Abstract:
A cooking apparatus enables a user to cook bu boiling, steaming or frying food items. The apparatus includes a burner having a base that is specially shaped to cradle a pot. The pot has a valved flowline that enables the user to drain any fluid that was used for cooking (eg. water, oil, seasoned water, stock, etc.). An upper section above the support surface of the burner for engaging the sidewall of the pot should the pot be tipped inadvertently. The burner includes upper members that are supported above the bottom of the pot and a lower member that engages an underlying supporting surface. The upper pot support members include a ring with a bent, U-shaped section that extends on opposite sides of and under the valved drain flowline. The burner frame can have a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending legs. Radial and circumferentially spaced struts define part of the frame and are shaped and cradle the bottom of the pot and its sidewall respectively.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/838,091, filed Apr. 19, 2001 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,107), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/703,993, filed Nov. 1, 2000 now abandoned which is a continuation in part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/567,676, filed May 9, 2000 (now abandoned) which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/426,210, filed Oct. 25, 1999 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,058,830), which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/149,842, filed Sep. 8, 1998 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,852), which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/813,46 filed Mar. 10, 1997 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,321). 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable 
     REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
     Not applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to outdoor cooking devices and cooking accessories and more particularly to a natural gas fired outdoor cooker that is supplied with a source of fuel such as butane or propane from a canister and that includes a stand, pot, and pot liner, the improvement including a special configuration of the burner and a connected table that enables a user to quickly support a pot liner or basket upon the table after it is removed from the pot of boiling liquid. 
     2. General Background of the Invention 
     A number of outdoor cookers have been sold commercially for a number of years and are admitted as “prior art” type burners. These “prior art” burners have traditionally included a metallic frame that supports a burner nozzle, such as a cast iron burner nozzle. Such burner nozzles are commercially available and are used to fire most natural gas fired hot water heaters. 
     Examples of these prior art type outdoor cooking devices can be seen in the Jan. 1, 1996 brochure of Metal Fusion, Inc., of Jefferson, Louisiana. Patents have issued naming Norman Bourgeois as inventor that relate to burners and related cooking apparatus. Examples include U.S. Pat. No. 5,065,735 for a “Convertible Burner Apparatus” that features different primary burner frames and legs that can elevate the burner frames. Other Bourgeois patents that relate to cooking devices include the aforemeniomed U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,813,321; 5,970,852; and 6,058,830. 
     The burner nozzle can be a cast iron hot water heater type burner nozzle or a jet burner arrangement that uses a single outlet centered in a cylindrically-shaped, vertically oriented metallic tube. The most common version of the prior art “jet burner” arrangement is seen in Metal Fusion&#39;s catalog as Model No. 90PK. Another version of this type of cooker includes two spaced apart circular rings connected with struts and having a cylindrically-shaped wind guard or shroud. This type of prior art burner can be seen for example as Metal Fusion Model Nos. 82PK, 83PK, 85PK, 86PK, and. 86PKJ. 
     For cooking some food items such as poultry items, it is sometimes desirable to fry the object in a basket that can be lifted from the pot. An example of this type of “prior art” arrangement is seen in the 1996 Metal Fusion catalog as Model No. 32TPK. For a combination cooking arrangement that includes a burner, pot and liner, the user typically places the poultry item in the basket and lowers it into boiling oil using a bail. In the prior art, bails have often been detachable from the basket so that the user can lower the basket into the pot and the contained boiling oil and then remove the handle or bail therefrom. This allows the user to eliminate the transfer of heat from the basket to the handle during the elongated cooking process. 
     A number of patents have issued that relate to cooking devices and utensils for use in combination with cooking vessels. The Walker U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,135 provides a utensil assembly and kit including same for cooking vessels used in preparing and supporting combustibles above the bottom of the cooking vessel and away from its inner walls. The utensil kit comprises a base supported above the bottom of the cooking vessel, a plurality of support attachments separately detachable and interchangeably mountable on the base for supporting selected combustible products, and releasable latch mechanism having two parts, one part disposed on the base, and the other part is disposed on each of the support attachments for engaging the base. One of the utensils is a poultry support attachment that fits inside the cavity of a chicken or other poultry enabling it to be positioned upright. 
