Abstract: A cooling system and method for a fluid container enabling a user to switch between an insulating mode that will keep liquid in the mug hot for hours, and a cooling mode to reduce the beverage temperature quickly when the user is ready to drink. In embodiments of the invention the fluid container is a travel mug with an integrated cooling system. In an embodiment a beverage container may include a compartment to hold a consumable liquid, a cooling mechanism for reducing the temperature of the liquid before consumption, and an insulating space located between the compartment and cooling mechanism, which insulating space may be variable. In an embodiment, a pump may be attached to the exterior of a beverage container in which a bellows or piston may enhance vacuum pressure in the container.

Abstract: A beverage brewing device, a brewing method, a tubular container, and a circuit system of the beverage brewing device are provided. The circuit system includes a microprocessor and a plurality of circuit components. The brewing method includes scanning an identification tag on the tubular container to obtain brewing parameters and controlling a water inputting module, a temperature adjusting module, a water outputting module and an air adding module. The water inputting module controls a volume and a flowrate of water supplied to the tubular container, the temperature adjusting module controls temperature and temperature controlling sequence of water supplied to the tubular container, the water outputting module determines an amount of time and the flowrate of water outputted from the tubular container according to the operating parameters, and the air adding module determines whether or not to add air or an amount of air to add into the water.

Abstract: Beverage preparation apparatus for preparing a beverage comprising: —a water tank (2) for storing water, —a brewing unit (3) for receiving a dose of beverage ingredients, —a water in line (5) for supplying water from the water tank to the brewing unit (3) including a pressure pump (4) for supplying pressurized liquid to the brewing unit and a fluid heater (29) for heating liquid, —a control unit (6) for selectively controlling the activation of the pressure pump, wherein it further comprises a fluidic interrupter (7) positionable in fluidic interruption position for interrupting the fluidic communication between the water tank (2) and the water line (5) and, reversely, positionable in fluidic communication position for restoring the fluid communication between the water tank and the water line and wherein the control unit (6) is arranged for automatically activating an anti-freeze mode by activating the fluidic interrupter (7) in fluidic interruption position and by miming the pressure pump (4) to at least pa

Abstract: A system for attaching a blender container to a blade assembly, which comprises a first mechanism to secure a blender container to a blade assembly. Some embodiments of the system include a second latch mechanism to lock the blender container to the blade assembly while the container and blade assembly are mounted to a base for operation of the blender.

Abstract: A cooking pot insulator assembly includes a pad that is positionable on a lid of a cooking pot. The pad has a rounded perimeter such that the pad has a circular shape for conforming to the shape of the lid. The pad has a handle opening extending therethrough for accommodating a handle of the lid when the pad is positioned on the lid. The pad is comprised of a thermally insulating material to reduce heat loss through the lid. A strap is coupled to and extends away from the pad. A fastener is coupled to the pad and the strap releasably engaging the fastener such that the strap forms a closed loop for support a cooking utensil when the pad is positioned on the lid.

Abstract: Portable cooking assemblies are disclosed herein. The portable cooking assemblies include a windscreen and a cooking vessel assembly. The windscreen includes a body that may be movable between a ready-to-use configuration in which the body defines an inner volume configured to receive the cooking vessel assembly and a compact storage configuration. The windscreen may be configured to fit inside the cooking vessel assembly in the compact storage configuration. The windscreen may include a releasable fastening mechanism that is configured to selectively hold the windscreen in the ready-to-use configuration. The windscreen is configured to hold the cooking vessel assembly above a flame, serving as a base for the cooking vessel assembly. Specifically, the windscreen may include one or more support members that extend radially inwardly from the body when the windscreen is in the ready-to-use configuration, and that are configured to hold and/or center the cooking vessel assembly.

Abstract: A cooking appliance, as provided herein, may include a cabinet, a plurality of electric heating elements, and a heat shield. The cabinet may define a cooking chamber and an exhaust path downstream therefrom to direct vapor from the cabinet. The plurality of electric heating elements may be mounted within the cabinet. The heat shield may be mounted within the cabinet. The heat shield may extend along a shield plane from a first end to a second end. The heat shield may define a plurality of vent channels spaced apart along the shield plane from the first end to the second end. The plurality of vent channels may be disposed in fluid communication between the cooking chamber and the exhaust path.

