Patent Publication Number: US-2021186039-A1

Title: Smoking Article and Method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation-In-Part application of U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 14/445,656 (Attorney Docket No. LUT-0001) and claims the benefit of priority of the filing dates of U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 14/445,656 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/859,698 (Attorney Docket No. LUT-0001-P), the contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a meat cooking/smoking article and a method for igniting/maintaining the cooking/smoking fuel and more particularly to a cooking/smoking article having an electronic heating element to ignite/maintain the cooking/smoking fuel, to control temperature throughout the cooking process and to provide surfaces for both grilling and smoking. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Smoking meat and other food articles is well known and has been practiced for several hundred years. One of the main reasons that people began to smoke meat was due to the preservation qualities imparted by the smoking process which causes the meat to emit an acid which creates a skin on the outside of the meat and acts to prevent growth of surface mold or bacteria in the meat. This was a necessary practice because without refrigeration meat would spoil relatively quickly and smoking the meat allowed for an extended time in which the meat would be consumable. However, with the invention of other preservation methods, such as refrigeration, due to the flavor imparted to the meat via the smoking process, the smoking of meat became more of a hobby and business. Smoking meat, such as a pork shoulder or beef briskets, requires low cooking temperatures (180-250° F.) for a long period of time (approximately 8-16 hours) in order to break down the tendons in the meat without drying it out. Cooking the meat in these controlled conditions over a coal or wood fire creates the delicious phenomenon known as bar-b-que (i.e. fork tender chunks of meat enhanced with mouth watering smoke flavor). Businesses or individuals that smoke large amounts of meat, typically employ a smokehouse, which is an enclosed building having no windows and a vent. In this case, the meat is located within the enclosure, which is then filled with smoke so that the smoke contacts the meat. However, individuals that smoke meat as a hobby typically don&#39;t need the capacity of a smokehouse or have the money to build a smokehouse. 
     Accordingly, there are a variety of meat smoking devices currently available to the hobbyist. Typically, these devices are portable devices that are similar in design (and in some cases may be integrated with) an ordinary gas barbecue grill. These devices have an area under the grill or a separate ‘firebox’ on to the side of the grill (which holds the meat) which is designed to hold a smoking source, such as wood chips or smoking coals. Once the smoking source is ignited, the cover is closed and the smoke from the burning or smoldering smoking source rises up and contacts the meat. Unfortunately however, the fire must be tended for the duration of the process which can be as much as 16 hours. Only a small percentage of the cooking population can devote this amount of time to preparing meat. Accordingly, this process is difficult and time consuming. 
     Currently, there are meat smoking devices that try to address this issue by using an electric heating element as the heat source, where the smoking source, such as wood chips, is added periodically to create the smoke. Unfortunately, the results from these smoking devices are inferior to a full sustained coal or wood fire which is typically a desired and essential part of the bar-b-que experience. The main reason for this is that the heat from the fire damages the outer sheath of the heating element, thereby causing the heating element to fail. This is undesirable because if the fire of the smoking source is not effectively maintained, the meat won&#39;t be sufficiently cured/cooked and may be a potential health hazard to those who ingest the uncured/uncooked meat. Thus, it is desirable to make a meat smoker having an electric heating element where the heat and fire from the smoking source is easier and more effectively maintained without causing damage to the heating element. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A meat smoker/cooker device is provided and includes a smoking/cooking chamber, wherein the smoking/cooking chamber includes a chamber structure which defines a chamber cavity and a chamber opening communicated with the chamber cavity and a chamber opening cover movably associated with the chamber structure and configurable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The meat smoker device further includes a fuel chamber, wherein the fuel chamber includes a fuel chamber structure which includes a fuel chamber sidewall that defines a fuel chamber cavity, wherein the fuel chamber sidewall includes a first mounting hole, a second mounting hole and a sidewall slot communicated with the chamber cavity, wherein the sidewall slot includes a slot top and a slot bottom, wherein the first mounting hole is located proximate the slot top and the second mounting hole is located proximate the slot bottom. Additionally, the meat smoker device also includes a fuel container having a container rim and a fuel support structure, wherein the fuel container is located within the chamber cavity proximate the slot bottom; and an ignition article having an ignition article handle, an ignition article mounting structure and a heating element, wherein the ignition article handle includes a handle portion sized to be movably located within the sidewall slot and wherein the ignition article mounting structure is configured to mountingly engage with the first and second mounting hole, wherein the ignition article is configurable between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein when in the first configuration, the heating element is located proximate the container rim and wherein when in the second configuration, the heating element is located remotely from the container rim. 