     The Rappaport U.S. Pat. No. 3,053,169, discloses a poultry supporting device that sits upon a base in the form of a pan. 
     A rotisserie cooking arrangement is disclosed in the French Patent 2685862. 
     A roasting support for fowl is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,642. The apparatus includes a longitudinally extending rod that extends through the center of the turkey having an eyelet at its upper end. 
     A roaster for poultry and meat is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,602. The apparatus includes a vertical roasting apparatus wherein a predetermined amount of liquid for generating the moisture required to produce a high quality and flavorful roasting of the meat is included in a reservoir formed within the support structure itself and disposed internally of the poultry or meat being roasted. 
     A vertical spit for displaying roasting or warming is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,999. 
     A combination outdoor cooker and smoker is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,154. The apparatus includes a cooker having a gas burner coupled to an external gas source through a control valve by a gas supply conduit. 
     An Austrian patent 217592 discloses a cooking device that has a central member upon which a turkey or chicken is supported during the cooking operation. 
     British patent 2205734A discloses a device for use in preparing and cooking kebabs that includes walls which are interconnected to define a tube member and into which a first end wall is slidably received to further reinforce the shape formed by the sidewalls and whose end position is determined by the engagement of lips projecting inwardly from the sidewalls. The sidewalls are appertured longitudinally for receiving a knife to cut food within the tube member. 
     Issued patents to Barbour (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,758,569 and 5,896,810) disclose a cooking apparatus directed to the frying of poultry items such as turkeys. 
     Several patents have issued that are directed to a cooker or pot having a spigot provided on the pot wall that enables liquid to be withdrawn from the pot via the spigot. An example of such an early patent is the Saroni patent 57,577 entitled “Apparatus for Steaming Vegetables.” In the Saroni 577 patent, a spigot B is provided for withdrawing liquid from the receptacle or pot. 
     The Paterson patent 74,123 discloses in FIG. 1 a spigot mounted on the wall of a pot. 
     The Durham patent 123,876 discloses a boiler (see FIGS. 1 and 3) in the form of a pot having handles and a lid H. The Durham &#39;876 patent states that one or more of the lower components are using for cooking solids, and the others are either for soup or other liquid, the latter C or either of them being provided with a tap D at the bottom for drawing off the contents. 
     The Goodwyn patent provides a cooking vessel. A faucet B is provided at the lower end of the boiler A. 
     The Harper U.S. Pat. No. 1,054,114 discloses a furnace that includes a vat that can be fastened to the top of the fire box by means of a sleeve D formed integral therewith and adapted to fit over the smoke pipe E. This vat is provided with a cover D′ and also an outlet pipe E having a spigot E′ 
     A cooking vessel is disclosed in the Clayton U.S. Pat. No. 1,272,222 that includes a cooking vessel  10  having an outlet nipple  11  in which is rotatably mounted on a valve plug  12 . This valve structure enables the liquid to be easily drawn off. 
     The Jobe U.S. Pat. No. 1,390,908 discloses a cooking vessel that has an outer pipe  20  that has one end communicating with the inner receptacle for drawing liquids therefrom, the pipe extending through the outer receptacle and equipped with a valve  21 . 
     The Austin U.S. Pat. No. 1,827,131 provides a pot drain in the form of pipe  12  that is fitted with a cap  13 . 
     The Baker U.S. Pat. No. 2,350,335 discloses a brewer or cooker that has a drain valve  7  adjacent its lower end through which brewed coffee may be withdrawn. 
     The Shipman U.S. Pat. No. 3,838,680 discloses a combination heating and serving assembly having a drainage outlet or spigot  32  by which the liquid contents of the container may be drawn off from time to time. 
     One of the problems with outdoor cookers is the handling of very large pots that contain a high volume of cooking fluid such as vegetable oil. It is desirable that such an outdoor cooking apparatus have good stability to support the very heavy and often tall pot during cooking, and during placement of or removal of the pot, liner or both from the burner. Further, the cooking fluid is desirably reused for certain cooking fluids such as vegetable oils. One solution is to drain the pot, yet also provide for drainage without removal from the burner. However, the burner must enable such drainage and still provide a safe, stable cooking platform for very large capacity cooking pots. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention includes a burner frame having a base for engaging an underlying support surface, the burner having a nozzle for generating a high intensity flame for use in cooking, and a supply hose for supplying propane to the burner. The burner frame has a support surface for cradling a pot. 
