Abstract: A drop-in cooking device for installation into an opening in a fixture, including a housing configured to be mounted in the opening in the fixture, a heating element positioned in the housing and having a heating surface, wherein the heating element includes at least one of an electric heating element and an induction heating element, and a cover attachable to the housing adjacent the heating surface, the cover including a thermally insulating material and having a collapsible portion, wherein the collapsible portion of the cover has a working configuration in which the cover has a first height and a storage configuration in which the cover has a second height, the second height being less than the first height.

Abstract: As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, methods and/or apparatuses involve translating control signals between remote input devices and endpoint devices that are to be controlled. Received control commands are selectively translated based on an endpoint device to be controlled, and an output signal is provided for controlling the endpoint device in accordance with the received control commands. This approach facilitates the use of an input device for controlling an endpoint device, without necessarily requiring that the input device is configured to provide control signals that the endpoint device can operate upon.

Abstract: A popcorn popper configured to cook popcorn includes a vessel and an electric heating element which heats the vessel. A vibration element vibrates the vessel and a controller controls the heating element and the vibration element. A temperature sensor is in communication with the controller such that the controller can receive temperature readings from the temperature sensor indicative of a temperature of the vessel. The controller activating the heating element to heat the vessel which contains the popcorn until the temperature sensor indicates that a first temperature has been reached. The controller, based on readings from the temperature sensor, maintains the vessel at a second temperature by controlling a power setting of the heating element and the controller activates the vibration element to vibrate the vessel which thereby vibrates the popcorn. The controller after maintaining the vessel at the second temperature, reduces the power of the heating element.

Abstract: A system for popping popcorn includes a housing, a container positioned in the housing, a cooking vessel removably supported in the housing and containing unpopped popcorn kernels, wherein the cooking vessel comprises a ferromagnetic material, a coil that creates an oscillating magnetic field that interacts with the ferromagnetic material of the cooking vessel and generates an amount of heat in the cooking vessel, and a separate receiving vessel for receiving popped popcorn positioned adjacent the cooking vessel, wherein the receiving vessel is configured to move relative the cooking vessel.

Abstract: A grill having a control system that monitors the temperature of the grill grate and adjusts heat output to the grill according to a temperature selected by the user. The grill grate includes channels on the rear face thereof, one channel contains the electrically powered heat source and the other channel contains the temperature sensor. A drip pan is located below the grill grate. The grill grate is removable from the grill and removable from the two channels for cleaning. Multiple zones are provided, each with a controller that allows the user to set the desired temperature of the grill grate/grilling surface.

Abstract: A system for popping popcorn includes a housing, a container positioned in the housing, a cartridge containing unpopped popcorn kernels removably supported in the container, wherein the cartridge includes ferromagnetic material, a coil that creates an oscillating magnetic field that interacts with the ferromagnetic layer of the cartridge and generates an amount of heat in the cartridge, a vibrator coupled to the container for vibrating the container and the cartridge, and a receiving vessel for receiving popped popcorn positioned adjacent the container.

Abstract: A cooking system that utilizes vibration to improve the convenience of preparing food and the quality of the finished product. The system uses a vibrating device coupled to a cooking vessel with a pad and/or isolation blocks disposed between the vibrator and the vessel. The cooking system can be adapted to prepare specific foods in specific quantities, such as popcorn in pre-packaged containers.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus including a housing having an outer perimeter and a first opening. A flange extending from the housing defines the outer perimeter. An inner peripheral edge defines the first opening. A cooktop element has a first peripheral edge, and at least one grill element has a second peripheral edge. A plurality of holes are in a grill plate of the at least one grill element to allow matter to pass through the holes. The cooktop element and the at least one grill element are mounted to the housing in the first opening with at least part of the first and second peripheral edges facing each other and at least part of the inner peripheral edge facing the first and second peripheral edges. The housing is configured to insert into an opening of a support structure with the flange preventing insertion all the way through the opening of the support structure.

Abstract: An induction stove assembly that utilizes pads between the cook-top of the stove and cooking vessels placed on the stove for heating. The pads are easily removable and interchangeable with other similar pads. The pads help protect the cook-top from damage, make clean-up more efficient, and insulate the cook-top from excessive heating.

