Provided is a push-to-open latch for an oven appliance and other household appliances. The push-to-open latch includes an integrated locking device for locking an appliance door in place and initiate a downstream appliance function such as a self-cleaning function. The integrated locking device includes a rotating cam having a latching slot which engages a pawl. The rotating cam also includes a guiding ramp and a catch surface which may be used to engage a latching finger to lock the cam in place. In addition, the locking device may include a locking slide and a locking slide pin that is actuated by a solenoid to engage the cam. Once the appliance door is locked, one or more switches send a signal to the appliance controller to activate the downstream function.

A method of controlling a cooking apparatus, comprising a cleaning process comprising controlling a temperature in a cooking chamber such that the temperature in the cooking chamber is maintained at a preset first temperature for a preset first time, and controlling a temperature in a cooking chamber such that the temperature in the cooking chamber is maintained at a preset second temperature higher than the first temperature for a preset second time. A cooking apparatus comprising, a main body having a cooking chamber formed therein, a convection flow unit comprising a convection heater to heat air in the cooking chamber and a convection fan to circulate the air in the cooking chamber, and a metal foam installed at a periphery of the convection flow unit to collect and decompose cooking gas contained in the air in the cooking chamber.

A method of controlling a cooking apparatus, comprising a cleaning process comprising controlling a temperature in a cooking chamber such that the temperature in the cooking chamber is maintained at a preset first temperature for a preset first time, and controlling a temperature in a cooking chamber such that the temperature in the cooking chamber is maintained at a preset second temperature higher than the first temperature for a preset second time. A cooking apparatus comprising, a main body having a cooking chamber formed therein, a convection flow unit comprising a convection heater to heat air in the cooking chamber and a convection fan to circulate the air in the cooking chamber, and a metal foam installed at a periphery of the convection flow unit to collect and decompose cooking gas contained in the air in the cooking chamber.

A cooking system positionable on a support surface includes a housing having a hollow chamber including an internal cooking chamber for receiving a food item, at least one radiative heating element arranged within the hollow interior and operable to heat said cooking chamber and a convection heater disposed within the hollow chamber and operable to heat the cooking chamber. The cooking system is operable in a convection cooking mode and during the convection cooking mode, the at least one radiative heating element is selectively energized.

A cooking appliance includes an oven cavity and a door for selectively opening and closing the oven cavity. The door includes an interior space and a latch opening defining a hole into the interior space. A spill receptacle is provided within the door and is aligned with the latch opening. The receptacle defines a compartment that is isolated from the interior space of the door and oriented to capture foreign items that penetrate the latch opening. In one example, a door latch is provided latch for locking the door in a closed position. The latch includes a hook member receivable through the latch opening when the door is in the closed position.

A cooking appliance includes an oven cavity and a door for selectively opening and closing the oven cavity. The door includes an interior space and a latch opening defining a hole into the interior space. A spill receptacle is provided within the door and is aligned with the latch opening. The receptacle defines a compartment that is isolated from the interior space of the door and oriented to capture foreign items that penetrate the latch opening. In one example, a door latch is provided latch for locking the door in a closed position. The latch includes a hook member receivable through the latch opening when the door is in the closed position.

A cooking apparatus including a filter which may efficiently collect gas and smoke generated in a pyro-cleaning process, and a method of controlling the same. The cooking apparatus includes a main body having a cooking chamber formed therein, a vent unit configured to discharge gas in the cooking chamber to the outside of the main body, and a filter installed in at least one of the cooking chamber and the vent unit to collect gas or smoke generated in the cooking chamber. The filter includes a metal sheet.

A cooking apparatus including a filter which may efficiently collect gas and smoke generated in a pyro-cleaning process, and a method of controlling the same. The cooking apparatus includes a main body having a cooking chamber formed therein, a vent unit configured to discharge gas in the cooking chamber to the outside of the main body, and a filter installed in at least one of the cooking chamber and the vent unit to collect gas or smoke generated in the cooking chamber. The filter includes a metal sheet.

A conveyor oven having a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation is provided. The conveyor oven generally includes an oven chamber in which food is cooked, a conveyor movable to convey the food through the oven chamber, a burner to generate heat for the oven chamber, at least one blower to circulate air within the oven chamber, and a controller. The burner has a combustion airflow rate, and operates at a first output during the first mode of operation and at a second output that is greater than the first output during the second mode of operation. The blower operates at a first speed during the first mode of operation and at a second speed that is faster than the first speed during the second mode of operation. The controller is responsive to at least one of a burner output and an internal temperature of the oven chamber, and increases the speed of the blower from the first speed during the first mode of operation to the second speed during the second mode of operation responsive to at least one of an increase of the burner output and an increase of the internal temperature of the oven chamber.

A conveyor oven having a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation is provided. The conveyor oven generally includes an oven chamber in which food is cooked, a conveyor movable to convey the food through the oven chamber, a burner to generate heat for the oven chamber, at least one blower to circulate air within the oven chamber, and a controller. The burner has a combustion airflow rate, and operates at a first output during the first mode of operation and at a second output that is greater than the first output during the second mode of operation. The blower operates at a first speed during the first mode of operation and at a second speed that is faster than the first speed during the second mode of operation. The controller is responsive to at least one of a burner output and an internal temperature of the oven chamber, and increases the speed of the blower from the first speed during the first mode of operation to the second speed during the second mode of operation responsive to at least one of an increase of the burner output and an increase of the internal temperature of the oven chamber.