     A meat smoker/cooker device is provided and includes a fuel chamber, wherein the fuel chamber includes a fuel chamber structure which includes a fuel chamber sidewall that defines a fuel chamber cavity, wherein the fuel chamber sidewall includes a first mounting hole, a second mounting hole and a sidewall slot communicated with the chamber cavity, wherein the sidewall slot includes a slot top and a slot bottom, wherein the first mounting hole is located proximate the slot top and the second mounting hole is located proximate the slot bottom. Additionally, the meat smoker device also includes a fuel container having a container rim and a fuel support structure, wherein the fuel container is located within the chamber cavity proximate the slot bottom; and an ignition article having an ignition article handle, an ignition article mounting structure and a heating element, wherein the ignition article handle includes a handle portion sized to be movably located within the sidewall slot and wherein the ignition article mounting structure is configured to mountingly engage with the first and second mounting hole, wherein the ignition article is configurable between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein when in the first configuration, the heating element is located proximate the container rim and wherein when in the second configuration, the heating element is located remotely from the container rim. 
     A method for operating a meat smoker/cooker device having a fuel chamber and an ignition article is provided, wherein the method includes locating fuel within the fuel chamber; configuring the ignition article into a first configuration such that the ignition article is located proximate the fuel, operating the ignition article to cause the fuel to ignite and burn and when the fuel is ignited and burning, configuring the ignition article into a second configuration such that the ignition article is located away from the ignited and burning fuel. Thus, the ignition article is configurable to be used as a cooking element to cook the meat and/or to ignite (and keep ignited) the fuel used to smoke the meat. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side sectional view of a meat cooker/smoker device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side sectional view of the smoking/cooking chamber of the meat smoker device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a side sectional view of the fuel chamber of the meat smoker device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4A  is a top down view of a fuel container for the meat smoker device of  FIG. 1  in accordance with a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 4B  is a side sectional view of the fuel container of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective side view of an ignition article of the meat smoker device of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of the ignition article of  FIG. 5  associated with the fuel chamber of  FIG. 3  being configured into a first configuration, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of the ignition article of  FIG. 5  associated with the fuel chamber of  FIG. 3  being configured into the first configuration, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a side perspective view of the ignition article of  FIG. 5  associated with the fuel chamber of  FIG. 3  configured in the first configuration, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a side sectional view of the ignition article of  FIG. 5  associated with the fuel chamber of  FIG. 3  and configured in the first configuration, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10A  is a top down view of the ignition article of  FIG. 5  associated with the fuel container of  FIG. 4A , when the ignition article is in the first configuration, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10B  is a side sectional view of the ignition article of  FIG. 5  associated with the fuel container of  FIG. 4A , when the ignition article is in the first configuration, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11A  is a top down view of the ignition article of  FIG. 5  associated with the fuel container of  FIG. 4A , when the ignition article is in the first configuration with coals ready for ignition, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11B  is a side sectional view of the ignition article of  FIG. 5  associated with the fuel container of  FIG. 4A , when the ignition article is in the first configuration with coals ready for ignition, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a side perspective view of the ignition article of  FIG. 5  associated with the fuel chamber of  FIG. 3  being configured from the first configuration into a second configuration, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a side perspective view of the ignition article of  FIG. 5  associated with the fuel chamber of  FIG. 3  configured in the second configuration, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a side sectional view of the ignition article of  FIG. 5  associated with the fuel chamber of  FIG. 3  configured in the second configuration, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 15A  is a top down view of the fuel container of  FIG. 4A , when the ignition article is in the second configuration with coals being located in the fuel support structure, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 15B  is a side sectional view of the fuel container of  FIG. 4A , when the ignition article is in the second configuration with coals being located in the fuel support structure, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a side view of a fuel container for a meat smoker device showing the ignition article of  FIG. 5  being associated with the fuel container, in accordance with an additional embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of the ignition article of  FIG. 5  associated with the fuel chamber of  FIG. 16  being configured into a second configuration, in accordance with an additional embodiment. 
         FIG. 18  is a side view of the ignition article of  FIG. 5  associated with the fuel chamber of  FIG. 16  being configured into a second configuration, in accordance with an additional embodiment. 
         FIG. 19  is a side view of the ignition article of  FIG. 5  associated with the fuel chamber of  FIG. 16  in a second configuration, in accordance with an additional embodiment. 
         FIG. 20  is a side view of the ignition article of  FIG. 5  associated with the fuel chamber of  FIG. 16  being configured from a second configuration to a first configuration, in accordance with an additional embodiment. 
         FIG. 21  is a side view of the ignition article of  FIG. 5  associated with the fuel chamber of  FIG. 16  being configured from a second configuration to a first configuration, in accordance with an additional embodiment. 
         FIG. 22  is a side view of the ignition article of  FIG. 5  associated with the fuel chamber of  FIG. 16  in a first configuration, in accordance with an additional embodiment. 
