Modular Outdoor Cooking System

Abstract

A modular outdoor cooking system having a base, a lid pivotally connected to the base, and a set of cooking components. The cooking components include a charcoal grate component, a gas burner component, and a grill rack component. The base includes a series of first horizontal supports extending from an inner surface of a first side panel and a series of second horizontal supports extending from an inner surface of a second side panel. The first side panel is parallel to the second side panel. Each first horizontal support is vertically aligned with a second horizontal support creating aligned pairs of horizontal supports. The base also includes an upper support ledge extending along the first and second side panels and a back panel. Each cooking component may be temporarily positioned on an aligned pair of horizontal supports or the upper support ledge for adjustable cooking methods.

1 . A modular outdoor cooking system comprises:
 a base comprising a back panel, a first side panel operatively connected to said back panel, a second side panel operatively connected to said back panel and parallel to said first side panel, a series of first horizontal supports extending from an inner surface of said first side panel, and a series of second horizontal supports extending from an inner surface of said second side panel, wherein each of said first horizontal supports is vertically aligned with one of said second horizontal supports forming a series of aligned pairs of horizontal supports;   a lid pivotally connected to said base;   a set of cooking components comprising a heating source component and a cooking tool component, wherein each of said cooking components is dimensioned to slide onto one of said aligned pairs of horizontal supports of said base.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said base further comprises an upper support ledge extending along said back panel, said first side panel, and said second side panel, and wherein said upper support ledge is dimensioned to receive one of said cooking components or a cooking tool. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said set of cooking components comprises two heating source components. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein said heating source components comprise a charcoal grate component and a gas burner component, and said cooking tool component comprises a grill rack component. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein said grill rack component comprises a hook dimensioned to engage a slot in said upper support ledge. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4  wherein said cooking tool comprises a wok, a deep fryer, a griddle, a large pot, an infusion pan, a rotisserie unit, or a wood chip plate or box. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said base further comprises a first door pivotally connected to said first side panel. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  further comprising a second door pivotally connected to said second side panel. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said lid comprises an outwardly pivoting front panel. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said lid comprises a temperature gauge and a smoke stack. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a lid stop operatively connected to said back panel for supporting said lid in an open position. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the base further comprises a first pair of legs operatively attached to an outer edge of each of the first side panels and a second pair of legs operatively attached to an outer edge of each of the second side panels. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the first and second pair of legs each have a lower end, and wherein the lower end of each of the first pair of legs has a wheel operatively connected thereto. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the lower end of each of the second pair of legs has a wheel operatively connected thereto. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the wheels operatively connected to the second pair of legs have a wheel base smaller than a wheel base of the wheels operatively connected to the first pair of legs. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  the wheels operatively connected to the second pair of legs each have a locking means. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising a support bracket operatively connected to one of said legs, an outer surface of said first side panel, or an outer surface of said second side panel, wherein said support bracket is dimensioned to engage a support bar of a side accessory. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein said side accessory comprises a side shelf, a side table, or an accessory modular frame. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18  wherein said accessory modular frame comprises:
 an accessory back panel; 
 a first accessory side panel operatively connected to said accessory back panel; 
 a second accessory side panel operatively connected to said accessory back panel; 
 a series of first accessory horizontal supports extending from an inner surface of said first accessory side panel; 
 a series of second accessory horizontal supports extending from an inner surface of said second accessory side panel; and 
 an accessory upper support ledge extending along said back panel, said first accessory side panel, and said accessory second side panel; 
 wherein said first accessory side panel is parallel to said second accessory side panel, and each of said first accessory horizontal supports is vertically aligned with one of said second accessory horizontal supports forming a series of aligned pairs of accessory horizontal supports; wherein said series of aligned pairs of accessory horizontal supports are spaced to slidingly receive each of said cooking components; and wherein said accessory upper support ledge is dimensioned to receive one of said cooking components or a cooking tool. 
 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17  further comprising:
 a gas container hanger operatively connected to said outer surface of said first side panel or said outer surface of said second side panel; and 
 a guide operatively connected to one of said legs; 
 wherein said gas container hanger is dimensioned to receive a gas container, and wherein said guide is dimensioned to receive a gas line.