Abstract:
A quick start barbecue comprises a kettle, column and base. A moveable charcoal grate, when lowered into the column, folds into a basket shape thereby holding the charcoal in a compact configuration ideal for starting. Once the charcoal has ignited the grate is lifted into the kettle and in the process unfolds into a flat shape with the charcoal evenly distributed in a configuration ideal for cooking. The charcoal may be started using crumpled newspaper placed below the charcoal grate in its lower “basket” position or by use of a self igniting propane torch removably affixed to the column. A long chimney may be placed in the kettle to aid starting and stored around the column. A removable ash drawer in the base makes cleanup easy. Removal of the ash drawer causes a gate to close so that excess ash is confined to the column while the drawer is out.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to barbecues for cooking, and more particularly to barbecues of the type in which charcoal in briquette or similar form is used as the source of heat for the barbecue.  
           [0003]    2. History of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    Barbecues which use charcoal in briquette or similar form as the source of cooking heat are well known. Charcoal fueled barbecues provide the advantage that a gas hookup or, alternatively, a large and cumbersome propane tank, are not needed. In particular, charcoal barbecues are ideally suited for remote outdoor locations such as for picnics. Many such barbecues are portable and light weight, enabling them to be transported, such as by car, to the location where they are to be used for cooking. Upon setup of the barbecue, a desired quantity of charcoal is loaded into the barbecue and is ignited, causing the charcoal to burn. When the charcoal is capable of generating sufficient cooking heat, the food to be cooked is typically placed on a cooking grate disposed above the charcoal. When the cooking is finished, the ash generated by the burnt charcoal is disposed of in preparation for the next use of the barbecue.  
           [0005]    One problem with charcoal barbecues is getting the charcoal to start and burn quickly so that cooking may commence without substantial delay. To accelerate the process of starting the charcoal, a number of arrangements and techniques have been devised. Typically, the charcoal is ignited while confined in a small container so as to concentrate the heat in a small volume. The charcoal may, for example, be placed in a can-shaped structure positioned above an igniter. When the charcoal is ready for cooking, it is typically spread onto a charcoal grate beneath the cooking grate. In some cases the can-like structure is lifted and turned upside down so as to dump the charcoal onto the charcoal grate, as shown, for example, by U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,835 of Stephen et al. In still other cases, mechanisms are provided for spreading the charcoal from the can-like structure onto the charcoal grate, as shown, for example, by U.S. Pat. No. 4,603,679 of Ogden, and by U.S. Pat. No. 5,638,807 of Flamenbaum. However, such arrangements leave much to be desired in terms of the lack of ease with which the charcoal can be ignited and initially burned while in a small and confined container and then easily spread onto a charcoal grate.  
           [0006]    In U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,159 of Knafele, for example, the charcoal is started on an elevator platform which is then raised to a charcoal grill. However, the platform must then be rotated in order to distribute the charcoal over the separate and much larger charcoal grill.  
           [0007]    In some cases, a chimney may be provided over the charcoal container in order to promote convection and cause the charcoal to burn faster. Such chimneys must be removed when not in use, typically requiring that they be separately carried and stored.  
           [0008]    The charcoal is typically ignited using newspaper or other disposable flammable material. Sheets of newspaper are wadded up and placed under the charcoal. The paper is then set on fire using a match, and the burning paper ignites the charcoal. Paper ignition is shown by U.S. Pat. No. 3,209,743 of Stewart and U.S. Pat. No. 3,841,299 of Tomita. Still other forms of charcoal ignition such as a propane igniter may be used. In any case, however, it would be desirable to provide an arrangement in which paper can be used as the ignition source and, alternatively, in which a propane igniter can be readily coupled to the barbecue to serve as the ignition source.  
           [0009]    Disposal of the residual ash and unburned portions of the charcoal after the cooking is finished can be a further problem. Simply turning the barbecue over and dumping the ash and charcoal residue can be cumbersome and messy, if not a fire hazard. Therefore, some barbecues are provided with an ash fallout system as shown, for example, by U.S. Pat. No. 3,915,145 of Tomita. Still others provide an ash drawer or other collection apparatus at the bottom thereof, as shown, for example, by U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,572 of Hagan. The barbecue is desirably designed so that ash and unburned portions of the charcoal fall down into the ash drawer. This may require open passageways from the charcoal grate down to the ash drawer so that the ash may fall down into the drawer unimpeded. In this connection it would be desirable to be able to scrape and otherwise manipulate the charcoal grate and the inner walls of the kettle or other cooking chamber at the top of the barbecue so as to agitate and dislodge the ash and charcoal and cause it to fall down into the ash drawer.  