         FIG. 23  is a side perspective view of a meat cooker/smoker device, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 24  is a top down view of a smoking/cooking chamber of the meat cooker/smoker device of  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 25  is a top down view of a smoking/cooking chamber of the meat cooker/smoker device of  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 26  is a top down view of a smoking/cooking chamber of the meat cooker/smoker device of  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 27  is a side view of a fuel chamber of the meat cooker/smoker device of  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 28  is a bottom side up view of a fuel chamber of the meat cooker/smoker device of  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 29  is a side view of fuel chamber of the meat cooker/smoker device of  FIG. 23  showing charcoal associated with a heating element. 
         FIG. 30  is a top down view of fuel chamber of the meat cooker/smoker device of  FIG. 23  showing charcoal associated with a heating element. 
         FIG. 31  is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of the modes of operation of the meat cooker/smoker device of the invention. 
         FIG. 32  is an operational block diagram illustrating one embodiment of an Electronic Control System of the meat cooker/smoker device of the invention. 
         FIG. 33  is an operational block diagram illustrating a method for operating a meat cooker/smoker device, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 34  is a side sectional view of the smoking/cooking chamber of the meat cooker/smoker device of  FIG. 1  configured as a normal grill, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 35  is a side view of a smoking/cooking chamber with the cover in place, in accordance with still yet another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 36  is a top view of the smoking/cooking chamber of  FIG. 35  with the cover removed. 
         FIG. 37  is a side view of the smoking/cooking chamber of  FIG. 35  with the cover removed showing the chamber side opening with the chamber access door in the second configuration. 
         FIG. 38  is a side view of the smoking/cooking chamber of  FIG. 35  with the cover removed showing the chamber side opening with the chamber access door in the first configuration. 
         FIG. 39  is a side view of the smoking/cooking chamber of  FIG. 35  with the cover removed showing the chamber side opening with the chamber access door in the second configuration. 
         FIG. 40  is a top side view of the fuel support of the smoking/cooking chamber of  FIG. 35  showing the heating element. 
         FIG. 41  is a top view of the fuel support of the smoking/cooking chamber of  FIG. 35  located within the chamber cavity. 
         FIG. 42  is a side view of the smoking/cooking chamber showing the heating element protruding from the heating element side opening. 
         FIG. 43  is a top view of the smoking/cooking chamber of  FIG. 35  with the cover removed. 
         FIG. 44  is a side sectional view of the smoking/cooking chamber of  FIG. 35 , showing the grilling fuel grate and the food support structure, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 45  is a side sectional view of the smoking/cooking chamber of  FIG. 35 , showing the grilling fuel grate and the food support structure, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 46  is a side view of the smoking/cooking chamber of  FIG. 35  with the food support structure associated with the smoking/cooking chamber. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a meat smoker device  100  is shown and includes a cooking/smoking chamber  102  and a fuel chamber  104 , in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the cooking/smoking chamber  102  includes a chamber structure  106  which defines a chamber cavity  108  for containing meat to be cooked and/or smoked. The chamber structure  106  further defines a chamber cavity opening  110  which allow access to the chamber cavity  108 . The chamber structure  106  further includes a chamber cover (NOT SHOWN) which is configured to be movably associated with the chamber cavity opening  110  to allow the chamber cavity  108  to be open or enclosed. The cooking/smoking chamber  102  further includes at least one support device (i.e. grilling/smoking surface)  114  for supporting meat during the smoking and/or cooking process. The support device  114  preferably includes openings to allow smoke and heat to contact the meat contained on the support device  114 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the fuel chamber  104  includes a fuel chamber structure  116  which defines a fuel chamber cavity  118  and includes a fuel chamber top  120 , a fuel chamber bottom  122  and a fuel chamber sidewall  124 . The fuel chamber  104  includes a fuel support platform  126  located proximate the fuel chamber bottom  122  for holding fuel, such as wood chips, coal, etc. The fuel chamber sidewall  124  includes a heat element slot  128  having a slot top  130  and a slot bottom  132  and extending at least partially between the fuel chamber top  120  and the fuel chamber bottom  122 . Additionally, the heating element slot  128  includes at least one top mounting hole  134  located proximate the slot top  130  and at least one bottom mounting hole  136  located proximate the slot bottom  132 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B , the fuel support platform  126  includes a container rim  140  and a fuel support structure  142 , wherein the fuel support structure  142  is bowl/basket shaped. The container rim  140  includes a rim width R w  and is substantially horizontal. The fuel chamber  104  further includes one or more mounting surfaces  144  located on the internal surface of the fuel chamber structure  116  for supporting the fuel support platform  126 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , the meat smoker device  100  further includes an ignition article  138  having an ignition article handle  140 , an ignition article mounting structure  142  and a heating element  144 . It should be appreciated that the ignition article mounting structure  142  includes a pair of prongs  146  for engaging the top and bottom mounting holes  134 ,  136 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6  through  FIG. 14 , the ignition article  138  is associated with the fuel chamber  104  to be in a first configuration  148  by inserting the ignition article  138  into the heat element slot  128  as shown in  FIG. 6 . The ignition article  138  is then located proximate the slot bottom  132  and the pair of prongs  146  are located within the bottom mounting holes  136  such that the ignition article  138  rests against the fuel chamber sidewall  124 , as shown in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 . When in the first configuration  148  such that the ignition article  138  is located proximate the fuel chamber bottom  122 , the heating element  144  is located within the fuel chamber cavity  118  and the ignition article handle  140  is located external to the fuel chamber structure  116 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . Referring to  FIG. 10A  and  FIG. 10B , when in the first configuration  148 , the heating element  144  is located to be proximate the container rim  140  of the fuel support platform  126 . Referring to  FIG. 11A  and  FIG. 11B , this advantageously allows coals  150  (or other fuels, like wood chips) to be placed on the container rim  140  so that the heating element  144  is located between the coals  150  and container rim  140 . 
