Abstract: An oven rack for supporting food items to be cooked in a oven cavity of an appliance includes a frame portion and a support platform defined by a plurality of support members that establish a food item support zone and a food item access zone. The plurality of support members include substantially straight support members and offset or shaped support members. The offset support members, in combination with a vertically offset section of the frame portion, define the food item access zone which is vertically offset from the food item support zone so as to enable a consumer to access a bottom portion of a food item resting on the rack.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a cooktop having at least one heating element, a controller and a control element linked to the controller and associated with operation of the heating element. Specifically, the control element includes first and second operational setting schemes which provide a consumer with a higher degree of control over operation of the heating element. More specifically, selection of the first scheme operates the heating element at a selected level, while selection of the second scheme causes the heating element to operate at an initial high level and then to automatically convert to a lower level.

Abstract: A method and device for cleaning the oven cavity of a pyrolytic self-cleaning oven without using a broil element or burner. The method includes using a bake burner to maintain the temperature of the oven cavity during the first stage of the self-cleaning process at a temperature sufficiently low such that cooking residues are baked onto the oven walls and bottom without producing excessive levels of smoke. During the second stage of the self-cleaning process, the temperature inside the oven cavity is raised to clean away the baked-on residues while still maintaining acceptable levels of smoke.

Abstract: A range grate and retaining clip assembly for detachable engagement over the burner well of a range top provided with a pair of openings spaced on opposite sides of the burner well, the grate including a pair of linearly disposed arms, each arm being provided at its terminal end with a pair of downwardly directed projections for insertion through a corresponding opening, the projections of one arm having a pair of inwardly directed flanges, whereby such projections may be engaged by a channel-shaped portion carried by the clip, the latter being formed of spring metal and engageable against the upper surface of the range top in the inner edge surface of the corresponding opening to permit the grate to be shifted laterally towards the opposite opening for insertion of the other projections therethrough.