Abstract: A cooktop includes a frame including a central web portion having a plurality of burner openings adapted to receive a plurality of burner elements, a control opening adapted to receive a control element assembly, and a cooking panel. More specifically, each of the plurality of burner openings and the control element opening has associated therewith a plurality of integrally formed tab elements. The cooking panel includes a plurality of cooking zones corresponding to the plurality of burner elements and is supported by the central web portion. Preferably, the cooking panel includes a peripheral rim portion that overhangs the central web, thereby eliminating any seams between the cooking panel and the frame.

Abstract: A cooktop includes a frame including a central web portion having a plurality of burner openings adapted to receive a plurality of burner elements, a control opening adapted to receive a control element assembly, and a cooking panel. More specifically, each of the plurality of burner openings and the control element opening has associated therewith a plurality of integrally formed tab elements. The cooking panel includes a plurality of cooking zones corresponding to the plurality of burner elements and is supported by the central web portion. Preferably, the cooking panel includes a peripheral rim portion that overhangs the central web, thereby eliminating any seams between the cooking panel and the frame.

Abstract: A rapid preheat control system, provided in a cooking appliance having a oven cavity, bake and broil elements for heating the oven cavity and a fan for developing an air flow current within the oven cavity, functions to actuate the broil element a higher percentage of time than the bake element during a preheat operation in order to decrease the required time to preheat the oven cavity for a baking operation, while specifically avoiding the need to increase the overall power rating of the cooking appliance. In one preferred embodiment, 100% of the heat emanates from the broil element, while the convection fan is operated either continuously or in a pulsating manner to quickly establish an even heat distribution in the oven cavity. In other embodiments, a portion of the preheat can come from the bake element, but simply in a much lower percentage than the broil element.