Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a frame having a bottom wall for supporting heating elements and a peripheral side portion that extends from and about an outer periphery of the bottom wall so as to define a chassis upon which is arranged a cooktop. The peripheral side portion includes a plurality of openings that lead into the chassis. A control box is mounted in the chassis for housing control elements and associated electronics. The control box includes a plurality of side walls, with at least one of the side walls being provided with a vent which opens into the chassis. A fan is mounted within the chassis wherein, when the fan is activated, a cooling airflow is developed, with a first portion being drawn directly into the chassis, while a second portion first enters the control box housing before being directed into the chassis. A cover can be disposed beneath the chassis to guide and disperse the airflow.

Abstract: A cooking appliance having a ceramic-based cooktop and a plurality of gas cooking elements is provided with a grate locating assembly which includes a plurality of apertures formed at spaced locations in the cooktop, a plurality of spaced feet projecting downward from cooking vessel supporting grates, and a plurality of inserts. Each of the inserts is positioned within a respective one of the apertures in the cooktop and includes a central opening for receiving a respective grate foot in order to support the surface portion of the grate above the cooktop, while locating the feet of the grate at a position below an upper level of the cooktop.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a cooktop having a support frame, a ceramic-based mounted to the support frame, a gas orifice holder arranged below the support frame having a frusto-conical projection that extends through an opening in the cooktop, and a base member. The base member includes a frusto-conical receiving member that is designed to matingly engage with the frusto-conical projection to form a gas burner assembly. The frusto-conical projection centers the gas burner assembly within the cooktop opening thereby alleviating the need to provide a gasket or seal between the gas burner assembly and an upper surface of the cooktop.

Abstract: A cooking appliance having a ceramic-based cooktop and a plurality of gas cooking elements is provided with a grate locating assembly which includes a plurality of apertures formed at spaced locations in the cooktop, a plurality of spaced feet projecting downward from cooking vessel supporting grates, and a plurality of inserts. Each of the inserts is positioned within a respective one of the apertures in the cooktop and includes a central opening for receiving a respective grate foot in order to support the surface portion of the grate above the cooktop, while locating the feet of the grate at a position below an upper level of the cooktop.