     A pot is provided that includes a flat bottom portion and cylindrically-shaped continuous side walls, the pot having a generally cylindrically-shaped interior for receiving a basket. The basket or liner removably fits the pot interior. The basket can include a base that registers against the bottom of the pot and a vertically extending portion adjacent to the pot wall that connects to a bail. 
     The burner frame includes a ring that is supported above the bottom of the pot on the exterior of the pot for engaging the sidewall of the pot should the pot be tipped. 
     The upper ring is supported by a plurality of generally “L” shaped struts that extend from the upper ring downwardly along a generally vertical path and then horizontally to cradle the bottom of the pot. 
     The upper ring is specially configured as will be described more fully hereinafter to enable drainage of the pot and without removal from the burner. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEW OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the basket, steam plate, and bail; 
     FIG. 3 is a partial perspective of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the basket portion thereof; 
     FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the burner portion thereof; 
     FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional elevation view of the burner of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional elevation view of the burner of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the burner, pot, and basket portions thereof during steaming; 
     FIG. 8 is a sectional elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the burner, pot, and basket portions thereof during boiling; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing an alternate burner construction; 
     FIG. 10 is a top view of the burner of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along lines  11 — 11  of FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along lines  13 — 13  of FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along lines  14 — 14  of FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 17 is a partial perspective view of the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 18 is another partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 19 is a partial sectional elevation view of the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 20 is a partial perspective view of the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 22 is a partial perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 23 is a partial perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the burner portion thereof; 
     FIG. 24 is a fragmentary view of the fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating a portion of the burner and a portion of the pot illustrating its valved drain line; 
     FIG. 25 is a partial perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 27 is a partial perspective view of the fifth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the burner portion thereof. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an outdoor cooking apparatus designated generally by the numeral  10  in FIG.  1 . The apparatus  10  includes a burner  11 , pot  12 , supply valve  13 , a commercially available flexible hose for supplying propane or like fuel for firing the burner  11 , and a basket  14  (see FIGS. 2-3) that can be lowered into the interior  15  of pot  12 . In FIGS. 4-8, burner  11  includes a lower ring  16  and an upper ring  17 . Burner  11  has a nozzle or jet surrounded by cylindrically-shaped wind guard  22 . 
     The rings  16 ,  17  are connected with a plurality of struts  18 . Each strut  18  includes radially extending, inclined lower strut section  19 , upper strut section  20 , and vertical center strut section  21 . Each of the lower strut sections  19  is linear in shape, and inclined to form a connection between the lower or base ring  16  and the bottom of central strut section  21  (see FIG.  6 ). 
     Upper strut sections  20  are generally “ell” shaped having a lower end portion  23  that forms a connection with the upper end of central strut section  21  and an upper end  24  that forms a connection with upper ring  17 . 
     The “ell” shaped upper strut sections  20  include upper linear section  24 , lower linear section  23 , and bend sections  25 ,  26 . This configuration provides both a base for holding the bottom surface  27  of pot  12  and a vertically extending portion that envelopes the lower end of pot sidewall  28 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the ring  17  can be positioned, for example, about 2-8 inches above the bottom surface  27  of pot  12 . Further, the upper ring  17  has an inside diameter indicated as  29  in FIG. 7 that closely approaches the outside diameter  30  of pot  12 . A clearance of about ½-1½ inches is provided in between the inside of ring  17  and the outside of pot wall  28  during use. 
