Offset Smoker Grille Counter-Flow Cooking and Smoking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing offset barbecue smokers suffer from uneven cooking and smoking due to direct passage of hot gases and smoke, inefficient air warming, moisture control issues, and lack of decorative realism, leading to suboptimal cooking and smoking experiences.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a counter-flow cooking and smoking process with insulating layers and controlled air circulation, where hot products of combustion flow under and over the cooking chambers, utilizing a decorative animal shape to enhance aesthetics and even heat distribution, allowing for precise moisture control and efficient use of smoke and heat.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If hot gasses and smoke are directly passed from the firebox to the grille, then the cooking and smoking process is simplified, but uneven cooking and smoking occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking process structureVSAvoidcooking uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cooking chamber is divided into multiple zones with different insulation levels. The bottom of the cooking chamber includes an air space or insulating material layer that segments the direct heat path from the firebox, creating controlled thermal zones that enable even cooking across the grille surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the cooking chamber are provided with different insulation characteristics. The air space or insulating material is strategically positioned at the bottom to provide localized thermal management, allowing hot gasses to distribute heat more uniformly across the cooking surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If atmospheric air is used to feed the firebox, then the system is simple, but considerable energy is required to warm the air

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair supply systemVSAvoidenergy to warm air

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-warms the air before it enters the firebox by routing it through the insulated cooking chamber where it absorbs heat from the cooking process. This preliminary heating action reduces the energy required to maintain combustion temperature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cooking chamber itself serves as a heat exchanger that automatically warms the incoming air supply. The system uses its own cooking heat to pre-condition the air, creating a self-sustaining thermal cycle that reduces external energy input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Quantity of substance

If water or liquid flows into the smoking chamber, then moisture is added, but it may flow back into the fire chamber and cause difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture in smoking chamberVSAvoidfire chamber operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The air space or insulating material layer acts as an intermediary barrier between the fire chamber and smoking chamber. This intermediate layer allows moisture to be introduced into the smoking chamber while preventing it from flowing back into the fire chamber, protecting the combustion process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces a vertical dimension to moisture management by using the insulated air space as a buffer zone. This dimensional separation allows moisture to exist in the smoking chamber without compromising the fire chamber operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This approach ensures even cooking and smoking across the grill, enhances the decorative appeal of the smoker, and optimizes the use of heat and smoke, providing superior temperature control and moisture management.

Implementation Method 1

The air space and/or other insulation between the firebox and the cooking and smoking chambers and/or between the bottom of the cooking and smoking chambers and the products of combustion flowing beneath them are selected and controlled to cause even cooking and smoking

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal Insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal Radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS8092850B2Meat treatment apparatus and method

Publication Date: 2012.01.10 MARR RUSSELL A

AI summary

An offset barbeque smoker grille has an openable cover shaped as the elongated back portion of a quadruped and the products of combustion are applied to meat on said grille with the cover closed and at least one restrictor is included in said fourth flow path to hold smoke in contact with said meat wherein a meat treatment apparatus is used as a smoker. The cooking and smoking uses counter flow from the firebox near the head of the quadruped under the cooking and smoking chambers toward the rump of the quadruped and back over the top of the cooking chambers to provide even cooking.