Disclosed is an ash clean out mechanism including a burn pot removable from the remainder of the appliance to allow easier cleaning of the auger or other functional components within the appliance. The burn pot can include a handle that a user can pull to remove the burn pot from an adapter collar located within the interior of the appliance. The user can then clean the interior of the appliance and thereafter insert the burn pot into the appliance. For example, the user can push the burn pot by guiding a lower plate of the burn pot along a lip of the appliance and into a landing area where a body of the burn pot can rest on the adapter collar. The burn pot can also form a flow channel around the burn pot body to provide improved airflow during the cooking process.

The present invention provides a combination pressure cooker and air fryer lid that may be selectively coupled to a vessel. When the lid and the vessel are coupled, the lid may be adjustable between two positions. In the first position, the lid may be used for pressure cooking. In the second position, the lid may be used for air frying. To transition the lid from the first position to the second position, a handle on the lid may be rotated in a particular direction. Conversely, to transition the lid from the second position to the first position, the handle on the lid may be rotated in an opposite direction. Advantageously, in performing either of the pressure cooking or air fryer cooking functions, the lid need not be replaced.

An apparatus for temperature control of a barbecue oven, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. A vent from a firebox feeds heated air with smoke to a cook box. A variable speed motor connected to a blower wheel draws air out of the cook box into a plenum, and also pressurizes the plenum to force air back onto the cook box through one or more vents between the plenum and the cook box, as well as out of the stack. A variable frequency drive is coupled to the variable speed motor and a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller, which is coupled to a temperature sensor. When the temperature falls below a set point, the PID controller causes the variable frequency drive to actuate the variable speed motor and draw heated air into the cook box from the firebox. The blower wheel and vents circulate the heated air in the cook box, and the air exhaust through the stack allows heated air to be drawn into the cook box.

This invention provides a portable combustion device that provides a cleaner combustion, provides a more efficient overall combustion through the use of a fan that directs a predetermined volume of airflow over the combustible fuel—typically wood or similar cellulose-based biological solids and provides a cooking surface that is a grill top. The combustion device has a combustion chamber into which the fuel source is placed for combustion. Mounted to the side of the combustion chamber is a housing that encloses the TEG, which generates an electrical output, based on a difference in temperature on opposing sides. Mounted onto the TEG housing and protruding into the combustion chamber through a small passageway is a heat-conducting probe and heat-conducting probe base unit.

A solid-fuel grilling device comprises a direct-current power source. A direct-current sensor is in communication with the direct-current power source. The direct-current sensor is configured to gather power characteristic data in relation to the direct-current power source. A solid-fuel grilling component is in communication with the direct-power source. The direct-power source provides power to the solid-fuel grilling component. A processor, in communication with the direct-current sensor, is configured to analyze the power characteristic data and determine operational health of solid-fuel grill components.

A cooking system includes a housing defining a hollow chamber configured to receive food. The housing has an upper portion defining an opening to said hollow chamber. A lid is movable relative to the housing between an open position and a closed position. The lid seals the opening to the hollow chamber when in the closed position. A portion of the lid is selectively positionable to form a pressure-tight heating volume between the hollow chamber and the portion of said lid. At least one heating element is associated with at least one of the housing and the lid. The at least one heating element is arranged within the pressure-tight heating volume.

Disclosed is an air circulation device for an outdoor cooking appliance such as a grill. The device helps circulate air more consistently and efficiently by providing slats that direct rising air in a cyclonic arrangement. By providing this cyclonic effect, the air circulation device can distribute heat and smoke more evenly to the food being cooked and improve smoke penetration, heat efficiency, and the evenness of cooking.

An air fryer comprises an air flow passage provided between an inner shell and an outer shell; a first cooking chamber having a first cooking fan in air flow communication with the first cooking chamber and a first heating element in thermal communication with the first cooking chamber. A cooling fan, when actuated, circulates air within the airflow passage. A common motor is drivingly connected to each of the cooking fan and the cooling fan, wherein a first axle portion drivingly connects the common motor to the cooking fan, a second axle portion drivingly connects the common motor to the cooling fan and, when the air fryer is positioned with the bottom on a horizontal surface, the first axle portion extends upwardly from an upper side of the common motor and the second axle portion extends downwardly from a lower side of the common motor.

A grilling device includes an auger feeder system, a heating element, a blower and a temperature control system. The temperature control system includes at least a first temperature sensor inside the firepot and a second temperature sensor inside a cooking chamber above the firepot. The heating element can also serve as the first temperature sensor. A method for controlling the temperature of the grill can include receiving temperature feedback information from one or more of the temperature sensors and adjusting power provided to the auger feeder system, heating element, and blower. The temperature control system produces cold smoke resulting from the combustion of lignin in solid wood fuel while minimizing temperatures inside the cooking chamber.

One or more implementations of the present disclosure relate to a reusable or disposable outdoor wood or charcoal-fired cooking device. In at least some implementations, embodiments of the present disclosure include one or more of a cooking vessel, a fuel cartridge of combustible fuel (e.g., wood, charcoal) that is positionable within the cooking device, and a control device that includes or controls the operation of a fan, which in turn precisely controls the combustion of the fuel and the conditions within the cooking vessel. The fan may be operative to push or pull air through the fuel cartridge. When the fan is turned off or at low speed, the combustion gases from the fuel cartridge may be vented directly to the ambient environment without passing through the cooking vessel. The cooking vessel and fuel cartridge may be made from materials that are disposable, and ideally recyclable and/or compostable.