Abstract: A cooking appliance, as provided herein, may include a cabinet, a plurality of electric heating elements, a heat shield, and a vapor catalyst. The cabinet may define a cooking chamber and an exhaust path downstream therefrom to direct vapor from the cabinet through an exhaust outlet. The plurality of electric heating elements may be mounted within the cabinet. The heat shield may be mounted within the cabinet. The heat shield may extend along a shield plane from a first end to a second end. The vapor catalyst may be mounted within the exhaust path above the heat shield and rearward from the exhaust outlet to receive and clean vapor from the cooking chamber upstream from the exhaust outlet.

Abstract: A heat transfer system for cooking a food product is provided. The heat transfer system includes an enclosure, heat sources within the enclosure operate to output heat for a cooking process, at least one conveyor positioned relative to the cooking heat elements, and a warming assembly. The warming assembly is configured to receive at least one pan configured to store cooked food product. The warming assembly defines an controlled environment about the at least one pan. A blocking element defines an opening through the enclosure into the controlled environment of the warming assembly.

Abstract: A heat and flame control assembly for a grill or other cooking appliance. The heat and flame control assembly includes a main heat plate and a slider plate disposed above the main heat plate. The main heat plate includes openings that allow direct heat to be provided to the food. The slider plate is movable with respect to the main heat plate, and also includes opening. When direct heat is desired, the slider plate is movable to align the openings in the slider plate with the openings of the main heat plate. However, when indirect heat is desired, the slider plate is movable to cover the openings of the main heat plate.

Abstract: An egg cooker includes a base band shaped to be placed on a cooking surface. A cover is connected to the base band. A tunnel within the cover is sized to allow contents of an opened egg to be poured through the tunnel and onto the cooking surface. A length of the tunnel is selected so that when the cover is mounted on the cooking surface, a base at a bottom of the tunnel is elevated over the cooking surface to a height that allows a white of the opened egg to pass under the base of the tunnel to the cooking surface under the cover, while retaining a top of a yolk of the opened egg within an inside circumference of the tunnel.

Abstract: An apparatus including a grinder lid section; a grinder section configured to be attached to and detached from the grinder lid section, so that when the grinder section is attached to the grinder lid section the grinder lid section rotates with respect to the grinder section; a funnel section configured to be attached to and detached from the grinder section, so that when the funnel section is attached to the grinder section the funnel section does not rotate with respect to the grinder section; and a storage section configured to be attached and detached from the funnel section, so that when the storage section is attached to the funnel section the storage section does not rotate with respect to the funnel section. Each of the grinder lid section and the grinder section has a plurality of pointed teeth which face towards each other.

Abstract: A food processing appliance includes a container having a rotational processing assembly that includes an inner portion of a magnetic coupler. A base has a drive system for providing a rotational drive force. A drive rotor selectively transfers the rotational drive force to the magnetic coupler. The drive rotor includes a plurality of drive-magnetic members that form an outer portion of the magnetic coupler. The inner portion and outer portions of the magnetic coupler selectively and magnetically engage to form an engaged position. The engaged position is further defined by the inner portion being completely separated from the outer portion to define a gap therebetween.

Abstract: A multifunctional food processor includes: a container, in which a chamber is formed; and a power device, including a shell, where a sliding component mounting cavity is formed in the shell, a sliding component is mounted in the sliding component mounting cavity in a sliding manner, an elastic device is arranged between the sliding component and the shell, a pressing structure and the sliding component are connected to drive the sliding component to slide up and down, a spiral rod mounting cavity is formed in the sliding component, a mounting hole is formed in one end of the sliding component and is interconnected with the spiral rod mounting cavity, the mounting hole and a spiral rod are mated, and any of a dewatering device, a cutting device and a stirring device can be in transmission connection with the spiral rod.

Abstract: A blender includes a main body provided with a motor assembly, a container detachably mounted on the main body and having an opened upper surface to form a space in which food is received, a blade mounted at a bottom surface of the container to crush food by rotation, a main lid shielding the opened upper surface of the container and formed with a through-hole which is opened to communicate with the inside of the container, an auxiliary lid inserted into the through-hole and configured to open and close the through-hole, and an air vent formed between the auxiliary lid and an inner surface of the through-hole to discharge the air inside the container to the outside, where an inlet and an outlet of the air vent are disposed on different vertical extension lines with respect to a bottom surface of the auxiliary lid.

