Patent Publication Number: US-2018028018-A1

Title: Smoker with variable configuration

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/366,903, filed on Jul. 26, 2016, and incorporates such provisional application by reference into this disclosure as if fully set out at this point. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This disclosure relates to cooking in general and, more specifically, to methods and systems for smoking foods. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     For the slow cooking of food, a number of different configurations of the product are known. Among them is a device known as an offset smoker. In this type of product there is a large horizontal cylindrical cooking chamber with a cooking rack means placed approximately at the midpoint of the cooking chamber, extending from one end to the other, and an exhaust means at one end. Attached to the other end of the cylinder from the exhaust means is another horizontal cylinder of similar or smaller diameter and significantly less length. This cylinder is normally offset down and an opening is provided in the upper part of the offset cylinder wall adjacent to the cooking chamber wall corresponding to a matching opening in the lower part of the cooking chamber wall adjacent to the offset cylinder. This offset cylinder is used as the location for the production of hot gas and smoke from a solid fuel fire. A general configuration of such products can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,533 to Ganard or in US Patent Publication No. 2008/0098906 by Davis, both incorporated herein by reference. The solid fuel may be wood or charcoal or a combination of both. 
     Flue gases from the offset cylindrical chamber, which functions as a firebox, pass into the cooking chamber, expand and cool, transfer heat and smoke flavor to the food being cooked and exit through an exhaust means at the opposite end of the cooking chamber from the firebox. 
     Although such current products have widespread use, and acceptance stretching over several decades of use, it is known that the distribution of heat in the cooking chamber is not altogether even as the exhaust gases exiting the firebox are hotter as they immediately enter the cooking chamber and then cool off as they travel across the cooking chamber. In addition, buoyancy forces acting on the hot gas exiting the firebox tend to elevate the hotter gases to the upper segment of the horizontal cylindrical cooking chamber as they travel across it toward the exhaust means, thus bypassing the food placed on the cooking rack. Further, that portion of the cooking area adjacent to the firebox is exposed to direct radiation from the fire through the opening between the firebox and cooking chamber while the rest of the cooking chamber has little effect from this direct fire radiation. 
     What is needed is a system and method for addressing the above, and related, issues. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention of the present disclosure, in one aspect thereof comprises a system including a smoker having a cooking chamber and a firebox in fluid communication with the cooking chamber. The system includes a cooking grate within the cooking chamber, a first exhaust opening in the cooking chamber proximate the firebox, and a plurality of generally horizontal baffles below the cooking grate. At least one of these is situated near the firebox to direct smoke away from the firebox before it rises above a level of the cooking grate. 
     The plurality of generally horizontal baffles may comprise baffles that are selectively removable from the cooking chamber to alter a degree of travel of smoke below the cooking grate before it is allowed to rise above the cooking grate. The plurality of generally horizontal baffles may affix to the cooking grate from below. At least one of the plurality of generally horizontal baffles may define a drainage opening. 
     At least one of the plurality of generally horizontal baffles may define a plurality of louvres. The plurality of louvres may be angled toward a side of the baffle to draw flowing smoke therethrough. 
     In some embodiments, each of the plurality of baffles is square in outline from above. At least one of the plurality of baffle may be dished with a sloped floor leading downward to a drainage opening oriented to a side of the baffle. 
     At least one of the plurality of baffles may comprise a frontward portion, a rearward portion, a rightward portion, and a leftward portion. Such baffle may further comprise a planar surface suspended below the cooking grate by at least one wall suspended from any of the frontward portion, rearward portion, rightward portion, and leftward portion. 
     In some embodiments, the system further comprises a second exhaust opening in the cooking chamber distal from the from the firebox. The first and second exhaust openings may be selectively enabled to direct exhaust smoke through the cooking chamber in combination with the plurality of generally horizontal baffles. 
     The invention of the present disclosure, in another aspect thereof, comprises a system having a cylindrical cooking chamber having a cooking grate therein, a firebox in fluid communication with the cooking chamber on a first end thereof, a first exhaust opening defined proximate the first end of the cooking chamber proximate the firebox, and a plurality of selectively installable baffles that direct smoke below the cooking grate away from the firebox. One or more of the baffles may be fixed inside the cooking chamber below the cooking grate to alter a path of smoke from the firebox, around the installed baffle or baffles and back toward the first exhaust opening. 
