IMPROVEMENTS IN PORTABLE COOKING APPARATUS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Constantin Nikiforoff, Colonel of Artillery, of the Arsenal,
Warsaw, in the Russian Empire, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
PORTABLE COOKING APPARATUS."
ed the 8th February 1878, and dated the 4th December 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Constantin Nikiforoff at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th December 1877.
CONSTANTIN NIKIFOROFF, Colonel of Artillery, of the Arsenal, Warsaw, in the
Russian Empire. "INPROVEMENTS IN PORTABLE COOKING APPARATUS."
My Invention relates to portable cooking apparatus, more particularly applicable
for use in camp, of the following construction:-A jacketted metal casing or cauldron
has centrally within it a tapering fire-chamber; at the lower wider end of which,
projecting by preference down below the bottom of the cauldron is a fire-grate, the
fuel being fed into the upper end of the flue through a hopper projecting beyond the
top of the cauldron, and having branching out from its side a chimney flue.
hopper has fitted into it a cylindrical piece, with a hole in its side corresponding
with the hole leading into the flue and capable of rotating, so that by turning it
more or less the opening into the flue can be more or less closed, and thus the
draught be regulated.
The
The fire-grate consists of a circular grid, on to which is fixed centrally a basket-
shaped receptacle, formed of sloping bars, for containing the greater portion of the
burning fuel; and this is provided with a convex perforated bottom projecting up
into the basket, so as to present as much surface as possible for ingress of air among
the fuel.
The grate is secured by screw bolts to outer flanges on the projecting lower end
of the fire-chamber, so as to be readily removeable when required.
Within the said cauldron is suspended an annular recepticle or inner cauldron, of
such a shape that narrow annular spaces intervene between it and the sides and
bottoin of the outer cauldron and the sides of the central fire-chamber, which spice
is filled with water up to a certain level, determined by the position of a cock fitte !

page_text: to the side of the outer cauldron, through which hot water can be drawn off when
required.
The part of the inner circular side of the inner cauldron, as also that of the fire-
chamber exter.ding up beyond the water level, are both jacketted with non-conducting
material, so as to prevent the former from receiving direct heat to any extent from
the latter.
The inner cauldron constitutes the receptacle for the food to be cooked, the
cooking being effected by the heat transmitted from the fire-chamber through the
water.
The inner cauldron fits with flanges or rims at its upper edge on to a recessed rim
on the outer cauldron and against the fire-chamber, by which rims it is suspended
as described, and both the inner and outer cauldron are closed at top by a cover, the
middle part of which is secured firmly by screw bolts to the outer cauldron, while
the two side portions being hinged to the middle portion form lids by which access
is gained to the inner cauldron, such hinged lids being at other times secured down
by means of clamping screws, with winch handles, and carried by links hinged to
the outer cauldron, so that when unscrewed they turn down out of the way
against the side of the latter.
In the middle portion of the cover are provided safety valves for letting off excess
of pressure both from the inner and outer cauldrons, that to the latter serving also
as inlet valve for the water; and at the bottom of both the inner and outer
cauldrons are provided discharge cocks or plugs for diaining off the contents.
For cleansing or repairs the inner cauldron may be readily removed from the
outer one by merely unfastening the cover and lifting the inner cauldron out by
internal handles.
The outer cauldron is provided with side lugs, by which it is fixed on a carriage
or framing on wheels; and it is also provided with loops, through which poles can
be passed for carrying it by hand. It is furthermore provided with projecting feet
at bottom to stand on the ground.
The said apparatus may be modified for heating by steam instead of by direct fine
heat and water, by removing the fire-grate, the fuel hopper and chimney, and closing
the top and bottom of the central chamber, and connecting the cock through which
water was withdrawn in the foriner arrangement with a steam supply.
Access to the central chamber may be provided by means of doors at top and
bottom, so that it can also be utilised for cooking or heating purposes.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Constantin Nikiforoff in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
1st June 1878.
CONSTANTIN NIKIFOROFF, Colonel of Artillery, of the Arsenal, Warsaw, in the
Russian Empire.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PORTABLE COOKING APPARATUS."
My Invention relates to portable cooking apparatus, more particularly applicable
for use in camp, of the following construction:-A jacketted inetal casing or cauldron
has centraily within it a tapering fire-chamber, at the lower wider end of which,
projecting by preference down below the bottoin of the cauldron, is a fire-grate, the
fuel being fed into the upper end of the flue through a hopper projecting beyond the
top of the cauldron, and having branching ont from its side a chimney flue. The
hopper has fitted into it a cylindrical piece, with a hole in its side corresponding
with the bole lending into the flue and capable of rotating, so that by turning it
more or less the opening into the flue can he more or less closed, and thus the
draught be regulated,
The fire-grate consists of a circular grid, on to which is fixed centrally a basket-
shaped receptacle, formed of sloping bars, for containing the greater portion of the
burning fuel, and this is provided with a convex perforated bottom projecting up
into the basket, so as to present as much surface as possible for ingress of air among
the fuel.
The grate is secured by screw bolts to outer flanges on the projecting lower end
of the fire-chamber, so as to be readily removeable when required.
Within the said cauldron is suspended an aunular receptacle or inner cauldron, of
such a shape that narrow aunular spaces intervene between it and the sides and
bottom of the outer cauldron and the sides of the central fire-chamber, which space
is filled with water up to a certain level, determined by the position of a cock firted
to the side of the outer cauldron, through which hot water can be drawn off when
required.
The part of the inner circular side of the inner cauldron, as also that of the fire-
cbamber extending up beyond the water level, are both jacketted with non-conducting
material, so as to prevent the former from. receiving direct bent to any extent from
the latter.
The inner cauldron constitutes the receptacle for the food to be cooked, the
cooking being effected by the heat transmitted from the fire-chamber through the
water.
The inner cauldron fits with flanges or rims at its upper edge on to a recessed rim
on the outer cauldron and against the fire-chamber, by which rims it is suspended,
as described, and both the inner and outer cauldron are closed at top by a cover, the
middle part of which is secured firmly by screw holts to the outer cauldron, while
the two side portions being hinged to the middle portion form lids by which access
is gained to the inner cauldron, such hinged lids being at other times secured down
by means of clamping screws, with winch handles, and carried by links hinged to
the outer cauldron, so that when unscrewed they turn down out of the way against
the side of the latter.
In the middle portion of the cover are provided safety valves for letting off excess
of pressure both from the inner and outer cauldrons, that to the latter serving also
as inlet valve for the water, and at the bottom of both the inner and outer cauldrons
are provided discharge cocks or plugs for draining off the contents.
For cleansing or repairs the inner cauldron may be readily removed from the
outer one by merely unfastening the cover and lifting the inner cauldron out by
internal handles.
The outer cauldron is provided with side luge, by which it is fixed on a carriage
or framing on wheels, and it is also provided with loops through which poles can
be passed for carrying it by hand. It is furthermore provided with projecting feet
5 at bottom to stand on the ground.

