Patent Application
20230225341
The present subject matter relates generally to indoor smokers, and more particularly to indoor smokers constructions for improved pellet management.
Conventional smokers include a smoking chamber and a firebox positioned within or fluidly coupled to the smoking chamber. The firebox is filled with a combustible material, such as wood or wood byproducts that are ignited or otherwise heated to generate smoke and/or heat. The heat and smoke are routed into the smoking chamber to impart flavor on and cook food items positioned within the smoking chamber. One or more heating elements may be positioned within the smoking chamber and the firebox to maintain the temperatures necessary both for cooking the food and for generating the desired amount of smoke.
During a conventional smoking process, a hopper of a smoker is loaded with combustible material, e.g., wood pellets, that are smoldered during the smoking process to generate smoke. Notably, it is commonly desirable to load the smoker with a sufficient amount of pellets to last for the entire smoking process, which can often be 4 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, or longer. While certain outdoor smokers may be resupplied with fuel for long smokes, opening the hopper of an indoor smoker may release generated smoke into the room. Accordingly, refilling an indoor smoker in the middle of a smoking process is often undesirable.
Moreover, indoor smokers are often installed on countertops or in other locations that are space-restricted. Accordingly, conventional indoor smokers have limited heights and volumes within which wood pellets may be stored. In addition, the progression of combustible material in conventional smokers is typically gravity-driven, meaning pellets are supplied above a smoldering heater and the consumed pellets are collected below the smoldering heater and hopper in a waste container. Notably, the waste container is preferably sized to contain all the combustion byproducts from the duration of the smoking process.
Conventional smokers do not have the proper size, configuration, and geometry of the hopper and waste container. For example, conventional smokers have a relatively small hopper that must be frequently resupplied with combustible material to facilitate long smoking processes. In addition, waste reservoirs are often too small to contain the ash from the complete smoking cycle. This may present a hazardous situation if the combusted pellets overflow the waste reservoir. In sum, conventional smokers are not capable of being positioned within confined spaces, such as indoors on a countertop and generated significant difficult and/or hazards relative to pellet management, both in the hopper and the waste reservoir.
Accordingly, a smoker that has features for improved pellet management would be useful. More specifically, an indoor smoker that includes features that facilitate containment of large volumes of wood pellets and safe extinguishment and containment of such pellets would be particularly beneficial.
Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
In one exemplary embodiment, an indoor smoker defining a vertical direction is provided. The indoor smoker includes a cabinet defining a cabinet height measured along the vertical direction, a smoking chamber positioned within the cabinet, a hopper positioned within the cabinet and being configured to receive combustible material to facilitate a smoking process, the hopper defining a hopper volume, a smoke generating assembly positioned below the hopper along the vertical direction and being configured to for receive the combustible material and generate a flow of smoke that is directed into the smoking chamber, and a waste container positioned below the smoke generating assembly and being configured to receive and extinguish the combustible material, the waste container defining a waste container volume, wherein a wherein a volume ratio is defined as the waste container volume to the hopper volume, and wherein the volume ratio is between about 2:1 and 6:1.
In another exemplary embodiment, an indoor smoker defining a vertical direction is provided. The indoor smoker includes a cabinet defining a cabinet height measured along the vertical direction, a smoking chamber positioned within the cabinet, a hopper positioned within the cabinet and being configured to receive combustible material to facilitate a smoking process, the hopper defining a hopper height, a smoke generating assembly positioned below the hopper along the vertical direction and being configured to for receive the combustible material and generate a flow of smoke that is directed into the smoking chamber, and a waste container positioned below the smoke generating assembly and being configured to receive and extinguish the combustible material, the waste container defining a waste container height, wherein a wherein a height ratio is defined as the waste container height to the hopper height, and wherein the height ratio is between about 0.8:1 and 1.2:1.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.
Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention.
Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). In addition, here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and/or interchanged. Such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise. For example, all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms “upstream” and “downstream” refer to the relative flow direction with respect to fluid flow in a fluid pathway. For example, “upstream” refers to the flow direction from which the fluid flows, and “downstream” refers to the flow direction to which the fluid flows.
Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “generally,” “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value, or the precision of the methods or machines for constructing or manufacturing the components and/or systems. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a 10 percent margin, i.e., including values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. In this regard, for example, when used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction, e.g., “generally vertical” includes forming an angle of up to ten degrees in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise, with the vertical direction V.
