Portable griddle stove with dual cooking surfaces

Abstract

A portable griddle stove has two non-stick cooking surfaces, either of which can withstand being on the underside of the cooking surface in use and the heat applied to the underside surface. A heat shield and heat diffuser control the temperature applied to the underside of the cooking surface by providing radiant heat to the center portion of the cooking surface and cooling the combustion gas diffused to the perimeter of the cooking surface. Secondary air provided through openings in case the and heat shield assist in cooling the combustion gas.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A stove, comprising: 
 a housing;    a heat distribution system disposed in the housing; and    a griddle removably connected to the housing;    wherein the griddle includes a first side having a first non-stick cooking surface and a second side opposite the first side, the second side having a second non-stick cooking surface, one of the first side and the second side being facing towards the heat distribution system.    
     
     
         2 . The stove according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat distribution system includes a heat shield connected to the housing, a tube burner disposed above the heat shield and a heat diffuser disposed above the tube burner.  
     
     
         3 . The stove according to  claim 2 , wherein the heat diffuser includes a center portion adjacent two angled portions, each of the two angled portions having a plurality of projections, a plurality of openings being formed between adjacent projections.  
     
     
         4 . The stove according to  claim 1 , further comprising a handle attached to each end of the housing, a drip tray being removably coupled to the handle at one end of the housing.  
     
     
         5 . The stove according to  claim 4 , wherein an opening extends through the first side and second side of the griddle, a plurality of protrusions being arranged along a perimeter of the opening, the opening being disposed above the drip tray.  
     
     
         6 . The stove according to  claim 1 , further comprising venturi assembly connected to the heat distribution system and a regulator assembly connected to the venturi assembly.  
     
     
         7 . The stove according to  claim 6 , wherein the venturi assembly includes a cylindrical portion having a circumferential groove, a portion of the circumferential groove being removed to form a slot, a spring clip being removably disposed in the groove.  
     
     
         8 . The stove according to  claim 7 , wherein the regulator assembly includes a connector having a profiled edge adjacent a circumferential groove, the connector releasably engaging the cylindrical portion of the venturi assembly, the profiled edge releasably engaging a flat portion of the spring clip disposed in the slot, the flat portion of the clamp also being disposed in the circumferential groove of the connector.  
     
     
         9 . The stove according to  claim 7 , wherein the spring clip includes a flat portion.  
     
     
         10 . A connector assembly, comprising: 
 a first mating portion including a cylindrical portion having a circumferential groove, a portion of the circumferential groove being removed to form a slot, a spring clip being removably disposed in the groove; and    a second mating portion having a first profiled edge adjacent a circumferential groove, the second mating portion releasably engaging the cylindrical portion of the first mating portion, the first profiled edge releasably engaging a flat portion of the spring clip disposed in the slot, the flat portion of the clip also being disposed in the circumferential groove of the second mating portion.    
     
     
         11 . The connector assembly according to  claim 10 , further including a second profiled edge adjacent the circumferential groove of the second mating portion, the second profiled edge forming a greater angle than the first profiled edge so as to inhibit disengagement of the first mating portion and the second mating portion.  
     
     
         12 . A heat distribution system, comprising: 
 a heat shield connected to a housing;    a burner disposed above the heat shield; and    a heat diffuser disposed above the tube burner.    
     
     
         13 . The heat distribution system according to  claim 12 , wherein the heat diffuser includes a center portion adjacent two angled portions, a plurality of projections extending from each of the two angled portions, a plurality of openings being formed between adjacent projections.  
     
     
         14 . The heat distribution system according to  claim 13 , wherein the center portion is disposed at a level lower than a level of the plurality of projections.  
     
     
         15 . A griddle, comprising: 
 a substrate;    a first cooking surface disposed on a first side of the substrate; and    a second cooking surface disposed on a second side of the substrate opposite the first side, wherein each of the first cooking surface and the second cooking surface include a non-stick surface coating.    
     
     
         16 . The griddle according to  claim 15 , wherein the substrate is formed of one of cast iron and cast aluminum.  
     
     
         17 . The griddle according to  claim 15 , wherein the first surface includes a plurality of ribs extending substantially along a length of the first cooking surface.  
     
     
         18 . The griddle according to  claim 15 , wherein the second cooking surface includes a plurality of ribs extending along a portion of the second cooking surface, a remainder of the second cooking surface being substantially flat.  
     
     
         19 . The griddle according to  claim 15 , wherein a perimeter of the first cooking surface and the second cooking surface include a raised edge.  
     
     
         20 . The griddle according to  claim 15 , wherein an opening is disposed through the first cooking surface, the substrate and the second cooking surface.  
     
     
         21 . The griddle according to claim  20 , wherein a plurality of protrusions are formed along an inner edge of the opening.