Abstract: A blender includes a lid configured to shield the opened upper surface of a container, in which the lid includes a main lid seated on the container and having a through-hole opened to communicate with an inside of the container, a gasket provided around the main lid and being in contact with the inner surface of the container, and an auxiliary lid inserted into the through-hole and exposed from the upper surface of the main lid, the auxiliary lid is coupled to the main lid and rotated together with the main lid in a state of being inserted into the through-hole, and the gasket protrudes to be in close contact with the inner surface of the container according to the rotational manipulation of the auxiliary lid.

Abstract: The toothbrush handle loop is a loop attached to the handle of a toothbrush which enables the toothbrush to be hung perpendicular to the ground in open air, toothbrush handle up and toothbrush head down. The toothbrush handle loop also allows identifying features selected by the toothbrush user to be added to the loop for identification or ornamentation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shower tray comprising a base element provided with a peripheral edge from where an inclined surface projects towards a drainage opening, and a surface for supporting the user formed by floor tiles, and comprising strips which protrude from the inclined surface, wherein the upper faces of the strips form a horizontal base surface for the floor tiles, a groove is formed at least between two floor tiles for the evacuation of the water towards the inclined surface, wherein first ends of the floor tiles are secured on at least one transverse band or strip, and one swivelling end of the transverse band or strip comprises a corner with a right-angled profile and adapted to slide on the longitudinal recess, when the floor tiles are withdrawn from their horizontal base surface.

Abstract: An authentication reader and a dispenser comprising the authentication reader for authenticating a product having a taggant ink disposed on the product's surface.

Abstract: A coreless roll of absorbent tissue web is provided, the web having a length and a width, and the roll defining a central axial hole that extends from a first end of the roll to a second end of the roll in a direction perpendicular to the length of the absorbent tissue web. The coreless roll has a high density. The absorbent tissue web includes an outer perforated length located in the periphery of the coreless roll, the outer perforated length having a plurality of perforation lines across the width of the absorbent tissue web such as to form individual sheets. The absorbent tissue web of the coreless roll further includes an inner unperforated length of the absorbent tissue web.

Abstract: A paper dispenser includes a paper input area and a paper output area; the paper input area including a holder for a paper roll and including a paper input unit provided to displace paper from the paper roll towards the paper output area, the paper output area including a paper output unit which is adapted to dispense paper to an outside of the dispenser, the dispenser further including a paper cutting unit arranged between the paper input unit and a paper output unit, which paper cutting unit is adapted for cutting the paper, wherein the paper output unit is operationally connected to the paper input unit to dispense the paper at a dispensing speed that is at least as large as a displacing speed of the paper input unit.

Abstract: Device for storing and/or removing wipes comprises a supply region, a preferably solid-walled vessel, and in particular a covering region on an upper side which cannot be removed without leaving a residue. The covering region has a removal opening through which the wipes can be removed and which can be covered by a closure means. The removal opening particularly has a diameter which is designed to be adapted to a diameter of the supply package in such a way that the supply package as a whole is prevented from being guided through the removal opening. A docking station is provided, wherein the supply region can be connected to a sensor means and/or receiving means of the docking station via an interface means by means of signal exchange. The docking station is designed to be particularly adapted for docking for the supply region.

Abstract: An apparatus for a toilet paper roll adapter, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a cylindrical housing comprising a first end and a second end. The first end comprises a first opening, and the second end comprises a second opening. The apparatus includes an extension arm configured to extend perpendicular from a first end of the cylindrical housing. The apparatus includes a holder arm configured to extend from the extension arm, parallel to the cylindrical housing.

Abstract: Proposed is to a window cleaning tool including an internal unit or including an internal unit and an external unit. The window cleaning tool is configured to prevent an external unit from separating and falling, and to realize smooth movement of a cleaner during washing because when an internal unit moves up, the front end of an internal unit blade rotates away from an inner surface of glass and the front end of an external unit blade rotates away from an outer surface of the glass, and when the internal unit moves down, the front ends of the internal unit blade and the external unit blade rotate toward the surfaces of the glass to be pressed.