     In FIGS. 1-3, basket  14  includes a wire basket frame base  31  that can be, for example, in the form of a plurality of connected (e.g., welded) wire members arranged in a cross (see FIG.  3 ). 
     In FIGS. 2-3, basket  14  includes a base comprised of a pair of linear intersecting members  32 ,  33 , a pair of vertical members  34 ,  35  and a bail  36 . The base can have feet for spacing it from the bottom  27  surface of pot  12 . 
     Each vertical member  34 ,  35  has a hook  37 ,  38  respectively for connecting to the lower ends  39 ,  40  of bail  36 , as shown in FIG.  2 . Bail  36  can be trapezoidal in shape, having handle portion  51 , sides  52 ,  53  and cross beam  54 . 
     The enlarged handle  51  enables a user to grip with both hands. 
     Steamer plate  41  can optionally be placed upon basket  14  if food items are to be steamed. Plate  41  has a generally circular shape, providing peripheral edge  42  and central opening  43 . Plate  41  is preferably perforated providing an array of openings therethrough that enable steam to access all surfaces of a food item that is placed on the upper surface  45  of plate  41 . Drippings from food items can flow through the openings as well. 
     Support  46  extends upwardly from base  31  of basket  14 . Support  46  has a dual function of holding steamer plate  41  as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7 and of supporting a food item such as chicken, turkey or other selected item as shown in FIG.  8 . 
     A pair of laterally extending posts  47 ,  48  support the peripheral edge  42  of steamer plate  41  when the steamer plate is assembled to the basket  14 . Central opening  43  of steamer plate  41  rests upon support  46  when the steamer plate is put in an operational position. The steamer plate is thus supported at its periphery with posts  47 ,  48  and at its center with support  46 . Steamer plate  41  has peripheral slots at  49 ,  50  that fit vertical members  34 ,  35  respectively. 
     The apparatus of the present invention thus provides a dual function cooking apparatus that enables a user to either steam food products such as crabs, lobsters, clams and the like, or boil food items such as fish, shellfish, or poultry items. 
     FIGS. 9-11 show an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral  55  in FIGS.  12  and  17 - 18 . 
     Outdoor cooking apparatus  55  includes a burner for supporting pot  12 . Burner  55  (FIGS. 9-11) includes upper ring  56  and a plurality of horizontal struts  57 - 59 . 
     Vertical struts  60 - 62  are connected integrally to horizontal struts  57 - 59  respectively. As shown in FIGS. 9-11, a plurality of legs  63 ,  67 ,  71  are attached to horizontal struts  57 ,  5 B,  59  respectively. Each leg  63 ,  67 ,  71  is formed of a pair of straight sections and a bend section. The leg  63  includes straight sections  64  and  66  connected by bend  65 . The leg  67  includes straight sections  68 ,  70  connected by bend  69 . The leg  71  is similarly configured to legs  63  and  67 . 
     A cylindrical flue  72  is placed at the vertical central axis  91  of burner  55  as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. 
     The cylindrical flue  72  attaches to each of the legs  63 ,  67 ,  71  by welding for example. Each leg  63 ,  67 ,  71  attaches to a horizontal strut  57 ,  58 ,  62 , preferably by welding. Each of the vertical struts  60 ,  61 ,  62  attaches to upper end  56  by welding, for example. A fuel supply line  73  is used to supply combustible gas such as propane or butane to nozzle  75 . The nozzle  75  is preferably attached to the vertical bore  74  of cylindrical flue  72  by welding or like means known in the art. 
     Circular plate  76  is attached to the inner end portions of horizontal struts  57 ,  58 ,  59  as shown in FIGS. 9-11. This attachment of plate  76  to horizontal struts  57 ,  58 ,  59  can be by welding at welds  77  for example. 
     In FIG. 11, the apparatus  55  of the present invention is shown in operating position wherein pot  12  occupies a position on top of the horizontal struts  57 ,  58 ,  59 . A flame  78  extends upwardly from nozzle  75 . The nozzle  75  can be ignited when propane, butane or like gas is transmitted to the nozzle  75  via pipe line  73  using a match, or like starter. Flame  78  strikes the bottom of plate  76  diverting flame  78  laterally to provide even distribution of heat to the bottom of pot  12 . This distribution of the flame  78  outwardly and laterally away from plate  76  is indicated schematically by arrows  79  in FIG.  11 . 
     FIGS. 12-14 show an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral  81  in FIGS. 12-14. Burner apparatus  81  includes a frame  82  comprised of a plurality of beams. Frame  82  can be of welded steel construction, for example. Frame  82  thus includes beams  83 ,  84  that are parallel to each other and central beam  85  that is generally perpendicular to the beams  83 ,  84 . 
