 can be assembled from several individual parts, which are connected to one another in a conventional manner by screwing, soldering, welding, plugging, or riveting.

[0026] The housing 4 can have a polygonal, in particular rectangular, floor plan. The depth of the housing 4 corresponds to the length or depth of the grill racks or skewers that hold the food to be grilled and the length of the receptacles 2 and can be selected, for example, between approximately 30 cm and approximately 100 cm or between approximately 35 cm and approximately 60 cm. The width of the housing 4 can be selected between approximately 1 m and approximately 4 m in some embodiments of the invention.

[0027] As in the Figures 2 , 3 and 4As can be seen, an air duct 55 is located in the lower part of the housing 4. This can be configured to conduct combustion air to the receptacles 2. Alternatively or additionally, the air duct 55 can also be used to guide exhaust gases. For this purpose, the air duct 55 can be designed with multiple outlets, in particular with two outlets. Finally, the air duct 55 can serve to thermally decouple the floor 41 of the housing 4, so that the installation surface of the grill 1 is protected from high temperatures and damage is avoided or reduced.

[0028] In some embodiments, the air duct 55 can have a plurality of outlets or openings, each of which opens into at least one receptacle 2. This allows the supply air required for combustion to be supplied to the receptacles in a targeted manner. In some embodiments of the invention, the air duct 55 can be equipped with one or a plurality of throttle valves and / or at least one fan. This allows the amount of air supplied to all or to individual receptacles 2 to be specifically controlled or regulated. This allows the amount of fuel converted and thus the heating output and temperature to be adapted to the respective cooking or grilling task.

[0029] The housing 4 is at least partially open at the top and optionally also at the front, towards the operator.

[0030] At least one receptacle 2 is located within the optional housing 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the grill 1 contains seven receptacles 2, which are inserted approximately parallel to one another and spaced apart within the housing 4. In other embodiments of the invention, the number of receptacles may be greater or fewer.

[0031] Each receptacle has two side surfaces 21 and two end walls 22, so that the receptacle 2 has an approximately rectangular basic shape. The side walls 21 can be inclined so that the cross-section increases from the bottom upwards.

[0032] The side walls 21 can have at least one optional ventilation opening 215. In the illustrated embodiment, each side wall has four ventilation openings, which are incorporated into the side wall in the form of an elongated slot. The side and end walls 21 and 22 can be made of sheet steel or stainless steel, for example.

[0033] An optional ash removal device 23 may be provided in the base area. The ash removal device is designed like a drawer and can be pulled forward over the front wall 22 to empty the ash removal device.

[0034] The side walls and the end walls define a receiving chamber 25, into which, in the illustrated embodiment, a solid fuel can be introduced, for example, charcoal, charcoal briquettes, or wood pellets. The receiving chamber 25 is bordered at the bottom by a base plate 28 to the ash removal device 23. A recess 285 can be formed in the base plate, which allows the ash to be removed from the receiving chamber 25 and fed to the ash removal device 23.

[0035] At the top, each receptacle 2 is provided with a lid 26, which engages in a groove 24 formed on the upper edge of the side wall 21. The lid 26 can in turn be made of a metal, an alloy, or a ceramic so that it can withstand the increased temperature occurring during operation of the grill 1. Flue gases produced during the oxidation of the fuel in the receiving space 25 of the receptacle 2 are diverted beneath the lid 26 so that they do not escape upwards from the receptacle 2. For this purpose, a seal can be incorporated in the groove 24. This prevents flue gases or dust from coming into contact with the food being grilled.

[0036] The exterior of the lid 26 can be provided with a catalytically active coating. Such a catalyst can be a metal catalyst or an oxide catalyst. For example, the catalyst can be selected from platinum and / or vanadium and / or rhodium and / or titanium dioxide. The catalyst can be configured to oxidize gaseous pollutants, such as CO, CH x , polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzenes, toluenes, ethylbenzene, or xylenes. In this way, pollutants generated during the grilling process are rendered harmless. They thus do not enter the atmosphere.

[0037] The individual receiving containers can have a width of approximately 5 cm to approximately 20 cm or of approximately 10 cm to approximately 15 cm. The receiving containers 2 are accommodated parallel and spaced from one another in the housing 4, with a water or sand bath 5 being arranged between each adjacent receiving container. Above the sand or water bath 5, the food to be grilled can be held on at least one food holding device 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the food holding device 3 contains a vertically extending post 31 on which holding arms 32 are located. In this way, a skewer can be suspended between a front and a rear food holding device 3, which is then positioned above the water or sand bath 5. The food holding device 3 is designed to position the food to be grilled above the plane defined by the lid(s) (26).Infrared radiation emanating from the lids 26 acts on the food being grilled, cooking and browning it. Fat dripping off during the grilling process does not enter the ember bed in the receptacles 2, but rather drips into the water or sand bed 5. This prevents dripping fat from igniting and, during combustion, from producing pollutants and fine dust that are released into the atmosphere. The water or sand bath 5 can be easily replaced in a conventional manner after the grilling process, thus preventing or reducing contamination of the housing 4.

[0038] Thanks to the modular design of the grill 1, the grilling surface can be easily adapted to requirements by supplying fuel to only individual receptacles 2. Furthermore, food can be cooked on one part of the grill while another part is prepared for future use or cleaned. This allows for several hours of uninterrupted operation, making the grill according to the invention particularly suitable for commercial or catering use.

[0039] The grill according to the invention allows food to be grilled using radiant heat without the risk of smoke and dust affecting the food or unwanted smoldering fires. By controlling or regulating the air supply to the storage containers, the heating conductivity and thus the temperature can be adjusted, making the cooking process easily controllable. The grill according to the invention allows for low-emission grilling due to the spatial separation of radiant heat and exhaust gases.

[0040] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. The above description is therefore not to be considered as limiting, but rather as illustrative.

Claims

1. Barbecue (1) having at least one receiving container (2), which is designed to receive a fuel, at least one cover (26) being functionally associated with the receiving container (2) and, furthermore, a holding device (3) for food to be grilled being present, which is designed to position the food to be grilled above the plane defined by the cover (26), characterized in that the receiving container (26) includes the at least one cover (26), the barbecue (1) includes 5 to 30 of the indicated receiving containers (2), which are arranged at a distance from one another, and in each case one indicated holding device (3) for food to be grilled is arranged in the intermediate space between adjacent receiving containers (2).

2. Barbecue according to claim 1, characterized in that a water or sand bath (5) is arranged between adjacent receiving containers (2).

3. Barbecue according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the cover (26) has a catalytic coating.

4. Barbecue according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the receiving container (2) contains a receiving space (25), which is bounded by side walls (21) and end walls (22), at least one side wall (21) containing at least one optional ventilation opening (215).

5. Barbecue according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further containing at least one ash removal device (23).

6. Barbecue according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the receiving container (2) has a length of about 30 cm to about 100 cm or of 35 cm to about 60 cm.

7. Barbecue according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further containing at least one housing (4).

8. Barbecue according to claim 7, characterized in that the housing (4) contains at least one air duct (55).

9. Barbecue according to claim 8, characterized in that the air duct (55) has a plurality of outlets or openings, each of which opens into at least one receiving container (2).

10. Barbecue according to any one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the air duct is equipped with at least one throttle valve and / or at least one fan.

11. Barbecue according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the combustion exhaust gases can be guided below the cover (26).

12. Barbecue according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the receiving container (2) has a width of about 5 cm to about 20 cm or of about 10 cm to about 15 cm.