Inventors:
Benjamin Bryan - New York NY, US
International Classification:
F24C 7/10, F27D 11/00
Abstract:
An electrically operated countertop grill that includes an upper housing with a removable upper cooking plate disposed therein, and a lower housing with a removable lower cooking plate disposed therein. The lower housing defines a horizontal plane, and the lower cooking plate is disposed at an angle relative to the horizontal plane. The upper cooking plate is movable about a pivot axis relative to the lower cooking plate to a closed position to form a cooking chamber for cooking foodstuffs that substantially restrains the escape of vapor therefrom. At least one heating element is disposed within the lower housing for supplying heat to the lower cooking plate to provide heat to the cooking chamber, and at least one heating element is disposed within the upper housing for supplying heat to the upper cooking plate to provide heat to the cooking chamber. The lower cooking plate inclines gradually and downwardly from a proximate position relative to the pivot axis toward a distal position relative to the pivot axis such that liquid byproducts emitted by foodstuffs during cooking flow downwardly on the lower cooking plate toward a liquid byproducts collection reservoir disposed at the distal position. In one embodiment of the invention, a clasp and clip system holds the lower cooking plate to the lower housing, and the upper cooking plate to the upper housing.