GB2424360A

GB2424360A - Cooking apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2424360A
Application number: GB0511642A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Darren Elvin; Colm Lally; Dermot Lennon
Original assignee: Basic Holdings
Current assignee: Basic Holdings
Priority date: 2005-03-26
Filing date: 2005-06-08
Publication date: 2006-09-27
Anticipated expiration: 2025-06-08
Also published as: GB2424360B; DE202005004888U1; GB0511642D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a cooking apparatus intended primarily for use outdoors. The apparatus includes a housing 12, a radiant heating element 18 mounted within the housing and space and below the housing within which food to be cooked may be placed for radiant heating by the element. At least one grill plate 26, 28 can be mounted above the element, to be heated by the element. The respective grill plates may include a plurality of parallel ridges on which food is supported during cooking. The grill plates also include a fat-draining surface which slopes from a high point towards a low point. The apparatus may also include a wind shield 30.

Description

Cooking Apparatus The present invention relates to cooking apparatus, and

in particular to apparatus intended primarily for cooking outside. More especially, the present invention relates to apparatus with (preferably) electric heating means for grilling and griddling food when outside. Where the heating means is electric, apparatus of this type is often referred to as an electric barbecue.

Numerous different types of barbecues are known in the art, most commonly using as fuel sources charcoal, gas or electricity. The apparatus of the present invention uses electricity or gas as the energy source for the heating means, but most preferably electricity.

Typical gas or charcoal barbecues will comprise an open mesh griddle on which food is placed, the griddle being placed over the heat source. In the case of gas barbecues, gas flames may be used to heat artificial "coals" resembling real charcoal. Fat and cooking juices can then fall from the food onto or towards the heat source. Such an arrangement may not be convenient where an electric heat source is used.

It is also desirable, for reasons of health and consumer preference, to ensure that cooked food contains as little fat as possible. Thus, the present invention provides a means whereby fats and other cooking juices released from the cooking food are safely directed away from the food as it cooks.

Furthermore, it is often desirable to be able to cook different foods by different methods at the same time, or to choose from alternative methods of cooking food.

The apparatus in the present invention provides both a grill or griddle plate by means of which food being cooked is exposed to direct heat from below (the food resting directly on the grill plate during cooking) and also a grill or broiler by means of which food being cooked is exposed to direct radiant heat from above.

According to a first aspect of the present invention a cooking apparatus comprising: a housing; a radiant heating element mounted within the housing; a space defined within the housing below the radiant element within which food to be cooked may be placed for radiant heating by the element; at least one grill plate onto which food is placed directly for cooking, said a grill plate being removably located above the radiant heating element to be heated thereby.

Preferably, the radiant heating element has a planar serpentine configuration and the or each grill plate rests directly on the radiant heating element.

Preferably the underside of each grill plate contains at least one formation shaped to conform to at least a portion of the radiant heating element.

Preferably the or each grill plate comprises a variety of upstanding food supporting ridges separated by a plurality of troughs, at least a floor portion of said troughs being inclined with respect to the horizontal from a relatively high point to a relatively low point.

Preferably said troughs slope from a high point towards the middle of each trough to a low point at the respective ends of the grill plate.

Preferably the or each grill plate includes a plurality of through holes with which the respective low points of said troughs are in fluid communication.

Preferably the cooking apparatus further comprises at least one fluid receiving container disposed in use beneath said respective through holes.

Preferably the or each fluid receiving container is removable from the housing.

Preferably the cooking apparatus comprises two fluid receiving containers disposed respectively at opposed ends of the or each grill plate.

Preferably the or each fluid receiving container is mounted on a bracket which bracket includes fonnations adapted to slidably engage corresponding fonnations of the housing on insertion of the bracket into the housing.

Preferably the external surface of the bracket in use is substantially flush with adjacent external surfaces of the housing.

Preferably the cooking apparatus comprises first and second grill plates mounted in use side-by-side.

Preferably the first grill plate comprises a laterally extending portion which, when the plates are mounted in use side-by-side, overlaps a side edge portion of the second grill plate.

Preferably the cooking apparatus further comprises one or more additional grill plates interchangeably usable with said at least one grill plate.

Preferably said additional grill plate comprises a substantially planar upper surface.

Preferably the cooking apparatus further comprises a handle and formations formed on the respective grill plates adapted to co-operate with said handle for removal of the grill plates.

Preferably the cooking apparatus further comprises a grill pan for containing food to be cooked in said space for radiant heating. Preferably said grill pan includes a formation adapted operatively to cooperate with said handle, for movement of the grill pan into and out of said space for radiant heating.

Preferably the apparatus further comprises a wind shield removably mountable around the respective sides of said grill plates.

Preferably said wind shield comprises a rear planar portion and first and second dependent side portions attached to side edges of the rear planar portion.

Preferably the first and second side portions are hingedly attached to the rear portion, whereby said side portions can be folded flat against the rear portion.