Within cabinet 102 is a smoking chamber 120 which is configured for the receipt of one or more food items to be cooked and/or smoked. In general, smoking chamber 120 is at least partially defined by a plurality of chamber walls 122. Specifically, smoking chamber 120 may be defined by a top wall, a rear wall, a bottom wall, and two sidewalls. These chamber walls 122 may define smoking chamber 120 and an opening through which a user may access food articles placed therein. In addition, chamber walls 122 may be joined, sealed, and insulated to help retain smoke and heat within smoking chamber 120. In this regard, for example, in order to insulate smoking chamber 120, indoor smoker 100 includes an insulation gap 124 (
Indoor smoker 100 includes a door 126 rotatably attached to cabinet 102 in order to permit selective access to smoking chamber 120. A handle 128 is mounted to door 126 to assist a user with opening and closing door 126 and a latch 130 (
Referring still to
Generally, indoor smoker 100 may include a controller 140 in operative communication with user input device 136. User interface panel 134 of indoor smoker 100 may be in communication with controller 140 via, for example, one or more signal lines or shared communication busses, and signals generated in controller 140 operate indoor smoker 100 in response to user input via user input devices 136. Input/Output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between controller 140 and various operational components of indoor smoker 100 such that operation of indoor smoker 100 can be regulated by controller 140.
Controller 140 is a “processing device” or “controller” and may be embodied as described herein. Controller 140 may include a memory and one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICS), CPUs or the like, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of indoor smoker 100, and controller 140 is not restricted necessarily to a single element. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM, electrically erasable, programmable read only memory (EEPROM), or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller 140 may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and/or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software.
Although aspects of the present subject matter are described herein in the context of an indoor smoker having a single smoking chamber, it should be appreciated that indoor smoker 100 is provided by way of example only. Other smoking appliances having different configurations, different appearances, and/or different features may also be utilized with the present subject matter, e.g., outdoor smokers, conventional oven appliances, or other suitable cooking appliances. Thus, the example embodiment shown in
Referring now also to
Referring to
As best shown in
In some embodiments, indoor smoker 100 also includes one or more sensors that may be used to facilitate improved operation of the appliance, such as described below. For example, indoor smoker 100 may include one or more temperature sensors which are generally operable to measure the internal temperature in indoor smoker 100, e.g., within smoking chamber 120 and/or smoldering chamber 160. More specifically, as illustrated, indoor smoker 100 includes a temperature sensor 172 positioned within smoking chamber 120 and being operably coupled to controller 140. In some embodiments, controller 140 is configured to vary operation of chamber heater 170 based on one or more temperatures detected by temperature sensor 172.
As described herein, “temperature sensor” may refer to any suitable type of temperature sensor. For example, the temperature sensors may be thermocouples, thermistors, or resistance temperature detectors. In addition, temperature sensor 172 may be mounted at any suitable location and in any suitable manner for obtaining a desired temperature measurement, either directly or indirectly. Although exemplary positioning of certain sensors is described below, it should be appreciated that indoor smoker 100 may include any other suitable number, type, and position of temperature sensors according to alternative embodiments.
As mentioned briefly above, indoor smoker 100 further includes an exhaust system 154 which is generally configured for safely discharging the flow of smoke 152 from indoor smoker 100. Specifically, according to the illustrated embodiment, exhaust system 154 generally extends between a chamber outlet 180 and a discharge vent 182 defined by cabinet 102 for directing the flow of smoke 152 from smoking chamber 120 to the environment 156. Although an exemplary exhaust system 154 is described below, it should be appreciated that variations and modifications may be made while remaining within the scope of the present subject matter. For example, the routing of ducts, the catalytic converter arrangement, and the types of sensors used may vary according to alternative embodiments.
As shown, exhaust system 154 includes an exhaust duct 184 that generally extends between and provides fluid communication between chamber outlet 180 and discharge vent 182. Indoor smoker 100 further includes an air handler 186 that is operably coupled with exhaust duct 184 facilitating the smoldering process and smoke generating process. For example, air handler 186 urges the flow of smoke 152 through exhaust duct 184 and out of discharge vent 182 to environment 156. According to the illustrated exemplary embodiment, air handler 186 is an axial fan positioned within exhaust duct 184. However, it should be appreciated that according to alternative embodiments, air handler 186 may be positioned at any other suitable location and may be any other suitable fan type, such as a tangential fan, a centrifugal fan, etc.
