Abstract:
A flare-up preventing grill is an apparatus which is useful for preventing and extinguishing flare-ups which occur while grilling. The flare-up preventing grill includes a grill lid and a grill body in which food may be grilled upon a cooking grate. The flare-up preventing grill includes a heat source used for cooking foods and for boiling water contained within a water storage system. Water from the water storage system produces steam and a mist of water droplets when boiled. The flare-up preventing grill includes a baffle system which is permits or restricts the flow of the water droplets within a grill receptacle of the grill body. The grill body includes a steam regulating outlet which controls the amount of water droplets within the grill receptacle. The grill body includes a steam overflow outlet which permits water droplets to exit the grill receptacle when the baffle system is closed.

Description:
[0001]    The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/033,323 filed on Aug. 5, 2014. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to the field of outdoor grilling with propane or natural gas. Specifically, the present invention is a grill which prevents and suppresses grease fires which commonly flare up when cooking fatty foods. This is done by creating steam and water droplets inside the sealed cooking chamber of the grill via boiling water and creating only one pathway that the steam and water droplets can escape. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Grilling is a common method of cooking foods that requires constant monitoring. 
         [0004]    Because food is in the presence of an open flame, the cook must maintain a watchful eye so as to make sure that the food does not burn. When foods are cooked on a grill, they tend to release juices that were previously trapped inside the food. Grease is a liquid that is often released from foods like steak, hamburgers, and sausages and contains animal fat which is flammable. As grease drips from the food, it may fall on a hot baffle or come in contact with a flame. When this happens, it is common for the grease to ignite, producing a flame that can reach the foods inside the grill. While producing large flames may be desirable under some circumstances, it is often a situation that cooks avoid because larger flames can burn the food inside of the grill and can be dangerous. 
         [0005]    The most common approach to dealing with grease fires is to spray or pour water directly onto the fire. This approach is relatively effective at extinguishing flare-ups, but does not prevent flare-ups in any way. Currently, there is no solution to actively prevent and extinguish flare-ups. The present invention solves the problem of grease fires by regulating the level of water droplets and steam generated from boiling water inside the closed system of the grill. The grill contains a water reservoir filled with water that, when heated by a heat source, begins to boil. The amount of steam and water droplets within the grill may be controlled by a steam regulating outlet. A baffle system is used to further protect against flare-ups when the grill lid is open by preventing steam and water droplets from exiting the grill. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention relates to an outdoor grill which includes a water reservoir that can be heated by a natural gas or propane heat source to the point that boiling water fills the sealed cooking chamber of the grill with steam and water droplets. The grill has been designed to allow water droplets and steam from the boiling of water, along with the combustion products of cooking, to escape from the grill through only one exit when the lid is closed. When the heat source is lit, the flames heat water which is stored inside a reservoir. As the water begins to boil, water droplets and steam escape through vents in the reservoir and stay suspended inside the grill. The presence of these water droplets suppress flare-ups and help maintain a constant cooking temperature inside the grill. During cooking, the grill is sealed so that the water droplets and steam can only escape through specially designed venting. Because the water droplets are trapped inside the body of the grill, the water droplets become heated by the flames of a flare-up which is caused by grease dripping from foods. The heat from these flare-ups causes the water droplets to change phase and turn into steam. For water to undergo a liquid-to-gas phase change, it must absorb a large amount of energy. In this case, the energy of the flare-up is absorbed by the water droplets, turning the water droplets to steam, thereby cooling and extinguishing the flame. The level of the water droplets and steam inside the cooking chamber is regulated by two vents on the back face of the present invention. The upper vent drives the water droplets and steam down to or slightly past the level of lava rocks, ceramic bricks, or any surface where flare-ups occur before allowing the steam, water droplets and smoke from cooking to escape into the atmosphere. The lower vent allows water droplets and steam to escape when the baffle system is closed and additionally, allows proper, unimpeded, ventilation of the heat source for clean and efficient combustion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the present invention with the lid in a closed. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the present invention with the lid in an open position. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the present invention showing an alternative design for the steam regulating outlet. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a front cross-sectional view of the present invention taken about the line A-A in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a detailed view of the present invention taken from circle B in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a front view of the water storage system of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the water storage system. 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a front view of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a right cross-sectional view of the present invention taken about the line C-C in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is a detailed view of the present invention taken from circle D in  FIG. 11 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]    All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
         [0020]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , the present invention is a flare-up preventing grill that is capable of preventing grease from igniting while grilling and minimizing the effects of flare-ups. This is done by using heat to boil water which creates water droplets and steam that fills the inside of the grill. The present invention comprises a grill lid  1 , a grill body  2 , a water storage system  7 , a cooking grate  17 , a baffle system  18 , and a heat source  21 . The grill body  2  makes up the majority of the grill and comprises a grill receptacle  3 , a steam regulating outlet  5 , and a steam overflow outlet  6 . The grill lid  1  is perimetrically attached onto an opening  4  of the grill receptacle  3 . The grill lid  1  may be attached onto the grill receptacle  3  in a number of ways, including a hinge, a sliding engagement, or, more simply, the grill lid  1  may fit over the grill receptacle  3 . The grill receptacle  3  houses most of the components of the grill. When the grill lid  1  is in a closed position, the grill lid  1  and the grill receptacle  3  form a chamber that fills with water droplet and steam from boiling water contained within the water storage system  7  along with smoke and combustion products from cooking. The water droplets, steam and smoke are primarily allowed to escape only through one exit, the steam regulating outlet  5 . The trapped water droplets in the grill receptacle  3  undergo a liquid to gas phase change when they come into contact with flames from a grease induced flare up by absorbing so much of the flames energy that the flame is cooled and extinguished. This helps to prevent flare-ups. Closing the grill lid  1  is also useful for increasing the cooking temperature inside the grill receptacle  3 . The cooking grate  17  is mounted within the grill receptacle  3 , adjacent to an opening  4  of the grill receptacle  3 . The cooking grate  17  is used to support food items above the heat source  21  while grilling. 
         [0021]    The baffle system  18 , as seen in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 11 , is mounted within the grill receptacle  3 , adjacent to the cooking grate  17  and opposite to the grill lid  1 . The baffle system  18  is used permit or restrict the ability of water droplets to fill the grill receptacle  3 . The water storage system  7  is mounted within the grill receptacle  3 , adjacent to the baffle system  18  and opposite to the cooking grate  17 . Water is kept in the water storage system  7  and is released as steam when heated by the heat source  21 . This steam quickly condenses into a fine mist of water droplets which helps to prevent flare-ups. The baffle system  18  is also useful in keeping a water-rich environment inside the grill receptacle  3  when the grill lid  1  is opened. Before opening the grill lid  1 , the user may close the baffle system  18 . This will trap water droplets between the baffle system  18 , and the heat source  21  thereby preventing flare-ups within that region of the grill receptacle  3 . Otherwise, opening the grill lid  1  would allow water droplets to escape, thus creating an environment which is more prone to flare-ups. The steam overflow outlet  6  allows steam and water droplets to escape the grill when the lid  1  is open and the baffle  18  is closed so that the combustion of the heat source  21  is not compromised or cooled by the water droplets or steam. 
         [0022]    In reference to  FIG. 12 , the heat source  21  is mounted within the grill receptacle  3 , adjacent to the water storage system  7  and opposite to the baffle system  18 . The heat source  21  is used to cook food and to boil water in the water storage system  7 . The preferred embodiment of the present invention uses a propane burner as the heat source  21 . Accordingly, various other standard components are required to operate a propane burner. Such components include, but are not limited to, a Venturi tube, a control valve, a pressure regulator, and a propane tank. Conversely, the heat source  21  may also take the form of a natural gas burner, charcoal, or any other suitable means. To prevent flare-ups, heat from the heat source  21  warms water in the water storage system  7 , the water boils and water droplets are expelled from the water storage system  7 . The baffle system  18  may opened or closed to either permit the water droplets to fill the grill receptacle  3  or prevent the water droplets from filling the grill receptacle  3 . 