     When the ignition article  138  is operated and the heating element  144  heats up to ignite the coals  150 , the ignition article  138  is configured into a second configuration  152  by moving the ignition article handle  140  such that the pair of prongs  146  is removed from the bottom mounting holes  136  and moving the ignition article  138  within the heating element slot  128  to be located proximate the slot top  130 . The ignition article  138  is then configured such that the pair of prongs  146  is located within the top mounting holes  134  such that the ignition article  138  rests against the fuel chamber sidewall  124 , as shown in  FIG. 11 ,  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13 . It should be appreciated that this advantageously causes the coals  150  that were located on the heating element  144  and the container rim  140  to fall into the fuel support structure  142 . Additionally, this advantageously locates the heating element  144  away from the fire and heat of the burning coals  150  (or other fuel), as shown in  FIG. 15A  and  FIG. 15B . It should be further appreciated that when the heating element  144  is located proximate the slot top  130 , the heating element  144  may be used to cook meat that is contained within the smoking/cooking chamber  102  and to maintain the temperature within the within the smoking/cooking chamber  102 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , it should be appreciated that a shielding article  154  may be included and may be located within the fuel chamber cavity  118  above the fuel container  138  so that the smoke and heat generated from the burning coal  150  (or other fuel) acts further isolate the heating element  144  from the heat and fire when the ignition article  138  is configured in the second configuration  152 . Accordingly, the heating element  144  and the shielding element  154  may be shaped and sized relative to each other such that when the ignition article  138  is configured between the first configuration  148  and the second configuration  152 , the shielding element  154  passes through the heating element  144 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 16  through  FIG. 22 , a meat smoker/cooker device  200  is shown and includes a cooking/smoking chamber (not shown) and a fuel chamber  204 , in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The cooking/smoking chamber includes a chamber structure which defines a chamber cavity for containing meat to be cooked and/or smoked. The chamber structure further defines a chamber cavity opening which allows access to the chamber cavity. The chamber structure further includes a chamber cover which is configured to be movably associated with the chamber cavity opening to allow the chamber cavity to be open or enclosed thus allowing access to the chamber cavity. The cooking/smoking chamber further includes at least one support device for supporting meat during the smoking and/or cooking process. The support device preferably includes openings (such as grated grill) to allow smoke and heat to contact the meat contained on the support device. This advantageously allows the meat to be grilled as desired. 
     The fuel chamber  204  includes a fuel chamber structure  216  which defines a fuel chamber cavity  218  and includes a fuel chamber top  220 , a fuel chamber bottom  222  and a fuel chamber sidewall  224 . The fuel chamber  204  includes a fuel support platform  226  located within the fuel chamber cavity  218  for holding fuel, such as wood chips, coal, etc. The fuel chamber sidewall  224  includes a heat element slot  228  having a slot top  230  and a slot bottom  232  and extending vertically along the fuel chamber sidewall  224 . Additionally, the heating element slot  228  includes at least one top mounting hole  234  located proximate the slot top  230  and at least one bottom mounting hole  236  located proximate the slot bottom  232 . Referring again to  FIG. 5 , the meat smoker device  200  further includes an ignition article  238  having an ignition article handle  240 , an ignition article mounting structure  242  and a heating element  244 . It should be appreciated that the ignition article  238  is configurable between a first configuration  248  (See  FIG. 22 ) and a second configuration  250  (See  FIG. 19 ) and that the ignition article mounting structure  242  includes a pair of prongs  246  for engaging the top and bottom mounting holes  234 ,  236  when in the first and second configurations  248 ,  250 , in a similar fashion as described above. It should be further appreciated that the fuel support platform  226  includes a platform opening  252  which allows the heating element  244  to contact (or be in very close proximity) to the fuel when the ignition article  238  is in the first configuration  248 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 16  through  FIG. 22 , the ignition article  238  is associated with the fuel chamber  204  to be in the second configuration  250  (or the first configuration  248  as desired) by inserting the ignition article  238  into the heat element slot  228  as shown in  FIG. 16 . The ignition article  238  is then located proximate the slot top  230  and the pair of prongs  246  are located within the first pair of mounting holes  234  such that the ignition article  238  rests against the fuel chamber sidewall  224 , as shown in  FIG. 17 ,  FIG. 18  and  FIG. 19 . When in the second configuration  250 , the heating element  244  is located within the fuel chamber cavity  218  and the ignition article handle  240  is located external to the fuel chamber structure  216 , as shown. Additionally, when in the second configuration  250 , the heating element  244  is located to be proximate the platform opening  252  of the fuel support platform  226 . This advantageously allows coals (or other fuels, like wood chips) to be placed on the fuel support platform  226  so that the heating element  244  is located proximate to or in contact with the fuel to be ignited. 
