MODULAR MULTIPURPOSE COOKING SURFACE AND SMOKING TRAY

Abstract

System involved with but not limited to an apparatus including a cooking system capable of multiple food preparation configurations, including but not limited to grilling, smoking, and griddling. The disclosed apparatus may add functionality to a pre-existing heat source, such as a barbecue grill, and may be comprised of a solid metal member and a metal grate adapted for placement in overlying relation to said metal member. Said solid metal member may function as a griddle or as a tray onto which flavoring agents, such as wood chips, may be placed to be heated to a smoldering temperature, enabling the user to smoke food items. An opening may be disposed in said metal grate into which cooking accessories, such as a wok or basket, may be received. Additionally, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A cooking system comprising: a solid metal member adapted for placement in overlying relation to a heat source, the solid member including an upper side and underside, the upper side defining a heat transfer zone, with side walls extending upwardly from the perimeter of the upper side; a metal grate adapted for placement in overlying relation to said solid metal member, the metal grate defining a cooking surface.

2. The cooking system as recited in claim 1, wherein said solid metal member and metal grate are rectangular.

3. The cooking system as recited in claim 1, wherein the underside of said solid metal member includes a plurality of raised metal ridges extending from the surface.

4. The cooking system as recited in claim 1, wherein a plurality of openings are disposed near the perimeter of the upper side of said solid metal member corresponding to metallic pegs extend downward from the metal grate.

5. The cooking system as recited in claim 1, wherein a plurality of openings are disposed near the perimeter of the underside of said solid metal member corresponding to metallic pegs extend downward from the metal grate.

6. The cooking system as recited in claim 5, wherein said notches decrease in lateral width from the upper side of said metal member to the underside.

7. The cooking system as recited in claim 1, wherein an opening with a length and width of at least 2.5 cm is disposed in the surface of the cooking grate.

8. The cooking system as recited in claim 1, wherein a rectangular opening with a length and width of at least 10 cm is disposed in the surface of said cooking grate, a plurality of flanges extending no more than 2 cm laterally from the underside of the cooking grate on at least two sides of the rectangular opening, said flanges being adapted to support cooking accessories and a cooking grate.

9. A cooking system comprising: a rectangular solid metal member adapted for placement in overlying relation to a heat source, the solid member including an upper side and underside, the upper side defining a heat transfer zone, with side walls extending upwardly from the perimeter of the upper side, wherein the underside of said solid metal member includes a plurality of raised metal ridges extending from the surface; a rectangular metal grate adapted for placement in overlying relation to said solid metal member, the metal grate defining a cooking surface, wherein an opening with a length and width of at least 2.5 cm is disposed in the surface of the cooking grate; wherein a plurality of openings are disposed near the perimeter of the upper side of said solid metal member corresponding to metallic pegs extending downward from the metal grate and a plurality of notches are disposed in the perimeter side wall of said solid metal member corresponding to metallic bars extending laterally from the metal grate, wherein said notches decrease in lateral width from the upper side of said metal member to the underside.

10. The cooking system as recited in claim 9, wherein a rectangular opening with a length and width of at least 10 cm is disposed in the surface of said cooking grate, a plurality of flanges extending no more than 2 cm laterally from the underside of the cooking grate on at least two sides of the rectangular opening, said flanges being adapted to support cooking accessories and a cooking grate.

11. A cooking system comprising: a rectangular solid metal member adapted for placement in overlying relation to a heat source, the solid member including an upper side and underside, the upper side defining a heat transfer zone, with side walls extending upwardly from the perimeter of the upper side, wherein the underside of said solid metal member includes a plurality of raised metal ridges extending from the surface; a rectangular metal grate adapted for placement in overlying relation to said solid metal member, the metal grate defining a cooking surface, wherein a rectangular opening with a length and width of at least 10 cm is disposed in the surface of said cooking grate, a plurality of flanges extending no more than 2 cm laterally from the underside of the cooking grate on at least two sides of the rectangular opening, said flanges being adapted to support cooking accessories and a cooking grate; wherein a plurality of openings are disposed near the perimeter of the upper side of said solid metal member corresponding to metallic pegs extending downward from the metal grate and a plurality of notches are disposed in the perimeter side wall of said solid metal member corresponding to metallic bars extending laterally from the metal grate, wherein said notches decrease in lateral width from the upper side of said metal member to the underside.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in, and which constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary constructions and procedures in accordance with the present disclosure and, together with the general description of the disclosure given above and the detailed description set forth below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure wherein:

