FR2841454A1 - Barbecue comprises fuel support and grille support and horizontally sliding plate between two supports comprising inclined fins able to form alternately open and closed zones - Google Patents

Abstract

The barbecue comprises a fuel support (1) and a grille support (2) comprising several bars. It comprises a plate (3) able to slide horizontally between the fuel support and the grille support. The plate comprises several inclined fins extending in a transverse direction so that two consecutive fins form alternately several open and solid zones. An independent claim is included for a cooking method using the barbecue.

Description

Barbecue type food cooking appliance with a plate

  multi-functional regulation The present invention relates to a food cooking appliance

  barbecue type with a multi-functional control plate.

  Traditionally, barbecues include a grate-type food support, disposed near a fireplace, that is to say a support in which a fuel burns, which can be, depending on the types of gas, electricity barbecues. or a solid fuel such as charcoal. Traditionally, these barbecues are used to cook food such as meats, fish, or sausages, but also vegetables. In the case of solid fuel such as charcoal, the food is cooked by exposure to radiant heat from embers producing flameless heat, the temperature being irradiated in the form of infrared radiation. Which gives qualities of

very appreciated cooking.

  In this type of cooking with a barbecue, the major problem is linked to the phenomenon of burning fat or juice exuded from food during cooking and dripping into the hearth of embers. These exuded fats enter into combustion on contact with embers or other sources of combustion and generate flames rising towards the food, which not only disrupts the quality of the cooking, in particular its homogeneous and regular character, with localized thermal excesses. resulting in excessive cooking or even degradation of the food such as charring, but also generates combustion products which come into contact with food and which affect the taste qualities, and more serious the health qualities of food because some of these products of

  fat burning are carcinogenic.

  We have described in FR 2 794 015 a metal protective grid consisting of a canvas or metal screen made of intercrossed son creating openings in the form of meshes or perforated canvas with openings of the order of 3 millimeters, so that the fillets of solid material between two openings are of a width of the order of 1 millimeter. This protective metal grid is interposed between the lower hearth and the upper food support grid. These grids, the openings of which are larger than the solid ones, do not block infrared radiation. They do not prevent the fall and combustion of fat in the home, but they are, according to the inventor, an obstacle to the rise of the flames. According to the inventor, the fat combustion gases, loaded with harmful compounds arriving in contact with the grid encounters a physical obstacle which disturbs their upward flow. It is understood, however, that this flow is not completely eliminated. On the other hand, part of the combustion products can agglomerate at the level of the grate, which does not eliminate the risks of harmful contact with food. Finally

  this type of grid is difficult to clean.

  Also known in US 2002/0014 163 and US 5,009,151 devices in the form of corrugated or grooved plates which make it possible to block the rising of the flame while recovering cooking fats and juices. But these devices completely block infrared radiation, making cooking difficult. The same applies to the device described in US 5,247,704 which consists of a food support plate itself comprising gutters for recovering fat or juice and constituting an effective flame arrester. However, the barrier to infrared radiation implies unsatisfactory conditions and quality of cooking. Finally, this device is fixed and hinders the

  fuel circulation and air supply.

  In general, the devices making it possible to collect the cooking juices, which is also an often sought-after goal, have for

  effect of making cooking more difficult.

  In addition, all the systems described above do not make it possible to solve another common problem in cooking with barbecue type appliances, namely the problems of regulating the heating power during cooking. The existing means for regulating cooking on a charcoal barbecue or with other sources of energy are: - adjusting the height of the food support grid, which is the cause of obvious difficulty in handling a cooking grid loaded with food, - closing by a cover which causes cooking phenomena by smoking under cover, and - regulating the energy supply, but this regulation can only be done in barbecues operating at gas or electricity. We know in US 7 750 469 a device for regulating the heating power of a barbecue consisting of flat elements arranged transversely above the hearth and pivoting in the manner of a flap relative to a hinge axis located at their base allowing to regulate the amount of radiation reaching the food according to the angle of inclination of the flaps. However, this type of system is not satisfactory because, because of the space required for pivoting from a horizontal position to a vertical position, it involves placing the food support grid at a significant height from the combustion hearth, which implies a greater amount of energy for cooking. On the other hand, the inclination of the flaps does not prevent the flow of grease exuded from food to the hearth, the flames of flames and toxic combustion products well

  that disturbed are not completely removed.

  The object of the present invention is to provide a device which makes it possible both: - to obstruct the fall of cooking fats and juices in the hearth, - to hinder the rise of flames from the hearth towards the food being cooked , - recover grease and cooking juices from food, - but also, and above all regulate the heating power by partial barrier to infrared radiation at an adequate level

  for efficient cooking.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a barbecue comprising a collecting, protection and regulation device which offers numerous solutions for modulating the heating power, and in particular the possibility of modulating the heating power according to the zone of the food support grid with which it cooperates so as to be able, in particular to continue cooking certain foods in one zone and to maintain at a certain level of heat foods already cooked in another zone, pending the cooking of all food. Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which is adaptable to all types of barbecue, that is to say operating with the various heat sources in particular,

  charcoal, gas or electricity.

  To do this, the present invention provides a barbecue-type cooking appliance comprising a fuel support and a support rack capable of receiving the food to be cooked, comprising a plurality of bars, characterized in that it comprises a plate capable of sliding substantially horizontally between said fuel support (1) and said food support grid, said sliding plate comprising a plurality of inclined fins, inclination of 30 to 600, preferably 450 relative to the horizontal (XX '), said fins extending in a transverse direction (YY ') which corresponds to the direction of said bars, two consecutive fins in the longitudinal direction of the plate (XX') perpendicular to said transverse direction (YY ') having inclinations of opposite angles (oc, - o,) so that two said consecutive fins alternately form a plurality of open zones and a plurality of solid zones , which follow one another in said longitudinal direction (XX ′) of the plate, preferably as many said open areas as there are said bars, said solid areas forming first gutters, said open areas being delimited by two said consecutive inclined fins which are 'extend above the plate approaching each other and said solid areas forming said first gutters being delimited by two said consecutive fins which extend above

  away from each other.

  More particularly, in a plate according to the invention - said open areas are delimited on the upper side of the plate by parallel upper edges of the two said consecutive fins, preferably having flat faces opposite, the two said upper edges being spaced a first small distance (d) in said longitudinal direction (XX '), and said open areas are delimited, on the lower side of the plate, by lower edges (61, 62) parallel to two said spaced consecutive fins d 'a first large distance (D) in said longitudinal direction (XX'), and - said solid areas forming gutters being delimited, conversely, on the upper side of the plate by said upper edges of the two said consecutive fins spaced by a second large distance (D) in said longitudinal direction (XX ') thus forming the upper edges of said gutters, and the bottom of said s solid areas being formed by the areas of the plate delimited by the parallel lower edges of the two said consecutive fins spaced one second apart

short distance (d1).

  In a preferred embodiment, said two consecutive inclined fins which extend above the plate on approaching have parallel upper edges which are distant in said longitudinal direction by a first small distance d ranging from 1/2 to 3 times the diameter or the width of a bar of said support grid, preferably substantially equal to the diameter or the width of said bar. More particularly, the bars of the food support grid have a diameter of 1 to 3 mm, and said first small distance (d) between two said upper edges of two said consecutive inclined fins delimiting said open area is 2 to 7 mm, preferably approximately 3 mm, and the consecutive inclines delimiting a said open area is at their upper edge by 2 to 7 mm, preferably approximately 3 mm, and said support grid is distant from said plate by a height of 2 to 10 mm, preferably about 5 mm, said inclined fins being inclined

  about 450 compared to the horizontal.

  More particularly still, said solid areas forming gutters have a bottom having a slight slope in said transverse direction (YY ') and said plate has a second gutter which extends at the edge of said plate in said longitudinal direction.

  on the side of the low point of said first gutters.

  Said second gutter makes it possible to recover the cooking juices pouring into said transverse gutters during cooking. The inventors have discovered that the plate which they have developed after numerous tests, combines numerous advantages and functionalities. First of all, the fins thus inclined reflect most of the radiation emitted by the hearth, in particular a hearth of embers, which eliminates or considerably reduces the direct radiation on the food and thus makes it possible to effectively reduce the heating power. The inclination of the fins has the effect of returning

  towards the hearth the radiations which are reflected on their surface.

  The efficiency of this heating regulation is also linked to the fact that the inclination of the fins and of the open space between their upper edges promote good ventilation by upward circulation of permanent air which maintains the combustion of the heat source d 'on the one hand and on the other hand allows the heat conveyed by the hot air flowing from the hearth to the food support grid along the inclined fins, to maintain attenuated cooking of the food without direct radiation. There is thus obtained in practice a significant, but not excessive, reduction in the heating power which in practice proves to be an optimum regulation for regulating the power of

  heating given off by charcoal embers.

  In addition, the fins thus inclined in spite of the openings at their upper edges constitute a very effective barrier on the one hand against the rise of flames coming from the hearth, and on the other hand against possible falls of fat or juice exuded from food in the

home.

  Furthermore, the fins thus arranged with opposite inclinations of two adjacent fins, form gutters which make it possible to efficiently collect the fats and juices exuded by the

  food being cooked on the food rack.

  In addition, the sliding of the plate contributes to the modulation of the heating power in a variable manner. In this respect, we can, by sliding the plate more or less to make the concider or not

  openings next to the bars of the food support grid.

  When the bars of the cooking grid are just opposite the open spaces between the upper edges of the fins, the direct radiation barrier is greater. On the other hand, and especially the fats and juices exuded are poured on the sides of the bar, and therefore towards the gutters formed by the fins and not towards the opening between fins, which can be particularly advantageous in case

  of runaway cooking of some very fatty foods.

  Finally, due to its sliding, if the plate is only partially engaged, that is to say covers only part of the hearth, one can reduce the heating power and / or block localized embers' ignition. on only part of the food support grid and respectively of the hearth without reducing the power

  heating on the rest of the hearth not covered by the plate.

  In addition, by partial sliding, it is actually possible to cook different foods on the same barbecue support grid, in particular with only part of the cooking surface cooperating with the plate according to the invention, reserved for cooking delicate foods. requiring gentle cooking, or on the contrary reserved for food with a high oil projection, such as sausages, or merguez ... Similarly, it is possible to continue cooking food on part of the surface of the barbecue, during that already cooked food is kept warm by a maximum reduction of the heating power on the part of the surface of the grill, on which it rests. To do this, the plate is slid over said food to be kept warm, so that the upper openings are in concidence with the bars of the food support grid. Note that this operation does not require handling grids loaded with food, which is always difficult, or even cause injury, or burns. Indeed the use of the regulation plate according to the invention is very easy since regulation can be obtained by only sliding the plate on demand without altering the usual functions

  barbecue without dangerous handling.

  In an advantageous embodiment, said open areas and said full areas are obtained by cutting and stamping a sheet initially full, and said fins

  inclined come integrally with the rest of said plate.

  Preferably, the height (H1) between the upper face of said plate and the lower face of said food support grid is from Y2 to 3 times the width of the bars of said grid, preferably from 2mm to mm, and the underside of said plate is able to rest over said fuel support above said fuel, in particular charcoal embers, at a height (H2)

  substantially identical to the height (H1) between the plate and said food support grid.

  It is understood that the upper and lower faces of said plate are defined by said upper edges and respectively

  lower of said inclined fins.

  In general, the width of the support grid bars is 1 to 5 mm. These heights of the plate with respect to the hearth and of the grid with respect to the plate aim at ensuring a compromise between a good air circulation between the plate and the grid, on the other hand an effective barrier to infrared radiation, in the measurement or the barrier to infrared radiation is less effective if the bars of the grid are too far from the plate. And, finally, good cooking seems to require excessive heating power if the support grid

  was too far from home.

  Advantageously also, said bars of said food support grid has a section in said longitudinal direction in

  V shape open up or down.

  When the section of said bars forms a V open upwards, said support grid can also be slightly inclined so as to create a slight slope in said transverse direction of the

  bars to recover part of the flow of cooking juices.

  Conversely when said bars have a V-shaped section open downwards, they promote the flow of cooking juices in said first gutters, when said plate slides in position such that said bars coincide with the open spaces at the top of two fins consecutive inclined, preferably 2 to 7mm. The present invention also relates to a cooking method using a barbecue-type cooking appliance according to the invention in which the heating power is regulated, the flames are barred and or the cooking juices by sliding said plate between said hearth and said food support grid. The present invention finally relates to a collection, protection and regulation plate useful in a barbecue according to the invention, said

  plate having the characteristics defined above.

  Other features and advantages of the present invention

  will appear in the light of the description of a detailed mode of

  embodiment which will follow with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 in which FIG. 1 represents a view of a barbecue-type cooking appliance with a plate (3) according to the invention partially engaged between the top of the hearth (1) and the food support grid (2), - Figure 2 shows a view of a plate of the type shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 shows the detail of the sliding means of the protective plate according to the invention, - Figure 4 is a sectional view in a section in the longitudinal direction (XX ') of the plate (3) and the grid (2) with the plate fully engaged below the grid and the bars (21) thereof coinciding with the openings (31) of the plate, - Figure 5 shows a sectional view in the longitudinal direction of the plate (3) showing the bars (21) of the grid (2)

  offset from the openings (31) in the plate.

  In Figure 1 there is shown a barbecue comprising - a fuel support (1) which is here a hearth intended to contain charcoal (13), - a food support grid (2), and - a plate (3) according to the invention acting as a liquid collector, anti-flame barrier and greasy projection as well as and

  especially regulation of the heating power.

  The food support grid (2) rests on support elements (11) arranged on the internal faces of the side walls in the longitudinal direction (XX ') of the hearth (1) so as to be able to place the

  food support grid (2) over said hearth (1).

  The collection, protection and regulation plate (3) according to the invention is interposed between the top of the hearth (1) and the food support grid (2). The plate (3) according to the invention is sliding in said longitudinal direction (XX ') so that it can partially or completely overlap the food support grid (2) and therefore partially or completely cover the top of the hearth ( 1). The internal faces of the side walls in the longitudinal direction (XX ') of the hearth (1) include male or female slides (12) above said grid support elements (11), which extend in said longitudinal direction (XX') and which cooperate in sliding with female or male slides (33) respectively along the edges

  of the plate (3) in the longitudinal direction (XX ').

  The plate (3) is obtained from a solid sheet in which rectilinear equidistant and parallel cuts have been made in a transverse direction (YY '), that is to say a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (XX'). Then we folded by stamping the upper side of the plate so as to form fins (41, 42) flat, fixed, inclined which come integrally with the rest of the plate. The flat, fixed fins are inclined at an angle of to 600 with respect to the horizontal, preferably about 450. A stamping at the level of a section in a transverse direction (YY '), resulting in the formation of two fins (41, 42) extending towards the upper part of the plate (3), symmetrically, opposite, with a

  opposite angle inclination with respect to the horizontal.

  Two consecutive fins (42, 41) in the longitudinal direction (XX ') of opposite inclination define solid areas (32) in the form of a V or preferably a V truncated at the base, that is to say in the form of a trapezoid with small lower base (d1) in a longitudinal section of the plate, when the two said fins (42, 41) come from the stamping of two different cuts and therefore when they extend above said plate in s 'away. On the other hand, when two consecutive fins (41, 42) in the longitudinal direction (XX ') come from stamping at the same cut, that is to say when they extend in the upper part to the plate (3) as they approach each other, they delimit open areas (31) which define in a longitudinal section of the plate V open downwards, or trapezoids at

  small upper base (d) and large lower base (D).

  The solid areas (32) formed by two consecutive fins (42, 41) in the longitudinal direction (XX ') which extend above the plate (3) moving away in an opposite inclination (a - a) form the walls of the first transverse gutters in which we can

collect the cooking juices.

  The plate (3) at the bottom (34) of said gutters (32) can itself be inclined so as to create a slight slope in the transverse direction (YY ') with preferably still a second gutter (7) s' extending in the longitudinal direction at the edge of the plate (Figure 2) capable of recovering the juices from said spilled food

  in the first transverse gutters (32) during cooking.

  Said second longitudinal gutter (7) can itself be inclined with a slight slope in the longitudinal direction (XX ') to collect the cooking juice at its end. The open spaces (32) which form in a longitudinal section of the plate (3) a trapezoid with small upper base (d) and large lower base (D) are delimited on the upper side of the plate by the parallel upper edges (51, 52) brought closer to the two consecutive fins (41, 42) in the longitudinal direction, resulting from the same cut, that is to say extending above the plate while approaching, and from the lower side of the plate (3) by the parallel lower edges (61, 62) of the same two consecutive fins (41,

  42) extending above the plate while approaching.

  By way of illustration, two consecutive fins (41, 42) delimiting open areas (32) are spaced at their lower bases (61, 62) by a distance D of 10 to 25mm, more particularly about 15mm, and at their edges upper (51, 52) close to a distance of 2 to 7 mm, more particularly 3 mm for grating bars whose width (1) is approximately 2 mm, for an inclination of the fins of approximately 450, this which may represent a height (H3) of the upper edges (51, 52) relative to the horizontal plane delimiting the lower edges (61, 62) of said fins of approximately 3 to 10 mm, more particularly 5 mm for grate bars about 2 mm

diameter (1).

  2n successive fins define n open areas (3,) and (n + 1)

say first gutters (32).

  Preferably, there are provided a number (n) of openings (32) created by said inclined fins identical to the number of bars (2,)

  of the food support grid (2).

  The width (d1) of the base of the gutters, and the distance (D1) between two upper edges (52, 5,) of two inclined fins (42, 41) coming from two different cuts, that is to say from two fins inclined (42, 41) extending above the plate away from it, is determined by the distance (D3) between two consecutive bars in the longitudinal direction of the supply support grid (2), namely

  that D1 corresponds substantially to D3 - d.

  More particularly and by way of illustration only, D3 is from 15 to mm and in particular from 18 to 22 mm, and d1 is from 2 to 7 mm and in particular from 3 to 6 mm, and D1 is from 10 to 25 mm in particular from 16 to 20 mm. FIGS. 4 and 5 schematically represent heights (H1) between the plate (3) and the supply support grid (2), and a height (H2) between the plate (3) and the support hearth ( 1), relatively high to facilitate the identification of the different parts of the plate on the drawings. However according to the invention, said heights (H1) and (H2) are less important, and preferably they are identical and of the order of 2 to 15 mm and more particularly about mm. These height values H1, H2 and H3 represent a good compromise between ventilation, obstacle to infrared radiation, obstacle to greasy projections, and regulation of the power of

heated.

  In the figures there is shown a plate (3) and a grid supply support (2) of rectangular shape, but it is understood that said plate and said grid can also have another shape in particular circular, although the rectangular shape is the simplest to achieve to obtain a stable sliding of the plate under

Grid.

  Similarly in the figures there is shown a hearth (1) capable of receiving a solid fuel (13) such as charcoal but the plate according to the invention is also very useful and effective in the case

  gas or electric combustion.

  In Figures 1 to 5 there are shown inclined fins (41, 42), flat whose upper and lower edges are rectilinear but it is possible to also provide non-rectilinear borders forming in particular corrugations around an axial direction corresponding to said transverse direction (YY '), likewise, the faces of said inclined fins (41, 42) may be slightly curved10, that is to say have a curved section in said direction

  longitudinal (XX '), so as to promote air circulation.

  Finally, to increase the possibilities of regulating the heating power, it is possible to plan to slide the plate (3) at a variable height (H2) between the top of the hearth (1) and the

  bottom of the food support grid (2).

  If the plate (3) according to the invention is engaged in sliding so as to completely cover the hearth (1) on the one hand, and that on the other hand, the openings (32) of the plate coincide with the bars (21 ) from the grid, regulation is obtained with a maximum reduction in the heating power on the one hand and a maximum barrier to flames and grease projections. If this reduction is excessive and adversely affects the cooking conditions, the plate can be slid so as to cover only the areas o with greasy projections and / or flames occur and remove the plate as soon as said flames or projections cease. You can also engage the hob so as to reduce the cooking of some of the food placed on the grid (2), by sliding the plate under the said food, while continuing normal cooking for the food placed in the part of the grid which do not overlap with said plate (3). The plate (3) according to the invention therefore makes possible a real adjustment of the cooking as a function of the zone of the food support grid (2). Another way of less significantly reducing the heating power is to offset the openings (31) of the plate relative to the bars (21) of the grid (2) as

shown in figure 5.

  The inclinations of the fins (41, 42) can be set to a value other than 450, however the various tests carried out by the inventors have made it possible to deduce that the reduction in radiation

  optimum infrared was obtained with an inclination of 450.

  When the bars (21) of the grid coincide with the openings (32) of the plate, the cooking juices flow on each side of the bar and fall into said solid areas forming gutters of the plate, which also reduces the juice drops

  cooking on the stove, and reduces the risk of ignition.

  The plate (3) according to the invention does not interfere with the proper functioning of the barbecue when it is not positioned above the fuel source (13), while in the event of large flames it has been observed that just slide the plate (3) and interpose it at the level of the flames so that the plate stops the flames sharply while

continuing cooking.

  The essential advantage of the plate according to the invention is that it combines a large number of functionalities according to the objective sought by the user, and according to the conditions of the cooking and / or food to be cooked.