           [0010]    The ash drawer itself should desirably be designed so that the bottom of the barbecue just above it is closed off and sealed when the ash drawer is removed for disposition of its contents. When the drawer is again installed, the area above the drawer must be opened so as to receive the falling ash.  
         BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    Briefly stated, the present invention provides a quick start barbecue which has a housing with a cooking compartment therein and a cooking grate mounted in the cooking compartment. A foldable charcoal grate is positioned below the cooking grate and is movable between a lower position in which the charcoal grate folds to form a basket for charcoal and an upper position in which the charcoal grate unfolds to form a relatively flat grate for charcoal beneath the cooking grate. An actuator mechanism selectively moves the charcoal grate between the lower and upper positions. Igniting apparatus mounted below the charcoal grate ignites charcoal contained within the charcoal grate while it is in the lower position.  
           [0012]    With the charcoal grate folded to form a basket in the lower position, the basket is filled with charcoal and the igniting apparatus is used to light the charcoal. When the charcoal is sufficiently hot and ready for cooking, the actuator mechanism is used to raise the charcoal grate to the upper position in which it unfolds so as to form a relatively flat grate for the charcoal beneath the cooking grate. Cooking may then be carried out.  
           [0013]    The charcoal grate may comprise a central hub with a plurality of wire loops configured like flower petals pivotally coupled thereto and extending outwardly therefrom in a circular array. The petals pivot upwardly relative to the hub to form a basket for the charcoal, and pivot downwardly and outwardly relative to the hub to form a relatively flat grate for charcoal. The hub has a plurality of spokes extending outwardly in a circular array. Each of the petals is generally U-shaped, although not necessarily with straight legs, and is pivotally coupled at the free ends of the “U” to an adjacent pair of the hubs spokes.  
           [0014]    The housing may comprise a kettle forming the cooking compartment and an upstanding column coupled to an opening into a lower portion of the kettle at a juncture therewith. The charcoal grate is positioned central to the vertical axis within and vertically movable between a position within the kettle and a position within the upper end of the column adjacent the juncture of the column with the kettle. The petals of the charcoal grate are contained within the column and form a basket for the charcoal when in the lower position. The petals pivot downwardly and outwardly relative to the hub as the charcoal grate is raised into the bottom of the kettle, to form a relatively flat grate for charcoal. The outer ends of the petals engage and reside against an inner wall of the kettle as the charcoal grate is raised into the bottom of the kettle, so that the vertical position of the hub of the charcoal grate within the bottom of the kettle determines the pivoting orientation of the petals relative to the hub.  
           [0015]    The actuator mechanism may comprise a shaft centrally disposed and vertically movable within the column and with the hub mounted on an upper end thereof. The actuator mechanism includes an actuating handle coupled to a lower end of the shaft and extending to the outside of the column. The actuator mechanism includes lower and upper stops for the actuating handle, so that the charcoal grate is positioned in the lower position when the actuating handle engages the lower stop and in the upper position when the actuating handle engages the upper stop. The actuator mechanism also includes a rod disposed within a hollow interior of the shaft and fixed at its lower end to the housing. A coil spring is disposed within the hollow interior of the shaft and provides a lifting force to the charcoal basket while it is in the lower position.  
           [0016]    The igniting apparatus comprises at least one access hole in the column which provides access to the space within the column and below the charcoal in the basket. The access hole permits wadded up paper to be inserted therethrough and ignited to light charcoal positioned thereabove within the charcoal grate. A platform or basket holds the paper close to the underside of the charcoal basket. The access holes may also function as vent holes to allow ingress of air. The igniting apparatus may also include a propane torch igniter having a bracket detachably coupled to the housing at the access hole and having a nozzle which extends through the access hole to direct flame to the charcoal in the charcoal grate. The bracket has an upper hook and a lower tab respectively extending into upper and lower portions of the access hole to attach the bracket to the housing. The upper hook has a lip portion engaging an inner surface of the housing. Installation of the propane igniter is easily accomplished by inserting the upper hook of the bracket into the upper portion of the access hole so that the lip portion thereof engages the inner surface of the housing, and then lowering the propane igniter so that the lower tab is seated within a lower portion of the access hole. Removal of the propane igniter involves a reverse action in which the propane igniter is raised to remove the lower tab from the lower portion of the access hole, following which the lip portion of the upper hook may be disengaged from the inner surface of the housing to permit removal of the propane igniter.  
