Abstract: A cooktop assembly includes a countertop defining a cutout portion, and a countertop contact area is disposed proximate a perimeter of the cutout portion on a lower surface of the countertop. A cooktop defines a work portion, and a cooktop contact area is disposed proximate a perimeter of the work portion on an upper surface of the cooktop. An attachment assembly includes a first attachment member positionable on a first side of the cutout portion of the countertop. A second attachment member is positionable on a second side of the cutout portion of the countertop. The first and second sides are opposing sides, and the first and second attachment members are securable to the countertop and the cooktop to engage the countertop contact area with the cooktop contact area thereby securing the cooktop to the countertop.

Abstract: A cooking assembly includes a grill rack having a peripheral portion defined by a plurality of laterally extending wires bound by a peripheral frame. An inner retention portion is defined by a plurality of laterally extending wires generally co-planar with the plurality of laterally extending wires of the peripheral portion. The inner retention portion includes a retention border adapted to removably engage the drip tray. A drip tray is configured to removably engage the retention border, thereby securing the drip tray laterally. One of a searing pan and a cooking stone is configured to be received in the drip tray.

Abstract: A cooktop assembly includes a countertop defining a cutout portion, and a countertop contact area is disposed proximate a perimeter of the cutout portion on a lower surface of the countertop. A cooktop defines a work portion, and a cooktop contact area is disposed proximate a perimeter of the work portion on an upper surface of the cooktop. An attachment assembly includes a first attachment member positionable on a first side of the cutout portion of the countertop. A second attachment member is positionable on a second side of the cutout portion of the countertop. The first and second sides are opposing sides, and the first and second attachment members are securable to the countertop and the cooktop to engage the countertop contact area with the cooktop contact area thereby securing the cooktop to the countertop.

Abstract: A burner element for a cooktop includes a heat source for providing heat to a cooking zone positioned above the heat source and an automatic thermostat switch in communication with the cooking zone and the heat source. The automatic thermostat switch senses an actual temperature of the cooking zone, and when the actual temperature reaches a predetermined maximum temperature the automatic thermostat switch moves to an open position defined by the automatic thermostat switch at least partially impeding the heat source. The open position of the automatic thermostat switch is further defined by a decrease in the actual temperature of the cooking zone from approximately the predetermined maximum temperature to a control temperature. When the actual temperature of the cooking zone reaches the control temperature the automatic thermostat switch defines a closed position, wherein the automatic thermostat switch is substantially free of impeding the heat source.

Abstract: A cooktop assembly includes a countertop defining a cutout portion, and a countertop contact area is disposed proximate a perimeter of the cutout portion on a lower surface of the countertop. A cooktop defines a work portion, and a cooktop contact area is disposed proximate a perimeter of the work portion on an upper surface of the cooktop. An attachment assembly includes a first attachment member positionable on a first side of the cutout portion of the countertop. A second attachment member is positionable on a second side of the cutout portion of the countertop. The first and second sides are opposing sides, and the first and second attachment members are securable to the countertop and the cooktop to engage the countertop contact area with the cooktop contact area thereby securing the cooktop to the countertop.

Abstract: A gas cooktop includes a gas burner and a grate for supporting cookware above the gas burner. The grate includes a removable insert having an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of tines for supporting the removable insert. When the lower surface of the removable insert is contacting the plurality of tines, the grate supports flat-bottomed cookware on the removable insert at a first height above the gas burner. When the upper surface of the removable insert is contacting the plurality of tines, the grate supports flat-bottomed cookware on the removable insert at a second height above the gas burner, the second height being greater than the first height. When the removable insert is not contacting with the plurality of tines, the grate supports round-bottomed cookware on the plurality of tines.

Abstract: A gas burner unit for a cooktop includes a spreader having a first side with a plurality of gas outlets and a second side opposite the first side and defining a portion of a fluid path. The spreader further defines a venturi in fluid communication with the gas outlets and extending away from the second side. The gas burner unit further includes an orifice holder having a protrusion defining an upwardly directed primary air inlet therethrough. The upwardly directed primary air inlet is in fluid communication with the fluid path associated with the spreader on a first end thereof and with the venturi on a second end thereof opposite the first end.

Abstract: A cooking assembly includes a grill rack having a peripheral portion defined by a plurality of laterally extending wires bound by a peripheral frame. An inner retention portion is defined by a plurality of laterally extending wires generally co-planar with the plurality of laterally extending wires of the peripheral portion. The inner retention portion includes a retention border adapted to removably engage the drip tray. A drip tray is configured to removably engage the retention border, thereby securing the drip tray laterally. One of a searing pan and a cooking stone is configured to be received in the drip tray.

Abstract: A gas cooktop includes a gas burner and a grate for supporting cookware above the gas burner. The grate includes a removable insert having an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of tines for supporting the removable insert. When the lower surface of the removable insert is contacting the plurality of tines, the grate supports flat-bottomed cookware on the removable insert at a first height above the gas burner. When the upper surface of the removable insert is contacting the plurality of tines, the grate supports flat-bottomed cookware on the removable insert at a second height above the gas burner, the second height being greater than the first height. When the removable insert is not contacting with the plurality of tines, the grate supports round-bottomed cookware on the plurality of tines.

