Abstract: A rack for an oven includes a sheet of metal having a front edge, a back edge, opposing side edges, a top surface and a bottom surface. A row of punched openings is formed in the metal sheet, with a solid region of metal adjacent to the row of punched openings. A stiffening rib is formed in a surface of the rack in the solid region of metal having a substantially semi-circular, indented cross-section.

Abstract: Microwave appliances and methods for operating microwave appliances are provided. A method includes operating a fan of the microwave appliance in order to draw a flow of air through a circulation conduit of the microwave appliance, measuring an operational characteristic of the fan with a sensor of the microwave appliance during the operating step, and providing an indicator signal when the operational characteristic exceeds a threshold value at the measuring step.

Abstract: Microwave appliances and methods for operating microwave appliances are provided. A method includes operating a fan of the microwave appliance in order to draw a flow of air through a circulation conduit of the microwave appliance, measuring an operational characteristic of the fan with a sensor of the microwave appliance during the operating step, and providing an indicator signal when the operational characteristic exceeds a threshold value at the measuring step.

Abstract: A gas cooking appliance includes a gas oven cavity for cooking a food item, the gas oven cavity including a top surface and a bottom surface, a lower heat source disposed adjacent the bottom surface of the gas oven cavity, an upper heat source disposed adjacent the top surface of the gas oven cavity, and a controller configured to cycle the upper heat source and the lower heat source for providing heat above and below the food item during cooking, wherein a cycle of the upper heat source is time-dependent, and a cycle of the lower heat source is temperature-dependent.

Abstract: A rack for an oven includes a sheet of metal having a front edge, a back edge, opposing side edges, a top surface and a bottom surface. A row of punched openings is formed in the metal sheet, with a solid region of metal adjacent to the row of punched openings. A stiffening rib is formed in a surface of the rack in the solid region of metal having a substantially semi-circular, indented cross-section.

Abstract: A removable large and high capacity griddle for a stovetop for use in conjunction with one or more high BTU output burners. The griddle includes a number of features that allow for the large capacity griddle to be used on a gas range with high capacity burners including a flange extending from a bottom surface of the griddle for locating the griddle on an associated range, and for deflecting and/or otherwise channeling heat from one or more associated burners to regions of the griddle and deflecting heat from adjacent range structures, such as a rear control panel.

Abstract: A gas cooking appliance includes a gas oven cavity for cooking a food item, the gas oven cavity including a top surface and a bottom surface, a lower heat source disposed adjacent the bottom surface of the gas oven cavity, an upper heat source disposed adjacent the top surface of the gas oven cavity, and a controller configured to cycle the upper heat source and the lower heat source for providing heat above and below the food item during cooking, wherein a cycle of the upper heat source is time-dependent, and a cycle of the lower heat source is temperature-dependent.

Abstract: A cooking appliance including a cooktop having a cooktop surface and a griddle system including at least one cooking grate positioned on the cooktop surface, the at least one cooking grate including at least one griddle support protruding therefrom, and a griddle configured to removably engage the at least one griddle support, the at least one griddle support being configured to support the griddle away from the cooktop surface, and/or an oven cavity defined by top, bottom, front, rear, and lateral sides and a broil system including a diffuser disposed adjacent the top side of the oven cavity, a single tube broil element disposed between the diffuser and the top side of the oven cavity, and the diffuser being configured to diffuse heat emitted from the single tube broil element to form a substantially even temperature gradient proximate the top side of the oven cavity.

Abstract: A unitary molded socket provides mounting for non-temperature compensated crystals, a resistor heating element for each crystal, and a thermistor. Each heating element is positioned adjacent a crystal housing for preventing the housing temperature from going below a given temperature. The thermistor is thermally coupled to one of the resistors for sensing its temperature and electrically coupled to control circuitry for providing the appropriate heating current to the resistor heating elements. A spring clip biases each crystal against its resistor, clamps it into the socket and is pivotable for replacement of components.