Abstract: An oven appliance is provided. The oven appliance includes a pair of doors. Each door of the pair of doors includes an outer door panel and an inner door panel. The outer and inner door panels are spaced apart from each other along at least one edge of the door such that the inner and outer door panels define a thermal break therebetween. The thermal break can assist with limiting or hindering heat transfer between the inner and outer door panels.

Abstract: An oven appliance with one or more features for notifying a user of the oven appliance that the cooking chamber is heavily loaded is provided. Further, a method for operating an oven appliance to notify a user of the oven appliance that the cooking chamber is heavily loaded is provided.

Abstract: An oven appliance is provided with features for locking out a cooking chamber to boost the preheat performance of and thereby decrease the time required to preheat another cooking chamber of the oven appliance. A method for operating an oven appliance also is provided. The method includes features for locking out a cooking chamber to boost the preheat performance of and thereby decrease the time required to preheat another cooking chamber of the oven appliance.

Abstract: An oven range appliance is provided with features for locking out one or more cooktop elements of the oven range to boost preheat performance and thereby decrease the time required to preheat the cooking chamber of the oven range. A method for operating an oven range appliance also is provided. The method includes features for locking out one or more cooktop elements of the oven range to boost preheat performance and thereby decrease the time required to preheat the cooking chamber of the oven range.

Abstract: The present invention provides an oven appliance and for operation of an oven appliance. The oven appliance and method for operating the oven appliance include features such that the door of the oven appliance may be locked or unlocked using one or more voice commands by a user of the oven appliance.

Abstract: The present invention provides an oven appliance and for operation of an oven appliance. The oven appliance and a method for operating the oven appliance include features such that the door of the oven appliance remains locked unless a cooking cycle is initiated or a door unlocking element is utilized.

Abstract: An oven appliance with one or more features for minimizing the time to preheat the cooking chamber is provided. Features for adequately heating the air and the surfaces of the cooking chamber are also provided. Further, a method for operating an oven appliance to minimize the preheat time and adequately heat the air and surfaces of the cooking chamber is provided.

Abstract: An oven appliance is provided. The oven appliance includes a pair of doors and a pair of flanges. Each flange of the pair of flanges is mounted to a respective one of the pair of doors. The flanges engage and overlap each other when the pair of doors is in a closed position and include features for limiting wear between the flanges.

Abstract: The present invention provides for operation of a sensor supported by an appliance and directed toward a cooking surface positioned beneath the sensor. If the sensor is determined to be contaminated, a signal is provided to a user of the appliance that the sensor is contaminated.

Abstract: The present invention provides an appliance with a sensor directed toward a cooking surface positioned beneath the sensor. One or more features are provided for directing a flow of air across the sensing end of the sensor to protect or shield it during cooking operations.

Abstract: The present invention provides for operation of a sensor directed toward a cooking surface positioned beneath the sensor. If a cooking utensil is detected on the cooking surface, a fan is operated to direct a flow of air over the sensing end of the sensor to protect or shield it during cooking operations.

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 shelf assembly is provided with a spring-assisted shelf for an oven appliance. A spring is placed into tension as the oven door is closed and the oven shelf is slid towards the rear of the oven cavity. As the door is opened, the spring retracts so as to cause the oven shelf to slide forward at least partially out of the oven cavity. The shelf assembly is vertically adjustable and can be removed from the oven cavity for repositioning at another height therein.

Abstract: An oven gasket is provided for improved sealing between the door and oven body of an oven appliance as the oven is heated. The oven gasket expands when heated so as to help improve sealing. The expansion of the gasket provides additional compression of the gasket and closes gaps that might otherwise form due to expansion of the oven door as the oven heats. The gasket can be effective even at high temperature oven operation such as e.g., during a cleaning cycle.

Abstract: Energy efficiencies are achieved in a dryer or washer/dryer by selectively varying temperature ranges, time periods, heater power levels, and air flow rates. Efficiency improvements on the order of 16% were obtained over typical constant power, constant temperature, timed drying cycles by varying one or more of these parameters. Efficiencies can also be improved by drawing air from alternative warm sources such as an attic or warm external environment, or by heat recovery from dryer exhaust passages.

Abstract: A microwave appliance and method for operating a microwave appliance are provided. The 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 air quality of the flow of air within the circulation conduit with a sensor of the microwave appliance, and deactivating the fan of the microwave appliance if the air quality of the flow of air within the circulation conduit of the microwave appliance exceeds a threshold value. In such a manner, the flow or air can be properly filtered without operating the fan of the microwave appliance excessively.

Abstract: An oven appliance is provided. The oven appliance includes a pair of doors. Each door of the pair of doors includes an outer door panel and an inner door panel. The outer and inner door panels are spaced apart from each other along at least one edge of the door such that the inner and outer door panels define a thermal break therebetween. The thermal break can assist with limiting or hindering heat transfer between the inner and outer door panels.

Abstract: An oven appliance is provided. The oven appliance includes a pair of doors and a pair of flanges. Each flange of the pair of flanges is mounted to a respective one of the pair of doors. The flanges engage and overlap each other when the pair of doors is in a closed position and include features for limiting wear between the flanges.

Abstract: An oven rack constructed from an expanded or punched metal is provided. The oven rack can be coated with one or more coatings to e.g., protect the metal from discoloration or damage, and/or to provide certain properties to the surface of the rack that may be desirable for cooking operations. An oven appliance incorporating such an oven rack is also provided.