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.

Abstract: A heat shielding assembly, preferably for a downdraft cooking system including a fan motor mounted outside a plenum located below a cooktop for generating an air flow designed to remove air laden cooking byproducts from a cooking zone, prevents direct contact with laminations of the motor which become heated during use of the fan. The heat shielding assembly preferably takes the form of a plastic sleeve which encircles a housing portion of the motor. Therefore, the sleeve is designed to protect a consumer, maintenance personnel or the like from direct contact with motor housing portions which have become hot during operation of the downdraft system when an area below the cooktop is accessed.