A method for controlling heating of a region to be heated of a household appliance includes: a) activating the heating; b) providing a starting temperature value C.sub.s; c) extrapolating a virtual temperature C.sub.v of the region to be heated over time, beginning from the starting temperature value C.sub.s and based on a characteristic heating curve; d) continuously measuring real temperature values C.sub.m representing the temperature of the region to be heated, using a single temperature sensor; e) continuing with step b) using the current temperature value C.sub.m as the starting temperature value C.sub.s if the difference between two successive temperature values C.sub.m indicates a normal condition of the temperature sensor; and f) deactivating the heating if the difference between the two successive temperature values C.sub.m indicates a fault condition of the temperature sensor and the virtual temperature C.sub.v exceeds a threshold.

A method for controlling heating of a region to be heated of a household appliance includes: a) activating the heating; b) providing a starting temperature value C.sub.s; c) extrapolating a virtual temperature C.sub.v of the region to be heated over time, beginning from the starting temperature value C.sub.s and based on a characteristic heating curve; d) continuously measuring real temperature values C.sub.m representing the temperature of the region to be heated, using a single temperature sensor; e) continuing with step b) using the current temperature value C.sub.m as the starting temperature value C.sub.s if the difference between two successive temperature values C.sub.m indicates a normal condition of the temperature sensor; and f) deactivating the heating if the difference between the two successive temperature values C.sub.m indicates a fault condition of the temperature sensor and the virtual temperature C.sub.v exceeds a threshold.

An automatic meal serving system includes a conveyer module, a transporting module, a first food serving and heating module, and an ingredient serving module. The transporting module is located on the conveyer module for sequentially positioning a plurality of vessels on the conveyer module. The first food serving and heating module provides a variety of foods, heats one of the foods that is chosen, and feeds one of the vessels on the conveyer module with the heated food. The ingredient serving module is located beside the first food serving and heating module. The transporting module, the first food serving and heating module, and the ingredient serving module are sequentially located along the conveyer module.

A vertical grill comprises a back chimney within the housing having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is in the form of one or more first openings in the back frame member, and the outlet being a second opening which is higher than the inlet. A first air intake located in at least one of the grill's panels. A removable tray module comprises a slide positioned at an incline between the front and back sides, configured to direct fats and break away solids to the front side of the tray. At least one channel is covered by the slide and configured for air flow. An external receptacle is positioned at the front side of the tray, wherein the slide leads into the receptacle so that fats and break away solids may be channeled into the external receptacle after traveling downwards along the incline of the slide.

A non-electric stovetop toaster that functions on various types of cooktops and is accommodative of various sizes and thicknesses of food contents. It folds flat to occupy a small, book sized volume and is designed for small kitchens (e.g. boats, motorhomes, cottages, apartments . . . ) where countertop space is too limited for an electric toaster. As with an electric toaster, both sides of the food contents are toasted simultaneously whereby good, even toasting results are produced through the combined action of A) IR diffusers, B) IR reflective sidewalls and C) an air filled heat shield.

There is provided an apparatus (200, 300, 400, 500) comprising: a container (210, 310, 410, 510) configured to receive a food stuff, a base unit (220, 320, 420, 520) comprising a mounting member and a plurality of outer supporting members (324, 424, 524), a weight sensing unit (230, 330, 430, 530) configured to measure a weight of the food stuff contained in the container, and a connection assembly (240, 340, 440, 540) arranged between the container and the base unit. The weight sensing unit comprises a plurality of strain gauge load sensors arranged at the mounting member of the base unit, and the connection assembly is configured to provide a flexible and insulating connection between the container and the base unit so as to counteract thermal strain interference at the weight sensing unit and to reduce heat transfer between the container and the weight sensing unit.

In an aspect, data characterizing an instruction for an activation of an igniter and an operating mode of a smoke generator that includes the igniter can be received. A first amount of energy required for an ignition of a fuel source by the igniter can be determined based on the operating mode characterized by the received data. The igniter can be caused to activate based on the received data. A second amount of energy, output by the igniter over a period of time during which the igniter is activated, can be determined. A determination of whether the second amount of energy exceeds the first amount of energy can be made. The igniter can be caused to deactivate in response to a determination that the second amount of energy exceeds the first amount of energy. Related systems, apparatus, techniques, and articles are also described.

In an aspect, data characterizing an instruction for an activation of an igniter and an operating mode of a smoke generator that includes the igniter can be received. A first amount of energy required for an ignition of a fuel source by the igniter can be determined based on the operating mode characterized by the received data. The igniter can be caused to activate based on the received data. A second amount of energy, output by the igniter over a period of time during which the igniter is activated, can be determined. A determination of whether the second amount of energy exceeds the first amount of energy can be made. The igniter can be caused to deactivate in response to a determination that the second amount of energy exceeds the first amount of energy. Related systems, apparatus, techniques, and articles are also described.

A cooking device having a liquid containing well in a center surrounded by a connected flange positioned or formed at an angle to the well for draining liquid into the well, and has a controllable flame directed to said well. A collapsible stand has a frame that holds the cooking device and the source of the flame, and has articulated legs selectively collapsible alongside the frame.

A support stand for barbeque grills and camping gear, incorporating a telescoping, height-adjustable tube, with two ends, wherein the first end has been designed to accept, for positioning on the ground, an auger bit or a land stand, and the second end has been designed to accept an interchangeable mounting hub utilizing either screws or collapsible magnetic arms to hold barbeque grills and other camping gear.