Barbecue cooking apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional barbecue smokers are inefficient in heat retention, lack versatility in cooking methods, and do not allow for even cooking of food items, as they typically require constant lid opening and do not support vertical food placement.
Innovation Solution
A vertical-rise barbecue smoking apparatus with a barrel design, a shelved cooking system, a winch mechanism for controlled vertical movement of the lid, and a venting system to enhance air flow, allowing for both hanging and grilling of food items while minimizing heat loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional barbecue smokers are used to cook food, then food can be cooked, but heat escapes continuously requiring constant lid opening and prolonging cooking time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic lid system with winch mechanism that allows controlled vertical movement and positioning of the lid at different heights, enabling the lid to be opened partially or fully at specific intervals during cooking without completely removing it, thus maintaining heat retention while allowing monitoring and turning of food
Solution Approach 2:
The barrel design with controlled venting systems maintains continuous heat circulation and retention throughout the cooking process, eliminating the need for frequent lid openings. The continuous heat flow ensures consistent cooking temperature while the winch mechanism allows minimal interruption for food management
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional barbecue smokers are used, then food can be cooked, but only flat placement is allowed requiring constant flipping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides a universal cooking system within the barrel that supports multiple cooking methods simultaneously: horizontal grilling on racks, vertical hanging from hooks, and smoking on shelves. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate devices for different cooking styles while simplifying operation through a single versatile chamber
3Loss of energy
If vertical barbecue smokers are used to hang food, then even cooking is achieved, but versatility is reduced and side door is inefficient for heat circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension within the barrel by incorporating adjustable racks at different heights, hanging hooks along the vertical walls, and multi-level shelves. This three-dimensional food arrangement allows simultaneous horizontal and vertical cooking configurations, maximizing heat circulation from all directions while maintaining cooking versatility
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus efficiently cooks food items by reducing heat escape, enabling versatile cooking methods, and ensuring even cooking without prolonged cooking times, while being easy to transport, store, and maintain.
Implementation Method 1
a winch mechanism (26) mounted on the frame (18) offset from the rim (4) to raise and lower the lid (5) along the frame (18)
Implementation Method 2
The present invention provides a barbecue cooking apparatus which more efficiently cooks food items by reducing the amount of heat escaping from the apparatus
Implementation Method 3
a venting system to enhance air flow
Data Source
AI summary
A barbecue cooking apparatus is an apparatus used to cook food items by utilizing different barbecue smoking methods. The apparatus includes a barrel, a lid, a frame, a shelved cooking system, a venting system, and a winch mechanism. The barrel further includes a base, a lateral wall, and a rim. The barrel provides a thermal enclosure for cooking the food items. The lid serves to seal the barrel during the cooking process and to support the shelved cooking system. The shelved cooking system holds the food items within the barrel during the cooking process. The shelved cooking system further holds the fuel source utilized to generate energy to cook the food items. The frame serves to hold the winch mechanism offset from the rim. The winch mechanism facilitates the retrieval of the shelved cooking system from the barrel as well as the reintroduction of the same into the barrel.