     In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of baffles is a dished rectangle providing a drainage opening below the cooking grate. At least one of the plurality of baffles may comprise a dish shape where a portion of the baffle is spaced apart from the cooking grate. At least one of the plurality of baffles may slope toward a drainage opening oriented distally from the firebox. Additionally, at least one of the plurality of baffles may provide a plurality of louvres oriented to draw smoke from the firebox toward the cooking grate. 
     Some embodiments comprise a second exhaust opening in the cooking chamber on a second end thereof, distal from the firebox. The system may include a first exhaust control on the first exhaust opening and a second exhaust control on the second exhaust opening. 
     The invention of the present disclosure, in one aspect thereof, comprises a method including providing a cooking chamber having a first end and a second end and containing a cooking surface and providing a firebox producing smoke for the cooking chamber, the firebox being in fluid communication with the cooking chamber proximate the first end thereof. The method includes providing an exhaust opening proximate the first end and superior to the firebox, and affixing one of more of a plurality of baffles below the cooking surface to direct smoke below the cooking surface toward the second end of the cooking chamber and then back above the cooking surface toward the exhaust opening. 
     The method may further comprise altering a smoke path inside the cooking chamber by relocating one of more of the plurality of baffles inside the cooking chamber. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective cutaway view of a smoker with a cooking chamber and firebox and no baffles or exhaust means. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective cutaway view of the smoker of  FIG. 1  with a single modular baffle in place. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective cutaway view of the smoker of  FIG. 1  with two modular baffles in place. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective cutaway view of the smoker of  FIG. 1  with three modular baffles in place. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective cutaway view of the smoker of  FIG. 1  with four modular baffles in place. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a smoker with exhaust means adjacent the firebox, and blocked opposite the firebox, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the smoker of  FIG. 6  with exhaust means opposite the firebox, and blocked adjacent the firebox, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a first baffle for use in a variable configuration smoker according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a second baffle for use in a variable configuration smoker according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a third baffle for use in a variable configuration smoker according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a fourth baffle for use in a variable configuration smoker according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 12  is a computational fluid dynamics simulation trace of a current smoker. 
         FIG. 13  is a computational fluid dynamics simulation trace of a variable configuration smoker according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective cutaway view of a smoker  100  with a cooking chamber  102  and offset firebox  104  is shown. An opening  106  connects the cooking chamber  102  with the firebox  104  and provides for fluid communication. The opening  106  may be selectively openable to control flow of smoke and exhaust gases into the cooking chamber  102 . The term “selective” or “selectively” means that the operation is user controllable, or that the user may reconfigure the selective item or operation. 
     A first exhaust opening  108  adjacent to the firebox  104  is on a first end  122  of the cooking chamber  102  is illustrated along with a second exhaust opening  110  for cooking chamber  102  opposite the firebox  104  (distal from the firebox  104 ) on a second end  124  of the cooking chamber  102 . The import of the locations of the exhaust openings  108 ,  110  is explained further below. The exhaust openings  108 ,  110  provide for fluid communication (e.g., gas flow) from the cooking chamber  102 . A cooking grate  112  may be located approximately midway (elevationally) within the cooking chamber  102  and may occupy substantially the full width and depth of the cooking chamber  102 . The cooking chamber may be generally cylindrical in shape but other shapes are possible. 
     The cooking grate  112  will generally be superior to the opening  106  since smoke and hot gases will tend to rise upon entering the cooking chamber  102 . Similarly, the exhaust openings  108 ,  110  will generally be superior to both the opening  106  and the cooking grate  112  to promote proper smoke flow and exhaust function. 
     A single horizontal baffle plate (not shown) may be installed on or below the cooking grate  112  in the cooking chamber  102  at a location  120  adjacent to the opening  106  into the firebox  104 . This has the effect of preventing the hot gas exiting the firebox  104  from rising so rapidly to the upper part of the cooking chamber  102  and blocking or substantially reducing the direct fire radiation to the cooking area  120  adjacent to the firebox  104 . However, this reduces the effective total cooking area of the smoker  100 . In addition, various lengths of such baffles have different effects in terms of cooking food, such that a widely useful single length is difficult to obtain. This is particularly so if the exhaust is located distally from the firebox (e.g., as with exhaust opening  110 ). 