[0016] FIG. 1 is a top view of an exemplary a solid member capable of receiving a grilling grate, receiving wood chips for smoking, and acting as a griddle cooking surface;

[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exemplary solid member in FIG. 1;

[0018] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the exemplary solid member of FIGS. 1 and 2 with raised grill ridges;

[0019] FIG. 4 is a cut away lateral view of the exemplary solid member of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3;

[0020] FIG. 5 is a lateral view of the exemplary solid member of FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4;

[0021] FIG. 6 is a top view of an exemplary grate member capable of being received by the exemplary solid member of FIGS. 1-5;

[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the exemplary grate member of FIG. 6; and

[0023] FIG. 8 is a cut away lateral view of the exemplary grate member of FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0024] While constructions consistent with the present disclosure have been illustrated and generally described above and will hereinafter be described in connection with certain potentially preferred embodiments and practices, it is to be understood that in no event is the disclosure limited to such illustrated and described embodiments and practices. On the contrary, it is intended that the present disclosure shall extend to all alternatives and modifications as may embrace the general principles of this disclosure within the full and true spirit and scope thereof. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for purposes of description only and should not be regarded as limiting. The use herein of terms such as including and comprising and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In accordance with one exemplary aspect, a cooking system is provided having a multifunctional solid metal member capable of receiving a separate grated cooking surface. A solid metal member is adapted for placement in overlying relation to a heat source, typically provided by a charcoal or gas burning barbecue grill. The solid metal member may be placed on top of or in place of the grate of a provided charcoal or gas burning barbecue grill.

[0026] An exemplary solid member is rectangular in shape, having a flat, smooth, and planar upper side and a planar underside with a plurality of raised ridges. Each side may function as a cooking surface while facing upward toward the user; for purposes of clarity, the smooth side shall herein be referred to as the upper side while the side featuring raised grill ridges shall be referred to as the under side. The upper side and under side each define a cooking surface. The solid member may include a raised perimeter wall extending upwardly from the upper side, or downwardly from the lower side, or both.

[0027] An exemplary solid member may be adapted to receive a cooking grate in overlying relation to the planar surface of the solid member. In an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment, metallic cylindrical pegs may extend downward from a cooking grate while corresponding round openings capable of receiving the pegs of the cooking grate may be disposed near the corners of the solid member. The openings may be disposed in the planar surface of the solid member or in the raised perimeter wall. Alternatively, round cylindrical pegs may extend from the surface(s) of the solid member while corresponding openings disposed in the grate allow the grate to be securely set in overlying relation to the solid member. Pegs may be cylindrical or rectangular.

[0028] An exemplary solid member may be adapted for placement on a barbecue grill in a side-by-side configuration with one or a plurality of cooking grates. A plurality of notches may be disposed along a perimeter edge of an exemplary solid member. A notch in this context is understood to mean an indentation defining a space extending vertically through the planes of the cooking surface and perimeter wall(s) in the perimeter of the solid member. The notches in the perimeter of the solid member may correspond to portions of the bars of the cooking grate extending beyond the perimeter edge of the cooking grate, such that when the perimeter wall of the exemplary solid member containing a plurality of notches is placed adjacent to a perimeter edge of an exemplary cooking grate containing a corresponding plurality of grate bar extensions, the portion of the grate bars extending beyond the perimeter of the cooking grate fit into corresponding notches of the solid member. In this configuration, the perimeter walls of the grate and solid member may be placed in close proximity such that food items are less likely to fall into the gap between them and such that positions of the member and grate are secured with respect to one another.

