Outdoor electrical grilling device

Abstract

An outdoor electrical grilling device 10, such as a barbecue, comprises a grill 44 having a cooking surface 56 for receiving food and a heat-receiving surface 58 on an opposite side of the grill 44 to the cooking surface 56, and an electrical heating element 12 for heating food received on the cooking surface. The heat-receiving surface may face the heating element, and an air-flow duct may have at least one air inlet 16 for receiving air external to the device and at least one air outlet 18 in a wall at or adjacent to at least one side of the grill and / or heating element for communicating air with the grill and / or heating element, wherein the or each air inlet is offset from the or each air outlet, preferably with the or each air inlet being lower than the or each air outlet. The heating element may be in physical contact with the heat heat-receiving surface of the grill.

Description

The present invention relates to an outdoor electrical cooking device, and more particularly to an outdoor electrical grilling device or an electrical barbecue. Conventionally, outdoor grilling is achieved by non-electrical means, such as provided 5 by a gas fire or charcoal. These may require burning a source of fuel. However, burning a source of fuel can pose a fire risk due to difficulty with regulating temperature and the risk of fire spreading to nearby objects. As such, integrating a conventional outdoor grilling device in an outdoor kitchen with flammable objects in the vicinity may not be preferred, or may require further safety features. Additionally, burning 10 fuel can cause environmental issues with smoke emission or similar. Burning fuel may be especially unsuitable for high-risk locations such as on roof terraces. Electrical heating for cooking allows for convenient control of heat and does not require burning. Therefore, electrical heating can be more suitable for integration in an outdoor kitchen, poses fewer environmental issues, and is more suitable for use in high-risk 15 locations. Even with electrical heating, it can be important to limit the heat experienced by components of the grilling device, for example components close to the edge of the device. Users may touch the edge of the device, and so for safety purposes it is important to ensure that the temperature at the surface of the device is low enough to not pose a 20 hazard. Reducing the power of an electrical heating element of the device may assist with reducing the temperature at the edge, as well as reducing the energy usage of the device which can be advantageous for environmental, safety and economic reasons. However, a reduction in power of the electrical heating element would result in less heat to cook 25 food. The present invention seeks to create a solution which provides a low temperature at the edge of the device in use, provides high heat for cooking, and has a low power requirement. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an outdoor electrical 30 grilling device comprising: a grill having a cooking surface for receiving food and a heat 09 07 24 receiving surface on an opposite side of the grill to the cooking surface; an electrical heating element for heating food received on the cooking surface, the heat-receiving surface facing the electrical heating element; a wall at or adjacent to at least one side of the grill and / or electrical heating element, wherein the wall is a wall of a case which 5 surrounds or substantially surrounds sides of the grill and / or electrical heating element; and an air-flow duct having at least one air inlet for receiving air external to the device and at least one air outlet, the or each air outlet being in the wall and at or adjacent to the grill and / or electrical heating element for communicating air with the grill and / or electrical heating element, the or each air inlet being off-set from the or each air outlet, 10 wherein the air-flow duct is defined by an inner case wall which has the or each air outlet, and an outer case wall which has the or each air inlet. By providing an air flow duct which is directly communicated with the electrical heating element, an efficient convection effect can be generated. The air inlet is, in effect, open to the grill and / or electrical heating element. This draws cool external air to the wall next 15 to the grill and / or electrical heating element which prevents the wall from becoming too hot. This is advantageous for safety purposes. Since the grilling device is an outdoor grill, the external air is typically cooler than would be for an indoor grilling device and this improves the cooling effect which could otherwise be achieved. Such an arrangement thus negates the requirement for mechanical ventilation, such as 20 provided by a cooling fan. Thus, the device is quieter and more energy efficient. The convection effect may also assist with efficiently moving hot air past the food, providing more efficient cooking. As such, less electrical power is needed to be provided to the electrical heating element. A less powerful heating element may also assist with keeping the wall cooler. 25 The lower power requirements can allow the device to be operated in the UK within the constraints of a standard 13A plug circuit. As such a dedicated supply is not required. A grill will be understood to be any flat cooking surface with holes therein. Preferably, the or each air outlet is lower than the grill and / or electrical heating element in an in use conventional orientation of the device. As such, airflow is provided through 30 the grill and the electrical heating element. In this case the outlet is adjacent to, and below the grill and / or electrical heating element. 