     According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the exhaust  108  may be the primary or only exhaust opening and may be located at the end  122  of the cooking chamber adjacent to the fire box  104  and above the cooking grate  112  (near the area  120 ). In various embodiments of the present disclosure, a multi-part baffle configuration inside the cooking chamber  102  can be altered according to desired cooking characteristics. This may be accomplished by a multi-part modular horizontal set of baffles under the cooking rack  106 . The baffles ( 200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 ) are shown in various installed configurations in  FIGS. 2-5  below, and are shown in detail individually in  FIGS. 8-11 . The baffles  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500  are optionally equipped with fixed or variable gas passages through their surfaces (shown below). These horizontal baffles may also have liquid drainage provisions incorporated (also shown below). The baffles  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500  may be formed from sheet metal or another suitably heat resistant material. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2  a perspective cutaway view of the smoker  100  of  FIG. 1  with a single modular baffle  200  in place is shown. In the present embodiment, the baffle  200  is placed immediately adjacent the firebox  104  directly underneath the grate  112  (e.g., location  120 ,  FIG. 1 ) but superior to the opening  106 . The smoke and heated exhaust gases coming through the opening  106  are not allowed to rise toward either exhaust location  108 ,  110  until clearing the baffle  200 . The baffle  200  may be configured to attach directly to the cooking grate  112  and/or the walls of the cooking chamber  102 . In some embodiments, the baffle  200  may be installed or removed without tools. In some embodiments, the baffles  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500  affix to the walls of the cooking chamber  102  and/or the grate  112  by tabs, flaps, and/or an interference fit. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a perspective cutaway view of the smoker  100  of  FIG. 1  with two modular baffles  200 ,  300  in place is shown. An additional baffle  300  is placed immediately adjacent to the baffle  200 . Here again, the baffle  300  may attach directly to the cooking grate  112  and/or the walls of the cooking chamber  102 . The baffle  300  may also be configured to affix to the baffle  200 . The effect of baffles  200 ,  300  is that the smoke and/or heated gases from the opening  106  are moved even further from the opening  106  before being allowed to rise above the plane of the cooking grate  112  and that the locally concentrated direct fire radiation is absorbed and redistributed in a more even radiation from the baffle or baffles. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a perspective cutaway view of the smoker of  FIG. 1  with three modular baffles  200 ,  300 ,  400  in place. The baffle  400  adds to the effect of the baffles  200 ,  300  by extending the path that smoke and gases travelling under the cooking grate  112  must travel before being allowed to rise. The baffle  400  may be similar to those previously described in having the ability to attach to cooking chamber  102  walls, the cooking grate  112 , or the adjacent baffle  300 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a perspective cutaway view of the smoker of  FIG. 1  with four modular baffles  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500  in place is shown. The baffle  500  adds to the effect of the baffles  200 ,  300 ,  400  by extending the path that smoke and gases travelling under the cooking grate  112  must travel before being allowed to rise. The baffle  500  may be similar to those previously described in having the ability to attach to cooking chamber  102  walls, the cooking grate  112 , or the adjacent baffle  400 . 
     The baffles  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500  may not fit immediately against the cooking grate  112  such that they maintain full and contiguous contact. They may provide some offset or depth from the cooking grate  112 , possibly being dished or pan-shaped. It should also be appreciated that the baffles  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500  may not be identical. They may differ in depth, slope, and/or drainage and ventilation features. They may also cover different amounts of the width of the cooking grate  112 . Other embodiments may also provide more or fewer baffles to work with. Even when all baffles  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500  are installed, an area  501  of the cooking grate  112  may remain that is not covered or obstructed by a baffle. In some embodiments, this area  501  is oppositely situated from opening  106  such that gas and smoke travels the maximum distance below the cooking grate  112  before being allowed to rise above its plane. It is also possible, in some embodiments, to install the baffles  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500  with some open space therebetween such that some smoke or heat is allowed to rise above the cooking grate  112  before reaching the distal end  124  of the cooking chamber  102 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a perspective view is shown of the smoker  100  with an exhaust stack  602  in position to affix to exhaust opening  108  adjacent the firebox  104  at end  122  of the cooking chamber  102 . The stack  602  may be considered a tube, pipe, chimney, conduit, or flue for directing exhaust gases up and away from a user. The exhaust opening  110  on distal end  124  of cooking chamber  102  is blocked by a stopper  604 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a perspective view of the smoker  100  exhaust stack  602  opposite the firebox  104  is shown. The stack  602  affixes to exhaust opening  110  while exhaust opening  108  is provided with stopper  604 . 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate differing configurations for directing internal exhaust or smoke flow from the firebox  104 . The external configuration of  FIG. 6  used with the internal configuration of  FIG. 5 , for example, will provide for maximum smoke and exhaust travel through the cooking chamber  102 . The external configuration of  FIG. 7  with the internal configuration of  FIG. 1  (e.g. no baffles) provides a less circuitous path for smoke travelling through the cooking chamber  102 . It should be understood that the configurations may be mixed and matched (for example, one or more baffles  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500  may be used with the external configuration of  FIG. 7 ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a more detailed perspective view of the first baffle  200  for use in a variable configuration smoker  100  according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The baffle  200  may have a generally rectangular or square outline when viewed from above. The baffle  200  may comprise a frontward portion  202 , a rearward portion  204 , a rightward portion  206  and a leftward portion  208 . Rightward portion  206  may be oriented toward the opening  106  when installed. Leftward portion  208  may be opposite and may be curved as to hook on to and hang from a portion of the cooking grate  112 . Frontward portion  202  and rearward portion  204  may join to the cooking grate  112  and/or the walls of the cooking chamber  102 . 
