BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The apparatus is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.
FIG. 1 depicts a first embodiment of an exemplary kamado style cooker;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of a kamado style cooker according to one exemplary embodiment with the lid thereof raised;
FIG. 3A & 3B are rear and side views of another exemplary embodiment of a kamado style cooker;
FIG. 4A & 4B are rear and side views of yet another exemplary embodiment of a kamado style cooker;
FIG. 5 is a cut-away view of the interior of a kamado style cooker according to another exemplary embodiment;
FIG. 6A presents a top plan view of a fire bowl for use with a kamado style cooker; and
FIG. 6B is an elevation view of the fire bowl of FIG. 6A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The various embodiments of the kamado style cooker and their advantages are best -understood, by referring to FIGS. 1 through 4B of the drawings, as well as the accompanying photographs, mechanical drawings, engineering analyses, and other information provided herewith. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the novel features and principles of operation. Throughout the drawings, like numerals are used tor like and corresponding parts of the various drawings.
Furthermore, reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “various embodiments,” or any variant thereof means that a particular feature or aspect described in conjunction with the particular embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in another embodiment,” or variations thereof in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to its respective embodiment.
A kamado cooker is a traditional Japanese wood or charcoal fueled cook stove. Modem versions of the cooker are believed to derive from clay vessels used by humans to cook food for many thousands of years. However, the use of clay to form the cooker has given way to the use of ceramic materials today. Modern kamado style cookers are made from a variety of materials including high fire ceramics, refractory materials, double wall insulated steel, traditional terra cotta, and a mix of Portland cement and crushed lava rock. Outer surfaces also vary from a high gloss ceramic glaze, paint, a textured stucco-like surface and ceramic tiles. There is a draft opening in the lower side of the unit to provide air to the charcoal, as web as a controllable vent in the top of the dome lid for air to exit the cooker. Temperature is controlled by adjusting these two vents. One or more grates are suspended over the fire to provide the cooking surface(s) for the food.
Manufacturers of the kamado style ceramic cookers claim that they are extremely versatile. Hot only can they be used for grilling and smoking, but pizza can be cooked on a pizza stone and bread can also be baked. This is by virtue of the excellent heat retention properties of the ceramic shell that mean temperatures of up to 750° F. (400° C.) can be achieved. Also, due to the precise control of airflow (and thus temperature) afforded by the vent system, Kamado-style cookers are much like wood-fired ovens and can be used to roast and bake anything that can be roasted or baked in a traditional oven.
A common fault in the original Japanese design is that clay and ceramic materials tend to crack over time. Modern ceramic and refractory materials decrease cracking only to some extent, and Portland cement is still associated with cracking problems. Accordingly, a well-known shortcoming of modern Kamado-style cookers is their lack of strength and durability because of the use of ceramic and refractory lining materials.
FIGS. 1 & 2 illustrate an exemplary kamado style cooker 10 comprising a cast iron frustoconical pot 2 in which is defined a top opening 28 in communication with a chamber (FIG. 5, 20) for retaining cooking fuel, e.g., charcoal and a cast iron circular grate 3 that is seated on a lip extending radially inward from the interior surface of the pot proximal to the top opening. The pot 2 is configures with an integrally formed circumferential band 18 around the opening and a vent 19 defined in a portion of the pot wall near the bottom thereof. A semi-spherical domed lid 1 is hingedly attached to the on tor rim of the top of the pot and is operable to cover the top opening to retain heat within the resulting enclosure. The lid 1 comprises an integrally formed hand 17, a handle 4 mounted to the front of the band 17 by which to lift the lid 1, and a dome vent 5 located on the top of the lid 1 generally co-axially with the central axis of the pot 2 when the lid 1 is closed.
Because cast iron is relatively heavy, the hinged connection 7 between the lid 1 and the pot 2 is configured with a lift assist mechanism. In one embodiment, the mechanism comprises one or more helical torsion springs 8 installed on a binge pin 9 and biased to apply torque to rotate the lid 1 away from the pot 2.
FIGS. 3A & 3B illustrate another embodiment with a lift assist mechanism comprising one or more pneumatic pistons 10. The lid 1 is configured with an upper hinge plate 11 having downward tending flanges, the plate 11 extending from band 17 to the rear of the cooker on the opposite side of the lid 1 from the handle 4. The pot 2 also comprises a corresponding lower hinge plate 12 extending from band 18 to the rear and includes upward tending flanges. The flanges are configured with a bore that receives a hinge pin 9. In this embodiment, piston 10 is generally vertically oriented having a lower end attached to the outer surface of the rear of the pot 2. The upper end of the piston 10 is pivotally coupled to the downward-tending flanges of the upper hinge plate 11. The piston 10 is operable to apply pneumatic pressure to a piston head at upward end of a piston rod in the upward direction causing the rod to be drawn into the piston cylinder. Thus, when an upward force is applied to the handle 4 to raise the lid 1 a downward force is applied to the upper hinge plate 11 helping to rotate the lid 1 about the hinge pin 9.
Another version of a lift assist mechanism is shown in FIGS. 4A & 4B where the lower hinge plate 12′ is farther configured with a horizontal support flange 14. The support flange 14 includes one or more holes defined therein each of which receives a generally vertical tie rod 13. The upper end of the tie rod 13 is pivotally coupled to either downward-tending flange of the upper hinge plate 11 while the lower end of the tie rod 13 terminates-in a plate 16. The tie rod 13 extends through a compression spring 15 disposed between the bottom surface of the horizontal support flange 14 and the top surface of the plate 16. When the handle 4 is lifted, force from the compression spring 15 is applied against the horizontal support flange 14 mid against fee plate 16 pushing them apart and drawing the lower end of the tie rod 13 downward. This in turn applies downward force to the upper hinge plate 11 through the pivotal coupling with the upper end of the tie rod 13 imparting additional rotation to the lid I about the hinge pin 9.
Referring to FIGS. 5, 6 & 6A, in another embodiment of the cooker, a cast iron fire bowl 21 is housed within the chamber 20 defined by the frustoconical pot 2. The fire bowl 21 defines a receptacle 22 for receiving cooking fuel and comprises a floor 25 in which are defined a plurality of openings 26. The fire bowl 21 is configured with a cylindrical pedestal in which is defined a cylindrical chamber 27 with which the plurality of openings 26 in the floor 25 is in communication. The wall of the pedestal includes a vent window 24 open to the cylindrical chamber 27. Thus, the fire howl 21 contains fire for cooking and air for the fire may be received within the bowl 21 through the openings 26. Air flows into the chamber 20 of the pot 21 via the vent 19 and enters the cylindrical chamber 27 within the pedestal 23 of the fire bowl 21 and then into the receptacle 22 via the openings 26 in die floor 25. In some embodiments the cast iron fire bowl 21 is a unitary article, i.e., a single, cast piece. It will be appreciated that most ceramic cookers use fire boxes, or bowls comprised of two separate ceramic pieces with a cast iron bottom plate. Disadvantages of this structure include unnecessary complexity and reduced durability. A single cast iron fire howl 21 eliminates these shortcomings. Further, a wider range of cooking fuels may be used. Indeed, a cast iron fire bowl permits the use of lighter fluid, which is specifically prohibited in ceramic cookers.
As described above and shown in the associated drawings, the present invention comprises a kamado style cooker formed from cast iron. While particular embodiments have been described, it will be understood, however, that any invention appertaining to die apparatus described is not limited thereto, since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. It is, therefore, contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications that incorporate those features or those improvements that embody the spirit and scope of the invention.
Patent Application
20180368619