Abstract: A stick surface cleaning apparatus has a cyclone unit provided in the wand.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus has a rotatably mounted brush. The brush has a leading row of bristles, a trailing row of bristles and a hair blocking member between the trailing row of bristles and the leading row of bristles.

Abstract: A device for covering a plurality of different sized robotic systems. The device can include a cover sized to at least partially fit over the robotic system; one or more sidewalls extended from the cover, wherein the one or more sidewalls is configured to removably engage with each of the plurality of different sized robotic systems; and one or more apertures in the cover and/or the one or more sidewalls. The one or more apertures are selectively positioned and sized so as to prevent obstructing the one or more onboard sensors of the respective robotic system when the device is in an assembled state with the respective robotic system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning a surface with a cleaning device having a body with a handle, a connector, and one or more cleaning heads that are removably attached to the cleaning device are disclosed. Each cleaning head includes a lower surface arranged to contact a surface to be cleaned, a dirt collection chamber, and a pocket arranged to receive an insert of the connector to attach the cleaning head to the cleaning device. In some embodiments, the connector insert is pivotally connected to the connector. In some embodiments, the cleaning head includes a support structure and a cleaning sheet, with the pocket being formed between the support structure and the cleaning sheet.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for adjusting a height of a suction chamber of a vacuum cleaner relative to a target cleaning surface. The vacuum cleaner includes a compressible cleaning sheet, such that as a user selectively executes different motions and/or applies different forces to a handle of the vacuum cleaner, the cleaning sheet compresses or uncompresses, dynamically adjusting the height of the suction chamber.

Abstract: A replacement head for a vacuum device includes a plastic tray, a filter and a pad. The plastic tray includes a dust chamber that has a sealing surface and at least one opening. The opening is provided to allow air, dust and debris to be drawn into the dust chamber during use. The sealing surface defines a sealing surface plane and the opening defines an opening place. The relative angle between the sealing surface plane and the opening plane is preferably between about ?20 degrees and +150 degrees. The pad is attached to the lower side of the plastic tray and is in contact with the floor during cleaning. The filter is connected to the plastic tray such that the filter substantially covers a top opening in the dust chamber.

Abstract: A replacement head for a vacuum device includes a plastic tray, a filter and a pad. The plastic tray includes a dust chamber, a first connector lip and a second connector lip. An opening is provided that allows air, dust and debris to be drawn into the dust chamber during use. The connector lips are provided for attachment to a vacuum device. The pad is attached to the lower side of the plastic tray and is in contact with the floor during cleaning. The filter is connected to the plastic tray such that the filter substantially covers a top opening in the dust chamber.

Abstract: A replacement head for a vacuum device includes a plastic tray, a filter and a pad. The plastic tray includes a dust chamber and opening allows air, dust and debris to be drawn into the dust chamber during use. The pad is attached to the lower side of the plastic tray and is in contact with the floor during cleaning. The filter is connected to the plastic tray such that the filter substantially covers a top opening in the dust chamber. The filter is preferably made of a non-woven material with a basis weight between about 20 and 70 gsm, and has a thickness less than about 1.0 mm.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning a surface with a cleaning device having a body with a handle, a connector, and one or more cleaning heads that are removably attached to the cleaning device. Each cleaning head include a lower surface arranged to contact a surface to be cleaned and a dirt collection chamber permanently attached to the cleaning head. The cleaning head may include a support structure to support the dirt collection chamber and a cleaning sheet. The cleaning head also may include a suction nozzle. At least a portion of the dirt collection chamber may be made of a filter material.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a cleaning system, comprising a cleaning robot and a processing station. The cleaning robot comprises a machine body, a trash discharging port and a sealing mechanism provided at the bottom of the machine body, and the sealing mechanism is configured to seal the trash discharging port. The processing station comprises a controller, an electromagnet, and a signal guiding component. The signal guiding component is configured to guide the cleaning robot to dock with the processing station, and the controller is configured to detect induction information on the processing station and control the electromagnet according to the induction information to generate a magnetic force to attract the sealing mechanism to open the trash discharging port.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dust collector that includes a filter frame, a cartridge filter, and an end cap and a cover that are connected to the cartridge filter. The filter frame is provided with a center column. The cover is operative to rotate around the center column along and against a rotating direction. The cover is limited to rotate between a first angular position and a second angular position relative to the end cap. The end cap is provided with a plurality of clamping members. When the cover is located at the first angular position, the plurality of clamping members clamp the center column; when the cover is located at the second angular position, the plurality of clamping members do not clamp the center column. Rotating from the second to the first angular position, the cover pushes the plurality of clamping members towards the center column to clamp the center column.

