Patent ID: 8490614

Claim:
A cooking apparatus for cooking foodstuffs comprising: a base unit, further comprising: a generally upright rectangular frame comprising a cooking interior, a pair of opposing side panels, a top panel, a rear panel comprising a plurality of adjustable ventilation slots, and a front panel framing said cooking interior; an exhaust assembly located on a rear portion of said top panel and in fluid communication with said cooking interior, further comprising: a plenum affixed to said top panel providing a venting means for said cooking interior and comprising a filter housing; a filter removably located in said filter housing, comprising a handle on an outer end thereof; a fan assembly comprising a motorized fan housed in a fan housing suprajacent to said filter and affixed to said plenum at a lower end; a stack affixed at a lower end to an upper end of said fan assembly; and, a stack hood affixed to a top end of said stack; a storage compartment subjacent and affixed to said cooking interior; a fuel tank supporting means in said storage compartment configured to support a fuel tank; a pair of latching receivers affixed to opposing interior side walls of said front panel; and, a pair of female track features affixed to opposing interior side walls of said side panels subjacent to said pair of latching receivers; a plurality of burner unit assemblies insertable and securable into said base unit; a burner control assembly adapted to be in fluid communication with said fuel tank and said plurality of burner unit assemblies for controlling transmission of fuel to said plurality of burner unit assemblies; and, a grill tray assembly insertable and securable into said cooking interior; and, a reflector shield mounted to opposing interior side walls of said side panels at an upper portion of said cooking interior; wherein said apparatus is fabricated out of materials able to withstand elevated temperatures associated with cooking; wherein said cooking apparatus provides a self-contained cooking means; wherein said pair of latching receivers provide a latching means to each of said plurality of burner unit assemblies and said grill tray assembly; wherein said pair of female track features provides a sliding mechanism means to each of said plurality of burner unit assemblies and said grill tray assembly; wherein said stack hood provides a covering means to said stack for protecting said fan assembly, said filter, and said cooking interior from external elements; wherein said motorized fan is adapted to receive power from a conventional power source through a power cord; wherein said reflector shield reflects radiant heat back into said cooking interior; wherein said plurality of burner unit assemblies and said grill tray assembly are arranged in a vertical drawer configuration; and, wherein said cooking apparatus reduces exposure to a user of smoke, heat, and drippings that emanate from said apparatus when in use.