Barbecue Shield Design to Prevent Cooking Liquid Ignition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grills with trough structures for collecting cooking liquids often experience unwanted ignition of fat or oil due to direct heat radiation, particularly when used indoors as tabletop grills, as the accumulated liquids can ignite when the charcoal glows at higher temperatures with increased air supply.
Innovation Solution
A shield is provided that encloses the fuel container, extending radially outward from its lower closure to the tub structure's side wall, inclined to direct cooking liquids away from direct heat radiation, with drainage openings to collect liquids safely outside the heat zone, and a design that reflects thermal radiation for improved heat distribution without risking liquid ignition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the charcoal is allowed to glow at higher temperature with increased air supply, then the cooking performance is improved, but the fat accumulated in the trough structure can ignite causing safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
A shield element is introduced as an intermediary component between the heat source (charcoal/fuel container) and the cooking liquids accumulated in the trough structure. This shield blocks direct heat radiation from reaching the cooking liquids, preventing their ignition while allowing the charcoal to maintain high cooking temperatures. The shield acts as a protective barrier that decouples the heat source from the potentially ignitable material.
2Reliability
If a shield is added to protect the trough base from direct heat radiation, then the safety is improved by preventing liquid ignition, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shield element is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it blocks direct heat radiation from reaching cooking liquids (safety function), reflects thermal radiation back toward the cooking area (heat distribution function), and can be integrated with existing structural components. This multi-functionality justifies the addition of the shield by providing multiple benefits from a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield is positioned specifically where it is most needed - between the heat source and the trough base where cooking liquids accumulate. Rather than enclosing the entire grill, the shield is strategically placed to address the specific safety hazard at the trough base while minimizing overall structural complexity.
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 shield effectively prevents the accumulation of cooking liquids from igniting, enhancing operational reliability by shielding them from direct heat and ensuring even heat distribution across the grill surface, preventing unwanted fires and improving cooking performance.
Implementation Method 1
The shield protects the areas where cooking liquids, and therefore especially oil or fat, can accumulate from direct heat radiation from the fuel container
Implementation Method 2
a design that reflects thermal radiation for improved heat distribution without risking liquid ignition
Implementation Method 3
Charcoal is burned in the fuel container
Implementation Method 4
an air supply for supplying air to the fuel container from below and with an adjustable air supply to regulate the charcoal's temperature
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A grill 1 with a trough structure 5, open at the top and defined by a base 9 and a surrounding side wall 8, comprises a fuel container 12 arranged within the trough structure 5. The base 15 of the fuel container is spaced apart from the base 9 of the trough structure 5, and its radially outwardly projecting end is spaced apart from the surrounding side wall 8 of the trough structure 5. An air inlet serves to supply air to the fuel container 12 from below. The grill 1 also includes a grate 7 extending over the opening 11 at the top of the trough structure 5.In the area of the lower end of the fuel container 12, a shield 20 is arranged which surrounds the fuel container 12 and extends between the outside of the fuel container 12 and the side wall 8 of the tub structure 5 to shield the bottom area(s) of the tub structure, in or on which cooking liquids may accumulate, from direct heat radiation by the fuel container 12.