In addition, according to an exemplary embodiment, air handler 186 is a variable speed fan such that it may rotate at different rotational speeds, thereby generating different air flow rates. In this manner, the amount of smoke drawn from smoldering chamber 160 may be continuously and precisely regulated. Moreover, by pulsing the operation of air handler 186 or throttling air handler 186 between different rotational speeds, the flow of smoke 152 drawn into smoking chamber 120 may enter from a different direction, may have a different flow velocity, or may generate a different flow pattern within smoking chamber 120. Thus, by pulsating the variable speed fan or otherwise varying its speed, the flow of smoke 152 may be randomized, thereby eliminating stagnant regions within smoking chamber 120 and better circulating the flow of smoke 152 to provide a more even cooking/smoking profile.
As illustrated, indoor smoker 100 further includes a catalytic converter 190 which is positioned within exhaust duct 184 for lowering or removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the flow of smoke 152. As used herein, “catalytic converter” or variations thereof may be used to refer to any component, machine, or device that is configured for removing or lowering volatile organic compounds (VOCs), toxic gases, harmful emissions, pollutants, or undesirable compounds from a flow of air and smoke. For example, according to the illustrated embodiment, catalytic converter 190 generally includes a catalytic element 192 and a catalyst heater 194. Although catalytic converter 190 is illustrated herein as being positioned within exhaust duct 184, it should be appreciated that according to other embodiments catalytic converter 190 be positioned at any other suitable location, so long as catalytic converter 190 is inline with the flow of smoke 152, such that volatile organic compounds may be reduced.
In general, catalytic element 192 includes a material that causes an oxidation and a reduction reaction. For example, precious metals such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium are commonly used as catalyst materials, though other catalysts are possible and within the scope of the present subject matter. In operation, the catalytic element 192 may combine oxygen O2) with carbon monoxide (CO) and unburned hydrocarbons to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). In addition, according to exemplary embodiments, catalytic element 192 may remove nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
Notably, catalytic converters typically require that the catalyst be heated to a suitably high temperature in order to catalyze the necessary chemical reactions. Therefore, catalyst heater 194 is in thermal communication with catalytic element 192 for heating it to a suitable temperature, such as approximately 800° F. According to the illustrated embodiment, catalyst heater 194 is positioned upstream of catalytic element 192 to provide thermal energy through convection. However, it should be appreciated that according to alternative embodiments, catalyst heater 194 may be in direct contact with catalytic element 192 to provide thermal energy through conduction, or may be thermally coupled to catalytic element 192 in any other suitable manner. In order to ensure a catalyst temperature of catalytic element 192 remains above a temperature suitable for controlling emissions, indoor smoker 100 may further include a catalyst temperature sensor (not shown) that may be monitored by controller 140.
Referring now specifically to
In addition, indoor smoker 100 may further include features for preventing or regulating the flow of combustion air 202 from entering indoor smoker 100 from environment 156 when the flow of such air is not desired. In this regard, for example, indoor smoker 100 may include an inlet check valve 210 which is operably coupled to air inlet 200. In general, this check valve prevents the flow of combustion air 202 from entering smoldering chamber 160 when not desired. For example, inlet check valve 210 may have a “cracking pressure,” which is used herein to refer to the pressure, or more precisely the negative pressure, required within smoldering chamber 160 to open inlet check valve 210. In this manner, inlet check valve 210 may be designed to permit the flow of combustion air 202 only when air handler 186 is operating and urging air through smoldering chamber 160, thus facilitating the quick and effective asphyxiation of combustible material 162 within smoldering chamber 160 when desired.
Referring now specifically to
Smoke generating assembly 150 further includes a rotating auger 240 that is rotatably mounted within smoldering chamber 160 and generally rotates about central axis 236, e.g., such that rotating auger 240 is coaxial with smoke barrel 230. As shown, an outer diameter of rotating auger 240 is substantially equivalent to an inner diameter of smoke barrel 230, such that a helical blade 242 of rotating auger 240 may advance combustible material 162 within smoldering chamber 160 as rotating auger 240 is rotated about central axis 236. More specifically, the combustible material 162 is generally urged from first end 232 toward second end 234 of smoke barrel 230.
As illustrated, smoke generating assembly 150 may further include a hopper 244 that is generally configured for storing and selectively depositing combustible material 162 into smoldering chamber 160. More specifically, as illustrated, hopper 244 may be a large, tapered reservoir with a top opening 246 positioned at top 104 of cabinet 102. A user may fill hopper 244 by pouring or providing combustible material 162 into hopper 244 through top opening 246. Hopper 244 may taper toward a supply opening 248 positioned at a bottom of hopper 244. As shown, supply opening 248 opens into smoldering chamber 160 at a top of smoke barrel 230. More specifically, supply opening 248 is joined to smoke barrel 230 proximate first end 232 of smoke barrel 230. In this manner, fresh combustible material 162 is typically provided into smoldering chamber 160 proximate first end 232 of smoke barrel 230 and is urged by rotating auger 240 toward second end 234 of smoke barrel 230. As illustrated, smoke generating assembly 150 may generally define a discharge port 250 proximate second end 234 of smoke barrel 230 for discharging consumed combustible material 162.
As best shown in
As used herein, the verb “smolder” or variations thereof is intended to refer to burning a combustible material (e.g., combustible material 162) slowly such that smoke is generated but little or no flame is generated. In this manner, the combustible material is not expended quickly, but a large amount of smoke is generated for the smoking process. Notably, the burn rate of combustible material and the amount of smoke generated is regulated using smoldering heater 252 positioned within smoldering chamber 160. For typical combustible material used in smokers, e.g., wood and wood byproducts, a typical smoldering temperature is between about 650° F. and 750° F. However, the exact temperature may vary depending on the combustible material used, the air flow rate through smoldering chamber 160, the level of combustible material 162, and other factors.
According to the exemplary illustrated embodiment, smoldering heater 252 is positioned proximate second end 234 of smoke barrel 230. For example, smoldering heater 252 may at least partially define smoke outlet 204 of smoke generating assembly 150. Specifically, as illustrated, smoke outlet 204 corresponds to discharge port 250 of smoke generating assembly 150, which may simply be an open end of smoldering heater 252. In this manner, as rotating auger 240 rotates, combustible material 162 positioned within smoldering chamber 160 is slowly but progressively advanced past smoldering heater 252. After combustible material 162 positioned near smoldering heater 252 is consumed or smoldered, rotating auger 240 may rotate to advance the consumed material toward discharge port 250 where it may be pushed out of smoldering chamber 160.
Specifically, as illustrated, smoldering heater 252 may be positioned adjacent smoke barrel 230, e.g., downstream of second end 234 of smoke barrel 230. More specifically, according to exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter, smoldering heater 252 may be spaced apart from the second end 234 of smoke barrel 230 to define an igniter gap 254 between smoke barrel 230 and smoldering heater 252. More specifically, igniter gap 254 may be a void defined between smoke barrel 230 and smoldering heater 252 and may define a gap width 256 measured along the central axis 236 of smoke barrel 230.
As explained briefly above, combustible material 162 may have a general tendency of at least partially breaking down and forming dust or other small particles, referred to herein generally as pellet dust 258. In this regard, although combustible material 162 may initially be provided as solid pellets, these pellets may break down, e.g., due to agitation within hopper 244 or under the force of rotating auger 240 such that pellet dust 258 is formed. Moreover, as smoke generating assembly 150 is heated by smoldering heater 252, the original combustible material 162 may have a tendency to dry out and further accelerate the process of pellets breaking down into pellet dust 258. Notably, this pellet dust 258 may create undesirable conditions, e.g., by creating a dust layer or “raft” with in a water container (e.g., as described in more detail below) which may support combustible material 162 above the water thereby preventing the combustible material 162 from being extinguished when dumped into the extinguishing container. In addition, this pellet dust may combust in an undesirable manner or at an undesirable rate, may coat surfaces of smoke generating assembly 150, etc.
As a result, igniter gap 254 may be particularly sized and positioned for facilitating the removal, collection, and/or rerouting of pellet dust 258 while retaining usable combustible material 162 for smoldering via smoldering heater 252. In this regard, for example, gap width 256 may be between about 10 and 300 thousandths of an inch, between about 50 and 200 thousandths of an inch, or about 100 thousandths of an inch. It should be appreciated that the spacing may vary as needed depending on the application, the combustible material used, and the size, shape, and geometry of combustible material 162. In addition, it should be appreciated that igniter gap 254 may be integrally formed into smoke barrel 230 and/or smoldering heater 252 instead of having a physical separation between these two components. In this regard, for example, one or both of smoldering heater 252 and smoke barrel 230 may define one or more apertures for permitting pellet dust 258 to fall through these components under the force of gravity.