     The baffle  200  may be generally dished and comprise one or more planar or curved portions  210 ,  212 ,  214  that slope downwardly away from the rightward portion  206 , frontward portion  202 , and rearward portion  204 , respectively. Planar portion  212  may be suspended in part from front wall  216  and leftward wall  220 . Planar portion  214  may be suspended in part from leftward wall  220  and rear wall  218 . Opposite from the leftward wall  210  the planar portions  212 ,  214  join with planar portion  210 . The effect here is that the planar portions slope toward draining opening  222 , located at the lower point among the three planar portions  210 ,  212 ,  214 . The drainage opening may be oriented more leftward than rightward so keeping the drainage of fats and grease away from the opening  106  below the rightward portion  206 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , a more detailed perspective view of the second baffle  300  for use in the variable configuration smoker  100  according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The baffle  300  may have a generally rectangular or square outline when viewed from above. The baffle  300  may comprise frontward portion  302 , rearward portion  304 , rightward portion  306 , and leftward portion  308 . The rightward portion  306  may be closest to the baffle  200  (or opening  106  below). The rightward portion  306  and/or leftward portion  308  may be configured to hook on to and/or suspend from the cooking grate  112 . The rightward portion  306  and/or leftward portion  308  may also join to adjacent baffles. Frontward portion  302  and/or rearward portion  304  may join to the cooking grate  112  and/or the walls of the cooking chamber  102 . 
     The baffle  300  may be dished or pan shaped. In the present embodiment, a floor  310  is suspended below the cooking grate  112  (when installed) by frontward wall  312 , rearward wall  314 , rightward wall  316 , and leftward wall  318 . The floor  310  may be generally planar, or it may have a slight central downward slope leading to a drainage opening  322 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , a more detailed perspective view of the third baffle  400  for use in the variable configuration smoker  100  according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The baffle  400  may have a generally rectangular or square outline when viewed from above. The baffle  400  may comprise frontward portion  402 , rearward portion  404 , rightward portion  406 , and leftward portion  408 . The rightward portion  406  may be closest to the adjacent baffle  300  and may be configured to hook onto and/or hang from the cooking grate  112 . It may also affix to the adjacent baffle  300 . Similarly, the leftward portion  408  may attach to the cooking grate  112  and/or the fourth baffle  500 . Frontward portion  402  and/or rearward portion  404  may join to the cooking grate and/or the walls of the cooking chamber  102 . 
     The baffle  400  may be dished or pan shaped having a floor  410  sloped to direct any liquids falling thereon down to opening  410 . The floor may be suspended or spaced apart from the cooking grate  112  by one or more of a frontward wall  412 , a rearward wall  414 , a rightward wall  416 , and a leftward wall  418 . 
     As can be seen from  FIG. 1 , the baffle  400  is third in a series of four (in the present embodiment and configuration) and as such may (at least partially) be nearer the opposite end of the cooking chamber  102  from the opening  106  than the opening  106  itself. Gases may have by this point started to cool such that it would be advantageous to allow some (but not all) gases and smoke from the opening  106  to pass through to the cooking grate. To this end, the baffle  400  is provided with an opening  430  in the rearward wall  404 . The opening  430  may be proximate the rightward portion  406  (e.g., closer to the opening  106 ). A corresponding hole (concealed behind frontward portion  402 ) may also be present in the frontward wall  412 . 
