Disposable aromatic barbecue enhancer

Abstract

A disposable aromatic barbecue enhancer includes a foil housing formed in a generally cylindrical shape and defining an interior cavity. A combustible aromatic mixture is compacted within the interior cavity and a plurality of vent apertures are formed in the upper surface of the foil housing. In a fabrication method for the enhancer, a cylindrical receptacle supports a pair of extendable side pins and an extendable bottom pin beneath a movable piston. A plurality of pointed elements are supported within the cavity of the receptacle. A malleable incombustible sheet of foil material is initially placed overlying the receptacle and is formed by extrusion into the receptacle into a cup-like element. Thereafter, the combustible aromatic mixture is deposited therein. The mixture is compressed within the foil material and the foil is formed into a housing enclosure having the vent apertures pierced therein.

1 . For use in a cooking grill or the like, a disposable enhancer comprising:
 an incombustible malleable sheet formed into a closed housing defining an interior cavity, a plurality of vent apertures, and a crimped closure surface; and   an aromatic combustible particulate mixture received and compacted within said interior cavity.   
   
   
       2 . A disposable enhancer as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said closed housing is generally cylindrical. 
   
   
       3 . A disposable enhancer as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said housing defines a generally planar upper surface having said vent apertures formed therein. 
   
   
       4 . A disposable enhancer as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said housing defines a generally planar undersurface forming said crimped closure surface formed by folding and crimping said sheet about said particulate mixture. 
   
   
       5 . A disposable enhancer as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said sheet is aluminum foil. 
   
   
       6 . A disposable enhancer as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said particulate mixture includes wood particles. 
   
   
       7 . A disposable enhancer as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said particulate mixture includes spice additives. 
   
   
       8 . A disposable enhancer as set forth in  claim 7  wherein said particulate mixture includes a meat tenderizer. 
   
   
       9 . For use in fabricating a disposable enhancer having a combustible particulate mixture within a foil housing, the method comprising the steps of:
 positioning a malleable incombustible planar foil sheet;   forming a depression in said sheet;   depositing a quantity of combustible aromatic particulate material into said depression;   compacting said particulate material;   folding and crimping said sheet to enclose said particulate mixture;   compressing said folded and crimped sheet and particulate mixture to form a foil housing enclosing said particulate mixture; and   forming a plurality of vent apertures in said sheet.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said step of depositing includes the steps of:
 forming a plurality of wood particles;   adding at least one spice to said wood particles; and   mixing to a generally uniform particulate mixture.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said depositing step further includes adding a meat tenderizing material. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said step of depositing includes forming a plurality of wood particles. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said forming step includes the steps of:
 forcing said sheet at least partially into a cylindrical cavity using a generally cylindrical piston; and   withdrawing said piston.