Method and portable system for cooking

Abstract

A portable cooking system has a heating chamber supported by retractable legs that rest on a lid. A fire pan also resting on the lid and partially within the heating chamber is adaptable to burn charcoal, wood, or compressed gas. The lid supports and isolates the fire pan from the ground. The fire pan may be adapted for grilling. An alternate lid may contain an electric heating element. Thermometers and a vent on the heating chamber allow regulation on temperature within the heating chamber. The system may be adapted to provide uniform, controlled heat for Dutch ovens contained within. The system may also function as a smoker.

1 . A food preparation kit having component parts capable of being assembled in the field, the kit comprising the combination of:
 a chamber, the chamber having an open end and a closed end, the closed end oriented upward while the kit is used to prepare food, the chamber having at least a first exhaust vent proximate to the closed end, the chamber having at least three legs, the legs proximate to the open end, the chamber adaptable to admit air into the interior of the chamber through the open end while the kit is used to prepare food;   a fire pan, the fire pan having at least a first vent hole below an upper edge of the fire pan, the fire pan having at least three attached legs, the legs projecting below the fire pan while the kit is used to prepare food, the fire pan adapted to fit at least partially within the chamber; and   a lid, the lid adapted to support the fire pan, the lid further adapted to be retained in a position to close the open end of the chamber when the kit is in a storage position.   
     
     
         2 . A food preparation kit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the chamber has at least two handles. 
     
     
         3 . A food preparation kit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the chamber has at least a first thermometer. 
     
     
         4 . A food preparation kit as claimed in  claim 1 , the kit further comprising a Dutch oven, the Dutch oven sized to rest within the fire pan. 
     
     
         5 . A food preparation kit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the lid has at least three supporting feet. 
     
     
         6 . A food preparation kit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the chamber further comprises a cylinder and the chamber legs are adjustable to support the lower edge of the cylinder at a level just below the upper edge of the fire pan while the kit is used to prepare food. 
     
     
         7 . A food preparation kit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the closed end of the chamber is removeable. 
     
     
         8 . A food preparation kit as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein fire pan does not contact the chamber while the kit is used to prepare food. 
     
     
         9 . A food preparation kit having component parts capable of being assembled in the field, the kit comprising the combination of:
 a chamber, the chamber having an open end and a closed end, the closed end oriented upward while the kit is used to prepare food, the closed end oriented downward while the kit is in a storage position, the chamber having at least a first exhaust vent proximate to the closed end, the chamber adaptable to admit air into the interior of the chamber through the open end while the kit is used to prepare food, the chamber having at least two handles and at least three adjustable supporting legs;   a fire pan, the fire pan having at least a first vent hole, an access hole, and at least three attached supporting legs, the fire pan adapted to fit within the chamber;   a grill, the grill adapted to rest upon the fire pan, the grill adapted to fit within the chamber; and   a lid, the lid adapted to support the fire pan, the lid further adapted to be retained in a position to close the open end of the chamber.   
     
     
         10 . A food preparation kit as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the lid has at least three supporting feet. 
     
     
         11 . A food preparation kit as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the first exhaust vent penetrates the closed end of the chamber. 
     
     
         12 . A food preparation kit as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the closed end of the chamber is removable. 
     
     
         13 . A food preparation kit as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein fire pan does not contact the chamber while the kit is used to prepare food. 
     
     
         14 . A food preparation kit having component parts capable of being assembled in the field, the kit comprising the combination of:
 a chamber, the chamber having an open end and a closed end, the chamber having at least two handles, at least a first exhaust vent, and at least three adjustable supporting legs;   a fire pan, the fire pan having at least a first vent hole, an access hole, and at least three attached supporting legs, the fire pan adapted to fit within the chamber;   a gas burner with a fuel port, the gas burner adapted to fit within the fire pan, the fuel port positioned to align with the access hole when the gas burner rests within the fire pan;   a grill, the grill adapted to rest upon the fire pan, the grill adapted to fit within the chamber; and   a lid, the lid adapted to support the fire pan, the lid further adapted to be retained in a position to close the open end of the chamber.   
     
     
         15 . A food preparation kit having component parts capable of being assembled in the field, the kit comprising the combination of:
 a chamber, the chamber having an open end and a closed end, the chamber having at least two handles, at least a first exhaust vent, and at least three adjustable supporting legs;   a fire pan, the fire pan having at least a first vent hole, the fire pan adapted to fit within the chamber; and   a lid, the lid comprising an insulator and an electric heating element, the lid adapted to support the fire pan, the lid further adapted to be retained in a position to close the open end of the chamber.   
     
     
         16 . A method for maintaining a substantially consistent cooking temperature within a Dutch oven, comprising the steps of:
 placing a lid upon a supporting surface;   placing a fire pan upon the lid;   placing a heat source within the fire pan;   placing a Dutch oven upon the fire pan;   adjusting supporting legs on a chamber to a position that will hold the lower edge of the chamber above the lid and at least slightly below the upper edge of the fire pan when the chamber is placed over the fire pan;   placing the chamber over the fire pan; and   adjusting an exhaust vent on the chamber to obtain and maintain a desired interior temperature in the chamber.