           [0017]    The barbecue includes an ash drawer mounted at the bottom end of the column for collecting ash from the charcoal grate and from the cooking compartment. The charcoal grate is rotatable and vertically movable to dislodge ash therefrom and from the inner surface of the kettle allowing it to settle into the ash drawer. The rotational and vertical movement of the cooking grate allows safe and easy distribution of the charcoal for cooking when the charcoal grate is raised.  
           [0018]    The barbecue may include a pair of shells pivotally joined by a handle assembly and positionable for storage on the outside of the column. The pair of shells are removable from the outside of the column and joinable together to form a chimney mounted in the lower portion of the kettle at the juncture with the column. The handle assembly is spring loaded to normally bias the pair of shells together onto the outside of the column. When the pair of shells are removed from the outside of the column and joined together and mounted in the lower portion of the kettle at the juncture with the column, they form a chimney above the charcoal basket. Such chimney, which is substantially tubular, serves to draw air through the charcoal due to convection which causes the charcoal to ignite faster. The shells are pivotably coupled along a first edge of each, and the handle assembly comprises a pair of handles, each mounted on a different one of the pair of shells adjacent the first edge thereof. The handle assembly includes a spring coupled to each of the pair of handles for biasing the pair of shells into a closed position in which second edges of each shell opposite the first edge thereof are joined together. The second edges of the pair of shells are provided with a tongue and groove interlock.  
           [0019]    In addition to the ash drawer, the barbecue preferably includes a gate mounted within the housing above the ash drawer such that the gate is closed to close off the bottom of the lower end of the column whenever the ash drawer is removed from the lower end of the housing. A lift bar coupled to the housing beneath the ash drawer holds the ash drawer against the lower end of the housing to seal off the bottom of the lower end of the housing when the ash drawer is installed in the lower end of the housing. The gate has downwardly projecting front and rear lips. The front lip is contacted by the ash drawer to close the gate upon removal of the ash drawer. The rear lip is contacted by the ash drawer to open the gate upon installation of the ash drawer in the lower end of the housing. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]    In order that the present invention may be understood, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a quick start barbecue in accordance with the invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the barbecue of FIG. 1 with the lid removed and a pair of shells installed in a kettle at the top to form a chimney, and with a propane igniter mounted on the column of the barbecue;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the shells which form the chimney shown in FIG. 2;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4 is a plan view of the charcoal grate of the barbecue of FIG. 1 showing the details of the central hub with spokes extending outwardly in a circular array and the U-shaped petal-like structure with opposite pairs of legs pivotably coupled to adjacent pairs of the spokes;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the barbecue of FIG. 1 with the actuator handle partly raised from the position shown in FIG. 2 so as to move the charcoal grate into and partly unfold the charcoal grate within the kettle;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 5 but with the actuator handle raised to the uppermost position so as to completely unfold the charcoal grate to form a flat grate for the charcoal;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an ash drawer in accordance with the invention; and  
         [0028]    [0028]FIGS. 8A, 8B and  8 C are sectional views showing the ash drawer of FIG. 7 in different positions relative to a gate, at the bottom of the barbecue of FIG. 1.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0029]    [0029]FIG. 1 shows a quick start barbecue  10  according to the invention. The barbecue  10  has a housing which includes a kettle  12  at the top, forming a cooking chamber. The kettle  12  has a removable lid  14  to provide access to the interior thereof. The kettle  12  is mounted at the upper end of a column  16  extending downwardly from the kettle  12  to a base  18  at a lower end thereof. The column  16  is partially conical in shape so as to have a diameter which increases gradually from a lower end  20  thereof at the base  18  to an upper end  22  thereof at a juncture with the kettle  12 .  
