Abstract: A method is provided for cooking a food item in an oven cavity of a cooking appliance, the cooking appliance including a first heating element and a second heating element spaced about the oven cavity. The method includes a first stage wherein the first heating element and the second heating element are sequentially energized according to a first duty cycle in which the first heating element is energized at a first time for a first duration and the second heating element is energized at a second time for a second duration. The first duration and the second duration are regulated based on a measured temperature and a first predetermined target temperature.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a cooking chamber that defines an oven cavity and a reservoir for holding water that is accessible from within the oven cavity. The cooking appliance further includes a convection heating system, a reservoir heating system, and a control system. The convection heating system includes a convection heating element and a fan for guiding air across the convection heating element. The reservoir heating system includes at least one reservoir heating element. The control system is configured to control the convection heating system and the reservoir heating system to perform a steam cooking operation in response to a user steam-cooking input.

Abstract: A drip pan assembly includes an drip pan and a duct body attached to a lower surface of the drip pan. An upper surface of the drip pan at least partially defines a containment area where food drippings are collected/deposited. A bounded air channel extends along a lower surface of the drip pan for directing a flow of convective air along the lower surface.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a cooktop having a cooking zone with at least one heating element beneath the cooktop in the cooking zone, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the cooking zone, and a controller. The controller executes a temperature-protect mode upon receiving an indication of a presence of a temperature-sensitive component on the surface of the cooktop by adjusting power supplied to the heating element in response to a detected temperature of the cooking zone approaching, meeting or exceeding a threshold temperature in order to ensure that the detected temperature does not exceed the threshold temperature beyond a predetermined degree and/or for a predetermined period of time. The threshold temperature is predetermined to be one that will not damage the temperature-sensitive component.

Abstract: Improved steam ovens and methods for operating steam ovens include selectively operating a gas heating element below a water reservoir at the bottom of a cooking cavity with water present therein, a convection heating element in the cooking cavity, and a convection fan adjacent the cooking cavity in order to achieve and maintain a predetermined cooking temperature within the cooking cavity.

Abstract: A method performs sous-vide style cooking in an oven cavity of a cooking appliance, where air, not water, serves as the cooking medium. The oven cavity temperature is regulated around a desired final food temperature using a PID algorithm to control a convection heating element and associated fan.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a cooking chamber that defines an oven cavity and a reservoir for holding water that is accessible from within the oven cavity. The cooking appliance further includes a convection heating system, a reservoir heating system, and a control system. The convection heating system includes a convection heating element and a fan for guiding air across the convection heating element. The reservoir heating system includes at least one reservoir heating element. The control system is configured to control the convection heating system and the reservoir heating system to perform a steam cooking operation in response to a user steam-cooking input.

Abstract: A control knob for controlling the operation of a component of a household appliance is disclosed. The control knob includes a body configured to be attached to a rotatable rod extending from the appliance. A locking element reversibly secures the body in at least one rotational position. The locking element is movable between a first position and a second position. The locking element is configured to engage with a notch to rotatably secure the body in the at least one rotational position when the locking element is in the first position, and to disengage from the notch to permit the body to be rotated when the locking element is in the second position.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a cooking chamber that defines an oven cavity and a reservoir for holding water that is accessible from within the oven cavity. The cooking appliance further includes a convection heating system, a reservoir heating system, and a control system. The convection heating system includes a convection heating element and a fan for guiding air across the convection heating element. The reservoir heating system includes at least one reservoir heating element. The control system is configured to control the convection heating system and the reservoir heating system to perform a steam cooking operation in response to a user steam-cooking input.

Abstract: A cooking oven has a cooking cavity and a steam generating system. The steam generation system includes a water reservoir received and support in a reservoir-receiving space of a reservoir rack inside the cooking cavity. Thermal energy is provided to the water reservoir by a heater inside the cooking cavity. The heater can include thermal block made of a thermally conductive material in thermal communication with a heating element. The heater can be positioned such that it intimately contacts the water reservoir to deliver thermal energy thereto to convert water contained therein to steam, which can be used to cook a food item inside the cooking cavity.

