Abstract: A cooking medium heating system includes a cooking vessel for holding a cooking medium, at least one heat transfer tube for transferring heat generated by combustion to the cooking medium, and a combustion gas eductor for venting combustion gas exhausted from a combustion gas exhaust opening. Each heat transfer tube includes a bottom wall, a pair of side walls, a top wall, and a combustion gas entry opening and a combustion gas exhaust opening formed therein at opposite ends thereof. The tubes may include at least one heat transfer fin and a combustion gas flow separator dividing the tube into two spaces between the separator and the pair of side walls. The combustion gas eductor includes a flue including a narrower, exhaust gas receiving end disposed adjacent to the combustion gas exhaust opening, a nozzle including a nozzle inlet and a nozzle outlet, and a blower.

Abstract: A venturi tube mounting system having a removable support which supports a venturi tube from a cooktop, prior to assembling of the cooktop, without the need for a burner box and support brackets. The mounting system includes a support device with a first portion engageable to a part of the gas stove cooktop and a second portion engageable to the venturi tube. The support device may have a C-shaped extension at one end for engaging the cooktop and a support element at a second end for supporting the venturi tube. The support can be provided in various forms including a wire-form structure, a clip-type structure, a stamp-formed structure, or similar structures.

Abstract: A surface cooking appliance having a unique rotatable burner. The surface cooking appliance includes a top surface having a first opening and wherein a gas supply tube is provided having a terminal end adjacent the first opening. An igniter is mounted to the top surface adjacent the first opening. A burner is supported on the top surface above the first opening. The burner includes an inlet port, off-set from the center point of the burner, for receiving gas from the gas supply tube. The burner further includes at least two igniter openings for receiving the igniter such that the burner may be rotated about the terminal end of the gas supply tube and positioned in a plurality of positions wherein the igniter is disposed in one of the at least two openings.

Abstract: A high-efficiency insulated water heater including a base pan having a bottom portion with cut-out holes. Feet are positioned in the cut-outs having an upper portion extending above the bottom of the pan. The upper portions of the feet have inclined centering surfaces arranged for contacting and centering the water tank substantially equidistant from the outer edge of the base pan. The water tank has a lower edge engaging the centering surfaces of the feet. A method of producing a high-efficiency insulated water heater including the steps of forming a plurality of cut-outs in the bottom of the base pan having an outer edge, inserting feet into the cut-outs in such a way that the feet have upper portions extending above the bottom of the pan and lower portions extending below the bottom of the pan and wherein the upper portions of the feet have inclined centering surfaces located substantially equidistant from the base pan outer edge.