         [0030]    The column  16  has an access hole  24  in a side thereof. As described in detail hereafter, the access hole  24  provides access to a paper basket  50  inside of the column  16  so that newspaper or other combustible material can be inserted through the hole and ignited to start the charcoal within the barbecue  10 . The access hole  24  also functions as a vent allowing air to enter the column and rise through the charcoal. A vent covers  54  slidably engages the inside of the column  16  to cover or uncover the access/vent holes  24 . The vent cover  54  and a vent in the lid  14  (not shown) are closed after cooking is finished in order to smother the charcoal.  
         [0031]    Also visible in FIG. 1 is an actuating handle  26  extending outwardly through a recess  28  in the side of the column  16 . The actuating handle  26  forms part of an actuator mechanism  30  which functions to raise and lower a charcoal grate within the barbecue  10 , as described in detail hereafter. The recess  28  is provided with lower and upper stops  32  and  34 . The lower and upper stops  32  and  34  engage the actuating handle  26  to position the handle  26  in lower and upper positions, respectively. The actuating handle  26  is shown in an uppermost position in engagement with the upper stop  34 , in FIG. 1.  
         [0032]    Also shown in FIG. 1 is an ash drawer  36  which is mounted within the base  18 . The ash drawer  36  which is shown in FIG. 7 is described hereafter in conjunction with a gate within the base  18  which is shown in FIGS.  8 A- 8 C but which is not shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the barbecue  10  of FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the lid  14  is removed from the kettle  12 , and a chimney  38  is installed within the kettle  12  at the juncture of the bottom of the kettle  12  with the upper end  22  of the column  16 . The chimney  38 , which is shown and described in detail in connection with FIG. 3 is comprised of a pair of opposite, hinging shells which close together to form the tubular chimney  38 . The chimney  38  is normally stored on the outside of the column  16 , except when in use as shown in FIG. 2. The opposite shells of the chimney may be separated against spring resistance to enable placement around the column  16  for storage thereon.  
         [0034]    As shown in FIG. 2, the barbecue includes a charcoal grate  40  which includes a central hub  42  having a plurality of petals  44  pivotally coupled thereto. The charcoal grate  40  is shown and described in greater detail in connection with FIG. 4. In the position of the charcoal grate  40  shown in FIG. 2, the petals  44  are pivoted upwardly relative to the hub  42  to form a basket  46  for charcoal when in such lower position.  
         [0035]    With the charcoal grate  40  in the lower position so as to form a charcoal basket  46 , as shown in FIG. 2, the basket  46  may be filled with charcoal. The charcoal is ignited using igniting apparatus  48  which includes a paper basket  50  which is a platform to hold combustible material such as newspaper close to the charcoal to be ignited.  
         [0036]    The paper basket  50  may be used to ignite a quantity of charcoal located in the basket  46  formed by the charcoal grate  40 . Sheets of newspaper or other similar flammable material are wadded up and inserted through the access holes  24  onto the paper basket  50 . Matches may then be used to ignite the paper which in turn ignites and starts the charcoal within the basket  46  formed by the charcoal grate  40 .  
         [0037]    The igniting apparatus  48  alternatively includes a propane igniter  58  which includes a liquid propane (LP) tank  60  coupled to a bracket  62  having a nozzle  64  extending therefrom. Note that the propane igniter  58  in FIG. 2 is shown opposite the recess  28  for illustrative purposes only. The bracket  62  has an upper hook  66  which extends therefrom and has a lip portion  68 . The bracket  62  also has a lower prong  70  extending therefrom.  
         [0038]    To install the propane igniter  58  on the barbecue  10 , the upper hook  66  of the bracket  62  is first inserted into an upper portion of the access hole  24  where the lip portion  68  thereof is engaged with the inside of the column  16 . The propane igniter  58  is then lowered so as to insert the lower prong  70  into a lower portion of the access hole  24 , until the bracket  62  is seated against the outside of the column  16 . Propane gas from the tank  60  is ignited, and forms a flame at the nozzle  64 . This ignites and starts a quantity of charcoal loaded within the basket  46  of the charcoal grate  40 . The propane igniter  58  may have a sparking device  59  to light the propane.  