     At the extreme end portions of frame  82 , beams  86 ,  87  extend between respective end portions of beams  83 ,  84  as shown in FIG.  12 . Each of these end beams  86 ,  87  is connected to a leg  88  or  89 . As shown in FIG. 13, attachments  93  (for example, welded attachments) form a connection between each leg  88 ,  89  and frame  82  at beams  86 ,  87  respectively. 
     In FIGS. 13 and 14, each leg  88 ,  89  is comprised of a horizontal member  90  and a pair of inclined members  91 ,  92 . 
     In the embodiment of FIGS. 12-14, a pair of burners  94  are provided, each comprising a cylindrically shaped shroud  95 , a contained burner element  96  positioned within the shroud  95  as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 and grate members  98  that support shroud  95  and its contained burner element  96 . A ring  97  forms an interface between frame  82  and the plurality of grate members  98 . Rings  97  can be welded to the beams at the top of frame  82 . In FIG. 12, ring  97  on the left hand side of FIG. 12 is welded to beams  83 ,  84 ,  85  and  86 . The ring  95  on the right hand side of FIG. 12 is welded to beams  83 ,  84 ,  85 , and  87 . Grate members  98  are welded to ring  97  at attachments  102 . Grate members  98  are also connected at attachments  103  to shroud  95 . The attachments  103  can be welded connections, for example. 
     FIGS. 15-20 show a third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, designated generally by the numeral  104  in FIGS. 15 and 16. Cooking apparatus  104  is in the form of a combination smoker/burner. This apparatus enables a smoker to be used with the burner that is shown and described with respect to the first and second embodiments of FIGS. 1-14. Smoker apparatus  104  provides a lower section  105 , middle section  106 , and upper section  107 . The upper section  107  basically functions as a cover. The middle section  106  is a cooking chamber. The lower section  105  can be used to contain a bowl that has a liquid that can include seasoning. Alternatively, the sections  105 ,  106 ,  107  can be assembled as a free standing smoker separate from burner  11  wherein the bowl  119  can be filled with charcoal. 
     Lower section  105  is specially configured to mate with and be supported by burner  11 . The lower section  105  provides a larger cylindrical side wall  109  and a smaller cylindrical side wall  113 . A tapered annular wall  114  joins the larger cylindrical side wall  109  and the smaller cylindrical side wall  113  as shown in FIG. 19. A bottom panel  112  connects to the lower end of the smaller cylindrical side wall  113 . When not in use upon burner  11 , the smoker sections  105 ,  106 ,  107  can be supported by any means known in the art such as for example, a plurality of legs  115  or a separate base that is not a burner and that fits the contours of bottom  112 , small side wall  113 , tapered annular side wall  114 , and/or larger cylindrical side wall  109 . 
     An access door  120  can be provided in lower section  105  as can be air vent openings  116 . The lower section  105  can provide a flat, annular flange  117  or other suitable mating surface for supporting middle section  106 . 
     Similarly, upper section  107  is configured to fit upon the upper edge  126  of middle section  106 . 
     A cooking grate  118  can be supported upon one or more supports  121  provided on the interior of lower section  105 . Similarly, a plurality of supports  121  can also be provided at the upper end portion of middle section  106  for supporting a cooking grate. Handles  122  can be provided on any of the sections  105 ,  106 ,  107  as desired for manipulating the various sections. The cover can be provided with usual thermometer and burner  11  can provide a jet or nozzle  125  and/or a flame diffuser  124 . 
     It should be understood that the general concept of a smoker that includes multiple sections such as  105 ,  106 ,  107  is old in the art, having been sold commercially a number of years such by Brinkman and others. 
     FIGS. 21-25 show a fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral  130 . Cooking apparatus  130  includes a pot  131  having a pot side wall  132  that is generally cylindrically shaped and provided with a pair of handles  133 . Pot  131  provides a generally flat, circular bottom  134  and has an interior  153  that can retain items to be cooked, cooking fluid and a perforated basket  135  or liner that enables food items to be inserted into the pot interior  153  and removed therefrom when cooking is completed. The perforated basket enables draining of any cooking fluid while retaining the food items that are to be cooked such as for example, crabs, poultry items, seafood items and the like. The perforated basket  135  can be lifted using bail  136 . 
