Grilling equipment

Abstract

To configure a grilling device comprising a burner 4 and a food placement unit 2 provided above the burner so as to further improve effect of washing away excess fat and salt from food placed on the food placement part.SOLUTION: Fuel gas to be supplied to a burner is hydrogen gas, and moisture release means 6 is provided below a food placement unit, which has a moisture release unit 61 that releases moisture consisting of at least one of steam and water vapor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a grilling apparatus having a burner and a food placement section provided above the burner, and more particularly to an apparatus in which the fuel gas supplied to the burner is hydrogen gas. [Background technology]

[0002] A known example of a conventional grilling device that includes a burner and a food placement section provided above the burner is the device described in Patent Document 1. In this device, a mixture of air and a fuel gas whose main component is hydrocarbons, such as natural gas or LP gas, with an excess air ratio of approximately 1.0 to 1.2 is supplied to the burner, and a flame is formed by combustion of the mixture ejected from the burner's flame holes, allowing food such as meat or fish placed on the food placement section to be grilled.

[0003] It is known that hydrogen combustion gas produced by burning hydrogen contains more water vapor per unit heat than combustion gas produced by burning hydrocarbons. Therefore, if hydrogen gas is used as the fuel gas supplied to the burner, the hydrogen gas ejected from the burner's flame holes is subjected to diffusion combustion, and the hydrogen combustion gas thus produced comes into contact with the food on the food placement section, the water contained in the hydrogen combustion gas can be used to wash away the fat and salt contained in the food. Furthermore, with the recent increase in health consciousness, there is also a demand for even better effectiveness in washing away excess fat and salt. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-229519 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a grilling apparatus that can further improve the effect of washing away excess fat and salt. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the grilling apparatus of the present invention comprises a burner and a food placement section provided above the burner, and the fuel gas supplied to the burner is hydrogen gas. The grilling apparatus further comprises moisture release means having a moisture release section below the food placement section that releases moisture consisting of at least one of steam and water vapor.

[0007] Here, when a flame is formed by burning a fuel gas primarily composed of hydrocarbons and a mixture ejected from the burner's flame hole as in the above-mentioned conventional example, if water vapor comes into contact with the flame, the flame temperature drops due to the high specific heat of the water vapor, resulting in poor combustion and, in some cases, even a misfire. On the other hand, hydrogen gas has the characteristic of being fast burning and less prone to poor combustion. Focusing on this, the inventors of the present invention conducted extensive research and discovered that even if moisture consisting of at least one of steam and water vapor comes into contact with the flame resulting from burning hydrogen, combustion stability is high. Based on this finding, the present invention employs a configuration in which hydrogen gas is used as the fuel gas supplied to the burner as described above, and a moisture release section of a moisture release means that releases moisture consisting of at least one of steam and water vapor is provided below the food placement section, thereby preventing poor combustion due to the influence of moisture released from the moisture release section.

[0008] According to the present invention, the effect of washing away excess fat and salt due to contact of hydrogen combustion gas with food ingredients is further enhanced by adding the effect of washing away fat and salt due to contact of water with food ingredients. Furthermore, by constantly supplying water to food ingredients during cooking, the rate of carbonization of food ingredients can be reduced. This allows for more precise control of the cooking state of food ingredients when grilling. Furthermore, by reducing the amount of carbonized material produced by food ingredients, the amount of carbonized material adhering to the food placement area is also reduced, reducing the frequency and burden of cleaning.

[0009] In the present invention, the moisture release section may be disposed below the burner, and a flow guide plate may be further provided to guide the moisture released from the moisture release section toward the flame formed by the combustion of hydrogen gas ejected from the burner's flame hole. In this way, the moisture is heated by the flame. The heated moisture then penetrates the ingredients more easily, further improving the effect of washing away excess fat and salt.

