Fuel efficient grill for direct and indirect cooking

1. A hinged deflector plate for use in a grill, the grill having an annular retaining member, a cooking grate and a fuel grate, the hinged deflector plate comprising:

a middle section, the middle section having a generally flat first layer and a generally flat second layer, the second layer attached to the first layer and a substantially enclosed and hollow plenum formed between the first and second layers;

two end sections, each end section having a generally flat first laser and a generally flat second layer, the second layer attached to the first layer and a substantially enclosed and hollow plenum formed between the first and second layers;

a first hinge assembly connecting one end section to the middle section;

a second hinge assembly connecting the other end section to the middle section;

wherein the hinged deflector plate is supported on the annular retaining member between the fuel grate and the cooking grate of the grill to form a heat barrier therebetween;

wherein the hinge assembly is composed of two mating pairs of hinge members having a face plate, a pair of upper flanges, a pair of lower mounting flanges, a knuckle and a guide; and,

wherein one or both end sections may be rotated upward about said hinge assemblies, thereby removing a portion of the heat barrier of said hinged deflector plate.

2. The hinged deflector plate of claim 1 wherein the hinged deflector plate is generally circular when the end sections are attached to the middle section.

3. The deflector plate of claim 2 wherein the first and second layers of the sections are constructed of porcelain covered steel.

4. The deflector plate of claim 1 wherein the plenum between the first and second layers of each of the sections is approximately one half inch throughout substantially all of each of said layers.