     Drain outlet fitting  137  is provided in pot sidewall  132  and at a lower position that is next to pot bottom  134  as shown in FIGS. 21,  22  and  24 - 25 . The drain outlet fitting  137  has an attached valve  138  that can be opened or closed by rotating valve stem  139 . Such an outlet  137  and valve  138  can be welded e.g. to the pot  131  wall  132 . This concept of providing a drain outlet fitting  137  with an attached valve  138  is per se known, being disclosed for example in the Durham U.S. Pat. No. 123,876; the Clayton patent U.S. Pat. No. 1,272,222, and the Baker U.S. Pat. No. 2,350,335 each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Burner  140  supports pot  131  during cooking. The burner  140  includes a lower ring  141 , an upper ring  142 , and a plurality of struts  148 ,  149 ,  150  that extend between the upper ring  142  and lower ring  141  as shown in FIGS. 21,  22  and  23 . A feature of the present invention is the special burner configuration at upper ring  142  that enables fluid to be drained from pot  131  without removing pot  131  from burner  140 . 
     Upper ring  142  has a U-shaped section  146  defined by bends  143 ,  144 ,  145 . The U-shaped section  146  thus extends below upper surface  147  of upper ring  142  as shown in FIGS. 21,  22  and  24 - 25 . The U-shaped section  46  provides a recess  151  that enables valve  138  to extend a radial distance beyond the outer periphery of upper ring  142  as shown in FIGS. 21,  22  and  24 - 25 . The combination of drain outlet fitting  137  and valve  138  provide a flow bore  152  during use. The valve  138  can be opened for draining fluid from the pot  131 . This can be helpful when cooking with large volumes of cooking fluid such as vegetable oil that is commonly used is the cooking of poultry items such as large turkeys. After the vegetable oil that is used to cook a turkey has cooled, it can be drained easily into its original one gallon container by opening the valve  138  with a rotation of stem  139  in a counterclockwise direction. Peanut oil, for example, is commonly used for frying turkeys and is commonly sold in one gallon containers. 
     Each of the struts  148 ,  149 ,  150  has a plurality of sections. These sections include a lower section  154  and an upper section  155 . As shown in FIG. 23, the upper section  155  is generally L-shaped being attached to upper ring  142  at connection  157  (for example, a welded connection). The strut lower section  154  is an elongated, partially inclined and partially vertical member that attaches to upper section  155  at connection  156 , a connection that can be welded, for example. The lower section  154  is attached to lower ring  141  at connection  158 , preferably a welded connection. The upper sections  155  each provide a generally horizontal upper surface portion  159  that cradles the bottom  134  of pot  131  during use as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22. 
     A wind guard or shroud  160  can be provided to burner  140  as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, surrounding these three struts  148 ,  159  and being attached thereto by welding, for example. Shroud  160  can provide a support bar  161  for supporting a burner element  162 . The burner element  162  can be a common, commercially available cast iron burner element that is fueled by a gaseous fuel such as propane or butane. 
     A fifth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, designated generally by the numeral  164 . Cooking apparatus  164  includes a burner  165  that is configured to support a pot  131  having a generally cylindrically shaped pot side wall  132  and a generally circular, flat pot bottom  134 . In FIGS. 26 and 27, burner  165  has a plurality of struts  166 ,  167 ,  168  that are attached to cylindrically shaped shroud  169 . The upper end portion of each of the struts  166 ,  167 ,  168  support upper ring  170  which is cylindrically shaped, having cylindrical ring wall  172 . Bolted connections  171  can be used to attach upper ring  170  to each of the struts  166 ,  167 ,  168 . The upper ring  170  provides an upper edge  173  and lower edge  174 . Recess  175  is cut out of upper ring  170 , wall  172 . Recess  175  is surrounded by surfaces  176 ,  177  and  178  as shown in FIG.  27 . The recess  175  enables the pot drain outlet fitting  137  and valve  138  to extend radially beyond the circumference of ring  170  as shown in FIG.  26 . 
     Each strut  166  is comprised of a plurality of sections. However, each strut  166  can be an integral structure. In FIGS. 26 and 27, each strut  166 ,  167 ,  168  is comprised of a vertical upper section  179  arid horizontal section  180  that cradles the pot  131  during use. Vertical section  179  and horizontal section  180  are connected at bend  186 . The horizontal sections  180  each providing a flat upper surface  181  upon which the pot  131  bottom  134  rests during cooking. Vertical section  182  extends between bend  187  and bend  188 . Inclined section  183  of each strut  166 ,  167 ,  168  extends between bend  188  and curved foot  184 . The curved foot  184  connects to inclined section  183  at bend  189 . An upturned end portion  185  of each strut  166 ,  167 ,  168  can be fastened (for example bolted using bolted connection  171 ) to lower ring  190 . 
     PARTS LIST 
     The following is a list of suitable parts and materials for the various elements of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Part Number 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 10 
                 cooking apparatus 
               