[0010] Furthermore, in the present invention, when the two horizontal orthogonal directions are the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and the burner is a tubular burner having a plurality of straight pipe sections elongated in the X-axis direction and spaced apart in the Y-axis direction, with a plurality of the flame holes arranged in a row on each straight pipe section, the moisture release section may be positioned on a plane obtained by projecting downward between adjacent straight pipe sections in the Y-axis direction, and the flow guide plate may have first flow guide plate sections extending vertically on both sides of the tubular burner in the Y-axis direction, and a second flow guide plate section arranged above the moisture release section at a distance. This configuration allows moisture released from the moisture release section to collide with the underside of the second flow guide plate section and diffuse, and this diffused moisture is guided along the first flow guide plate, thereby reliably supplying moisture toward the flame. Furthermore, this configuration advantageously prevents oil and other substances produced by ingredients from adhering to the moisture release section during cooking. Alternatively, the moisture release section may be positioned directly below the straight pipe section, and the flow guide plate may have first flow guide plate sections extending vertically on both sides of the tubular burner. This prevents oil and other substances from the ingredients from adhering to the moisture release section without the need for additional components.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention may include a housing that contains the burner portion located below the food placement portion, the moisture release portion configured to store water, and the moisture release portion connected to at least one of the housing and the food placement portion so that the water stored in the moisture release portion can be heated by heat transfer from at least one of the housing and the food placement portion. This makes it possible to effectively use waste heat generated by combustion of the burner to supply moisture toward the flame. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a grilling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the roasting apparatus, corresponding to FIG. 3; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an embodiment of the grilling apparatus GR1 will be described using as an example a tubular burner equipped with a flow guide plate that guides water (steam and / or water vapor) toward the flame formed by the combustion of hydrogen gas ejected from the burner flame holes. Note that the "hydrogen" referred to in this invention is not limited to pure hydrogen, but also includes, for example, fuel gas containing 40% or more hydrogen gas, or a gas containing a small amount of odorant.

[0014] 1 to 3, the grilling apparatus GR1 of this embodiment includes a top plate 1 that is rectangular in plan view and extends in the X-axis direction, with two horizontal, orthogonal directions being the X-axis and Y-axis directions. A rectangular opening 11 extends in the X-axis direction in the center of the top plate 1. Four hood plates 12 are erected on the top surface of the top plate 1, surrounding the opening 11, to prevent excess secondary air from being supplied to the burners 4 (described below) from above. Each hood plate 12 has multiple slits 12a extending downward from its upper end. A grill 2 serving as a food placement area is installed above the opening 11. Support rods 2a protrude from the grill 2 and are inserted into the slits 12a of the hood plates 12 on both sides in the Y-axis direction. The grill 2 is supported at the lower ends of the slits 12a via the support rods 2a and can be freely removed upward through the slits 12a.

[0015] A housing 13 with an open bottom is suspended from the top plate 1, extending downward from the inner edge of the opening 11. The housing 13 encloses the straight tube section 4a of the burner 4, which is located below the grill 2. A pair of insulating support plates 14 are provided on the outer surfaces of side walls 13a, 13a of the housing 13, located on both sides in the X-axis direction. Storage boxes 15, 15 are attached to each support plate 14, and these support plates 14 and storage boxes 15, 15 support both sides of the top plate 1 in the X-axis direction. One of the storage boxes 15 contains well-known components necessary for burning the burner 4, such as a valve unit including a hydrogen gas cock operated by an operating knob (not shown) on its outer surface, an igniter, and a controller, although these are not specifically shown or described. In addition, a drip tray 3 is stored between the two support plates 14, spaced downward from the bottom end of the housing 13, so that it can be inserted and removed in the Y-axis direction. 1 denotes a heat insulating plate attached to bridge the spaces between the support plates 14, and in FIG. 3, 17 denotes a support base for the drip tray 3. Burners 4 are provided by being inserted through holes (not shown) provided in the side walls 13a, 13a.

[0016] The burner 4 is a tubular burner having two straight pipe sections 4a, 4a extending in the X-axis direction and arranged side by side with a gap in the Y-axis direction. A large number of upward-opening flame holes 41 are formed at intervals in the X-axis direction in the portion of each straight pipe section 4a, 4a located inside the housing 13 and facing the opening 11. Nozzles (not shown or described) are fitted to one end of each straight pipe section 4a, 4a that protrudes into one storage box 15 through one side wall 13a on the X-axis direction and the support plate 14. Hydrogen is supplied to each straight pipe section 4a through the nozzles, and the hydrogen ejected from the flame holes 41 is diffused and burned. Above each straight pipe section 4a, 4a, infrared radiation members 5, 5 are provided, supported by the side walls 13a, 13a, respectively, and curved in an upwardly convex arc, and the infrared radiation members 5, 5 are heated to red heat by flames formed by the combustion of hydrogen gas ejected from each flame hole 41, and the infrared radiation emitted from the infrared radiation members 5, 5 grills food (not shown) placed on the grill 2. At this time, hydrogen combustion gas generated by burning hydrogen overflows from below the infrared radiation members 5, 5 and rises, contributing to heating the food placed on the grill 2 and also washing away fat and salt as the hydrogen combustion gas comes into contact with the food.