Abstract: A floor cleaner having a recovery tank, a suction source, and a filter basket. The suction source is configured to generate an airflow along a fluid flow path to draw fluid and debris from a surface to be cleaned into the recovery tank. The recovery tank has an outlet duct on a tank body. The filter basket is positioned in the outlet duct on the tank body and configured to filter debris from the airflow.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprising an upstream air treatment stage and a downstream air treatment stage, which is positioned rearward of the upstream air treatment member.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus has a cyclone. The cyclone air inlet is provided at a first juncture of the cyclone sidewall and an end wall of the cyclone chamber. The cyclone also has a vortex finder that is provided on the end wall. The vortex finder has a vortex sidewall that meets the first end wall at a second juncture. The vortex sidewall is spaced radially inwardly from the cyclone sidewall by a radial distance that is greater than the width of the air inlet. One of the first and second junctures is rounded.

Abstract: A robot cleaner includes a cleaner main body including a first connection duct, and a cleaning module including a second connection duct detachably coupled to the first connection duct to perform a dust suction function or a mopping function. The first and second connection ducts include a first facing surface and a second facing surface, respectively. The first and second facing surfaces face each other when the cleaning module is coupled to the cleaner main body. The first and second facing surfaces are formed in an annular shape to surround flow paths of the first and second connection ducts, respectively, and the first and second facing surfaces include a first terminal portion and a second terminal portion, respectively, which are attached to each other by a magnetic force.

Abstract: A bag-based filtering device for collecting debris from a cleaning robot via a debris evacuation station includes a filter bag configured to separate at least the portion of the evacuated debris from a flow of air generated by the evacuation station. The filtering device includes a conduit extending inward from an opening of the filter bag into the receptacle. The conduit is configured to pneumatically connect a receptacle of the filtering device with an inlet of the filtering device to direct the flow of air generated by the evacuation station through the filter bag to separate at least the portion of the evacuated debris from the flow of air.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a self-propelled electronic device that can be downsized and can improve in performance in climbing onto a floor level difference. A wheel support structure for the self-propelled electronic device, the wheel support structure characterized by comprising: a drive wheel configured to allow a housing to travel; a support portion fixed in the housing and configured to support the drive wheel position-changeably in a linear direction inclined from a vertical line; and a biasing member configured to bias the drive wheel toward a bottom side of the housing in the linear direction.

Abstract: A cleaning head housing for a floor cleaner that moves along a surface to be cleaned includes a brushroll chamber defining a top surface having a top opening and a bottom surface having a bottom opening positioned closer to the surface to be cleaned than the top opening. A suction nozzle has an upper nozzle wall, a lower nozzle wall, and a nozzle passageway formed between the upper and lower nozzle walls. The suction nozzle is releaseably connected to the brushroll chamber to selectively cover the top opening of the brushroll chamber. A brushroll is positioned within the brushroll chamber and engages the surface to be cleaned through the bottom opening of the brushroll chamber. The brushroll is accessible through the top opening for cleaning while the suction nozzle is disconnected from the brushroll chamber. The brushroll is removable from the brushroll chamber other than through the top opening.

Abstract: Provided are a cleaning robot and a control method thereof. A control method of a cleaning robot using a rotational force of a plurality of rotation members as a motive power source for its driving, includes: driving the cleaning robot by rotating at least one of a first rotation member performing a rotational motion around a first rotation axis and a second rotation member performing a rotational motion around a second rotation axis; determining whether the cleaning robot reaches a wall surface during its driving; and driving the cleaning robot along the wall surface by rotating at least one of the first and second rotation members while maintaining one side surface of the cleaning robot to be in close contact with the wall surface when it is determined that the cleaning robot reaches the wall surface.

