Patent ID: 8813738
Filing Date: 2014-08-26
Classification: A47J

Abstract:
1. A grate assembly for cooking a food product comprising a lower grate element and an upper grate element wherein: said lower grate element comprises a series of at least substantially parallel peak structures; said lower grate element comprises valleys formed between said peak structures, said valleys having bottoms; each said peak structure has a cross-sectional shape comprising a top and opposing right and left side walls, wherein said right and left side walls extend from said tops of said peak structures to said bottoms of said valleys; each said valley has a cross-sectional shape in which at least a lower portion of said valley converges as it extends downwardly to said bottom; openings are provided through said lower portions of said valleys, said openings being sized and located in a manner effective for (a) allowing grease and fat drippings produced when cooking meat products on said grate assembly to drain through said openings such that at least most of said grease and fat drippings will be prevented from igniting in said valleys and (b) preventing at least a majority of any flare-ups which occur beneath said lower grate element when cooking meat products on said grate assembly from penetrating upwardly through said openings; said upper grate element comprises a series of at least substantially parallel food support ribs; and said upper grate element is positionable above said and in contact with lower grate element and said food support ribs are spaced apart and sized such that, when said upper grate element is positioned above said lower grate element for cooking said food product, said food support ribs will be positioned over and run at least substantially parallel with said tops of corresponding ones of said peak structures.