[0017] Hydrogen gas has the characteristic of being fast burning and unlikely to burn poorly. Therefore, even if moisture comes into contact with the flame of hydrogen combustion, the flame combustion stability is high. Therefore, in this embodiment, a moisture release means 6 for releasing moisture is provided below the grill 2. The moisture release means 6 includes a release pipe 61 serving as a moisture release section located below the straight pipe sections 4a, a connecting pipe 62 to which the release pipe 61 is connected, and a humidifier 63 connected to the connecting pipe 62 via a hose 63a. The release pipe 61 is positioned so as to be located on a plane projected downward between the straight pipe sections 4a, and both ends of the release pipe 61 in the X-axis direction are supported by support pieces 13b, 13b protruding from the side walls 13a, 13a. Discharge pipe 61 is also formed with discharge hole 61a that opens upward and is longitudinal in the X-axis direction, and drainage hole 61b that opens downward, so that water that condenses inside discharge pipe 61 drips through drainage hole 61b into juice tray 3. One end of connecting pipe 62 is inserted into connecting hole 61c that opens sideways at the center of discharge pipe 61 in the X-axis direction, and the other end passes through a first flow guide plate portion described below and protrudes outward. Note that an existing humidifier can be used as humidifier 63, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0018] A flow guide plate 7 is disposed within the housing 13 to guide moisture emitted from the discharge holes 61a of the discharge pipes 61 toward the flame formed by the combustion of hydrogen gas. The flow guide plate 7 includes first flow guide plate sections 71 extending vertically on both sides of each straight pipe section 4a in the Y-axis direction, and a second flow guide plate section 72 disposed above the discharge pipes 61 with a gap therebetween. The first flow guide plate section 71 is formed so that its upper end is located between the burners 4 and the infrared radiation members 5, and its lower end extends below the discharge holes 61a of the discharge pipes 61 to reach the support pieces 13b. The second flow guide plate section 72 has a rectangular outline in plan view, with both sides in the Y-axis direction spaced a predetermined distance from the first flow guide plate section 71, and both ends in the Y-axis direction of the second flow guide plate section 72 fixed to the side walls 13a, respectively. As a result, moisture released from the discharge holes 61a of the discharge pipe 61 hits the underside of the second flow guide plate 72 and diffuses, and this diffused moisture is guided along the first flow guide plate 71, thereby ensuring that the moisture is supplied toward the flame. Moreover, during cooking, the second flow guide plate 72 can prevent oil and other substances produced by ingredients from adhering to the discharge pipe 61.

[0019] The grilling device GR1 described above includes a moisture-releasing pipe 61 below the grill grate 2. This allows for enhanced removal of excess grease and salt during cooking, thanks to the combined effects of hydrogen combustion gas contacting the food, which washes away grease and salt, moisture from the moisture discharge pipe 61 contacting the food, and steam heated by the flame, which more easily penetrates the food. This further enhances the removal of excess grease and salt. Furthermore, a constant supply of moisture to the food during cooking slows the rate at which the food carbonizes. This allows for more precise adjustment of the cooking state of the food during grilling. Furthermore, the reduction in carbonized material produced by the food also reduces the amount of carbonized material adhering to the grill grate 2, reducing the frequency and burden of cleaning.

[0020] Next, referring to Figure 4, a grilling apparatus GR2 according to another embodiment will be described. In Figure 4, the same components and parts as those in the above embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. The grilling apparatus GR2 is configured to supply moisture without using a humidifier 63 by effectively utilizing waste heat generated by combustion in the burner 4. Specifically, as in the above embodiment, a first flow guide plate 70 is provided within the housing 13 to guide moisture toward the flame formed by the combustion of hydrogen gas. A flange portion 70a bent in the Y-axis direction is formed at the lower end of the first flow guide plate 70, and a heat transfer body 8 formed by forming a metal plate with good thermal conductivity into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape is joined to the flange portion 70a.