     When the ignition article  238  is operated and the heating element  244  heats up, the fuel is ignited. At this point, the ignition article  238  is located away from the burning fuel and heat by configuring the ignition article  238  into the first configuration  248  by moving the ignition article handle  240  such that the pair of prongs  246  is removed from the top mounting holes  234  and moving the ignition article  238  within the heating element slot  228  to be located proximate the slot bottom  132 . The ignition article  238  is then configured such that the pair of prongs  246  is located within the bottom mounting holes  236  such that the ignition article  238  rests against the fuel chamber sidewall  224 , as shown in  FIG. 20 ,  FIG. 21  and  FIG. 22 . It should be appreciated that this advantageously locates the heating element  244  away from the fire and heat of the burning coals (or other fuel). 
     Referring to  FIG. 23  through  FIG. 30 , a meat smoker/cooker device  300  is shown and includes a cooking/smoking chamber  302  and a fuel chamber  304 , in accordance with still yet another embodiment of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 23 ,  FIG. 24  and  FIG. 25 , the cooking/smoking chamber  302  includes at least one support element  306  for supporting cooking grates (not shown) that are configured to hold the meat being cooked and/or smoked. Although the support element  306  is shown as being disposed along the internal surface of the entire surface of the cooking/smoking chamber  302 , it is contemplated that that support element  306  may also only be located on each side of the internal surface of the cooking/smoking chamber  302 . The cooking/smoking chamber  302  includes an opening  308  located on a bottom portion of the cooking/smoking chamber  302 , wherein the opening  308  is communicated with the fuel chamber  304 . It is contemplated that a grated structure  310  may or may not be included to cover the opening  308 . This opening  308  advantageously allows for smoke and heat to rise into the cooking/smoking chamber  302  from the fuel chamber  304  to cook and/or smoke meat that is located on the supporting cooking grates inside the cooking/smoking chamber  302 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 26 ,  FIG. 27  and  FIG. 28 , the fuel chamber  304  includes a fuel chamber structure  310  which defines a fuel chamber cavity  312 . The chamber structure  310  includes a first structure opening  314  communicated with the fuel chamber cavity  312 . Also, that chamber structure  310  also includes a first structure opening cover  316  which is configurable between a first configuration (closed) and a second configuration (opened). When configured in the first configuration, the first structure opening cover  316  is located proximate the first structure opening  314  to limit and/or prevent access to the fuel chamber cavity  312 . When configured in the second configuration, the first structure opening cover  316  is located away from the first structure opening  314  to allow access to the fuel chamber cavity  312 . The fuel chamber structure  310  also includes a structure slot  318  which extends at least partially between the top of the fuel chamber structure  310  and the bottom of the fuel chamber structure  310 , wherein the structure slot  318  includes a slot top  320  and a slot bottom  322 . 
     It should be appreciated that the structure slot  318  is configured to allow a heating element  144 ,  244  to be configured between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein when in the second configuration, the heating element  144 ,  244  is securely located proximate the slot top  320  (See  FIG. 28 ) and when in the first configuration, the heating element  144 ,  244  is securely located proximate the slot bottom  322  (See  FIG. 29 ). It should be appreciated that the heating element  144 ,  244  may be securely located via any method or device suitable to the desired end purpose, such as that disclosed herein with regards to the other embodiments  100 ,  200 . Referring to  FIG. 25  and  FIG. 28 , another embodiment for securely locating the heating element  144 ,  244  is shown and includes a side wall support element  326  and a slot support element  328 . In this case, when the heating element  144 ,  244  is located in either the first configuration or the second configuration, the portion of the heating element  144 ,  244  located proximate the handle rests on the slot support element  328  and the end of the heating element  144 ,  244  rests on the side wall support element  326 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 28  and  FIG. 29 , when used as a smoker, the heating element  144 ,  244  is configured in the first configuration such that the heating element  144 ,  244  is located proximate the slot bottom  322  and the bottom of the fuel chamber cavity  312 . Fuel, such as charcoal or wood, is arranged to be partially located on top of the heating element  144 ,  244 . The heating element  144 ,  244  is then operated to cause the fuel to ignite. When the fuel has ignited the heating element  144 ,  244  is the configured to be in the second configuration such that the heating element  144 ,  244  is located proximate the slot top  320  and the top of the fuel chamber cavity  312 . This advantageously locates the heating element  144 ,  244  away from the burning fuel to prevent damage to the heating element  144 ,  244 . It should be appreciated that when the ignition article  138 ,  238  is configured in the second configuration such that the heating element  144 ,  244  is located proximate the slot top  320  and the top of the fuel chamber cavity  312 , the heating element  144 ,  244  can be used to cook/grill the meat/food that is located in the cooking/smoking chamber  102  on the cooking grates. 