09 07 24 Advantageously, at least a majority of the air-flow duct may be defined through the case. A more efficient use of material is achieved by using the case to provide the duct, since specific tubing to provide the air-flow duct is not required. The case thus has hollow side walls or double walls. 5 Additionally, there are a plurality of air outlets and the air outlets are arranged around a plurality of lateral sides of the grill and / or electrical heating element. This assists with cooling more of the device. There are similarly preferably a plurality of air inlets arranged around a plurality of lateral sides of the device, which assists in increasing an air flow through the device. 10 The air inlet is preferably off-set in a downwards direction in an in use conventional orientation of the device. As such the air inlet is lower than the air outlet, which assists with the convection effect since cooler air is generally at a lower elevation. Preferably, the electrical heating element is directly beneath the grill and less than 5 mm from the grill. This improves heat transfer between the electrical heating element and the 15 grill. In a preferable embodiment, the electrical heating element may be in physical contact with the grill. Therefore, the electrical heating element can conduct heat to the grill. At least a majority of the heating element is preferably in contact with the grill. Advantageously, the device may further comprise a waste collection element beneath 20 the grill. This permits for the collection of oil or grease. The waste collection element may be a tray. Beneficially, the waste collection element may be removable. Therefore, the waste collection element can be easily cleaned. Additionally, the device may further comprise a heat shield for shielding the waste 25 collection element, the heat shield having at least one aperture therein. The heat shield blocks at least some of the heat from the heating element from reaching the oil or grease on the waste collection element. Thus, there is a reduced risk of flaming of the oil or grease. The aperture may permit the drainage of oil and / or the passage of air. Preferably, the or another air inlet may be in communication with a space beneath the 30 heat shield, and the heat shield comprises at least one air passage aperture for permitting the passage of air from the air inlet through the heat shield. This permits the creation of a convection effect through the heat shield. This can provide hot air to the 09 07 24 food on the grill to increase a cooking rate and thus an overall efficiency of the device. Additionally, the convection effect can permit cooling air to traverse across the oil on waste collection element, further reducing the temperature of the oil. Optionally, the or each air passage aperture may have a width of at least 20 mm. This 5 can reduce the risk of blockage or occlusion of the air passage apertures by oil. Advantageously, the heat shield may have a slope and a waste drain hole at or adjacent to a bottom of the slope for draining waste fluid from the heat shield. The slope directs the waste fluid onto the waste collection element via the waste drain hole. Beneficially, the slope may have a fall of less than 20 degrees. A shallow slope assists 10 with reflecting infrared radiation from the heating element towards the grill. In a preferable embodiment, the air passage aperture may be away from the bottom of the slope. In this way, the risk of blockage or occlusion of the air passage apertures by oil is reduced. Additionally, the air passage aperture may be wider than the waste drain hole. This 15 similarly reduces the risk of blockage or occlusion of the air passage apertures by oil. Optionally, the heat shield may have at least two slopes which define at least in part a V-shaped or substantially V-shaped profile. Preferably, the heat shield may have legs for standing over the waste collection element. Advantageously, the legs and the V-shaped profile may define an M-shaped or 20 substantially M-shaped profile of the heat shield. This may be a convenient form for a sloped heat shield with legs, since it could be easily manufactured via bending a sheet of metal. Beneficially, at least one of the legs of the heat shield may be substantially continuous and have at least one aperture therein for permitting the passage of air. 25 Preferably, the outdoor electrical grilling device may not include a mechanical ventilation device. This improves the energy efficiency of the device and reduces the operational noise. Additionally, the outdoor electrical grilling device may not include a mechanical ventilation device, but may further comprise a waste collection element beneath the grill 30 and a heat shield for shielding the waste collection element, the heat shield having a slope and a waste drain hole at or adjacent to a bottom of the slope for draining waste 09 07 24 fluid from the heat shield, the heat shield having an air passage aperture away from the bottom of the slope for permitting the passage of air from the air inlet through the heat shield, and the electrical heating element being in physical contact with the grill. Such a range of features contribute to improving the energy efficiency of the device. This 5 is either through permitting a suitable convection effect for assisting with cooking the food, or by negating the requirement for mechanical ventilation. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an outdoor electrical grilling device comprising: a grill having a cooking surface for receiving food and a heatreceiving surface on an opposite side of the grill to the cooking surface; an electrical 10 heating element for heating food received on the cooking surface, the electrical heating element being in physical contact with the heat-receiving surface. The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an outdoor electrical 15 grilling device in accordance with a first aspect of the invention, with a grill removed for clarity; Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the outdoor electrical grilling device of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows the view of Figure 1, with a front portion cut away; 20          Figure 4 shows an exploded view of an outer case wall, a heat shield, and an electrical heating element of the outdoor electrical grilling device of Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a top view of a heat shield part of the heat shield of Figure 4; Figure 6 shows a side view of the heat shield part of Figure 5; Figure 7 shows an exploded view of a grill, a waste collection element, a drawer, 25 the electrical heating element and the heat shield of the outdoor electrical grilling device of Figure 1; Figure 8 shows a rear view of the outdoor electrical grilling device of Figure 1; 09 07 24 Figure 9 shows a cut away side view of the outdoor electrical grilling device of Figure 1, with air-flow arrows; Figure 10 shows a top view of the outdoor electrical grilling device of Figure 1 with the grill removed; and 5          Figure 11 shows an enlarged view of an outdoor electrical grilling device of Figure 1. Referring firstly to Figure 1 there is shown an outdoor electrical grilling device 10, which may otherwise be referred to as an outdoor electrical cooking device or an electrical barbecue. The outdoor electrical grilling device 10 comprises a grill, an electrical heating 10 element 12, and a casing 14, housing or enclosure which comprises an air flow duct having an air inlet 16 for receiving external air and an air outlet 18 at, adjacent to and / or below the grill and / or electrical heating element 12. Referring now to Figure 2, the casing 14 can be seen to have a hollow side wall 20. As such the casing 14 has an inner wall 22 and an outer wall 24 at each lateral side. The 15 hollow side wall 20 defines the air flow duct 26. There is preferably a plurality of air inlets 16, for example at least ten, and preferably a plurality of air outlets 18, for example at least ten. However, it will be appreciated that there may be only one air inlet 16 and / or one air outlet 18. The air inlets 16 are therefore in the outer wall 24 of each lateral side of the casing 14 20 so that the air inlets 16 can receive air external to the outdoor electrical grilling device 10. The air outlets 18 are in the inner wall 22 of each lateral side of the casing 14 so that the air can be communicated with the grill and / or heating element 12. As such, the air outlets are communicated with a cooking area or grill area of the device. The air inlets 16 are off-set from the air outlet 18. As such, the air inlets 16 are away from 25 the grill and / or heating element 12 and so are more likely to receive air at a lower temperature than if they were not off-set from the air inlet 16. In this case, the air inlets 16 are lower than the air outlets 18 in an in-use conventional operation of the device 10. As such, the air inlet 16 is towards, at, or adjacent to the bottom of the casing 14. Providing air inlet 16 below or lower than the air outlets 18 may assist with drawing up 30 colder air via a convection effect. However, it will be appreciated that the air inlet 16 may feasibly be higher than the air outlet 18. 09 07 24 The air outlets 18 are lower than or below the grill and / or heating element 12. Here the air outlets 18 are just below the grill and / or heating element 12. The aforementioned air outlets 18 in the inner wall 22 of the casing 14 are preferably first air outlets 18a. There are preferably also second air outlets 18b in the inner wall 22, 5 lower than the first air outlets 18a. The air inlets 16 and air outlets 18 are preferably slot shaped, although it will be appreciated that other shapes may be considered. Referring in addition to Figures 3 to 6, the device 10 preferably further comprises a waste collection element 28 and a heat shield 30 for shielding the waste collection element 28 10 from the heating element 12. The heat shield 30 is thus between the heating element 12 and waste collection element 28. In other words, the heat shield 30 is below the heating element 12 and above the waste collection element 28. The heat shield 30 has a sloped configuration for directing waste fluid to the waste collection element 28. A fall of the slope is preferably shallow. For example, a fall of less 15 than 20 degrees is preferred, and more preferably the fall is less than 15 degrees. The slope of the heat shield can be most clearly be see in Figure 6. Here the fall is 13 degrees or substantially 13 degrees. Here the heat shield 30 comprises two separate heat shield parts 30a, 30b, although it will be appreciated that an integrally formed single heat shield 30 may be considered. 