         [0039]    The propane igniter  58  is easily removed from the barbecue  10  simply by reversing the installation procedure. The propane igniter  58  is rotated upwardly so as to remove the lower prong  70  from the lower portion of the access hole  24 . This enables the upper hook  66  with its lip portion  68  to be disengaged from and removed from the access hole  24 , thus completing removal of the propane igniter  58  from the barbecue  10 .  
         [0040]    The charcoal grate  40  is positioned using the actuator mechanism  30 . As shown in FIG. 2, the actuating handle  26  is coupled to a hollow shaft  72  which extends upwardly from the actuating handle  26  to an upper end thereof which is coupled to the central hub  42  of the charcoal grate  40 . The upper end of the hollow shaft  72  extends through a bushing  74  fixedly mounted to the column  16 . A substantially cylindrical heat shield  76  is fixedly mounted inside the upper end of the column  16 . The bushing  74  permits vertical movement of the hollow shaft  72  therethrough.  
         [0041]    The bottom end of the rod  78  is mounted to a wall  80  of the recess  28 . The rod  78  extends through the interior of the hollow shaft  72 . The top of the rod  78  serves as a mounting point for the upper end of extension coil spring  82 . The lower end of the coil spring  82  provides a lifting force to the shaft  72  and thus the charcoal grate  40  in order to move the charcoal into the cooking position.  
         [0042]    With the charcoal grate  40  positioned in its lowermost position with the actuating handle  26  engaging the lower stop  32 , as shown in FIG. 2, the charcoal grate  40  resides just above the bushing  74 , and the coil spring  82  is in an extended state. As described in detail hereafter, the actuating handle  26  is disengaged from the lower stop  32  and is raised along the recess  28 , moving the hollow shaft  72  upwardly through the bushing  74  so as to raise and gradually unfold the charcoal grate  40  until eventually the charcoal grate  40  forms a relatively flat grate and the charcoal is positioned inside the kettle  12  just below a cooking grate. This feature in accordance with the invention enables the charcoal to be readily transported upwardly into a location where it is ready for use on a relatively flat grate. This is made possible by the charcoal grate  40  which folds to form the basket  46  when in the lower position and which unfolds to form a relatively flat grate when in the upper position. When the charcoal grate  40  is in the lowermost position as shown in FIG. 2 and forms the basket  46 , charcoal loaded into the basket  46  and ignited by the igniting apparatus  48  starts and burns very quickly by being held in a confined manner and being subject to an updraft due to convection. The chimney  38  further serves to increase the convection and accelerate the process of igniting the charcoal. When the coals are ready for cooking, the chimney  38  is removed from the kettle  12  and set aside. Using the actuating handle  26 , the charcoal grate  40  is then raised into the bottom of the kettle  12 , where it unfolds into a relatively flat grate for holding the charcoal beneath a cooking grate within the kettle  12 . The actuating handle  26  may be moved rotationally and vertically to evenly distribute the charcoal for cooking.  
         [0043]    The chimney  38  is shown in FIG. 3. As shown therein, the chimney  38  is comprised of opposite mating shells  84  and  86  pivotably coupled along a first edge of each at a pivot joint  88 . A spring-loaded handle assembly  90  includes a pair of handles  92  and  94  coupled to the first edges of the shells  84  and  86  respectively. As shown in FIG. 3, the handles  92  and  94  form a convenient means of grasping the shells  84  and  86  to transport the chimney  38  between the outside of the column  16  and the inside of the kettle  12 . A spring  96  attached to and extending between the handles  92  and  94  normally biases the shells  84  and  86  into a closed position in which second edges of the shells  84  and  86  opposite the first edges are joined together. The second edges of the shells  84  and  86  are provided with a groove  98  and a tongue  100 , respectively, for interlocking engagement when the shells  84  and  86  are closed together.  
         [0044]    By simply squeezing the handles  92  and  94  together, against the resistance of the spring  96 , the opposite shells  84  and  86  pivot into the open position. Because the handles  92  and  94  are relatively close to each other, it is possible using a single hand to grasp both handles  92  and  94  and squeeze them together to open the shells  84  and  86 , while at the same time removing the shells  84  and  86  from the outside of the column  16 . By releasing some of the pressure on the handles  92  and  94 , the opposite shells  84  and  86  then join together under the urging of the spring  96 , and the chimney  38  formed by the shells  84  and  86  may then be placed within the kettle  12  in the position shown in FIG. 2. When it is desired to remove the chimney  38  from the kettle  12 , the handles  92  and  94  are grasped and the shells  84  and  86  are lifted out of the kettle  12 . By then squeezing the handles  92  and  94  toward each other, the shells  84  and  86  open sufficiently so that they may be placed over the outside of the column  16 . When the handles  92  and  94  are released, the urging of the spring  96  biases the opposite shells  84  and  86  toward one another to hold them in place on the outside of the column  16 .  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the charcoal grate  40 . As shown therein, the central hub  42  includes a plurality of spokes  102  which extend outwardly in a circular array. Each of the petals  44  is comprised of a generally U-shaped element having opposite pairs of legs  104  and  106  pivotably coupled to an adjacent pair of the spokes. Each leg  104  and  106  is coupled to one of the spokes  102  by a pivot pin  108 . The ends of each petal may be squeezed together as indicated to assemble the grate at the factory or for the user to replace individual petals.  
         [0046]    The pivot pins  108  enable the petals  44  to undergo pivoting movement relative to the spokes  102  of the hub  42 . When the charcoal grate  40  is in its lowermost position shown in FIG. 2, the petals  44  are pivoted upwardly relative to the hub  42  to form the basket  46  for the charcoal. As the charcoal grate  40  is then raised from this position, the petals  44  swing downwardly relative to the hub  42  until they form a relatively flat charcoal grate with the hub  42 , as described hereafter.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the barbecue  10  with the charcoal grate  40  raised somewhat from its lowermost position in FIG. 2. This action is brought about by disengaging the actuating handle  26  from the lower stop  32  and moving it upwardly. Such action slides the hollow shaft  72  upwardly along the rod  78 . This movement is aided by tension coil spring  82  residing within the hollow shaft  72 . The hollow shaft  72  moves upwardly through the bushing  74 , raising the hub  42  of the charcoal grate  40  above the bushing  74  and the bottom of the heat shield  76 .  
         [0048]    As previously described, the upper end  22  of the column  16  forms a juncture with an open lower end of the kettle  12 . As the charcoal grate  40  is raised, the petals  44  slide along the juncture  110  until the hub  42  of the charcoal grate  40  begins to enter the lower open end  110  of the kettle  12 . When this happens, the petals  44  are free to pivot downwardly relative to the hub  42  by a substantial amount so as to begin to open up the basket  46  previously formed by the charcoal grate  40 . As shown in FIG. 5, the petals  44  are in a partially opened position.  
         [0049]    As also shown in FIG. 5, a cooking grate  112  is mounted within the kettle  12  just below the lid  14  of the kettle. Food placed on the cooking grate  112  is cooked by the charcoal when the charcoal grate  40  is raised into its uppermost position, as described hereafter.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the barbecue  10  similar to that of FIG. 5, but with the charcoal grate  40  raised to its uppermost position. The actuating handle  26  has been raised into engagement with the upper stop  34 , and the coil spring  82  is relaxed even further compared with the case in FIG. 5. The hollow shaft  72  is moved still further into the bottom of the kettle  12 , allowing the petals  44  to pivot downwardly even further so that they combine with the hub  42  to form a relatively flat grate for the charcoal.  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 6 shows a quantity of charcoal on the charcoal grate  40 . The charcoal is positioned below the cooking grate  112  in a desired position for cooking food placed upon the cooking grate  112 .  
         [0052]    As the charcoal burns and ash begins to form, the open spaces within the charcoal grate shown in FIG. 4 permit such ash to fall through the charcoal grate  40  into the upper open end of the column  16 . The bottom of the heat shield  76  is open, allowing such ash to fall therethrough to the lower end  20  of the column  16 . The lower end  20  of the column  16  has an opening  114  therein, through which the ash falls into the ash drawer  36  within the base  18 . In this fashion, the ash drawer  36  continues to collect ash which falls from the charcoal grate  40  as the cooking process proceeds. Eventually, the ash drawer  36  is removed from the base in order to permit disposal of the ash therein.  
