Charcoal grilling apparatus and methods

Abstract

Described are embodiments of a grilling apparatus and associated methods that can include a bottom portion defining a cavity and a firewall. The firewall can be positioned within the cavity defined by the bottom portion such that the cavity can be divided into a first section and a second section, where the first section can retain a heating element. A grate assembly that can include a grate and a handle can be positioned within the bottom portion and can be configured to rotate relative to the bottom portion. The grilling apparatus can include a lid that can be configured to cover at least a portion of the grate assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A grilling apparatus comprising:
 (a) a bottom portion defining a cavity;   (b) a firewall, the firewall positioned within the cavity defined by the bottom portion such that the bottom portion is divided into a first section and a second section, wherein the first section is configured to retain a heating element;   (c) a grate assembly includes a movable grate and a handle, wherein the movable grate is positioned at least partially within the bottom portion and is rotatable relative to the bottom portion from a first position to a second position;   (d) a lid covering at least a portion of the grate assembly, wherein the lid is divided into a first lid portion and a second lid portion;   (e) a first vent positioned on the first lid portion; and   (f) a second vent positioned on the second lid portion.   
     
     
         2 . The grilling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first vent and the second vent can be selectively opened. 
     
     
         3 . The grilling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first vent is positioned over the first section and the second vent is positioned over the second section of the bottom portion. 
     
     
         4 . The grilling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion includes a circumferential channel to accept the lid. 
     
     
         5 . The grilling apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the first lid portion is nested within the second lid portion. 
     
     
         6 . The grilling apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the first lid portion is coupled to the second lid portion with a hinge. 
     
     
         7 . The grilling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the grate assembly is rotatable from about 1 degree to about 180 degrees relative to a central axis of the bottom portion. 
     
     
         8 . The grilling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is detachably coupled to the grate. 
     
     
         9 . The grilling apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the handle projects laterally outward from the bottom portion when the lid is in a closed position. 
     
     
         10 . The grilling apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the grate assembly is rotatable relative to the bottom portion from the first position to the second position when the lid is in the closed position. 
     
     
         11 . The grilling apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a flare up shield. 
     
     
         12 . A grilling apparatus comprising:
 (a) a bottom portion defining a cavity and having a circumferential channel;   (b) a firewall, the firewall positioned within the cavity defined by the bottom portion such that the bottom portion is divided into a first section and a second section, wherein the first section is configured to retain a heating element;   (c) a grate assembly includes a movable grate and a handle, wherein the movable grate is positioned at least partially within the bottom portion and is rotatable relative to the bottom portion from a first position to a second position;   (d) a lid covering at least a portion of the grate assembly, wherein the lid is positioned within the circumferential channel of the bottom portion.   
     
     
         13 . The grilling apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the lid is divided into a first lid portion and a second lid portion. 
     
     
         14 . The grilling apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the first lid portion is nested within the second lid portion. 
     
     
         15 . A grilling apparatus comprising:
 (a) a bottom portion defining a cavity;   (b) a firewall having at least one aperture, the firewall positioned within the cavity defined by the bottom portion such that the bottom portion is divided into a first section and a second section, wherein the first section is configured to retain a heating element;   (c) a grate assembly includes a movable grate and a handle, wherein the movable grate is positioned at least partially within the bottom portion and is rotatable relative to the bottom portion from a first position to a second position; and   (d) a lid covering at least a portion of the grate assembly, wherein the lid is divided into a first lid portion and a second lid portion.   
     
     
         16 . The grill apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one aperture in the firewall can be selective closed. 
     
     
         17 . The grill apparatus of  claim 1 , the bottom portion including a first bracket and a second bracket to retain the firewall within the bottom portion. 
     
     
         18 . The grill apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the firewall has a substantially planar configuration. 
     
     
         19 . The grill apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the firewall is selectively removable. 
     
     
         20 . The grill apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the firewall makes up a portion of a kit to retrofit the bottom portion on a standard grill.