20 Each heat shield part 30a, 30b has at least two slopes which each have a fall towards each other. The two slopes create a V-shaped profile or substantially V-shaped profile. At the bottom of, and so between, the two slopes is at least one waste-fluid drainage hole 32. Here there are a plurality of waste-fluid drainage holes 32 which are elongate narrow slots. This configuration may reduce a surface area of the waste collection 25 element 28 exposed to the heating element 12. Each heat shield part 30a, 30b preferably has two legs 34 at each side for standing over the waste collection element 28. As such, each heat shield part 30a, 30b has an M-shaped or substantially M-shaped profile. There is preferably an air-flow path through at least one of the legs 34 of the heat shield parts 30a, 30b. The air-flow path is here created 30 by an aperture 36 in an outside leg 34, which otherwise has a continuous planar configuration. Although, such a planar configuration is preferred for manufacturing 09 07 24 purposes, it will be appreciated that other leg 34 configurations may be considered to maximise air flow, such as the outside leg 34 comprising two spaced apart legs 34. Since the heat shield 30 is inside the inner wall 22 of the casing 14, the inner wall 22 of each lateral side preferably has an associated aperture or opening therethrough, 5 separate to the first and second air outlets 18a, 18b, to communicate the air inlet 16 with the aperture in the outside leg 34. In this way, a space 38 defined beneath the heat shield 30 is communicated with the air inlets 16, and therefore cool air from the air inlets 16 can flow into the space 38. The heat shield 30 comprises at least one air passage aperture 40 for permitting the 10 passage of air through the heat shield 30. As such, air from the air inlets 16 can flow into the space 38 beneath the heat shield 30 and then through the heat shield 30. Preferably, the air passage apertures 40 are away from the bottom of the slope. In this way, the air passage apertures 40 are less likely to be occluded with waste fluid, such as oil or grease. For a similar reason, the air passage apertures 40 are preferably wide, and wider 15 than the waste-fluid drainage holes 32. For example, each air passage aperture 40 may have a width of at least 20 mm, and here has a width of 25 mm. Such a width may prevent or limit the risk of a film or meniscus of waste fluid forming over the air passage apertures 40 and preventing or limiting air flow therethrough. The relative size difference between the air passage aperture 40 and the waste-fluid 20 drainage hole 32 can be seen most clearly in Figure 5. The air passage aperture 40 preferably has at least twice the width of the waste-fluid drainage hole 32. For example, the waste-fluid drainage hole 32 may have a width of 10 mm compared to 25 mm for the air passage aperture 40. It will be appreciated that the holes which are away from the bottom of the slope and which are of comparable width to the waste-fluid drainage holes 25 32, may be considered to be either air passage apertures 40 or waste-fluid drainage holes 32. The waste collection element 28 is preferably a tray, and so has a rim to hold the waste fluid. However, it will be appreciated that other configurations may be considered. The waste collection element 28 preferably comprises aluminium and may have a non-stick 30 coating, for example polytetrafluoroethylene such as provided by Teflon (RTM). 09 07 24 Referring in addition to Figure 7, the device 10 further comprises a drawer 42 for receiving the waste collection element 28. The drawer 42 has a base on which the waste collection element 28 is positioned. The waste collection element 28 is removeable from the drawer 42 for ease of cleaning. The outside legs 34 of each heat shield part 30a, 30b 5 may stand on the base of the drawer 42. The inside legs 34 of the heat shield 30 may stand on the waste collection element 28. The drawer 42 is moveable in and out of the casing 14, for example on runners. Preferably, the drawer 42 may be captively held by the casing 14. This may be achieved by tabs, although other forms of captive holding may be considered. 10 The grill 44 is also shown in Figure 7. Referring now to Figures 8 and 9, a rear air inlet 46 is defined in a rear side of the device 10, and a front air inlet 48 is defined in a front side of the device 10. The rear air inlet 46 is preferably defined at least in part by the drawer 42, and the drawer 42 projects beyond a rear wall of the casing 14, which may assist with preventing the 15 rear air inlet 46 being blocked during installation. The rear air inlet 46 is in air communication with the space 38 beneath the heat shield 30, and thus air can enter through the rear air inlet 46 and move through the air passage apertures 40 in the heat shield 30 to assist with ventilation and cooling of the case proximal to grill 44. The front air inlet 48 may be defined in a bottom surface of a front portion of the drawer 20 42. Thus, the front of the drawer 42 may be at least partly hollow for providing a front air flow duct 50 therethrough. The casing 14 has an appropriately positioned aperture to communicate with the air flow duct 50 of the drawer 42. The air thus flows to an internal space of the casing 14 to assist with cooling ventilation. Referring now to Figure 10, there are preferably two separate electrical heating elements 25 12, although it will be appreciated that a single heating element 12 could be considered. Each electrical heating element 12 has a serpentine arrangement to ensure good coverage across the grill 44. Each heating element 12 has two electrical connection points 52. The electrical heating elements 12 may have control to permit activation / deactivation. 