Griddle system

Abstract

A cooking apparatus may include a main body. A substantially solid cooking surface may be coupled to the main body. A lid may also be coupled to the main body. A cavity may be positioned above the substantially solid cooking surface when the lid is in a closed position. A first opening may open into the cavity. The first opening may be configured to allow heated air to circumvent the substantially solid cooking surface and to flow into the cavity.

1 . A cooking apparatus comprising:
 a main body having a rim;   a substantially solid cook pan disposed adjacent the rim of the main body;   a lid configured to fit the main body to provide covered cooking;   an upper cavity above the substantially solid cook pan when the lid is in a closed position;   a lower cavity below the substantially solid cook pan; and   a first opening in the rim that opens into the upper cavity from the lower cavity, the first opening configured to allow heated air to circumvent the substantially solid cook pan and to flow into the cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The cooking apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second opening in the main body configured to allow environmental air into the lower cavity of the main body;   a first channel extending between the second opening and the first opening; and   a second channel separately extending from the second opening and converging with the first channel.   
     
     
         3 . The cooking apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a slanted surface disposed within the main body below the substantially solid cook pan, the lower cavity at least partially bounded by the slanted surface;   a second opening in the main body configured to allow environmental air into the main body, the second opening positioned below the substantially solid cook pan, the first opening configured to allow the heated air to flow above the substantially solid cook pan;   a first channel extending at least partially adjacent to the slanted surface, the first channel extending between the second opening and the first opening; and   a second channel extending between the second opening and the lower cavity;   at least one burner positioned in the lower cavity;   wherein the lid is further configured to move between an open position and the closed position; and   wherein when the lid is in the closed position, the cavity extends between the substantially solid cook pan and the lid.   
     
     
         4 . The cooking apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the lid hingedly connected to the main body, the cavity extending between the cook pan and the lid, and the first opening comprises a plurality of first vents positioned in a ring extending around the cook pan;   an angled surface positioned below the cook pan, the lower cavity at least partially bounded by the angled surface;   a plurality of burners positioned in the lower cavity;   a plurality of second vents positioned on a side of the main body;   a first airflow duct extending at least partially below the angled surface and extending from the plurality of second vents to the plurality of first vents; and   a second airflow duct extending from the plurality of second vents to the lower cavity.   
     
     
         5 . The cooking apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first opening is positioned at a higher elevation than the substantially solid cook pan. 
     
     
         6 . The cooking apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first opening faces at least partially upwardly. 
     
     
         7 . The cooking apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a burner, wherein the substantially solid cook pan is configured to prevent the burner from being visible from the top of the cooking apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . The cooking apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of openings, the plurality of openings being aligned in an at least partially curved line, the plurality of openings comprising the first opening. 
     
     
         9 . The cooking apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the substantially solid cook pan rests on the main body without being fixed to the main body in a manner that the substantially solid cook pan is configured to be upwardly removable from the main body. 
     
     
         10 . The cooking apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the lid further comprises a second plurality of openings, the second plurality of openings being configured to receive the heated air from the plurality of openings and being configured to release the heated air to the ambient environment. 
     
     
         11 . A contoured griddle comprising:
 a contoured main body being devoid of corners and comprising a first curved end and a second curved end;   a contoured cooking pan being devoid of corners and comprising a first curved end and a second curved end; and   at least one contoured burner positioned within the contoured main body and having at least one curved portion, the contour of the at least one contoured burner configured to be substantially corresponding with the contour of the contoured main body and the contour of the contoured cooking pan.   
     
     
         12 . The contoured griddle of  claim 11 , wherein the contour of the at least one contoured burner, the contour of the contoured main body, and the contour of the contoured cooking pan are substantially pill shaped, the contour of the at least one contoured burner having a circumference smaller than the contour of the contoured main body and the contour of the contoured cooking pan, the at least one contoured burner having a plurality of throat holes aligned in a line at least partially concentric with the contour of the at least one contoured burner, the contoured main body having a plurality of vent holes positioned in a shape substantially concentric with the contour of the contoured cooking pan. 
     
     
         13 . The contoured griddle of  claim 11 , wherein the contour of the contoured main body forms a slot shape, the slot shape comprising a central elongated portion and two at least partially semi-circular end portions. 
     
     
         14 . The contoured griddle of  claim 13 , wherein the two at least partially semicircular end portions have a substantially equal radius to each other. 
     
     
         15 . The contoured griddle of  claim 11 , further comprising a contoured dish-shaped grease pan, the contoured dish-shaped grease pan being devoid of corners, the contour of the contoured dish-shaped grease pan being configured to be substantially corresponding with the contour of the contoured main body and the contour of the contoured cooking pan. 
     
     
         16 . A contoured burner for a griddle having a cooking pan with a curved end forming an arc, the contoured burner comprising:
 a fuel inlet;   an outer curved portion in fluid communication with the fuel inlet, the outer curved portion being at least partially concentric with the arc at the curved end of the cooking pan;   a straight portion; and   a plurality of throat holes in the outer curved portion and the straight portion, the throat holes forming line at least partially concentric with the arc at the curved end of the cooking pan.   
     
     
         17 . The contoured burner of  claim 16 , wherein each of the plurality of throat holes varies in size. 
     
     
         18 . The contoured burner of  claim 16 , wherein each of the plurality of throat holes increases in size as a distance to each of the plurality of throat holes which fuel has to travel from the fuel inlet increases. 
     
     
         19 . The contoured burner of  claim 16 , wherein a distance between each of the plurality of throat holes decreases as a distance to each of the plurality of throat holes which fuel has to travel from the fuel inlet increases. 
     
     
         20 . The contoured burner of  claim 16 , further comprising a cross-shaped portion, wherein a portion of the cross-shaped portion extends between the outer curved portion and the straight portion, the cross-shaped portion comprising a second plurality of throat holes. 
     
     
         21 - 80 . (canceled)