page_text: Bytemoving the pre-grate, the fuel nopper and chimney, and
closing the top and bottom of the central chamber, and connecting the cock through
which water was withdrawn in the former arrangement with a steam supply.
Access to the central chamber may be provided by means of doors at top and
bottom, so that it can also be utilised for cooking or heating purposes
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation; Fig. 2, a vertical section; Fig. 3, a plan of the top,
with section through the chimney; and Fig. 4 is a plan of the under side of the
'portable cooking apparatus, according to my Invention, Fig. 5 representing a slightly
inodified form of the apparatus, as suited for cooking by steam.
A is the metal cauldron, surrounded by a jacket B filled with non-conducting
material to prevent loss of heat; C is the tapering fire-chamber, having at its lower
end the fire-grate D, which it is advantageous to make, as shewn, projecting below
the bottom of A, so as to get greater heating surface in the chamber C; E is the
fuel hopper closed by a cover; the flue F branching from the side of the hopper is
curved over, so as to rise centrally, and has its lower part formed as shewn in Fig. 3,
to allow of access to the hopper; E' is a cylindrical shield, having a hole in its side
corresponding with the aperture of the flue F; this shield is turned more or less
round by a handle E² operating as a damper to regulate the draught. The fire-
grate D is of basket shape, having on its under side an annular rib fitting into the
central hole of the bearing bars D', and having a convex perforated bottom D²
offering extended access for air, so that all kinds of fuel can be readily consumed in
the fire-place; D is a ring from which studs project into the spaces between the
grate bars, and which being from time to time moved by a lever D' agitates the
grate, so as to clear it of ashes.
By unscrewing the bolts and nuts of the bearing bars the grate can readily be
removed.
Within the cauldron A is suspended the inner cauldron G (by preference of copper)
by a rim G' entering an accurately-fitting groove in the rim A³ of the outer cauldron,
so that the junction is steam-tight; but when necessary for cleansing or repair the
the cauldron G can be raised out of A by the handles G².
The space in the outer chamber is filled with water to a level determined by the
gauge-cock H, and and the part of the fire-chamber C above the water line, and the
corresponding part of G are jacketted with non-conducting material.
The cauldron G has a cover, of which the middle part 1 carrying the hopper and
flue is bolted to A by lugs at 12, and the side portions I, I, are flaps hinged to I', and
are held down by clamping screws K. These screws are linked to A, so that when
unscrewed they can be turned down out of the way, as shewn in Fig. 3.
On the fixed cover cover 11 is a safety valve or plug L for letting off steam from
G, and another safety valve M opening from the cauldron A, and serving also as the
aperture for supplying the cauldron with water. N is a cock for drawing water off
from A, and O is a screw plug closing a passage by which the contents of G can be
withdrawn; P, P, are lugs by which the apparatus can be suspended on a light
framing mounted on wheels, and Q, Q, are loops through which poles can be passed
for carrying the apparatus; also R, R, are feet by which it rests on the ground.
When steam is used for cooking the apparatus is arranged as shewn in Fig. 5,
that is to say, the fire-grate and chunney are removed, and the chamber C is closed
by covers so that food can be cooked in it; steam is introduced by a pipe H' through
the cock H, and the water of condensation is discharged through N. The other
parts are the same as in the first arrangement, and are designated by the same
letters of reference.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I claim,-
First. The construction of a portable cooking apparatus, consisting of a central

page_text: heating chamber, with grate, fuel hopper and flue, and an outer cauldron, within
which is suspended an inner annular cauldron, substantially as herein describe 1.
Second In the apparatus referred to in the preceding claim, the use of a basket-
shaped fire-grate with perforated convex bottom, and with a ring and lever for
ngitating the grate, substantially as herein described.
Third. In the apparatus above referred to, the construction of the cauldron cover
with a fixed middle part and hinged side flaps, secured by clamping screws,
substantially as herein described.
Fourth. The improved portable cooking apparatus combined and operating as
herein described, and shewn on the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Constantin Nikiforoff, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Third day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
CONSTANTIN NIKIFOROFF. (L.S.)