30 Additionally, the control may permit alteration of the power supply to the heating 09 07 24 elements 12 to adjust the amount of heat provided therefrom, although it will be appreciated that this may not be necessary. The heating elements 12 are supported by two rods 54 which extend between the two lateral side walls of the casing 14. The rods 54 in turn are supported by, and / or are fixed 5 to, the two lateral side walls of the casing 14. The grill 44 has openings or holes therein. It will be appreciated that any cooking element which has openings therein may be considered to be a grill 44, including a cooking grid. Although a grill 44 is described and preferred, it will be appreciated that the grill 44 could be replaced with a continuous cooking surface, such as a griddle or cooking plate. 10 Alternatively, the griddle or cooking plate could be positioned on top of the grill 44. The grill 44 is preferably cast iron since this may suitably retain heat. However, other materials may be considered. The grill 44 has a cooking surface 56 and a heat-receiving surface 58 which opposes the cooking surface 56. The heat-receiving surface 58 faces the heating element 12. The heat-receiving surface 58 is preferably in direct physical 15 contact with the heating element 12 to ensure excellent transfer of heat, although it will be appreciated that there may be a small air gap, such as less than 5 mm. The casing 14 of the grilling device 10 preferably further includes a hood 60 or splashboard for containing oil or other waste fluids which may spit off food being cooked on the grill 44. Although not shown in the drawings, a pivotable lid or cover may be 20 connectable to the hood 60 for covering the grill 44 and / or heating element 12. The lid may be used when cooking food, to prevent or limit escape of heat for efficiency purposes and / or for containing oil or other waste fluids which may spit off food being cooked on the grill 44, and / or when the device 10 is not in use, to protect the grill 44 and / or heating element 12. 25 The grilling device 10 is preferably installed in an outdoor kitchen so as to be integrated into a cabinet. Although not essential, there may be further cabinets on either side. However, when being installed, the various air inlets 16, 46, 48 should remain unobstructed to ensure a source of cool air is available to the grilling device 10. The electrical connection points 52 of the heating elements 12 should be connected to a 30 source of power. 09 07 24 In use, the heating elements 12 are activated and the heat provided by them may be adjusted to a desired amount. The heat-receiving surface 58 of the grill 44 thus receives heat from the heating elements 12. The heat may be provided from the heating elements 12 to the grill 44 via conduction, should the grill 44 be in direct physical contact with the 5 heating elements 12, and / or via infrared radiation and convection. Food is then positioned on the cooking surface 56 of the grill 44 and the food receives heat from the hot grill 44 via conduction, and directly from the heating elements 12 through the holes via infrared radiation and convection. Since the heating elements 12 heat the surrounding air, this causes a convection effect 10 in the device 10. Therefore, colder air is drawn in from the lower air inlets 16, up the ducts and out of the air outlets 18. This provides a cooling effect on the case surrounding the grill 44 and other components. In this way, the heating elements 12 drive ventilation of the device 10 and mechanical ventilation is not required. Furthermore, since the device 10 is outdoors, the air is typically cooler than air which is indoors, and this provides 15 additional cooling compared to what would be achieved indoors. Additionally, the convection effect further increases the cooking efficiency of the device 10 since an efficient flow of hot air may rise up around the food, ensuring even and rapid cooking. As such, electrical heating elements 12 with lower power ratings may be considered. Additionally, the lower power requirements can allow the device to be 20 operated in the UK within the constraints of a standard 13A plug circuit. As such a dedicated supply is not required. The convection effect for providing heat to the food may be particularly due to the air passage apertures 40 in the heat shield 30. This is since air next to the heat shield 30, which is heated by the heating elements 12, is encouraged to flow up and around the 25 food on the grill 44. The shallow fall of the slope of the heat shield 30 additionally assists with reflecting infrared radiation back towards the grill 44, providing an even further improved efficiency. As the food cooks, waste fluid, in particular oil or grease, drips onto the heat shield 30. The oil runs down the slope through the waste drain holes and onto the waste collection 30 element 28. The combination of the heat shield 30 covering the oil, and the cooling convection air flow across the waste collection element 28, results in the oil staying at a low temperature and so prevents flaming of the oil. Therefore, water is not required to be left in the waste collection element 28, as may otherwise be the case. Additionally, these 09 07 24 effects may encourage solidification of the oil or grease, which may assist with easier removal after use. It is therefore possible to provide an electrical grilling device having a case which stays at a low temperature via the utilisation of outside air. The heating element of the device 5 creates a convection effect which draws in lower temperature external air from below. As such, mechanical ventilation of the device is not or may not be required. The words ‘comprises / comprising’ and the words ‘having / including’ when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of 10 one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in 15 any suitable sub-combination. The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein.

