<p>A barbecue cooking device 10 includes a housing 11 having a casing 17 defining a combustion chamber 14 supported centrally therein spaced from the side wall 11 min of the housing 11. A heat shield 15 surrounds the casing 17 and is spaced therefrom. An air metering plate 18 is mounted in the combustion chamber 14 and includes openings in at least a portion thereof for the passage of air under pressure for creating a primary combustion zone. Air is forced against the bottom of the air metering plate 18 under pressure by an electrically driven fan 26. The casing 17 has a top open end spaced from the open top end of the housing 11 where a cooking grill 33 is supported. Air is also caused to flow between the casing 17 and the heat shield 15 to supply air to the area at the top of the casing 17 for mixing with heated fuel gas from the primary combustion zone, whereby a secondary combustion zone 34 is created above the combustion chamber 14 and beneath the cooking grill 33.</p>