Preferably said wind shield further comprises downwardly extending tabs depending from a lower age thereof which operatively engage co-operating formations of the housing.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus of the invention; Figure 2 is a partially exploded a perspective view of the apparatus of the invention; Figure 3 is a detailed view showing the manner of attachment of the handle the grill pan; Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the attachment of the handle to a grill plate; Figure 5 is a top view of an assembled apparatus according to the invention; Figure 6 is a top view similar to Figure 5 with one of the grill plates removed; Figure 7 is a top view similar to Figure 5 with both of the grill plates removed; Figure 8 is a top view of the apparatus with the grill plates, grill pan and fluid receiving containers removed; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the grill plates for use with the apparatus of the invention; Figure 10 is an underside view of the grill plates; and Figure 11 is a perspective view of a fluid receiving container assembly for use with the apparatus of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, the apparatus 10 of the invention comprises a housing 12 which is preferably supported by leg structures 14. The housing 12 defines a space or void 16 above which a heating element 18 is mounted. Thus, the heating element 18 is most preferably directly exposed to the void 16 beneath. The void 16 is sized to accommodate a grill pan 20 which preferably includes a rack 22 which is used to support food during cooking. As will be readily apparent, food mounted on the fact 22 is directly exposed to radiant heating from the heating element 18 when the grill pan 20 is placed in the void 16.

The housing 12 also includes first and second transverse support members 24 arranged on respective sides of the heating element 18. The heating element 18 is of a type generally well known in the art and is constructed to follow a serpentine path so that the heating element 18 extends across substantially the area bounded by the support members 24 and the sides of the housing 12. Preferably, the control means is provided including a user operable dial 19 to control the heat output of the heating element 18.

The apparatus 10 further includes first and second grill plates 26, 28 which rest in use on the support members 24, directly above the radiant heating element 18.

Accordingly, when the radiant heating element 18 is switched on the grill plates 26, 28 are heated by the radiant heating element 18 beneath them. Food is cooked by placing its directly on top of the hot grill plates 26, 28.

The apparatus 10 of the invention also comprises in preferred embodiments a wind shield 30. The wind shield 30 comprises a substantially planar rear panel 32 and dependent side panels 34, 36. The dependent side panels 34, 36 are attached to the rear panel to by means of hinges 38. In this way, when the wind shield 30 is not required for use, the side panels 34, 36 can be folded against the rear panel 32 so that the wind shield 30 adopts a substantially flat configuration for storage. Preferably, the wind shield 30 includes formations such as tabs 40 which are inserted into correspondingly sized formations in the housing 12 to assist in retaining the wind shield 30 in its position of use.

The grill plates 26, 28 for use with the apparatus of the invention are shown in more detail in Figures 9 and 10. Each grill plate 26, 28 comprises a body of highly heat conducting metal, such as aluminium, and may, for example, be cast. Preferably, the metal body is covered by a nonstick coating, as known in the art. In preferred arrangements of the apparatus of the invention each grill plate 26, 28 comprises a plurality of parallel ribs or ridges 42 on which the food to be cooked is supported.

Between the ridges 42 troughs or channels 44 are defined. Each trough 44 is defined by the side walls of the respective ridges 42 and a floor portion 46. When the grill plates 26, 28 are arranged in their position of use on the apparatus 10, the floor portions 46 are inclined with respect to the horizontal. Preferably, the highest point of the respective floor portions 46 is at approximately the centre line 48 of each grill plate 26, 28. Thus, the floor portion 46 of each trough 44 slopes from a high point at or close to the centre line 48 to a low point proximate end edges 50 of the grill plates 26, 28. In an alternative arrangement, each floor portion 46 may slope from one end edge 50 to the other.

The grill plate 26 includes at its left-hand side (as illustrated) laterally projecting portion 66 which, when the grill plates 26, 28 are in their position of use on the apparatus 10, overlaps a right-hand edge of the grill plates 28. Tn this way, any gap which might otherwise exist between the grill plates 26, 28 is eliminated and fats and other cooking juices do not pass between the grill plates 26, 28 onto the heating element 18.

Bach grill plate 26, 28 includes a plurality of through holes 52 which extend from the lowest points of the floor portions 46 of the troughs 44 through the grill plates 26, 28 and open at the lower (underside) face 54 of the grill plates 26, 28. Tn the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, each grill plate 26, 28 includes two rows (52A, 52B) of holes 52 corresponding to the respective lowest points of the troughs 44. Tn the alternative embodiment where each floor portion 46 has a continuous slope from one end edge 50 to the other, each grill plate 26, 28 will comprise only one row of holes 52.

Figure 10 further illustrates formations 56 in the form of walls 58, 60 which are shaped to conform to the shape of the heating element 18. Thus, when the grill plates 26, 28 are supported on the support members 24, at least upper parts of the heating element 18 are disposed within the formations 56.

The purpose of the holes 52 will be explained in further detail. In preferred embodiments of the apparatus 10, the apparatus is provided with at least one fluid receiving container 62. In the illustrated embodiments, the apparatus includes two such fluid receiving containers 62 arranged below respective end edges 50 of the grill plates 26, 28. The fluid receiving containers 62 comprise an elongate trade which extends across the full width of the grill plates 26, 28. Thus, the fluid receiving containers 62 are mounted in use directly below the holes 52 in the grill plates 26, 28.