Claims

1. An outdoor electrical grilling device comprising:a grill having a cooking surface for receiving food and a heat-receiving surface on an opposite side of the grill to the cooking surface;5                 an electrical heating element for heating food received on the cookingsurface, the heat-receiving surface facing the electrical heating element;a wall at or adjacent to at least one side of the grill and / or electrical heating element, wherein the wall is a wall of a case which surrounds or substantially surrounds sides of the grill and / or electrical heating element; and10                  an air-flow duct having at least one air inlet for receiving air external to thedevice and at least one air outlet, the or each air outlet being in the wall and at or adjacent to the grill and / or electrical heating element for communicating air with the grill and / or electrical heating element, the or each air inlet being off-set from the or each air outlet, wherein the air-flow duct is defined by an inner case wall15         which has the or each air outlet, and an outer case wall which has the or each airinlet.

2. An outdoor electrical grilling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the or each air outlet is lower than the grill and / or electrical heating element.

203. An outdoor electrical grilling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a majority of the air-flow duct is defined through the case.

4. An outdoor electrical grilling device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, 25          wherein there are a plurality of air outlets and the air outlets are arranged arounda plurality of lateral sides of the grill and / or electrical heating element.

5. An outdoor electrical grilling device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each air inlet is lower than the or each air outlet.

306. An outdoor electrical grilling device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical heating element is directly beneath the grill and less than 5 mm from the grill.

7. An outdoor electrical grilling device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the electrical heating element is in physical contact with the grill.3509 07 248. An outdoor electrical grilling device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a waste collection element beneath the grill.5      9. An outdoor electrical grilling device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the wastecollection element is removable.

10. An outdoor electrical grilling device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a heat shield for shielding the waste collection element, the 10          heat shield having at least one aperture therein.

11. An outdoor electrical grilling device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the or another air inlet is in communication with a space beneath the heat shield, and the heat shield comprises at least one air passage aperture for permitting the passage of 15           air from the air inlet through the heat shield.

12. An outdoor electrical grilling device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the or each air passage aperture has a width of at least 20 mm.20      13. An outdoor electrical grilling device as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12,wherein the heat shield has a slope and a waste drain hole at or adjacent to a bottom of the slope for draining waste fluid from the heat shield.

14. An outdoor electrical grilling device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the slope has 25          a fall of less than 20 degrees.

15. An outdoor electrical grilling device as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 14 when dependent on both of claims 11 and 13, wherein the air passage aperture is away from the bottom of the slope.3016. An outdoor electrical grilling device as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 15 when dependent on both of claims 11 and 13, wherein the air passage aperture is wider than the waste drain hole.35      17. An outdoor electrical grilling device as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 16,wherein the heat shield has at least two slopes which defines at least in part a V-shaped or substantially V-shaped profile.09 07 2418. An outdoor electrical grilling device as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 17, wherein the heat shield has legs for standing over the waste collection element.

19. An outdoor electrical grilling device as claimed in claims 17 and 18, wherein the 5          legs and the V-shaped profile define an M-shaped or substantially M-shapedprofile of the heat shield.

20. An outdoor electrical grilling device as claimed in claim 18 or claim 19, wherein at least one of the legs of the heat shield is substantially continuous and has at10          least one aperture therein for permitting the passage of air.

21. An outdoor electrical grilling device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outdoor electrical grilling device does not include a mechanical ventilation device.1522. An outdoor electrical grilling device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outdoor electrical grilling device does not include a mechanical ventilation device, but further comprising a waste collection element beneath the grill and a heat shield for shielding the waste collection element, the heat shield20          having a slope and a waste drain hole at or adjacent to a bottom of the slope fordraining waste fluid from the heat shield, the heat shield having an air passage aperture away from the bottom of the slope for permitting the passage of air from the air inlet through the heat shield, and the electrical heating element being in physical contact with the grill.25

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