Why do bar-b-que hoods open up?  

We have a propane grill with four burners, a stainless steel hood, and a side burner for sea food boils. It cooks well. Its reliable.

Yet my son asked a brilliant question, with the directness only children are capable?

Why does the hood on our bar-b-que open up, dad? Its so hot every time I try to open it and if there are flames, they almost burn my arm? Why don't they design the hood in two halfs to slide out of the way in both directions? Or why don't they design a side handle that lets me lift the hood up without having to hold my hand and arm over the fire?

I couldn't give him a good answer.

Perhaps some designer might weigh in? 🙂

Bar-b-que grills are a vast market and they pack them with all manner of "features" that are rarely needed. It seems rather sensible for them to design a hood that doesn't expose your arm and hand to the heat and occassional flare ups of the fire.

I would even buy a brutalist grill, if it had that feature. 🙂