Abstract: A cleaning machine has a housing, a supply tank, a suction nozzle, a suction source, and a recovery tank that includes a container having sidewalls projecting upwardly from a bottom wall thereby defining an open top, a cover connected to the open top of the container, and an air-liquid separator extending into the recovery tank from the open top and having a vertical sidewall, a lower wall extending laterally from a lower end of the vertical sidewall toward an adjacent sidewall of the sidewalls of the container. The vertical sidewall, the lower wall, and the adjacent sidewall define a separation chamber, the vertical sidewall includes a vertical rib extending outwardly from the vertical sidewall and into the separation chamber. The separation chamber includes a dirty fluid inlet receiving fluid from the suction nozzle through the cover, and a dirty fluid outlet directing fluid from the separation chamber into the container.

Abstract: A floor cleaning machine is provided. The floor cleaning machine includes a cleaning head configured for cleaning a floor surface with a cleaning solution. A collection mechanism is configured to collect used cleaning solution following use by the cleaning head. A conduit fluidly connects the collection mechanism with a recovery tank. The conduit is configured to convey a flow of the used cleaning solution from the collection mechanism to the recovery tank. A defoaming system is positioned proximate the recovery tank and includes a solid chemical defoaming form. The solid chemical defoaming form is configured for dissolution within the flow of the used cleaning solution. The flow of the used cleaning solution is directed over the solid chemical defoaming form and into the recovery tank.

Abstract: An extractor includes a body, a recovery tank coupled to the body, and a liquid tank coupled to the body. The liquid tank is configured to hold a liquid. The extractor includes a base pivotably coupled to the body and configured to support the body above a cleaning surface. The extractor includes a fluid distributor coupled to the base. The fluid distributor is in fluid communication with the liquid tank and configured to dispense the liquid from the liquid tank onto the cleaning surface. The extractor includes a brush roll removably coupled to the base and a nozzle in fluid communication with the recovery tank. The nozzle is coupled to the base to block access to the brush roll. The nozzle is moveable relative to the base and the fluid distributor allowing access to the brush roll and enabling removal of the brush roll from the base.

Abstract: A method of removing mites includes: acquiring a target path for mite removal and switching from a hibernation state to a crawling state upon receiving a mite removing instruction; in the crawling state, crawling according to the target path and performing mite removal during the crawling process; and after crawling to an end position of the target path, switching from the crawling state to the hibernation state.

Abstract: A floor cleaning machine is provided. The floor cleaning machine includes a solution tank for a cleaning solution. A pre-canister sensor receives the cleaning solution and measures the concentration of any dissolved solids. A canister assembly receives a portion of the cleaning solution from the pre-canister sensor and dissolves portions of a solid chemical form into the cleaning solution thereby forming blended droplets. The canister assembly has a spray nozzle positioned vertically above the solid chemical form. A post-canister sensor receives a mixture of the cleaning solution from the pre-canister sensor and the blended droplets from the canister assembly. The post-canister sensor measures the concentration of any dissolved solids within the mixture of the cleaning solution from the pre-canister sensor and the blended droplets from the canister assembly. A comparison of the baseline and post-canister measurements outside of a desired range results in replacement of the solid chemical form.

Abstract: An accessory for use with a vacuum cleaner, the accessory being adaptable to releasably connect to the vacuum cleaner, the accessory comprising: a vacuum intake head having a chamber arranged such that when the accessory is connected to the vacuum cleaner, the chamber is in fluid communication with the vacuum cleaner and adaptable to receive air and liquid from and around the surface to be cleaned; and filtration means adaptable to separate the liquid from the air such that substantially no liquid returns to the vacuum cleaner the accessory further comprising spraying means for spraying a work fluid onto a surface to be cleaned wherein the vacuum intake head comprises at least one rotatable brush for agitating the surface to be cleaned, wherein the spraying means is adaptable to spray work fluid onto and around the at least one rotatable brush the accessory having a control means.

Abstract: A method of operating a dishwashing appliance includes filling the sump of the dishwashing appliance with an initial fill of water of a current operational cycle and measuring a temperature of the initial fill of water. The method also includes comparing the temperature of the initial fill of water to a reference temperature and calculating an energy demand for the dishwashing appliance to heat the initial fill of water to the reference temperature based on a heat rise rate. Based on the calculated energy demand, for example based on a comparison of the calculated energy demand with a predetermined energy demand for an external heating unit, the dishwashing appliance decides whether to heat the initial fill. The heat rise rate may be calculated during a characterization of the dishwashing appliance prior to the current operational cycle.