Abstract: A cooking system that utilizes vibration to improve the convenience of preparing food and the quality of the finished product. The system uses a vibrating device coupled to a cooking vessel with a pad and/or isolation blocks disposed between the vibrator and the vessel. The cooking system can be adapted to prepare specific foods in specific quantities, such as popcorn in pre-packaged containers.

Abstract: An electrically powered infrared based thermal weed control system. A housing has a downwardly facing chamber. At least one electrically powered infrared heating element is mounted within the chamber. A source of electrical power is electrically coupled to the electrically powered infrared heating element. A control assembly varies the electrical power to the electrically powered infrared heating elements and the heat generated for controlling undesired vegetation there adjacent using targeted infrared radiation emitted by the electrically powered infrared heating element.

Abstract: A system for operation of an induction stove includes an AC to DC voltage converter receiving AC voltage from a power input, a voltage sensing unit coupled to the converter and including an optocoupler, and a processor coupled to the sensing unit for receiving voltage information from the unit and controlling at least one of input voltage, input current, and oscillation frequency of a heating coil of the induction stove. A method for operating an induction stove includes converting an AC voltage from a power input to a DC voltage, supplying the DC voltage to a voltage sensing unit coupled to the converter and including an optocoupler, transmitting a voltage measurement from the sensing unit to a processor, and controlling at least one of an input voltage and oscillation frequency to a heating coil of the induction stove via the processor based at least in part on the voltage measurement.

Abstract: An induction stove assembly that utilizes pads between the cook-top of the stove and cooking vessels placed on the stove for heating. The pads are easily removable and interchangeable with other similar pads. The pads help protect the cook-top from damage, make clean-up more efficient, and insulate the cook-top from excessive heating.

Abstract: An electrically powered infrared based thermal weed control system. A housing has a downwardly facing chamber. At least one electrically powered infrared heating element is mounted within the chamber. A source of electrical power is electrically coupled to the electrically powered infrared heating element. A control assembly varies the electrical power to the electrically powered infrared heating elements and the heat generated for controlling undesired vegetation there adjacent using targeted infrared radiation emitted by the electrically powered infrared heating element.

Abstract: A grill having a control system that monitors the temperature of the grill grate and adjusts heat output to the grill according to a temperature selected by the user. The grill grate includes channels on the rear face thereof, one channel contains the electrically powered heat source and the other channel contains the temperature sensor. A drip pan is located below the grill grate. The grill grate is removable from the grill and removable from the two channels for cleaning. Multiple zones are provided, each with a controller that allows the user to set the desired temperature of the grill grate/grilling surface.

Abstract: A cooking system that utilizes vibration to improve the convenience of preparing food and the quality of the finished product. The system uses a vibrating device coupled to a cooking vessel with a pad and/or isolation blocks disposed between the vibrator and the vessel. The cooking system can be adapted to prepare specific foods in specific quantities, such as popcorn in pre-packaged containers.

Abstract: A cooking temperature sensor having a controller including a thermal imaging camera which identifies at least one food item in a cooking environment. A display is in communication with the controller and the controller transmits data representative of the at least one food item for display. A selection is received in connection with the data and associates a temperature with the at least one food item. The controller monitors a thermal value of the at least one food item and generates an alert indicative of when the temperature is reached for the at least one food item.

Abstract: A drop-in cooking device for installation into an opening in a fixture, including a housing configured to be mounted in the opening in the fixture, a heating element positioned in the housing and having a heating surface, wherein the heating element includes at least one of an electric heating element and an induction heating element, and a cover attachable to the housing adjacent the heating surface, the cover including a thermally insulating material and having a collapsible portion, wherein the collapsible portion of the cover has a working configuration in which the cover has a first height and a storage configuration in which the cover has a second height, the second height being less than the first height.

Abstract: A drop-in cooking device for installation into an opening in a fixture, including a housing configured to be mounted in the opening in the fixture, a heating element positioned in the housing, and a cover attachable to the housing adjacent the heating element, the cover comprising a thermally insulating material and having a collapsible portion, wherein the collapsible portion of the cover has a working configuration in which the cover has a first height and a storage configuration in which the cover has a second height, the second height being less than the first height.