Abstract: An airflow system of a cooking appliance having an oven cavity includes an intake portion, an exhaust portion and a diverter portion. The intake portion introduces an airflow into the cooking appliance that diverges into first and second airstreams. The first airstream enters the oven cavity and picks up moisture from food items being cooked, while the second airstream circulates outside the oven cavity. The diverter member guides the second airstream to mix with the first airstream at a predetermined region outside the oven cavity to transport the moisture through the exhaust portion and away from the cooking appliance. Preferably, the diverter member extends fore-to-aft below the oven cavity and includes a plurality of openings.

Abstract: A cooking appliance incorporates a convection system including a blower or fan having an associated heating element used for thawing food items in an oven cavity. The convection fan and its associated heating element are specifically controlled to regulate the air flow and temperature within the oven cavity in a manner which significantly reduces thaw time over ambient conditions, while not negatively effecting food quality. In accordance with the most preferred form of the invention, the convection fan is constantly operated at a high RPM and the convection heating element is operated in the order of 80° F.-100° F. (approximately 26-38° C.) in order to establish and maintain an oven cavity temperature of about 80° F. (approximately 26° C.) for food thawing purposes.

Abstract: A cooking appliance incorporates a convection system including a blower or fan having an associated heating element used for thawing food items in an oven cavity. The convection fan and its associated heating element are specifically controlled to regulate the air flow and temperature within the oven cavity in a manner which significantly reduces thaw time over ambient conditions, while not negatively effecting food quality. In accordance with the most preferred form of the invention, the convection fan is constantly operated at a high RPM and the convection heating element is operated in the order of 80° F.-100° F. (approximately 26-38° C.) in order to establish and maintain an oven cavity temperature of about 80° F. (approximately 26° C.) for food thawing purposes.

Abstract: An electric heating element for use in an oven cavity of a cooking appliance includes laterally spaced fore-to-aft extending side leg portions which are interconnected by a frontal portion, with each of the side leg portions having an inwardly directed section, followed by an outwardly directed section which leads to the frontal leg portion through respective arcuate corner portions. The electric heating element preferably constitutes a sheathed, resistance coil type element used to provide enhanced uniform heating of the oven cavity for various cooking functions, particularly baking and toasting operations.

Abstract: An oven rack for supporting food items to be cooked in a cavity of an appliance includes a support platform defined by a plurality of support elements that establish primary and secondary zones upon which food items to be cooked can be placed. The support elements are located in closer proximity within the primary zones than in the secondary zones. Preferably, the support elements are further interconnected by at least one cross support element in each of the primary zones. With this configuration, a consumer is directed to support food items to be cooked in optimal locations upon the oven rack.