Abstract: A cooking appliance and system therefor utilize a burner group capable of operating in multiple modes such that gas cooktop burners disposed in the burner group may be collectively or individually controlled in different modes.

Abstract: A digital cooktop system with six regular burners and a wok burner, allowing use of a reconfigurable control knob to control the cooktop burners for a wok mode, a griddle mode, and a six-burner mode.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of articulating a rack for a cooking appliance between a lowered position and a raised position. One or more cams drive one or more linkage members pivotably connected to the rack. One or more drive mechanisms may be used to pivot the one or more cams.

Abstract: A system for an appliance having a plurality of burners operated by a plurality of gas valves includes a plurality of selector buttons to assign a single control selector to a specified burner and a plurality of dedicated off buttons, assigned to the burners.

Abstract: A sous vide device and method of using the same may include a body that is fully submergible in a container of water and may wirelessly communicate with an external device, e.g., to control an external heating element during sous vide cooking. Further, a sous vide device may include a rechargeable battery capable of being wirelessly recharged from a charging dock. In addition, a sous vide device may include a moisture sensor for use in changing the activation state of a heating element and/or a turbidity sensor for use in changing the activation state of a water circulator of the sous vide device.

Abstract: An optical sensor is used in a cooling system of a cooking appliance to sense rotation of the cooling fan. For example, in one aspect a cooking appliance is disclosed as including a housing with a cooking enclosure and cooling passage for venting heat generated within the cooking enclosure; a cooling fan in fluid communication with the cooling passage in order to provide a directed airflow within the cooling passage; and an optical sensor to sense rotation of the cooling fan.

Abstract: A system for inhibiting and providing access to appliance control knobs includes a support structure for mounting individual control knobs or groups thereof, and an actuator assembly for extending and retracting control knobs either individually or collectively.

Abstract: A sous vide device and method of using the same may include a body that is fully submergible in a container of water and may wirelessly communicate with an external device, e.g., to control an external heating element during sous vide cooking. Further, a sous vide device may include a rechargeable battery capable of being wirelessly recharged from a charging dock. In addition, a sous vide device may include a moisture sensor for use in changing the activation state of a heating element and/or a turbidity sensor for use in changing the activation state of a water circulator of the sous vide device.

Abstract: A system for controlling digital gas valves of an appliance utilizing a configurable duty cycle responsive to time, temperature and burner power level variables.

Abstract: A system for inhibiting and providing access to appliance control knobs includes a support structure for mounting individual control knobs or groups thereof, and an actuator assembly for extending and retracting control knobs either individually or collectively.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a cooking compartment with an oven bottom. The oven bottom includes a cooking surface. A cooking member may include the cooking surface. The cooking member may extend from the cooking compartment to the heating compartment. A bottom cover of the oven bottom may include a carrier and the cooking member. The oven bottom with cooking surface may be used in a variety of applications.

Abstract: A cooking grate that is hinged directly to the structural framework of an appliance is disclosed. The cooking grate may include one or more grate hinge brackets that are connected behind or through a cooktop without connection to the cooktop. One or more cooking grates may be used in a variety of applications.

Abstract: An optical sensor is used in a cooling system of a cooking appliance to sense rotation of the cooling fan. For example, in one aspect a cooking appliance is disclosed as including a housing with a cooking enclosure and cooling passage for venting heat generated within the cooking enclosure; a cooling fan in fluid communication with the cooling passage in order to provide a directed airflow within the cooling passage; and an optical sensor to sense rotation of the cooling fan.

Abstract: A system for inhibiting and providing access to appliance control knobs includes a support structure for mounting individual control knobs or groups thereof, and an actuator assembly for extending and retracting control knobs either individually or collectively.

Abstract: A cooking grate that is hinged directly to the structural framework of an appliance is disclosed. The cooking grate may include one or more grate hinge brackets that are connected behind or through a cooktop without connection to the cooktop. One or more cooking grates may be used in a variety of applications.

Abstract: A handle for a support structure in a cooking appliance. The handle may include an inner periphery and an outer periphery. The handle may include an opening defined by at least a forward member and a rearward member. The opening may extend from a top side to a bottom side of the handle. One or more inwardly facing contact surfaces of the handle may include a plurality of ribs.

Abstract: A cooking grate combining the cooking surface and the venting surface for a cooking appliance. The venting surface of the cooking grate may include one or more vanes. The vanes of the venting surface may direct air towards the cooking surface. The venting surface of the cooking grate may include a depending skirt defining a cavity therein. One or more cooking grates may be used in a variety of applications.

Abstract: A sous vide device and method of using the same may include a body that is fully submergible in a container of water and may wirelessly communicate with an external device, e.g., to control an external heating element during sous vide cooking. Further, a sous vide device may include a rechargeable battery capable of being wirelessly recharged from a charging dock. In addition, a sous vide device may include a moisture sensor for use in changing the activation state of a heating element and/or a turbidity sensor for use in changing the activation state of a water circulator of the sous vide device.

Abstract: A handle for a support structure in a cooking appliance. The handle may include an inner periphery and an outer periphery. The handle may include an opening defined by at least a forward member and a rearward member. The opening may extend from a top side to a bottom side of the handle. One or more inwardly facing contact surfaces of the handle may include a plurality of ribs.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a cooking compartment with an oven bottom. The oven bottom includes a cooking surface. A cooking member may include the cooking surface. The cooking member may extend from the cooking compartment to the heating compartment. A bottom cover of the oven bottom may include a carrier and the cooking member. The oven bottom with cooking surface may be used in a variety of applications.