An outdoor cooking station configured to simultaneously and independently cook food with separate cooking modes. The cooking station includes a main body defining separate first and second cooking portions fueled by separate fuel sources for cooking food in the separate modes. The first cooking portion includes gas-fueled first heating elements configured to heat a first cooking surface associated with the first cooking portion of the main body. The second cooking portion of the main body extends to define a chamber, the chamber being accessible with a door or hood pivotably coupled to the main body. The chamber includes an upper region and a lower region separated by an inner panel, the upper region including a second cooking surface suspended within the upper region. The lower region includes a second heating element sized and configured to electrically heat pellet elements to supply heat and smoke to the upper region.

An outdoor cooking station configured to simultaneously and independently cook food with separate cooking modes. The cooking station includes a main body defining separate first and second cooking portions fueled by separate fuel sources for cooking food in the separate modes. The first cooking portion includes gas-fueled first heating elements configured to heat a first cooking surface associated with the first cooking portion of the main body. The second cooking portion of the main body extends to define a chamber, the chamber being accessible with a door or hood pivotably coupled to the main body. The chamber includes an upper region and a lower region separated by an inner panel, the upper region including a second cooking surface suspended within the upper region. The lower region includes a second heating element sized and configured to electrically heat pellet elements to supply heat and smoke to the upper region.

An apparatus for cooking or smoking and a fuel combustor therefor. In the cooking or smoking apparatus and method, combustion products produced by the combustor, by a gas burner, or by other means are preferably delivered upwardly through an upwardly extending inner flow gap which at least partially surrounds a cooking or smoking chamber. The combustion products are preferably then delivered downwardly through the cooking or smoking chamber and then upwardly through an upwardly extending outer flow gap which is outside of the inner flow gap and which also at least partially surrounds the cooking or smoking chamber.

An apparatus for cooking or smoking and a fuel combustor therefor. In the cooking or smoking apparatus and method, combustion products produced by the combustor, by a gas burner, or by other means are preferably delivered upwardly through an upwardly extending inner flow gap which at least partially surrounds a cooking or smoking chamber. The combustion products are preferably then delivered downwardly through the cooking or smoking chamber and then upwardly through an upwardly extending outer flow gap which is outside of the inner flow gap and which also at least partially surrounds the cooking or smoking chamber.

A flavoring device includes at least one flavoring casing having an air inlet opening arranged for allowing air to enter the flavoring casing, a flavoring air outlet opening arranged for allowing air to pass to a cooking chamber, and a flavoring air path fluidly connecting the air inlet opening to the flavoring air outlet opening. The flavoring casing houses, at least while in operation: a heating element arranged in the flavoring air path, and a flavoring substance rack arranged at least partially in the flavoring air path downstream the heating element. The heating element is housed spaced apart from the flavoring substance rack in such a way that, in operation, heat is transferred from the heating element to the flavoring substance rack mainly by air flowing inside the flavoring casing from the air inlet opening to the flavoring air outlet opening through the flavoring air path.

A flavoring device includes at least one flavoring casing having an air inlet opening arranged for allowing air to enter the flavoring casing, a flavoring air outlet opening arranged for allowing air to pass to a cooking chamber, and a flavoring air path fluidly connecting the air inlet opening to the flavoring air outlet opening. The flavoring casing houses, at least while in operation: a heating element arranged in the flavoring air path, and a flavoring substance rack arranged at least partially in the flavoring air path downstream the heating element. The heating element is housed spaced apart from the flavoring substance rack in such a way that, in operation, heat is transferred from the heating element to the flavoring substance rack mainly by air flowing inside the flavoring casing from the air inlet opening to the flavoring air outlet opening through the flavoring air path.

A gas-fired smoker constitutes a cabinet for holding food products to be cooked. A gas burner in the cabinet is connected to a source of flammable gas by means of a valve. The gas burner heats the cabinet and thereby cooks the food products. In one embodiment a pilot light ignites the flammable gas at the gas burner. A control circuit powered by a DC source controls the operation of the gas-fired smoker including igniting and extinguishing the gas burner in order to maintain a cooking temperature in the cabinet. A battery powers the control system. In another embodiment a rechargeable battery is recharged by a Seebeck thermal electric generator that is exposed to the heat from the gas burner.

A gas-fired smoker constitutes a cabinet for holding food products to be cooked. A gas burner in the cabinet is connected to a source of flammable gas by means of a valve. The gas burner heats the cabinet and thereby cooks the food products. In one embodiment a pilot light ignites the flammable gas at the gas burner. A control circuit powered by a DC source controls the operation of the gas-fired smoker including igniting and extinguishing the gas burner in order to maintain a cooking temperature in the cabinet. A battery powers the control system. In another embodiment a rechargeable battery is recharged by a Seebeck thermal electric generator that is exposed to the heat from the gas burner.

An indoor smoker includes a cabinet including an exhaust duct, a smoking chamber, a firebox, and a bypass duct extending between the firebox and the exhaust duct. A damper is movable between a first position for closing the smoking chamber when a firebox temperature is outside a desired range and a second position for blocking the bypass duct when the firebox temperature is within the desired range. The damper thus regulates the flow of smoke such that only good smoke is directed into the smoking chamber, while bad smoke is routed directly to the exhaust duct.

An indoor smoker includes a cabinet including an exhaust duct, a smoking chamber, a firebox, and a bypass duct extending between the firebox and the exhaust duct. A damper is movable between a first position for closing the smoking chamber when a firebox temperature is outside a desired range and a second position for blocking the bypass duct when the firebox temperature is within the desired range. The damper thus regulates the flow of smoke such that only good smoke is directed into the smoking chamber, while bad smoke is routed directly to the exhaust duct.