     Accordingly, it should be appreciated that the heating element  144 ,  244  may be used to ignite the cooking/smoking fuel (coals, woods), maintain the temperature of the meat/food being cooked and/or temperature inside of the cooking/smoking chamber  102 ,  302  and/or as a grilling element to grill the meat/food and/or as mentioned above, to light the grill fire (i.e. the coals of the grilling grate), as desired. 
     In accordance with still yet another embodiment of the invention and as shown in  FIG. 31  and  FIG. 32 , the meat smoker/cooker device  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  700  may include an electronic control system (ECS)  500  which controls the power to, and thus the heat generated by, the heating element  144 ,  244 . This controllability supports and allows for the multiple modes of operation of the meat smoker/cooker device  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  700  wherein the different modes of operation may require different amounts of heat to be delivered in a timed manner. It should be appreciated that these differing modes of operation may include an Ignition Mode (IM)  550 , a Cooking Mode (CM)  552 , a Warming Mode (WM)  554  and a Safety Mode (SM)  556 , each of which are discussed hereinafter. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the electronic control system  500  may include a power inlet  502 , at least one temperature sensing device  504 , a power control unit  506 , a user interface  508  and a power outlet  510 , wherein the power inlet  502  is configured to receive power from at least one of a battery, a generator and/or a utility electrical grid. The at least one temperature sensing device  504  may be located at one or more locations within the meat smoker/cooker device  100 ,  200 ,  300 , such as the cooking/smoking chamber and/or the fuel chamber to sense the temperature within the cooking/smoking chamber of the meat smoker/cooker device  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  700  and/or to sense whether ignition of the fuel was achieved. Additionally, the at least one temperature sensing device  504  may also include a sensor capable of sensing the temperature of the food being cooked/smoked, such as a meat thermometer that is inserted into the meat during cooking/smoking. Additionally, temperature sensors may also be located within the fuel chamber and infrared sensors may be used to sense the temperatures as well. 
     When in IM  550 , the heating element  144 ,  244  is operated to produce sufficient energy (heat) to ignite the cooking/smoking fuel contained within the meat smoker/cooker device  100 ,  200 ,  300 . When the cooking/smoking fuel is ignited, the heating element  144 ,  244  is operated at a temperature lower than that required to ignite the cooking/smoking fuel. In some instances, the heating element  144 ,  244  may be de-energized. This advantageously prevents and/or minimizes the risk that damage will occur to the heating element  144 ,  244  due to combination of heat from the ignited fuel and the heat generated from the heating element  144 ,  244 . As the fuel becomes depleted, the heating element  144 ,  244  may be operated to maintain a desired temperature within the smoker/cooker device  100 ,  200 ,  300 . It should be appreciated that, if desired, the heating element may be operated in a cyclic or periodic fashion based on a desired temperature pattern. 
     Accordingly, in one embodiment when the meat smoker/cooker device  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  700  is operated in IM  550 , the heating element  144 ,  244  is powered to cause the fuel to ignite. After a predetermined period of time (which may be controlled) or if the fuel does not ignite (which may be sensed via a sensor), the heating element  144 ,  244  will be turned off (i.e. de-energized) to prevent damage to the heating element  144 ,  244  and/or to conserve energy. Additionally, the operator may manually turn off the heating element  144 ,  244  as desired. Upon completion of the IM  550  (or as desired), the meat smoker/cooker device  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  700  may be configured into the CM  552 . 
     When the meat smoker/cooker device  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  700  is in the CM  552 , the temperature within the meat smoker/cooker device  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  700  is maintained and/or controlled based on the application. For example, the successful smoking of meat typically requires maintenance of consistent heat over long periods of time, where the heat required for the CM  552  is typically much lower than the heat required for the IM  550 . The meat smoker/cooker device  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  700  accomplishes this by regulating the power supplied to the heating element  144 ,  244  based on the one or more temperature sensing devices  504  within (and in some cases outside of) the cooking/smoking chamber of the meat smoker/cooker device  100 ,  200 ,  300 . Accordingly, in one embodiment an operator may set the meat smoker/cooker device  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  700  such that a desired temperature is maintained within the cooking/smoking chamber of the meat smoker/cooker device  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  700  and the ECS  500  will operate the heating element  144 ,  244  to maintain that temperature. 