               
                 11 
                 burner 
               
               
                 12 
                 pot 
               
               
                 13 
                 supply valve 
               
               
                 14 
                 basket 
               
               
                 15 
                 interior 
               
               
                 16 
                 lower ring 
               
               
                 17 
                 upper ring 
               
               
                 18 
                 strut 
               
               
                 19 
                 lower strut section 
               
               
                 20 
                 upper strut section 
               
               
                 21 
                 center strut section 
               
               
                 22 
                 wind guard 
               
               
                 23 
                 lower linear section 
               
               
                 24 
                 upper linear section 
               
               
                 25 
                 bend 
               
               
                 26 
                 bend 
               
               
                 27 
                 bottom surface 
               
               
                 28 
                 pot sidewall 
               
               
                 29 
                 inside diameter 
               
               
                 30 
                 outside diameter 
               
               
                 31 
                 base 
               
               
                 32 
                 intersecting member 
               
               
                 33 
                 intersecting member 
               
               
                 34 
                 vertical member 
               
               
                 35 
                 vertical member 
               
               
                 36 
                 bail 
               
               
                 37 
                 hook 
               
               
                 38 
                 hook 
               
               
                 39 
                 end 
               
               
                 40 
                 end 
               
               
                 41 
                 steamer plate 
               
               
                 42 
                 peripheral edge 
               
               
                 43 
                 central opening 
               
               
                 44 
                 openings 
               
               
                 45 
                 upper surface 
               
               
                 46 
                 support 
               
               
                 47 
                 horizontal post 
               
               
                 48 
                 horizontal post 
               
               
                 49 
                 slot 
               
               
                 50 
                 slot 
               
               
                 51 
                 handle portion 
               
               
                 52 
                 side 
               
               
                 53 
                 side 
               
               
                 54 
                 transverse beam 
               
               
                 55 
                 outdoor cooking apparatus 
               
               
                 56 
                 upper ring 
               
               
                 57 
                 horizontal strut 
               
               
                 58 
                 horizontal strut 
               
               
                 59 
                 horizontal strut 
               
               
                 60 
                 vertical strut 
               
               
                 61 
                 vertical strut 
               
               
                 62 
                 vertical strut 
               
               
                 63 
                 leg 
               
               
                 64 
                 straight section 
               
               
                 65 
                 bend 
               
               
                 66 
                 straight section 
               
               
                 67 
                 leg 
               
               
                 68 
                 straight section 
               
               
                 69 
                 bend 
               
               
                 70 
                 straight section 
               
               
                 71 
                 leg 
               
               
                 72 
                 cylindrical flue 
               
               
                 73 
                 fuel supply line 
               
               
                 74 
                 vertical bore 
               
               
                 75 
                 nozzle 
               
               
                 76 
                 circular plate 
               
               
                 77 
                 weld 
               
               
                 78 
                 flame 
               
               
                 79 
                 arrows 
               
               
                 80 
                 central axis 
               
               
                 81 
                 burner apparatus 
               
               
                 82 
                 frame 
               
               
                 83 
                 beam 
               
               
                 84 
                 beam 
               
               
                 85 
                 beam 
               
               
                 86 
                 beam 
               
               
                 87 
                 beam 
               
               
                 88 
                 leg 
               
               
                 89 
                 leg 
               
               
                 90 
                 horizontal member 
               
               
                 91 
                 inclined member 
               
               
                 92 
                 inclined member 
               
               
                 93 
                 attachment 
               
               
                 94 
                 burner 
               
               
                 95 
                 shroud 
               
               
                 96 
                 burner element 
               
               
                 97 
                 ring 
               
               