Abstract: A cooking assembly includes a grill rack having a peripheral portion defined by a plurality of laterally extending wires bound by a peripheral frame. An inner retention portion is defined by a plurality of laterally extending wires generally co-planar with the plurality of laterally extending wires of the peripheral portion. The inner retention portion includes a retention border adapted to removably engage the drip tray. A drip tray is configured to removably engage the retention border, thereby securing the drip tray laterally. One of a searing pan and a cooking stone is configured to be received in the drip tray.

Abstract: A gas cooktop includes a gas burner and a grate for supporting cookware above the gas burner. The grate includes a removable insert having an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of tines for supporting the removable insert. When the lower surface of the removable insert is contacting the plurality of tines, the grate supports flat-bottomed cookware on the removable insert at a first height above the gas burner. When the upper surface of the removable insert is contacting the plurality of tines, the grate supports flat-bottomed cookware on the removable insert at a second height above the gas burner, the second height being greater than the first height. When the removable insert is not contacting with the plurality of tines, the grate supports round-bottomed cookware on the plurality of tines.

Abstract: A cooktop assembly includes a countertop defining a cutout portion, and a countertop contact area is disposed proximate a perimeter of the cutout portion on a lower surface of the countertop. A cooktop defines a work portion, and a cooktop contact area is disposed proximate a perimeter of the work portion on an upper surface of the cooktop. An attachment assembly includes a first attachment member positionable on a first side of the cutout portion of the countertop. A second attachment member is positionable on a second side of the cutout portion of the countertop. The first and second sides are opposing sides, and the first and second attachment members are securable to the countertop and the cooktop to engage the countertop contact area with the cooktop contact area thereby securing the cooktop to the countertop.

Abstract: A convection oven includes a convection fan assembly and a trough assembly that surrounds a portion of the heating element(s) of the convection fan assembly. Fluid in the trough assembly is heated and turned into steam by the heating element(s) and blown into the cooking cavity of the convection oven by the convection fan of the convection fan assembly. The steam in the cooking cavity provides moisture to the items that are being cooked and/or heated in the cooking cavity.

Abstract: A convection oven includes a convection fan assembly and a trough assembly that surrounds a portion of the heating element(s) of the convection fan assembly. Fluid in the trough assembly is heated and turned into steam by the heating element(s) and blown into the cooking cavity of the convection oven by the convection fan of the convection fan assembly. The steam in the cooking cavity provides moisture to the items that are being cooked and/or heated in the cooking cavity.

Abstract: A burner element for a cooktop includes a heat source for providing heat to a cooking zone positioned above the heat source and an automatic thermostat switch in communication with the cooking zone and the heat source. The automatic thermostat switch senses an actual temperature of the cooking zone, and when the actual temperature reaches a predetermined maximum temperature the automatic thermostat switch moves to an open position defined by the automatic thermostat switch at least partially impeding the heat source. The open position of the automatic thermostat switch is further defined by a decrease in the actual temperature of the cooking zone from approximately the predetermined maximum temperature to a control temperature. When the actual temperature of the cooking zone reaches the control temperature the automatic thermostat switch defines a closed position, wherein the automatic thermostat switch is substantially free of impeding the heat source.

Abstract: A convection oven includes a convection fan assembly and a trough assembly that surrounds a portion of the heating element(s) of the convection fan assembly. Fluid in the trough assembly is heated and turned into steam by the heating element(s) and blown into the cooking cavity of the convection oven by the convection fan of the convection fan assembly. The steam in the cooking cavity provides moisture to the items that are being cooked and/or heated in the cooking cavity.

Abstract: A burner element for a cooktop includes a heat source for providing heat to a cooking zone positioned above the heat source and an automatic thermostat switch in communication with the cooking zone and the heat source. The automatic thermostat switch senses an actual temperature of the cooking zone, and when the actual temperature reaches a predetermined maximum temperature the automatic thermostat switch moves to an open position defined by the automatic thermostat switch at least partially impeding the heat source. The open position of the automatic thermostat switch is further defined by a decrease in the actual temperature of the cooking zone from approximately the predetermined maximum temperature to a control temperature. When the actual temperature of the cooking zone reaches the control temperature the automatic thermostat switch defines a closed position, wherein the automatic thermostat switch is substantially free of impeding the heat source.

Abstract: A gas burner unit for a cooktop includes a spreader having a first side with a plurality of gas outlets and a second side opposite the first side and defining a portion of a fluid path. The spreader further defines a venturi in fluid communication with the gas outlets and extending away from the second side. The gas burner unit further includes an orifice holder having a protrusion defining an upwardly directed primary air inlet therethrough. The upwardly directed primary air inlet is in fluid communication with the fluid path associated with the spreader on a first end thereof and with the venturi on a second end thereof opposite the first end.