WO2020033980A1

WO2020033980A1 - Dual baking and cooking mechanism

Info

Publication number: WO2020033980A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2019/050043
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pieter Jacobus Adriaan RAUBENHEIMER
Original assignee: Raubenheimer Pieter Jacobus Adriaan
Priority date: 2018-08-10
Filing date: 2019-08-08
Publication date: 2020-02-13

Abstract

A cooking device (10) which includes a body (12) that defines a fuel zone (14), a baking zone (16) located underneath the fuel zone (14), a grilling platform (18) locatable above the fuel zone (14), and a tray member (20) for transporting food that is being cooked and which is movable between a first position at which the tray member (20) overlies the fuel zone (14), and a second position at which the tray member (20) is located inside the baking zone (16).

Description

DUAL BAKING AND COOKING MECHANISM

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a portable cooking device

[0002] Outdoor cooking differs substantially from kitchen-based cooking, the most obvious difference being a lack of an easily-defined kitchen area. As a result, campers and backpackers have developed various techniques and specialised equipment for preparing food in outdoor environments.

[0003] Outdoor cooking methods most often used are direct heating, boiling, frying, grilling and roasting. These techniques require only rudimentary, and common-sensical, tools. [0004] Other cooking methods such as baking, however, present a challenge. A current method of baking which can be employed outdoors to make breads, pies and other items requires the use of a sheet pan placed over a furnace.

[0005] The pan is however generally large and cannot be easily transported, or is restrictive in the sense that the pan is designed to achieve baking only. [0006] It is an aim of the current invention to address at least partially the aforementioned issues.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0007] The invention provides a cooking device which includes a body that defines a fuel zone, a baking zone located underneath the fuel zone, a grilling platform locatable above the fuel zone, and a tray member for supporting food that is being cooked and which is movable between a first position at which the tray member overlies the fuel zone, and a second position at which the tray member is located inside the baking zone. [0008] The body may include a base, a wall extending from the base, and a sheet opposing the base and connected to the wall thereby to enclose an inner cavity within the body.

[0009] The inner cavity may define the baking zone.

[0010] A rim may surround an upper surface of the sheet thereby defining the fuel zone on the upper surface of the sheet.

[0011] The wall may have an opening formed therein whereby access is gained to the baking zone.

[0012] The grilling platform may include a grid which may be supported above the fuel zone e.g. on the rim or on the upper surface of the sheet. [0013] The height of the grilling platform, above the fuel zone, may be adjustable.

[0014] A closure may be provided to seal off the baking zone.

[0015] A handle may be provided which is detachably engageable with the tray member to facilitate transportation of the tray member.

[0016] The tray member may be dimensioned to fit as required, onto the grilling platform, or within the inner cavity i.e. the baking zone. Preferably the grilling platform, the inner cavity and the tray member have substantially the same shape in plan, and dimensions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The invention is further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of components of a cooking device according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the assembled cooking device in Figure 1 in a first configuration where a tray member is located on a grilling platform;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the cooking device in Figure 2 in a second configuration where the tray member is located in a baking zone of the cooking device;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the cooking device illustrating the grilling platform in Figure 3;

Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views of the cooking device showing the tray member in different positions; and

Figures 7 is a front view of the cooking device of Figure 3.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0018] Figure 1 is an exploded view in perspective showing components of a cooking device

10 according to the invention. The cooking device 10 includes a body 12 which defines a fuel zone 14 located above a baking zone 16. A grilling platform 18 is locatable over the fuel zone 14 and a tray member 20 is provided for transporting food that is being cooked by the cooking device 10 from the grilling platform 18 to the baking zone 16 and vice versa. [0019] The body 12 comprises a base plate 22 with a wall 24 surrounding the base 22. A sheet 26 is spaced from, and opposes, the base plate 22. A cavity 28 is formed between the base 22, the wall 24 and the sheet 26 and demarcates the baking zone 16. A number of spaced apart small ribs 30 extend upwardly from the sheet 26, adjacent an inner surface of the wall 24 which has a rim 32 which extends above and surrounds an upper surface 34 of the sheet 26.