                 98 
                 grate member 
               
               
                 99 
                 horizontal section 
               
               
                 100 
                 vertical section 
               
               
                 101 
                 bend 
               
               
                 102 
                 attachment 
               
               
                 103 
                 attachment 
               
               
                 104 
                 smoker apparatus 
               
               
                 105 
                 lower section 
               
               
                 106 
                 middle section 
               
               
                 107 
                 upper section 
               
               
                 109 
                 cylindrical sidewall 
               
               
                 110 
                 open top 
               
               
                 112 
                 bottom panel 
               
               
                 113 
                 cylindrical sidewall 
               
               
                 114 
                 tapered annular wall 
               
               
                 115 
                 leg 
               
               
                 116 
                 air vent opening 
               
               
                 117 
                 annular flange 
               
               
                 118 
                 cooking grate 
               
               
                 119 
                 bowl 
               
               
                 120 
                 door 
               
               
                 121 
                 support 
               
               
                 122 
                 handle 
               
               
                 123 
                 thermometer 
               
               
                 124 
                 flame diffuser 
               
               
                 125 
                 nozzle 
               
               
                 126 
                 upper edge 
               
               
                 130 
                 cooking apparatus 
               
               
                 131 
                 pot 
               
               
                 132 
                 pot side wall 
               
               
                 133 
                 handle 
               
               
                 134 
                 bottom 
               
               
                 135 
                 perforated basket 
               
               
                 136 
                 bail 
               
               
                 137 
                 drain outlet fitting 
               
               
                 138 
                 valve 
               
               
                 139 
                 stern 
               
               
                 140 
                 burner 
               
               
                 141 
                 lower ring 
               
               
                 142 
                 upper ring 
               
               
                 143 
                 bend 
               
               
                 144 
                 bend 
               
               
                 145 
                 bend 
               
               
                 146 
                 U-shaped section 
               
               
                 147 
                 upper surface 
               
               
                 148 
                 street 
               
               
                 149 
                 strut 
               
               
                 150 
                 strut 
               
               
                 151 
                 recess 
               
               
                 152 
                 bore 
               
               
                 153 
                 pot interior 
               
               
                 154 
                 lower section 
               
               
                 155 
                 upper section 
               
               
                 156 
                 connection 
               
               
                 157 
                 connection 
               
               
                 158 
                 connection 
               
               
                 159 
                 upper surface 
               
               
                 160 
                 shroud 
               
               
                 161 
                 support bar 
               
               
                 162 
                 burner element 
               
               
                 164 
                 cooking apparatus 
               
               
                 165 
                 burner 
               
               
                 166 
                 strut 
               
               
                 167 
                 strut 
               
               
                 168 
                 strut 
               
               
                 169 
                 shroud 
               
               
                 170 
                 upper ring 
               
               
                 171 
                 bolted connection 
               
               
                 172 
                 ring wall 
               
               
                 173 
                 upper edge 
               
               
                 174 
                 lower edge 
               
               
                 175 
                 recess 
               
               
                 176 
                 surface 
               
               
                 177 
                 surface 
               
               
                 178 
                 surface 
               
               
                 179 
                 vertical section 
               
               
                 180 
                 horizontal section 
               
               
                 181 
                 flat surface 
               
               
                 182 
                 vertical section 
               
               
                 183 
                 inclined section 
               
               
                 184 
                 curved foot 
               
               
                 185 
                 upturned end portion 
               
               
                 186 
                 bend 
               
               
                 187 
                 bend 
               
               
                 188 
                 bend 
               
               
                 189 
                 bend 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims: