Department - Author 1

Mechanical Engineering Department

Degree Name - Author 1

BS in Mechanical Engineering

Date

6-2013

Primary Advisor

James LoCascio

Abstract/Summary

Team License to Grill set out to asses Bull Outdoor Products, Inc.’s barbeques and quantify the apparent uneven temperature distribution or “hot spots” and “cold spots” across the grill. This testing was accomplished with the design and fabrication of a test fixture allowing for accurate and repeatable temperature collection across the barbeque. With results that matched the sponsor’s claims of hot and cold spots, an engineering model was made using heat transfer and thermodynamic equations. Once the model somewhat resembled the experimental data, it was used to suggest different modifications that would allow for better temperature distribution. It was discovered that the flame tamers have a large role in controlling heat going to the grill bars. This led to testing modified flame tamers to control temperature differences across the barbeque. It was found that greater air flow through the top of the flame tamers resulted in a more uniform temperature of the grill. The final iteration of the modified flame tamers incorporated larger holes that allowed for more hot gas to heat the front of the grill giving a slightly better front-to-back temperature distribution than before.

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