[0021] The outer surface of the heat transfer body 8 in the Y-axis direction is joined to the wall surface of the housing 13, and the discharge pipes 610, 610 of the moisture discharge means 60 are connected to the inner surface of the Y-axis direction. In this case, a heat receiving plate portion 81 extending above the infrared radiation members 5, 5 is connected to the inner wall surface of the housing 13, increasing the heat receiving area from the burner 4 when fuel is used. In addition, two discharge pipes 610, 610 are provided, each positioned directly below the straight pipe portions 4a, 4a located within the housing 13. In this case, unlike the above embodiment, the discharge pipes 610, 610 each have a discharge hole 610a but no drain hole, allowing water to be stored in them before cooking. During cooking, the water stored in the discharge pipes 610, 610 can be heated by heat transfer from the housing 13 and the first flow guide plate 70.

[0022] The above-described grill cooking device GR2 can supply moisture toward the flame by effectively utilizing waste heat generated by combustion in the burner 4. Furthermore, by positioning the discharge pipes 610, 610 directly below the straight pipe sections 4a, 4a, it is possible to prevent oil and other substances generated by ingredients from adhering to the discharge pipes 610, 610 without adding any additional parts. Note that, because the grill 2 also heats up during cooking, the discharge pipes 610, 610 may be connected to the grill 2 in a manner that allows heat transfer.

[0023] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. In the above-described grill cooking device GR1, the discharge pipe 61 is disposed below the burner 4, and steam is supplied to the discharge pipe 61 by the humidifier 63. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, as long as the device can discharge moisture below the grill 2. For example, steam generated by a known boiler may be supplied to the discharge pipe 61. Alternatively, a moisture discharge section may be provided on the side wall of the housing 13 facing the space between the burners 4 and the infrared radiation members 5, and moisture may be supplied toward the flame from at least one of the X-axis and Y-axis directions.

[0024] Furthermore, while the above-described grilling devices GR1 and GR2 have been described with an example in which the burner 4 has two independent straight pipe sections 4a, 4a, this is not limited to this. The number of straight pipe sections 4a, 4a can be three or more, and the present invention can also be applied to burners in which one end of each straight pipe section 4a, 4a is connected to one another or burners with a circular outline. Furthermore, while the grill 2 is used as the food placement section, the food placement section can also be made of a metal plate with slits formed through it in the vertical direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0025] GR1, GR2...Grilling device, 13...Casing, 2...Grilling net (food placing part), 4...Burner, 4a...straight pipe part, 41...flame hole, 6,60...moisture release means, 61,610...discharge pipe (moisture release part), 7...drift plate, 71...first guide plate, 72...second guide plate.

Claims

1. A grilling apparatus comprising a burner and a food placement section provided above the burner, wherein the fuel gas supplied to the burner is hydrogen gas, Further provided is a moisture release means having a moisture release section below the food placement section that releases moisture consisting of at least one of steam and water vapor, The moisture release section is disposed below the burner, and the grill cooking device further comprises a flow guide plate that guides the moisture released from the moisture release section toward the flame formed by the combustion of hydrogen gas ejected from the flame hole of the burner.

2. The grilling apparatus according to claim 1, Two horizontal orthogonal directions are defined as X-axis direction and Y-axis direction, and the burner is a tubular burner having a plurality of straight pipe sections that are elongated in the X-axis direction and spaced apart in the Y-axis direction, and a plurality of the flame holes are respectively arranged in a row in each straight pipe section, the moisture release section is disposed on a plane obtained by projecting downward a space between adjacent straight pipe sections in the Y-axis direction, A grilling apparatus characterized in that the flow guide plate has a first flow guide plate portion extending in the vertical direction on both sides of the tubular burner in the Y-axis direction, and a second flow guide plate portion arranged to cover the upper part of the moisture release portion.

3. The grilling apparatus according to claim 1, Two horizontal orthogonal directions are defined as X-axis direction and Y-axis direction, and the burner is a tubular burner having a plurality of straight pipe sections that are elongated in the X-axis direction and spaced apart in the Y-axis direction, and a plurality of the flame holes are respectively arranged in a row in each straight pipe section, The moisture release section is disposed immediately below the straight pipe section, a first flow guide plate portion extending vertically on both sides of the tubular burner;

4. A housing enclosing a portion of the burner located below the food placement section is provided, A grill cooking device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the moisture release section is configured to be able to store water, and the moisture release section is connected to at least one of the housing and the food placement section, so that the water stored in the moisture release section can be heated by heat transfer from at least one of the housing and the food placement section.

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