Claims (8)

  1. A barbecue-type cooking appliance comprising a fuel support (1) and a support grid (2) capable of receiving the food to be cooked, comprising a plurality of bars (21) characterized in that it comprises a plate ( 3) capable of sliding substantially horizontally between said fuel support (1) and said food support grid (2), said sliding plate (3) comprising a plurality of inclined fins (41, 42), of inclination (a - a) from 30 to 600, preferably 450, with respect to the horizontal (XX '), said fins (41, 42) extending in a transverse direction (YY') which corresponds to the direction of said bars (21) , two said consecutive fins (41, 42) in the longitudinal direction of the plate (XX ') perpendicular to said transverse direction (YY') having inclinations of opposite angles (a, - a ') so that two said fins (41-42, 42, -41) alternately form a plurality of open areas ertes (31) and a plurality of solid areas (32), which follow one another in said longitudinal direction (XX ') of the plate (3), preferably as many said open areas (31) as said bars (21), said solid areas (32) forming first gutters, said open areas (31) being delimited by two said consecutive fins (41, 42) which extend above the plate while approaching one another, and said solid areas forming said first gutters (32) being delimited by two said consecutive fins (42, 41) which extend   above the plate away from each other.   2. Cooking appliance according to claim 1 characterized in that: said open areas (31) are delimited on the upper side of the plate (3) by parallel upper edges (51, 52) of the two said consecutive fins (41, 42 ), preferably having flat opposite faces, the two said upper edges (51, 52) being spaced a first small distance (d) in said longitudinal direction (XX '), and said open areas (31) are delimited, on the lower side of the plate (3), by parallel lower edges (61, 62) of two said consecutive fins (41, 42) spaced a first great distance (D) in said longitudinal direction (XX ' ), and - said solid areas forming gutters (32) being delimited, conversely, on the upper side of the plate (3) by said upper edges (51, 52) of the two said consecutive fins (42, 41) spaced one second apart great distance (D) in said direction lo ngitudinal (XX ') thus forming the upper edges of said gutters, and the bottom (34) of said solid areas (3) being formed by the areas of the plate delimited by the parallel lower edges (54, 53) of the two said spaced apart consecutive fins of a second little distance (di).   3. barbecue type cooking appliance according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that said two consecutive inclined fins (41, 42) which extend above the plate (3) while approaching have upper edges (51 , 52) parallel which are spaced in said longitudinal direction by a first small distance (d) ranging from 1/2 to 3 times the width (1) of a bar (21) of said support grid (2), preferably substantially equal to the width (1) said bars (21).   4. Cooking appliance according to one of claims 1 to 3   characterized in that the bars (21) of the food support grid (2) have a diameter of 1 to 3 mm, and said first small distance (d) between two said upper edges (51, 52) of two said consecutive fins (41, 42) delimiting a said open area (32) is 2 to 7 mm, preferably about 3 mm, and said support grid is distant from said plate (3) by a height of 2 to 10 mm, preferably about 5 mm, said fins being inclined by about 450 relative to the horizontal. 5. Barbecue type cooking appliance according to   Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the said solid areas (31)   forming gutters have a bottom (34) having a slight slope in said transverse direction (YY '), and said plate (3) has a second gutter (7) which extends at the edge of said plate in said longitudinal direction from the side from the low point of said first   gutters (32) 6. Cooking appliance according to one of claims 1 to 5   characterized in that said open areas (31) and said solid areas (32) are obtained by cutouts and stampings from an initially full sheet, and said inclined fins (41, 42) come   of material with the rest of said plate (3).   7. Barbecue type cooking appliance according to one of the   Claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the height (H1) between the face   upper of said plate (3) and the lower face of said grid support for food (2) is 1/2 to 3 times the width of the bars (21) of said grid, preferably from 2mm to 15mm, and the lower face of said plate (3) is able to rest over said fuel support (1) above said fuel (13), in particular charcoal embers, at a height (H2) substantially identical to   the height (H1) between the plate (3) and said food support grid (2).   8. Cooking appliance according to one of claims 1 to 7   characterized in that said bars (21) of said food support grid (2) have a section in said longitudinal direction   (XX ') in the shape of a V open upwards or downwards.   9. Cooking process using a cooking appliance   barbecue type according to one of claims 1 to 8 characterized in   that we regulate the heating power, we block the flames and or we collect the cooking juices by sliding said   plate (3) between said hearth (1) and said food support grid (2).   10. Useful plate in a barbecue type cooking appliance   according to one of claims 1 to 8 characterized in that it has   the characteristics of said sliding plate (3) as defined   in any of claims 1 to 6.