Coated griddle bottom

Abstract

A griddle is disclosed. The griddle comprises a coating on a bottom surface to improve heat transfer performance of the griddle.

1 . An appliance for cooking food comprising:
 a base;   a heat source coupled to the base;   a griddle coupled to the base and disposed above the heat source, the griddle comprising a first surface to receive food being heated and a second surface facing the heat source;   a coating coupled to the second surface and configured to improve heat transfer efficiency from the heat source to the griddle.   
     
     
         2 . The appliance of  claim 1  wherein the coating comprises a high radiation heat absorbing capacity relative to second surface of the griddle. 
     
     
         3 . The appliance of  claim 2  wherein the coating comprises a darker color than the second surface of the griddle. 
     
     
         4 . The appliance of  claim 3  wherein the coating is gray. 
     
     
         5 . The appliance of  claim 3  wherein the coating is black. 
     
     
         6 . The appliance of  claim 3  wherein the coating is a paint applied to the second surface. 
     
     
         7 . The appliance of  claim 4  wherein the heat source provides infrared heat energy to the second surface of the griddle. 
     
     
         8 . The appliance of  claim 1  further comprising an oven disposed below the griddle. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for cooking food, comprising:
 a base;   an infrared heat source coupled to the base;   a griddle coupled to the base and disposed proximate the infrared heat source, the griddle comprising a first surface for heating food and a second surface with a first heat absorbing capacity;   a coating coupled to the second surface and having a second heat absorbing capacity that is greater than the first heat absorbing capacity of the second surface of the griddle.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the coating has a darker color relative to the second surface. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the coating is gray or black. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the coating provides a mat surface. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the coating provides significantly greater heat absorbing properties relative to the second surface. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the apparatus is a range or a cook top. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the infrared heat source comprises a resistive element. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the resistive element is a ceramic tile infrared burner. 
     
     
         17 . A method for manufacturing an apparatus for cooking food, the method comprising:
 providing a base, a radiant heat source, a griddle having a cooking surface and a bottom surface;   coupling the radiant heat source to the base;   applying a coating to the bottom surface that has heat absorbing properties greater than heat absorbing properties of the bottom surface; and   coupling the griddle to the base above the radiant heat source.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the step of applying the coating comprises one of brushing, spraying, rolling, or powder coating a material on the second surface. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of applying the coating comprises bonding a material to the second surface has a darker color relative to the second surface. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the step to applying the coating comprises bonding the coating to the second surface.