         [0023]    In reference to  FIGS. 3-4  and  FIG. 11 , the steam regulating outlet  5  traverses out of the grill receptacle  3 , adjacent to the grill lid  1 . As the amount of water droplets within the grill receptacle  3  increases, the steam regulating outlet  5  permits some of the water droplets to escape the grill receptacle  3  such that an optimal amount of water droplets is kept within the grill receptacle  3 . In reference to  FIG. 3 , the steam regulating outlet  5  may resemble a pipe which extends from the grill receptacle  3 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the steam regulating outlet  5  may resemble a vent which runs along a panel of the grill receptacle  3 . The grill receptacle  3  is in fluid communication into a flow adjustment valve  30  through the steam regulating outlet  5 . The flow adjustment valve  30  acts as a means of fine tuning the level of water droplets and steam inside the grill receptacle  3 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flow adjustment valve  30  is in the form of a collar that is slidably engaged about the steam regulating outlet  5 . One other possible embodiment of the flow adjustment valve  30  could include a panel which may be used to obstruct all or part of the steam regulating outlet  5 . Further additional embodiments of the flow adjustment valve  30  may alternatively be used. 
         [0024]    The steam overflow outlet  6  traverses out of the grill receptacle  3 , adjacent to the grill lid  1 . The steam overflow outlet  6  traverses out of the grill receptacle  3 , adjacent to the cooking grate  17  and opposite to the steam regulating outlet  5 . The steam overflow outlet  6  is a secondary means of disposing of excess amounts of water droplets. In the event that water is boiling too rapidly, the steam overflow outlet  6  is used to release excessive amounts of water droplets to prevent the fire of the heat source  21  from burning inefficiently or extinguishing due to a presence of excess water. The steam overflow outlet  6  is used for the same purpose if the user is grilling with the baffle system  18  in a closed position. 
         [0025]    In reference to  FIGS. 8-9  and  FIG. 12 , the water storage system  7  comprises a water reservoir  8 , a waste bottle  10 , a drainage valve  11 , an inlet pipe  12 , and a one-way valve  13 . The inlet pipe  12  is used to add water to the water reservoir  8 . The inlet pipe  12  traverses through the grill receptacle  3  and is in fluid communication into the water reservoir  8  through the one-way valve  13 . In one embodiment of the water storage system  7 , the inlet pipe  12  is in fluid communication with the water reservoir  8  through the side of the water reservoir  8 . This is shown in  FIG. 8 . In an alternative embodiment of the water storage system  7 , shown in  FIG. 9 , the inlet pipe  12  is in fluid communication with the water reservoir  8  through the top of the water reservoir  8 . The one-way valve  13  allows water to enter the water reservoir  8  from the inlet pipe  12 , but prevents water droplets from traveling in the opposite direction. This prevents steam or hot water from being released through the inlet pipe  12  and potentially harming the user. The waste bottle  10  is positioned outside the grill receptacle  3  and is used for disposing of unwanted water from the water reservoir  8 . The water reservoir  8  is in fluid communication with the waste bottle  10  through the drainage valve  11 . The drainage valve  11  is used to control whether water stored in the water reservoir  8  or drained into the waste bottle  10 . 
         [0026]    Periodically, the user may empty water from the water reservoir  8  to ensure that water within the water reservoir  8  is clean. 
         [0027]    The water storage system  7  further comprises a plurality of vents  14  and a deflector shield  15 . The plurality of vents  14  traverses through the water reservoir  8 , opposite to the heat source  21 . The plurality of vents  14  is used to allow steam and fine droplets of water to escape the water reservoir  8  when the water is heated. The deflector shield  15  is mounted to the water reservoir  8 , adjacent to the plurality of vents  14 . A lateral edge  16  of the deflector shield  15  is positioned offset from a lateral surface  9  of the water reservoir  8 . In this arrangement, the deflector shield  15  is positioned in-between the cooking grate  17  and the plurality of vents  14 . When grease drips from food, and onto the deflector shield  15 , the offset between the lateral edge  16  of the deflector shield  15  and the lateral surface  9  of the water reservoir  8  guides grease away from the plurality of vents  14  and prevents the grease from dripping into the water reservoir  8 . 