Abstract: A method performs sous-vide style cooking in an oven cavity of a cooking appliance, where air, not water, serves as the cooking medium. The oven cavity temperature is regulated around a desired final food temperature using a PID algorithm to control a convection heating element and associated fan.

Abstract: A device for injecting dry smoke into a food product is disclosed. The device includes a smoke injector having an external wall with a plurality of apertures formed therein that communicate with a smoke-injector conduit. The smoke-injector conduit is in fluid communication with a smoke reservoir that houses dry smoking media therein. A fan directs dry smoke produced from said dry smoking media into the smoke-injector conduit such that the dry smoke is eluted through said plurality of apertures in order to introduce said dry smoke to an interior of the food product when impaled by said smoke injector.

Abstract: A control knob for controlling the operation of a component of a household appliance is disclosed. The control knob includes a body configured to be attached to a rotatable rod extending from the appliance. A locking element reversibly secures the body in at least one rotational position. The locking element is movable between a first position and a second position. The locking element is configured to engage with a notch to rotatably secure the body in the at least one rotational position when the locking element is in the first position, and to disengage from the notch to permit the body to be rotated when the locking element is in the second position.

Abstract: A cooking oven has a cooking cavity and a steam generating system. The steam generation system includes a water reservoir received and support in a reservoir-receiving space of a reservoir rack inside the cooking cavity. Thermal energy is provided to the water reservoir by a heater inside the cooking cavity. The heater can include thermal block made of a thermally conductive material in thermal communication with a heating element. The heater can be positioned such that it intimately contacts the water reservoir to deliver thermal energy thereto to convert water contained therein to steam, which can be used to cook a food item inside the cooking cavity.

Abstract: A multi-function griddle pan assembly includes a pan and an insert removably positionable thereon. The pan includes a pan surface and a pan sidewall extending from or adjacent a peripheral edge of the pan surface. The insert includes: a planar wall having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of apertures therein; and an insert sidewall extending from or adjacent a peripheral edge of the top surface. In a first configuration, the insert rests on the pan surface to provide a broiler usable in an oven. In a second configuration the insert rests on the pan surface to provide a charbroiler or grill usable on the cooktop.

Abstract: A control knob for controlling the operation of a component of a household appliance is disclosed. The control knob includes a body configured to be attached to a rotatable rod extending from the appliance. A locking element reversibly secures the body in at least one rotational position. The locking element is movable between a first position and a second position. The locking element is configured to engage with a notch to rotatably secure the body in the at least one rotational position when the locking element is in the first position, and to disengage from the notch to permit the body to be rotated when the locking element is in the second position.

Abstract: A control knob for controlling the operation of a component of a household appliance is disclosed. The control knob includes a body configured to be attached to a rotatable rod extending from the appliance. A locking element reversibly secures the body in at least one rotational position. The locking element is movable between a first position and a second position. The locking element is configured to engage with a notch to rotatably secure the body in the at least one rotational position when the locking element is in the first position, and to disengage from the notch to permit the body to be rotated when the locking element is in the second position.

Abstract: A control knob for controlling the operation of a component of a household appliance is disclosed. The control knob includes a body configured to be attached to a rotatable rod extending from the appliance. A locking element reversibly secures the body in at least one rotational position. The locking element is movable between a first position and a second position. The locking element is configured to engage with a notch to rotatably secure the body in the at least one rotational position when the locking element is in the first position, and to disengage from the notch to permit the body to be rotated when the locking element is in the second position.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a cooking chamber that defines an oven cavity and a reservoir for holding water that is accessible from within the oven cavity. The cooking appliance further includes a convection heating system, a reservoir heating system, and a control system. The convection heating system includes a convection heating element and a fan for guiding air across the convection heating element. The reservoir heating system includes at least one reservoir heating element. The control system is configured to control the convection heating system and the reservoir heating system to perform a steam cooking operation in response to a user steam-cooking input.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method for cleaning a cooking chamber is provided. The method comprises applying a cleanser composition and water to the cooking chamber followed by incubating the cooking chamber. The cleanser composition comprises components that aid in loosening soil and debris during the steam cleaning and also provides a pleasant aroma. The cleanser composition aids in loosening soil and debris by effervescence.