     It should be appreciated that in one embodiment, during the period where the fuel is burning, the temperature may be significantly higher than a desired cooking temperature (such as a temperature set by the operator). In this situation, the ECS  500 , which may sense this higher temperature, may delay or modify the regulation action of the heating element  144 ,  244  to achieve a desired end result, such as maintaining temperatures (or as close to temperatures as possible), termination of temperature after a period of time, and/or cycling of temperature over a period of time. In some instances, some cooking/smoking methodologies include changing temperature during the cooking interval followed by a different temperature(s) for a successive period. In another embodiment, the meat smoker/cooker device  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  700  may allow for the operator to control the meat smoker/cooker device  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  700  based on the total power capability of meat smoker/cooker device  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  700 . Thus, in this case the operator may control the meat smoker/cooker device  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  700  by specifying a percentage of power to be used in lieu of (or in addition to) the specifying a temperature. Furthermore, in still yet another embodiment, the temperature control of the meat smoker/cooker device  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  700  may be responsive to the temperature (internal/external) of the food. For example, the heating element  144 ,  244  may be turned off once a desired temperature of the food being cooked is reached, and/or the heating element  144 ,  244  may be cycled on/off to maintain a desired temperature of the food being cooked, and/or the power to the heating element  144 ,  244  may controlled such that the temperature of the heating element  144 ,  244  is controlled based, at least in part, on the temperature of the food being prepared. Upon completion of the CM  552  (or as desired), the meat smoker/cooker device  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  700  may be configured into the WM  554 . 
     It should be appreciated that cooked food is safe for consumption only if maintained within strict bands of temperatures after cooking, where the temperature bands are chosen to be higher and/or lower than those which encourage the growth of organisms which are harmful to human health. 
     When the meat smoker/cooker device  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  700  is in the WM  554 , the meat smoker/cooker device  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  700  is configured to maintain the cooked/smoked food at a predetermined temperature (or within a predetermined temperature range). As above, the heating element  144 ,  244  may be operated in response to the temperature within the cooking chamber of the meat smoker/cooker device  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  700  and/or the temperature of the food being prepared. Additionally, the meat smoker/cooker device  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  700  may include a SM  556  which may offer an option to automatically shut off heating element  144 ,  244  to permit the prepared food to deliberately achieve ambient temperature if the ambient temperature is sufficiently low (such as during wintertime). 
     It should be appreciated that the meat smoker/cooker device  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  700  may be operated manually and/or may be configurable into one or more of the above described operational modes as desired. Additionally, the meat smoker/cooker device  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  700  may be programmable to operate with different types of foods (i.e. meats/produce) and the operation of the meat smoker/cooker device  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  700  may be accomplished via hardware, software and/or a combination of hardware and software. It is contemplated that the operation of the meat smoker/cooker device  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  700  may be accomplished wirelessly so that an operator can control the meat smoker/cooker device  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  700  via a remote interface device. Moreover, the meat smoker/cooker device  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  700  may include a heating element positioning device that is controllably associated with the ECS  500  such that the ECS  500  configures the heating element  144 ,  244  between the first configuration  148 ,  248  and the second configuration  152 ,  250 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 33 , an operational block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method  400  for operating a meat smoker/cooker device  100 ,  200   300  is shown and includes locating meat within the smoking/cooking chamber  102 ,  202  and locating fuel within the fuel chamber  104  of a meat smoker/cooker device  100 ,  200   300 , as shown in operational block  402 . The ignition article  138 ,  238  is configured into the first configuration  148 ,  248  such that the heating element  144 ,  244  is located proximate the fuel (or in contact with the fuel) to be ignited, as shown in operational block  404 . The ignition article  138 ,  238  is operated to cause the heating element  144 ,  244  to heat up and ignite the fuel, as shown in operational block  406 . When the fuel is ignited and burning, the ignition article  138 ,  238  is configured into the second configuration  152 ,  248  such that the heating element  144 ,  244  is located away from the heat and burning fuel, as shown in operational block  408 . 
     It should be appreciated that it is considered to be within the scope of the invention that individual elements of each of the embodiments disclosed herein may be applied between embodiments or may be used to create other embodiments, as desired. 
     It should be appreciated that the cooking/smoking chamber  102 ,  202  may be configured as a normal grill capable of holding grilling fuel (charcoal, wood, etc.), as shown in  FIG. 34 . In this configuration, the grill may hold the grill fuel (charcoal, wood, etc.) which may be ignited (and kept lit if desired) by the heating element  144 ,  244 , when the heating element  144 ,  244  is in the configuration closest to the grill fuel. 