As best shown in
In addition, mounting bracket 260 may define a barrel aperture 266 that is designed to receive second end 234 of smoke barrel 230. Specifically, for example, second end 234 of smoke barrel 230 may be positioned and/or float within barrel aperture 266 such that the igniter gap 254 may be maintained between smoke barrel 230 and smoldering heater 252. Notably, in addition to permitting pellet dust 258 to fall out of smoke generating assembly 150 prior to passing through smoldering heater 252, igniter gap 254 may serve to maintain a thermal break or facilitate thermal isolation between smoldering heater 252 and smoke barrel 230. In this manner, further drying out of combustible material 162 may be prevented and pellet dust 258 may be minimized prior to the combustible material 162 reaching smoldering heater 252.
According to exemplary embodiments, smoldering heater 252 may be positioned on a distal end of rotating auger 240, e.g., aligned along central axis 236 proximate second end 234. As such, rotating auger 240 may pass through smoke barrel 230 and through a central aperture smoldering heater 252 to extend out of discharge port 250. In this manner, rotating auger 240 may serve to advance combustible material 162 from first end 232 of smoke barrel 230, past second end 234 of smoke barrel 230, through and across smoldering heater 252, then out of discharge port 250.
According to an exemplary embodiment, a waste container 270 may be configured for receiving consumed combustible material 162 when discharged from smoke generating assembly 150. In this regard, for example, waste container 270 may be positioned directly below smoke barrel 230, smoldering heater 252, and/or discharge port 250 such that used combustible material 162 may fall therein and immediately extinguish. For example, according to the illustrated embodiment, waste container 270 is filled with water 272 to immediately extinguish combustible material 162 when dropped into container 270. However, it should be appreciated that other liquids or materials for extinguishing combustible material 162 may be contained within waste container 270. In addition, as illustrated, waste container 270 may be positioned below or directly define a chamber inlet 274 that is positioned adjacent smoke outlet 204. In this manner, the flow of smoke 152 exiting smoke barrel 230 may pass directly into smoking chamber 120 through chamber inlet 274 while consumed combustible material 162 may fall directly into water 272 within container 270.
According to alternative embodiments, consumed combustible material 162 may be discharged in any other suitable manner into to any other suitable container or reservoir. According to exemplary embodiments such as that illustrated in
Specifically, according to the illustrated embodiment, dust deflector 276 may generally extend toward a rear, bottom of waste container 270. In addition, according to exemplary embodiments, another portion of dust deflector 276 may extend below discharge port 250 and toward a front bottom of waste container 270. Thus, combustible material 162 and pellet dust 258 be separated and directed to separate regions within waste container 270. According to still other embodiments, waste container 270 may include a divider wall 278 that divides waste container 270 into a first reservoir and a second reservoir. The divider wall 278 may be positioned directly below smoldering heater 252 such that combustible material 162 that passes through discharge port 250 falls into the first reservoir and is separated from pellet dust 258 which falls through igniter gap 254 upstream of smoldering heater 252 and into the second reservoir.
As best illustrated in
In order to facilitate proper smoldering of combustible material 162, it may be desirable to drive rotating auger 240 intermittently, e.g., in a non-continuous manner. Specifically, according to an exemplary embodiment, rotating auger 240 may be rotated for a particular time duration once during every predetermined rotation period. For example, the time duration of rotation may be the amount of time drive mechanism 280 should drive rotating auger 240 to discharge all combustible material 162 that is smoldering from smoke barrel 230. In addition, the predetermined rotation period may be the amount of time necessary for a fresh portion of the smoldering material 162 to be consumed. Notably, drive mechanism 280 may discharge combustible material 162 from smoke barrel 230 before combustible material 162 is fully consumed, e.g., to prevent forming ash which may introduce acrid smoke flavors. According to an exemplary embodiment, the time duration of rotation is approximately 12 seconds while the predetermined rotation period is three minutes. Other rotation schedules are possible and within the scope of the present subject matter. Indeed, such rotation schedules may vary based on a variety of factors, such as the combustible material used, the temperature of the smoldering heater, the rate of air flow through smoke barrel 230, etc.
Thus, during operation of indoor smoker 100, air handler 186 draws the flow of combustion air 202 into smoldering chamber 160 through air inlet 200. The flow of combustion air 202 and combustible material 162 in the smoldering chamber 160 generate the flow of smoke 152 which is drawn into smoking chamber 120 as described herein. The flow of smoke 152 passes through smoking chamber 120 for performing a smoking process on food items positioned therein before exiting smoking chamber 120 through chamber outlet 180. Air handler 186 then continues to urge the flow of smoke 152 through catalytic converter 190 and exhaust duct 184 before passing out discharge vent 182.