[0020] The grilling platform 18 comprises a grid 36 with support members 38 extending downwardly from an edge 40 of the grid at spaced intervals. Each support member 38 has a slot 4 formed in a lower lip 44 thereof. [0021] The baking zone 16 is accessible through an opening 46 which is formed in a part of the wall 24.

[0022] The tray member 20 can be inserted into the baking zone 16 via the opening 44 and is supported within the baking zone on an upper surface 22A of the base plate 22. [0023] The tray member 20 has a projection 48 in which is formed an elongate aperture 50 which is configured to receive a handle 52 (see Figure 3).

[0024] A closure 54 is provided to seal off the opening 46 in the wall 24. The closure 54 has a projection 56 which are insertable into slots 58 formed in the wall 24 at locations above the opening 46. [0025] The closure 54 has a handle 60 to facilitate gripping and handling of the closure.

[0026] The body 12 has ground-engaging feet 64.

[0027] The grilling platform 18 includes an elongate aperture 66 which is similar to the aperture 50 in the tray member and which is configured to receive the handle 60 to facilitate adjustment or movement of the grilling platform. [0028] In use of the cooking device 10 a fuel source, such as charcoal, is placed in the fuel zone 14 and is set alight to generate heat.

[0029] The grid 36 is placed over the ignited fuel in the fuel zone 14. A height of the grid can be adjusted by placing the grid in a first lower position at which the support members 38 bear directly on an upper surface 68 of the sheet 26, or alternatively the grid 36 can be rotated slightly and elevated relative to the fuel zone so that the slots 42 of the support members 38 rest on respective upper edges of the ribs 30. [0030] Food is placed on the tray member 20 which is then positioned either in the baking zone 16 or so that it overlies the grid 36 Typically, the food is first placed on the grid to allow it to be cooked from below using the heat generated by the fuel source. After the food is cooked to some extent, the food can be moved into the baking zone 6 thereby to cook from above, thus simulating a baking method of cooking.

[0031] The closure 54 (see Figure 3) is used to seal the opening 46 to prevent heat from escaping from the baking zone 16, so that the temperature in this zone can be increased.

[0032] In the Figure 3 configuration a gap 70 is formed between a lower edge of the closure 54 and an opposing surfaced of the sheet 26 so that the projection 48 of the tray member 20, which includes the aperture 50, can protrude therefrom. This allows the handle 52 to be engaged with the aperture 50 when necessary.

[0033] The aforementioned method of cooking is particularly advantageous when cooking foods such as pizza or potato bake because the heat coming from the top of the baking zone 16 is similar to that in an oven grill, thereby allowing the upper surface of the food to become grilled and so improving the texture and taste of the meal.

[0034] The device 10 thus caters for a variety of cooking methods.

[0035] The body, which is metallic, is conveniently hexagonal to facilitate its manufacture. The grilling platform and the tray member have complementary shapes.

Claims

1. A cooking device which includes a body that defines a fuel zone, a baking zone located underneath the fuel zone, a grilling platform beatable above the fuel zone, and a tray member for transporting food that is being cooked and which is movable between a first position at which the tray member overlies the fuel zone, and a second position at which the tray member is located inside the baking zone.

2. A cooking device according to claim 1 wherein the grilling platform includes a grid which is supported above the fuel zone.

3. A cooking device according to claim 1 wherein the wall includes an opening through which the tray member is movable into or out of the baking zone, the cooking device further including a closure which is removably engageable with the opening.

4. A cooking device according to claim 3 wherein the tray member includes a projection which extends from the baking zone when the tray member is inside the baking zone and which projection includes a formation with which a handle is removably engageable.

5. A cooking device which includes a base plate, a wall which surrounds and which extends upwardly from the base plate, a sheet which is spaced above the base plate and which is fixed to an inner surface of the wall thereby to define a baking zone between the sheet and the base plate, surrounded by a part of the wall, a tray member, an opening in the wall through which the tray member is insertable into the baking zone, a closure which is removably engageable with the opening, and a grilling platform which is positioned above an upper surface of the sheet whereby a fuel zone is formed between said upper surface and the grilling platform, and wherein the tray member is movable so that it overlies the grilling platform.