Portable Solid Fuel Cooking Range with Nested Grill and Oven
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solid fuel cooking devices are typically large and not portable, lacking both an upper cooking surface and an oven compartment, which limits their versatility and usability in various cooking and emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
A portable solid fuel cooking range is designed with a grill body that includes a fuel chamber and an oven, featuring grate hooks, vent holes, and shroud guides, allowing for the use of multiple fuels like charcoal, wood, and chemical combustibles, and equipped with a bottom burner for additional heat, enabling both grill and oven cooking with smoke flavor control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If solid fuel cooking devices are made large to accommodate both upper cooking surface and oven compartment, then cooking versatility is improved, but portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the oven compartment below the fuel chamber, effectively utilizing vertical space. The bottom burner is positioned within the oven area, and the cooking grate can be configured to overlap with the oven space. This nested arrangement allows multiple cooking functions (grilling and baking) to coexist in a compact footprint, improving versatility without proportionally increasing device size and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a horizontal arrangement of cooking surfaces to a vertical arrangement. The oven is positioned below the fuel chamber rather than adjacent to it, utilizing the vertical dimension to pack more cooking functionality into a smaller overall volume. This dimensional change allows the device to maintain portability while providing both upper grill and lower oven cooking surfaces.
2Weight of moving object
If solid fuel cooking devices are made portable with reduced size, then portability is improved, but cooking versatility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cooking functions into distinct zones: the upper fuel chamber area for grilling and the lower oven area for baking. The bottom burner is a separate, removable component that can be placed within the oven. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function while the overall device remains compact and portable. Users can selectively use either the upper grill or lower oven or both simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional device where the same structure supports both grilling and baking operations. The grill body serves as both the upper cooking chamber and the housing for the lower oven. The cooking grate can be positioned to allow simultaneous use of both cooking surfaces. This universal design enables the portable device to perform multiple cooking functions that were traditionally required separate large devices.
3Device complexity
If a single cooking surface is provided above the burning fuel, then device simplicity is improved, but cooking functionality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic configurability through the movable cooking grate and adjustable bottom burner position. The cooking grate can be raised or lowered to change the distance from the fuel source, allowing users to adjust heat intensity and cooking mode. The bottom burner can be inserted or removed from the oven area. These dynamic elements enable a single device structure to provide multiple cooking functions (direct grilling, indirect baking, smoking) without requiring complex separate components for each function.
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 solution provides a versatile, portable cooking solution that allows for simultaneous grill and oven cooking, smoke flavor control, and use in emergency situations, offering a compact and efficient cooking range with both upper and lower cooking surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a fire grate configured to support a solid combustible fuel within the fuel chamber and allow airflow to the solid combustible fuel placed on top of the fire grate
Implementation Method 2
igniting charcoal briquettes on top of a fire grate positioned within the fuel chamber
Implementation Method 3
a grill body that defines a fuel chamber and an oven, wherein the oven is below the fuel chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A solid fuel cooking range is described herein. Embodiments enable the user to cook food on an upper grill while simultaneously heating a separate dish in a lower oven. In certain embodiments, heat may be applied to the oven from both the top and bottom. Heat and airflow may be controlled using a shroud which does not enclose the sides of the upper cooking area and separate end plates. Embodiments may be portable and lightweight which enables the solid fuel cooking range to be used while traveling and in emergency situations.