A method of operating a cooktop appliance includes inputting a temperature measurement and a set temperature into a closed-loop control algorithm. When the output of the closed-loop control algorithm is less than a power level threshold, a first control valve to a gas burner of the cooktop appliance is closed.

A cooking appliance includes a gas cooking element, an electromechanical valve fluidly coupled with the gas cooking element to regulate a flow of gas to the cooking element, a flame detector configured to detect an active state of a flame for the gas cooking element, a manually-actuated user control movable over a range of positions, and a controller coupled to the electromechanical valve, the flame detector, and the manually-actuated user control. The controller is configured to initiate a calibration process to determine an active range for the gas cooking element.

The invention is an automatic heat-source shut-off system for cooking stoves. When a burner's flame is turned on, or an electric stove's heating element is turned on, the invention begins a timed sequence that upon expiring causes the heat-source control shaft to be returned to the heat-off position.

A cooking appliance and method generate an audible and/or visual indication to a user when a user control for a gas burner is in a position within which an igniter is active and a gas valve is supplying sufficient gas flow to the gas burner to support ignition and thereby assist a user in properly positioning the user control during ignition of the burner.

A gas valve unit for setting a gas volumetric flow to a twin-circuit gas burner of a gas appliance includes a valve body having a gas inlet and two gas outlets, and a control mechanism for adjusting the gas volumetric flow to at least one of the gas outlets in a multiple-stage manner. The control mechanism has a zero position in which the gas volumetric flow to the gas outlets is interrupted, and a switching position which is adjacent to the zero position and in which the gas volumetric flow is set to a maximum value.

A cooking appliance includes a gas cooking element, an electromechanical valve fluidly coupled with the gas cooking element to regulate a flow of gas to the cooking element, a flame detector configured to detect an active state of a flame for the gas cooking element, a manually-actuated user control movable over a range of positions, and a controller coupled to the electromechanical valve, the flame detector, and the manually-actuated user control. The controller is configured to initiate a calibration process to determine an active range for the gas cooking element.

A cooking appliance and method generate an audible and/or visual indication to a user when a user control for a gas burner is in a position within which an igniter is active and a gas valve is supplying sufficient gas flow to the gas burner to support ignition and thereby assist a user in properly positioning the user control during ignition of the burner.

A cooking appliance and method control the power consumption of a plurality of electrical loads in response to an ambient temperature sensed by a temperature sensor to maintain a combined power consumption within a temperature-dependent output capability of a low voltage power supply used in the cooking appliance.

A cooking appliance and method utilize a rotary burner control with a rotary control actuator, a position sensor, and an electronic burner control user interface to control an electromechanical valve unit that regulates gas flow to a gas burner.

A knob assembly and an appliance having a knob assembly are provided. The knob assembly may include a knob configured to be rotatably installed, a knob ring configured to surround the knob and to be rotated independently from the knob, a spring configured to provide an elastic force so as to return the knob ring toward an initial position when the knob ring is rotated to a position spaced apart from the initial position, and a magnetic force provider configured to provide a magnetic force to return the knob ring to the initial position when the knob ring is at a position adjacent to the initial position.