     A large opening  432  may be located in the floor  432  centrally located proximate the rightward portion (e.g., closer to the opening  106 ). Also shown are smaller adjacent openings  434  located spaced away from the large opening  432  but remaining proximate the rightward portion  406 . It will be appreciated that the location, size and number of openings or hole may vary depending upon the application and the desired characteristics of the smoker  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , a more detailed perspective view of the fourth baffle  500  for use in the variable configuration smoker  100  according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The baffle  500  may have a generally rectangular or square outline when viewed from above. The baffle  500  may comprise a forward portion  502 , a rearward portion  504 , a rightward portion  506 , and a leftward portion  508 . Rightward portion  506  may be oriented toward the opening  106  when installed. The rightward portion  506  or the leftward portion  508  may be curved or otherwise configured to hook into or hang from the cooking grate  112 . The rightward portion  506  may also be configured to attach to the adjacent baffle  400 . The frontward portion  502  and the rearward portion  504  may join to the cooking grate  112  and/or the walls of the cooking chamber  102 . The frontward portion  502  and the rearward portion  504  may join to the cooking grate  112  and/or the walls of the cooking chamber  102 . 
     The baffle  500  may be generally dished and comprise one or more planar portions  510 ,  512 ,  514  situated at varying depths below the cooking grate  112 . The baffle  500  may be mirrored to the configuration of the oppositely located baffle  200 . The planar portion  510  may slope downwardly away from leftward portion  508  while the planar portion  512  and the planar portion  514  slope downwardly from the frontward portion  502  and the rearward portion  504 , respectively. Planar portion  510  may be suspended in part from frontward wall  516 , which is suspended from frontward portion  502 , and from rearward wall  518 , which is suspended from rearward portion  504 . Planar portion  512  may be suspended partially from frontward wall  516  and partially from a rightward wall  520 , which is suspended from the rightward portion  506 . The planar portion  514  may be suspended partially by the rightward wall  520  and partially by the rearward wall  518 . The planar portions are joined together and direct liquids (e.g., fats and grease) falling thereon into opening  522 . The opening  522  may be situated proximate rightward wall  520  at the lowest point of the baffle  500 . 
     The baffle  500  is installed furthest from the opening  106  of all the baffles in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Accordingly, gases and smoke reaching this location have cooled more than at any other baffle location. Beyond the baffle  500  (e.g., at open area  501 ) gases and smoke are allowed to rise freely above the cooking grate  112  even if all baffles ( 200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 ) are installed. As described with respect to  FIG. 10  and baffle  400 , it may be advantageous to allow at least a partial throughflow of gases or smoke before they pass completely beyond the baffle  500  (e.g., into open area  501 ). Accordingly, a pair of openings  530  may be defined in rearward wall  518 . These may be somewhat spaced apart but both proximate the rightward wall  520 . A matching pair of openings (hidden by frontward portion  502  in  FIG. 11 ) may be defined in the frontward wall  516 . 
     In addition to openings in the walls  516 ,  518  the baffle  500  may admit smoke and gasses to the cooking grate  112  by the use of louvres  540 ,  542  defined in the planar surface  510 . These may open toward the opening  106  on the right side of cooking grate  112  to take advantage of the direction of flow of gases and smoke below the baffles  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500  from right to left. A central louvre  540  is located lower down on the planar portion  510  than two flanking louvres  542  that are spaced apart laterally from the central louvre  540  and located more upward on the planar surface  510  than the central louvre  540  (although these are “downstream” in the smoke and gas flow from the central louvre  540 ). It will be appreciated that all the openings, louvers, slots and vents shown in all the baffle embodiments,  200 ,  300 ,  400 , and  500 , can be made with a closable means as known to the art to allow adjustment of gas flow through the baffles. 
     Referring back now to  FIGS. 6-7 , it was seen that the exhaust location can be varied (e.g. between exhaust opening  108  and exhaust opening  110 ). An exhaust control may be installed at both locations  108 ,  110  to manipulate flow further. The exhaust control at either or both locations  108 ,  110  may comprise a butterfly valve or other closeable device allowing exhaust and flow manipulation without physically relocating the exhaust stack  602  and the plug  604 . In such cases, a stack (such as stack  602 ) can be provide at either, or both, exhaust openings  108 ,  110 . 