Referring now specifically to
As illustrated, cabinet 102 may generally define a cabinet height 300 measured along the vertical direction V. Notably, cabinet height 300 is commonly limited based on the indoor installation location, such as underneath cabinetry and/or on a countertop. According to exemplary embodiments, cabinet height 300 may be between about 12 inches and 24 inches, between about 14 inches and 18 inches, or about 16 inches. As explained briefly above, indoor smoker 100 is typically a gravity fed device that includes combustible pellet storage that is positioned above a gravity fed smoke generating assembly 150. After the pellets have been consumed, smoke generating assembly 150 discharges the pellets/ash such that they fall into waste container 270 which is positioned below smoke generating assembly 150. Accordingly, hopper 244, smoke generating assembly 150, and waste container 270 may be stacked within cabinet 102 such that their heights collectively add up to cabinet height 300 (e.g., approximately 16 inches).
For example, as best illustrated in
In addition, aspects of the present subject matter are directed to height ratios that relate hopper 244, to waste container 270, to cabinet 102, etc. that produce unexpected and improved smoking efficiency and pellet management. In this regard, for example, a height ratio may be defined as waste container height 304 to hopper height 302. According to exemplary embodiments the height ratio may be between about 0.5:1 and 2:1, between about 0.8:1 and 1.2:1, or about 1:1.
In addition, hopper 244 and waste container 270 may each define volumes, and these respective volume may improve smoker performance when sized as described herein. For example, the volume of hopper 244 may be the product of hopper height 302 measured along the vertical direction V, a hopper width 310 (
Notably, the heights and the volumes of hopper 244 and waste container 270 may not the only parameters that need to be adjusted for optimal pellet management an in indoor smoker. For example, inventors of the present subject matter have unexpectedly discovered that extinguished pellets may have a tendency to overflow waste container 270 if the footprint or dimensions within a horizontal plane (e.g., defined by the lateral direction L and the transverse direction T) are not selected appropriately. In this regard, the combustible material 162 may generally form a mountain or peak of pellets as the pellets are dropped into waste container 270. Without proper footprint design of waste container 270, this pellet mountain may overflow waste container 270 and result in fire hazards and excessive smoke. For example, if the waste container 270 is narrow in one or more dimensions, ash or combusted pellets may overflow the waste container 270.
Accordingly, according to exemplary embodiments, a width ratio of waste container 270 may generally be defined as waste container height 304 to waste container width 314, and this width ratio may be between about 1:1 and 2:1, between about 1.2:1 and 1.8:1, or about 1.5:1. In addition, a depth ratio of waste container 270 may generally be defined as waste container depth 316 to waste container height 304, and this depth ratio may be between about 1:1 and 2:1, between about 1.2:1 and 1.8:1, or about 1.5:1.
Notably, as best shown in
Notably, according to exemplary embodiments, waste container 270 is generally configured to be filled with water 272. As shown, waste container 270 defines a max fill line 330 that delineates how much water 272 should be added to extinguish a full hopper 244 of pellets. In this regard, when waste container 270 is filled to max fill line 330, the waste container volume is sufficient to extinguish and contain all pellets and water 272 without overflowing waste container 270.
As explained above, smokers are typically outdoor devices that have minimal space restrictions. However, indoor smoking appliances such as that disclosed herein are typically mounted on a countertop or in a confined location where space restrictions introduce various complex issues related to the design and configuration of the smoker. For example, the hopper of the indoor smoker is preferably capable of containing a sufficient volume of combustible material, e.g., wood pellets, to facilitate a full smoking process, such that reloading pellets or opening the hopper door is not necessary. In addition, indoor smokers preferably include a waste container that is sized to contain all the combustion byproducts from the duration of the smoking process. Moreover, these indoor smokers typically are height- and volume-limited, such that that storage of fresh pellets and the containment of consumed pellets is difficult.
Accordingly, aspects of the present subject matter are directed to dimensions, dimensional ratios, and configurations of an indoor smoker that uniquely address all of these deficiencies of prior designs. Specifically, the present subject matter is directed to an indoor smoker having the proper size, configuration, and geometry of the hopper and waste container to reduce the necessity to resupply the hopper with combustible material during extended smoking processes. In addition, the waste container is designed to contain the ash from the complete smoking cycle, so that improved overall pellet management is achieved and consumer satisfaction is increased.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