         [0028]    In reference to  FIG. 12 , the present invention further comprises a support grate  22 . The support grate  22  is used to hold the water reservoir  8  in position within the grill receptacle  3 . The support grate  22  is laterally mounted within the grill receptacle  3  and is positioned in-between the water reservoir  8  and the heat source  21 . The water storage system  7  is mounted within the grill receptacle  3  by the support grate  22  because the open structure of the support grate  22  allow heat to easily travel from the heat source  21  to the water reservoir  8 . Moreover, lava rocks or ceramic briquettes may also be placed on the support grate  22  to better capture grease. 
         [0029]    In reference to  FIGS. 11-12 , the baffle system  18  comprises a plurality of louvers  19  and a rotation actuator  20 . Each of the plurality of louvers  19  is rotatably mounted within the grill receptacle  3 . The plurality of louvers  19  may be opened or closed to permit or restrict the spread of water droplets throughout the grill receptacle  3 . The position of the plurality of louvers  19  is controlled by the rotation actuator  20  which is mechanically coupled to each of the plurality of louvers  19 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of louvers  19  are integrated with a pinion which engages with a rack gear of the rotation actuator  20 . The rotation actuator  20  adjusts the angle of each of the plurality of louvers  19  when the rotation actuator  20  is moved towards or away from the grill receptacle  3 . 
         [0030]    In reference to  FIG. 2 , the present invention further comprises a lip  23  which is used to aid in preventing water droplets from escaping the grill receptacle  3 . The lip  23  is internally connected to the grill receptacle  3  about the opening  4  of the grill receptacle  3 . The grill lid  1  is perimetrically aligned with the lip  23  such that a seal is created when the grill lid  1  is closed. As a result, the only way for water droplets to leave the grill receptacle  3  is through the steam regulating outlet  5  or the steam overflow outlet  6 . 
         [0031]    In reference to  FIGS. 5-7 , the present invention further comprises a plurality of support arms  24 , a collar  25 , a shaft  26 , and a base  27 . The plurality of support arms  24  is radially positioned around the collar  25 . The collar  25  is internally mounted to the grill receptacle  3  by the plurality of support arms  24 . Together the plurality of support arms  24  and the collar  25  are used to attach the grill body  2  to the shaft  26 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cross-section of each of the plurality of support arms  24  is triangular in shape, with a corner of the triangular cross-section oriented towards the grill opening  4 . This configuration is useful because a triangular cross-section helps to deflect grease that drips onto the plurality of support arms  24 , thus preventing a buildup of grease. The collar  25  and the base  27  are laterally mounted about the shaft  26 . The collar  25  and the base  27  are offset from each other along the shaft  26 . The base  27  is used to provide a stable foundation to support the rest of the grill. In the preferred embodiment, the base  27  is equipped with a plurality of wheels, increasing the portability of the present invention. It is also preferred that the waste bottle  10  is mounted to the base  27 . 
         [0032]    In reference to  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 10 , the present invention further comprises at least one grease funnel  28  and at least one grease pan  29 . The at least one grease funnel  28  is integrated into the grill receptacle  3 , opposite to the grill lid  1 . The at least one grease funnel  28  is used to concentrate where grease drips such that grease may be collected and disposed of easily. The at least one grease funnel  28  is in fluid communication into the at least one grease pan  29 . The at least one grease pan  29  is externally mounted to the grill receptacle  3  and is used to collect grease that drips from the at least one grease funnel  28 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one grease pan  29  is supported just below the at least one grease funnel  28  by one or more brackets. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, there are two grease funnels  28  which are positioned opposite to each other about the shaft  26 . In this embodiment, a grease pan  29  is positioned under each of the grease funnels  28  to collect grease as it drips. 
         [0033]    Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.