         [0053]    After cooking is completed, if partially burned charcoal remains on the charcoal grate  40 , the charcoal grate  40  can be rotated and raised and lowered to a limited extent by manipulating the actuating handle  26 , thus sifting ash from the remaining unburned charcoal. The ash falls through the column  16  and into the ash drawer  36 . An arrow  116  shown in FIG. 5 illustrates such rotational and vertical motion of the actuating handle  26  to rotate and dislodge ash from the charcoal grate  40 .  
         [0054]    If ash has collected on the bottom of the kettle  12 , the charcoal grate  40  can be lowered part way and then rotated to dislodge the ash, allowing it to fall through the column  16  and into the ash drawer  36  below. Lowering the charcoal grate all the way causes the petals  44  to pivot upwardly to the extent that they form the basket  46 . When the barbecue  10  is next used, charcoal is poured into the basket  46  at lease up to the juncture  110  of the column  16  and the kettle  12 .  
         [0055]    The ash drawer  36  is shown in FIG. 7. As shown therein, the drawer  36  is of generally rectangular configuration and has an open upper end  118  through which the ash falls for deposit within the drawer  36 . The front end of the ash drawer  36  has a curved face  120  which fits flush with the base  18  of the barbecue  10  when the ash drawer  36  is in the closed position. An opening  121  facilitates grasping thereof for outward pulling to remove the ash drawer  36  from the base  18  of the barbecue  10 .  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 8A shows the ash drawer  36  in the closed position within the base  18 . As such, the opening  114  at the bottom of the column  16  communicates with the upper open end  118  of the ash drawer  36  so that ash descending through the column  16  is free to fall into and deposit within the ash drawer  36 . The ash drawer  36  is designed to hold at least two uses worth of ash. However, the lower end  20  of the column  16  is capable of storing still more ash, up to the bottom edges of the access holes  24 . A lift bar  122  mounted within the base  18  at the bottom thereof resides against the bottom of the ash drawer  36 . The lift bar  122  serves to hold the ash drawer  36  against the structure at the lower end  20  of column  16  at the opening  114  therein. This provides an air seal, which is required in order to smother the charcoal.  
         [0057]    The ash drawer  36  operates in conjunction with a gate  124 . As shown in FIG. 8A, the gate  124  is in an open position when the ash drawer  136  is in the closed position within the base  18 . This leaves the bottom end of the column  16  open so that ash falling through the column  16  can fall freely into the ash drawer  36 . However, opening of the ash drawer  36  causes the gate  124  to close off the open lower end of the column  16 , thereby preventing ash from falling onto the floor or ground beneath the barbecue  10  when the ash drawer  36  is removed. The gate  124  has downwardly hanging front and rear lips  126  and  128 .  
         [0058]    As shown in FIG. 8B, as removal of the ash drawer  36  is begun, a rear portion of the ash drawer  36  contacts the front lip  126  of the gate  124 . Further outward movement of the ash drawer  36  slides the gate  124  into the closed position so as to close off the open lower end of the column  16 . In this position, the closed gate  124  prevents ash from falling from the column  16  onto the ground or floor below the barbecue  10 . Once the ash drawer  36  passes the lift bar  122 , the back end thereof may drop so as to clear the front lip  126 , thereby permitting removal of the ash drawer  36  from the base  18 .  
         [0059]    Upon reinsertion of the ash drawer  36 , the rear edge thereof first passes under the front lip  126  of the grate  124 . Upon further insertion, the rear portion of the ash drawer  36  is lifted by the lift bar  122 . As the ash drawer  36  is moved into the closed position, the rear edge thereof engages the rear lip  128  of the gate  124 , thereby sliding the gate  124  into a position in which the bottom end of the column  16  is again opened and the opening  114  at the lower end  20  of the column  16  communicates with the upper open end  118  of the ash drawer  36 .  
         [0060]    The front lip  126  of the gate  124  is spring loaded so that if the front lip  126  is contacted by the drawer  36  as the drawer is being withdrawn, it will cause the gate  124  to close, but if the front lip  126  is contacted by the drawer  36  as the drawer  36  is being inserted, the front lip  126  will flex, allowing the rear edge of the drawer  36  to bypass the front lip  126 .  
         [0061]    While specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.