Thus, any fat or other cooking juices produced by the cooking food on the grill plates 26, 28 is collected in the troughs 44 and runs down the troughs 44 through the holes 52 and into the fluid receiving containers 62. The fluid receiving containers 62 or mounted on respective cross members 64 which include external surfaces 66 which lie flush with adjacent portions 12A of the external surface of the housing 12 wherein the fluid receiving containers 62 are in their position of use. The fluid receiving containers 62 are removable by a user from the housing 12 in order to empty out their contents and to clean them. To this end, the respective cross members 64 are slidably mounted in the housing 12. Preferably, side end portions 68 of the cross members 64 have an interference fit with opposed parts of the housing 12.

The apparatus 10 of the invention preferably further includes a handle 70 which includes a gripping portion 72 adapted to be grasped in a user's hand and a cranked engagement portion 74 which engages the grill pan 20 to allow it to be lifted. The engagement portion 74 is a range substantially at right angles to the gripping portion 72 and includes a cross member part which is placed in use beneath a lip or tab 76 formed in a wall of the grill pan 20. An upper edge 78 of the grill pan 20 provides a reaction surface for the handle 72, whereby the grill pan 20 can be securely lifted.

The grill plates 26, 28 have corresponding tabs and reaction surfaces whereby the same article can be used to lift the respective grill plates 26, 28.

In the preferred variation of the invention, the apparatus 10 is provided with a plurality of interchangeable grill plates with different upper surfaces. Whereas, for example, the ridged surfaces of the grill plates 26, 28 described above are particularly suitable for cooking meat such as steaks or burgers, the grill plates with a smooth surface is well adapted for cooking foods such as fish and eggs.

Claims

Claims: 1. A cooking apparatus comprising: a housing; a radiant heating

element mounted within the housing; a space defined within the housing below the radiant element within which food to be cooked may be placed for radiant heating by the element; at least one grill plate onto which food is placed directly for cooking, said a grill plate being removably located above the radiant heating element to be heated thereby.
2. A cooking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the radiant heating element has a planar serpentine configuration and wherein the or each grill plate rests directly on the radiant heating element.
3. A cooking apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the underside of each grill plate contains at least one formation shaped to conform to at least a portion of the radiant heating element.
4. A cooking apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the or each grill plate comprises a variety of upstanding food supporting ridges separated by a plurality of troughs, at least a floor portion of said troughs being inclined with respect to the horizontal from a relatively high point to a relatively low point.
5. A cooking apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said troughs slope from a high point towards the middle of each trough to a low point at the respective ends of the grill plate.
6. A cooking apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or 5 wherein the or each grill plate includes a plurality of through holes with which the respective low points of said troughs are in fluid communication.
7. A cooking apparatus as claimed in claim 6 further comprising at least one fluid receiving container disposed in use beneath said respective through holes.
8. A cooking apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the or each fluid receiving container is removable from the housing.
9. A cooking apparatus as claimed in claim 8 comprising two fluid receiving containers disposed respectively at opposed ends of the or each grill plate.
10. A cooking apparatus as claimed in claim 7 or 8 wherein the or each fluid receiving container is mounted on a bracket which bracket includes formations adapted to slidably engage corresponding formations of the housing on insertion of the bracket into the housing.
11. A cooking apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the external surface of the bracket in use is substantially flush with adjacent external surfaces of the housing.
12. A cooking apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim comprising first and second grill plates mounted in use side-by-side.
13. A cooking apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the first grill plate comprises a laterally extending portion which, when the plates are mounted in use side-by- side, overlaps a side edge portion of the second grill plate.
14. A cooking apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising one or more additional grill plates interchangeably usable with said at least one grill plate.
15. A cooking apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein said additional grill plate comprises a substantially smooth upper surface.
16. A cooking apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a handle and formations fonned on the respective grill plates adapted to co-operate with said handle for removal of the grill plates.
17. A cooking apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a grill pan for containing food to be cooked in said space for radiant heating.
18. A cooking apparatus as claimed in claim 17 when dependant on the 16 wherein said grill pan includes a formation adapted operatively to cooperate with said handle, for movement of the grill pan into and out of said space for radiant heating.
19. A cooking apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a wind shield removably mountable around the respective sides of said grill plates.
20. A cooking apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein said wind shield comprises a rear planar portion and first and second dependent side portions attached to side edges of the rear planar portion.
21. A cooking apparatus as claimed in claim 20 wherein the first and second side portions are hingedly attached to the rear portion, whereby said side portions can be folded flat against the rear portion.
22. A cooking apparatus as claimed in claim 19, 20 or 21 wherein said wind shield further comprises downwardly extending tabs depending from a lower age thereof which operatively engage co-operating formations of the housing.
23. A cooking apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of Figures ito ii.