     It will be clear from the discussion of the current situation and its limitations that the routing of the hot gases from the firebox  104  through the cooking chamber  102  can be a complex matter in which no single solution may offer the wide range of possible techniques and outcomes provided by the present embodiments. By having the ability to configure operations in a variety of ways the consumer can assemble the product  100  to cook in whatever way they choose. This would include including the original configurations described, as well as various modifications described, and others not specifically described but readily conceivable based on the present disclosure and components described herein. For example, one or several of the baffles  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500  may be placed below the cooking grate  112  with the exhaust  602  either at the end  124  opposite the firebox  104  or at the end  122  adjacent to the firebox  104 . This will allow the most advantageous matching of hot gas flow to the size and amount of food being cooked. Gas passages defined in the baffles  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500  may also be fixed or variable (e.g., with sliding closures, flaps, valves or other selectively opening devices). Such fixed or selectable gas passages can be used to further determine the amount of direct hot gas flow vertically through the cooking grate  112  to the underside of the food being cooked. In fact, the combination of variable length baffling and variable exhaust location provides the consumer with a heretofore unobtainable way to produce precisely the type of cooking results required. 
     The effect of rearrangement and reconfiguration of the smoker  100  according to various embodiments of the present disclosure can be experienced in cooking and shown in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation.  FIG. 12  illustrates a configuration where no baffles are deployed on the cooking grate  112  and the exhaust opening  110  is operational.  FIG. 13 , on the other hand, is a computational fluid dynamics simulation trace with the baffles  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500  installed as shown in  FIG. 5  (in  FIG. 13  the baffles  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500  are obscured by the smoke/trace). It can be observed how the smoke must travel to the far end  124  of the cooking chamber  102  before being allowed to rise above the cooking grate  112  (obscured) and traverse back to the proximal end  122  of the cooking chamber  122  where it is allowed to escape via exhaust opening  108  into stack  602 . 
     It is to be understood that the terms “including”, “comprising”, “consisting” and grammatical variants thereof do not preclude the addition of one or more components, features, steps, or integers or groups thereof and that the terms are to be construed as specifying components, features, steps or integers. 
     If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element. 
     It is to be understood that where the claims or specification refer to “a” or “an” element, such reference is not be construed that there is only one of that element. 
     It is to be understood that where the specification states that a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, “can” or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. 
     Where applicable, although state diagrams, flow diagrams or both may be used to describe embodiments, the invention is not limited to those diagrams or to the corresponding descriptions. For example, flow need not move through each illustrated box or state, or in exactly the same order as illustrated and described. 
     Methods of the present invention may be implemented by performing or completing manually, automatically, or a combination thereof, selected steps or tasks. 
     The term “method” may refer to manners, means, techniques and procedures for accomplishing a given task including, but not limited to, those manners, means, techniques and procedures either known to, or readily developed from known manners, means, techniques and procedures by practitioners of the art to which the invention belongs. 
     The term “at least” followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range beginning with that number (which may be a ranger having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, “at least 1” means 1 or more than 1. The term “at most” followed by a number is used herein to denote the end of a range ending with that number (which may be a range having 1 or 0 as its lower limit, or a range having no lower limit, depending upon the variable being defined). For example, “at most 4” means 4 or less than 4, and “at most 40%” means 40% or less than 40%. 
     When, in this document, a range is given as “(a first number) to (a second number)” or “(a first number)-(a second number)”, this means a range whose lower limit is the first number and whose upper limit is the second number. For example, 25 to 100 should be interpreted to mean a range whose lower limit is 25 and whose upper limit is 100. Additionally, it should be noted that where a range is given, every possible subrange or interval within that range is also specifically intended unless the context indicates to the contrary. For example, if the specification indicates a range of 25 to 100 such range is also intended to include subranges such as 26-100, 27-100, etc., 25-99, 25-98, etc., as well as any other possible combination of lower and upper values within the stated range, e.g., 33-47, 60-97, 41-45, 28-96, etc. Note that integer range values have been used in this paragraph for purposes of illustration only and decimal and fractional values (e.g., 46.7-91.3) should also be understood to be intended as possible subrange endpoints unless specifically excluded. 
     It should be noted that where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where context excludes that possibility), and the method can also include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all of the defined steps (except where context excludes that possibility). 
     Further, it should be noted that terms of approximation (e.g., “about”, “substantially”, “approximately”, etc.) are to be interpreted according to their ordinary and customary meanings as used in the associated art unless indicated otherwise herein. Absent a specific definition within this disclosure, and absent ordinary and customary usage in the associated art, such terms should be interpreted to be plus or minus 10% of the base value. 
     Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While the inventive device has been described and illustrated herein by reference to certain preferred embodiments in relation to the drawings attached thereto, various changes and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made therein by those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit of the inventive concept the scope of which is to be determined by the following claims.