[0029] An exemplary cooking grate is configured to be placed in overlying relation to an exemplary solid metal member. The cooking grate may be rectangular in shape with dimensions that allow the grate to cover the entire surface of the solid metal member. The cooking grate may include metallic pegs extending downward from the planar underside of the cooking grate. The pegs, which may be cylindrical or rectangular, may be set into corresponding holes of the solid metal member such that the grate may be securely placed onto the solid metal member. A plurality of the metal bars defining the grate may extend beyond the perimeter of the grate such that when the grate is placed level with and adjacent to the solid metal member, the bars may fit into the notches disposed in the perimeter edge of the solid metal member, thereby allowing the corresponding perimeter edges of the respective solid metal member and cooking grate to be placed in close proximity and secured with respect to one another. An opening may optionally be disposed in the grate to allow the grate to be lifted when not in use for cooking.

[0030] The width of the notches in the perimeter of the solid member may decrease from the upper side of the solid member to the underside of the solid member to allow the bars extending beyond the perimeter of the grate to be more easily dropped into place and secured.

[0031] An opening may optionally be disposed in the center of the grate to allow cooking accessories to be securely received at the opening. The perimeter of an exemplary grate is defined by metallic bars forming a rectangular opening in the planar cooking surface of the cooking grate. A metallic flange extends from the bottom surface of the perimeter of the opening of the grate that is capable of functioning as a seat for a plurality of cooking accessories, or for a smaller cooking grate configured to provide a continuous grated cooking surface in combination with the cooking grate featuring an opening. The flanges defining a seat for accessories may extend along all sides of the perimeter of the opening or along two parallel sides of the opening.

[0032] Cooking accessories may be adapted for placement onto the seat of the optional cooking grate opening. For example, a griddle member, sear grid, or pizza stone matching the dimensions of the grate opening may be set onto the seat of the optional cooking grate opening, forming a continuous cooking surface with the balance of the cooking grate. Other cooking accessories, such as a grill pan or wok, may be configured to for placement onto the seat of the optional cooking grate opening by virtue of the dimensions of the bottom surface of the accessory, which conforms to the dimensions of the opening such that the bottom edges of the accessory may be set upon the seat of the opening.

[0033] Referring now to the drawing wherein like numerals refer to like parts in the various views, FIG. 1 is a top view of an exemplary solid member 10 capable of receiving a grilling grate, receiving wood chips for smoking, and acting as a griddle cooking surface.

[0034] As seen in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 the upper side of an exemplary solid metal member 10 includes a heat transfer zone 11, notches 12 disposed in the perimeter surface, and rounded openings 13 capable of receiving rounded pegs extending from the bottom surface of a cooking grate.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary solid member illustrating a raised perimeter wall 14 with a plurality of notches 12 disposed along two opposing perimeter edges. Rounded openings 13 disposed in the corners of the perimeter walls are capable of receiving rounded projections extending downward from a grated cooking surface.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of an exemplary solid member 10 with raised ridges 16 extending from a planar cooking surface 15.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a cut away lateral view showing raised ridges 16 extending from the cooking surface of the underside of the solid metal member. A perimeter wall 14 extends from the perimeter of the upper side of the solid metal member.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a lateral view of the perimeter wall 14 with notches 12 disposed therein. FIG. 5 further illustrates the decreasing lateral width of the notches 12 from the upper side of the member to the underside.

[0039] As seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, a planar cooking grate 20 is defined by a plurality of metal bars 21 arranged in parallel at regular intervals. In this exemplary, non-limiting embodiment, a pair of metallic bars are disposed in perpendicular fashion to the parallel bars with extensions 23 extending beyond the perimeter edge of the grate 20.

[0040] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an opening 24 disposed in the grate to allow the grate to be lifted when not in use for cooking.

[0041] FIG. 8 is a cut away lateral view of the exemplary grate member showing the optional shape of the bars 21 of the cooking grate and the pegs 25 extending downward from the cooking surface of the cooking grate.

[0042] All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

[0043] The use of the terms a and an and the and similar referents in the context of describing the disclosure (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms comprising, having, including, and containing are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning including, but not limited to,) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., such as) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosure.

[0044] Preferred embodiments of this disclosure are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the disclosure. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the disclosure to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.