US 11,852,346 B2
System and method for bimodal air control in a kettle-style grill
Joseph Pruitt, Athens, GA (US); and Jeffrey Broadrick, Athens, GA (US)
Assigned to Spider Grills, LLC, Athens, GA (US)
Filed by Spider Grills, LLC, Athens, GA (US)
Filed on Mar. 30, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/128,384.
Application 18/128,384 is a continuation of application No. 17/353,467, filed on Jun. 21, 2021, granted, now 11,644,197.
Application 17/353,467 is a continuation of application No. 16/953,695, filed on Nov. 20, 2020, granted, now 11,125,438, issued on Sep. 21, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0235887 A1, Jul. 27, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F24B 5/02 (2006.01); F24B 13/00 (2006.01); F23N 3/00 (2006.01); A47J 37/07 (2006.01); A47J 36/32 (2006.01); F24B 1/19 (2006.01); F23N 3/08 (2006.01)
CPC F24B 5/023 (2013.01) [A47J 36/321 (2018.08); A47J 37/0704 (2013.01); A47J 37/0754 (2013.01); F23N 3/005 (2013.01); F23N 3/085 (2013.01); F23N 3/087 (2013.01); F24B 1/19 (2013.01); F24B 13/008 (2013.01); F23N 2225/08 (2020.01); F23N 2233/06 (2020.01); F23N 2233/08 (2020.01)] 5 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An air control system for use with a kettle-styled charcoal grill, the system comprising:
a plenum mated at a top surface to a lower kettle of a kettle-styled charcoal grill, wherein the plenum surrounds an aperture in the base of the lower kettle;
an ash receptacle releasably mated to a bottom surface of the plenum; and
an air control unit mounted to a side surface of the plenum and configured to supply a forced air flow into the plenum, the air control unit comprising a fan and an electronic controller;
wherein when the air control unit supplies a forced air flow into the plenum, the force air flow is directed through the aperture and into the lower kettle of the kettle-styled charcoal grill; and
wherein ash generated by combusting fuel in the lower kettle of the kettle-styled charcoal grill falls gravitationally through the aperture and plenum such that it is collected by the ash receptacle.