     Referring to  FIG. 35 - FIG. 42 , it should be appreciated that in still yet another embodiment of a meat smoker/cooker device  700 , a cooking/smoking chamber  702  having a heating element  703  that is stationary is provided and includes a chamber wall  704  defining a chamber upper opening  706  and a chamber cavity  708 , wherein the chamber upper opening  706  allows access to the chamber cavity  708 . Referring to  FIG. 37 , the chamber wall  704  defines a chamber side opening  710  which includes a chamber access door  712  which is configurable between a first configuration  714  and a second configuration  716 . Referring to  FIG. 38 , when in the first configuration  714  the chamber access door  712  is located proximate the chamber side opening  710  to cover the chamber side opening  710  and thus limit access to the chamber cavity  708  via the chamber side opening  710 . The chamber access door  712  may include a handle/securing mechanism  713  to secure the chamber access door  712  in the first configuration  714 . Referring to  FIG. 39 , when in the second configuration  716  the chamber access door  712  is located away from the chamber side opening  710  to allow access to the chamber cavity  708  via the chamber side opening  710 . Additionally, the cooking/smoking chamber  702  further defines a heating element side opening  717  to allow power to be connected to the heating element  703 . It is contemplated that the cooking/smoking chamber  702  may also include a cover  719  to cover the chamber upper opening  706 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 40 , the cooking/smoking chamber  702  further includes a fuel support  718  which includes a fuel support wall  720 , a fuel support upper opening  722 , a fuel support lower opening  724  and a fuel support screen  726 , wherein the fuel support screen  726  is associated with the fuel support wall  720  to be located proximate to and cover the fuel support lower opening  724 . The fuel support wall  720  further includes a fuel support heating element opening  728  which is configured to support the heating element  703  while allowing power to be connected to the heating element  703 . Referring to  FIG. 41 , the cooking/smoking chamber  702  is configured such that the fuel support  718  is supported therein such that the fuel support heating element opening  728  and the heating element side opening  717  are aligned. As such, referring to  FIG. 42 , the heating element partially protrudes from the fuel support heating element opening  728  and the heating element side opening  717  to allow power to be connected to the heating element  703 . It should be appreciated that the cooking/smoking chamber  702  further includes a lower portion  750  for catching ashes and spent fuel remnants. 
     Referring to  FIG. 43 ,  FIG. 44 ,  FIG. 45  and  FIG. 46 , as discussed above the meat smoker/cooker device  700  may also be used as a grilling device. Referring to  FIG. 43 , the meat smoker/cooker device  700  further includes a grilling fuel grate  730  removably located within the cooking/smoking chamber  702 , wherein the grilling fuel grate  730  is located above the fuel support  718 . Referring to  FIG. 44 , it should be appreciated that in one embodiment, the chamber wall  704  may be angled such that the chamber cavity  708  may be funnel shaped. The grilling fuel grate  730  may then be located within the chamber cavity  708  to contact and rest on the chamber wall  704  as the chamber wall  704  narrows. Referring to  FIG. 45 , in another embodiment, the chamber wall  704  may include protruding structures  752  which may support the grilling fuel grate  730 . The grilling fuel (such as charcoal or wood) is placed on the grilling fuel grate  730  and ignited. The meat smoker/cooker device  700  also includes a food support structure  732  which is associated with the meat smoker/cooker device  700  to be proximate to and cover the chamber upper opening  706 . Referring to  FIG. 44 , it should be appreciated that in one embodiment, the food support structure  732  may then be located within the chamber cavity  708  (proximate the chamber upper opening  706 ) to contact and rest on the chamber wall  704  as the chamber wall  704  narrows. Referring to  FIG. 42 , in another embodiment, the chamber wall  704  may include protruding structures  752  which may support the food support structure  732 . In still yet another embodiment, the food support structure  732  and/or grilling fuel grate  730  may be adjustable such that the space between the food support structure  732  and grilling fuel grate  730  is adjustable to allow the food to be placed closer to or farther from the heat source. This advantageously allows the meat smoker/cooker device  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  700  to be used to cook, grill and/or smoke selected meats and other food items. 
     Also in accordance with the present invention, the processing of the method  400  in  FIG. 33  may be implemented, wholly or partially, by a controller operating in response to a machine-readable computer program. In order to perform the prescribed functions and desired processing, as well as the computations therefore (e.g. execution control algorithm(s), the control processes prescribed herein, and the like), the controller may include, but not be limited to, a processor(s), computer(s), memory, storage, register(s), timing, interrupt(s), communication interface(s), and input/output signal interface(s), as well as combination comprising at least one of the foregoing. 
     Moreover, the method of the invention may also be embodied in the form of computer program code containing instructions embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, and/or any other computer-readable medium, wherein when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer or controller, the computer or controller becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. The invention can also be embodied in the form of computer program code, for example, whether stored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer or controller, or transmitted over some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via electromagnetic radiation, wherein when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer or a controller, the computer or controller becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. When implemented on a general-purpose microprocessor the computer program code segments may configure the microprocessor to create specific logic circuits. 
     It should be appreciated that while the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, omissions and/or additions may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, unless specifically stated any use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another.