A gas oven appliance includes a cooking chamber, a gas burner positioned in the cooking chamber, an igniter positioned at the gas burner, and a gas valve coupled to the igniter. The gas valve includes a bimetallic strip. A controller is configured to operate the igniter. The controller cycles the ignitor between on and off at an interval of time to at least keep the bimetallic strip above a temperature threshold.

A gas oven appliance includes a cooking chamber, a gas burner positioned in the cooking chamber, an igniter positioned at the gas burner, and a gas valve coupled to the igniter. The gas valve includes a bimetallic strip. A controller is configured to operate the igniter. The controller cycles the ignitor between on and off at an interval of time to at least keep the bimetallic strip above a temperature threshold.

Hot surface igniter assemblies used in cooktops are shown and described. The hot surface igniters include a silicon nitride ceramic body with an embedded, resistive, heat-generating circuit. When energized, the circuit generates temperatures in excess of 2000° F. in under 4 seconds to ignite cooking gas such as natural gas. To prevent damage to the igniter during use or cleaning, an insulator assembly is provided which protects the distal end of the igniter ceramic body from damage while still exposing it to the cooking gas flow from the burner. In addition, a number of different terminal connection schemes for connecting the igniters to a power source are shown and described.

Hot surface igniter assemblies used in cooktops are shown and described. The hot surface igniters include a silicon nitride ceramic body with an embedded, resistive, heat-generating circuit. When energized, the circuit generates temperatures in excess of 2000° F. in under 4 seconds to ignite cooking gas such as natural gas. To prevent damage to the igniter during use or cleaning, an insulator assembly is provided which protects the distal end of the igniter ceramic body from damage while still exposing it to the cooking gas flow from the burner. In addition, a number of different terminal connection schemes for connecting the igniters to a power source are shown and described.

A tool includes a barrel, a guiding wire, and an electrically conductive member. The barrel is made of electrically conductive material. The guiding wire is disposed in the barrel. The barrel and the guiding wire are directly or indirectly connected to two opposite electrodes of a power source. The electrically conductive member is connected to an outer periphery of the guiding wire and is electrically connected to the guiding wire. The electrically conductive member is disposed between the barrel and the guiding wire and is spaced from the barrel. When the power source is activated, an electric arc is generated between the electrically conductive member and the barrel.

A tool includes a barrel, a guiding wire, and an electrically conductive member. The barrel is made of electrically conductive material. The guiding wire is disposed in the barrel. The barrel and the guiding wire are directly or indirectly connected to two opposite electrodes of a power source. The electrically conductive member is connected to an outer periphery of the guiding wire and is electrically connected to the guiding wire. The electrically conductive member is disposed between the barrel and the guiding wire and is spaced from the barrel. When the power source is activated, an electric arc is generated between the electrically conductive member and the barrel.

Hot surface igniter assemblies used in cooktops are shown and described. The hot surface igniters include a silicon nitride ceramic body with an embedded, resistive, heat-generating circuit. The igniters are less than 0.04 inches thick, and when energized, they reach surface temperatures in excess of 2000 F. in under 4 seconds to ignite cooking gas such as propane, butane, or natural gas. Examples of cook top burner systems are also provided which allow the igniter to remain on after ignition at a power level that is lower than during ignition but high enough to ignite the cooking gas should a flame out occur. Examples are also provided of burners that ignite on a low flow setting (e.g., simmer) as opposed the high flow settings that are common in cook top industry.

Hot surface igniter assemblies used in cooktops are shown and described. The hot surface igniters include a silicon nitride ceramic body with an embedded, resistive, heat-generating circuit. When energized, the circuit generates temperatures in excess of 2000 F. in under 4 seconds to ignite cooking gas such as natural gas. To prevent damage to the igniter during use or cleaning, an insulator assembly is provided which protects the distal end of the igniter ceramic body from damage while still exposing it to the cooking gas flow from the burner. In addition, a number of different terminal connection schemes for connecting the igniters to a power source are shown and described.

Hot surface igniter assemblies used in cooktops are shown and described. The hot surface igniters include a silicon nitride ceramic body with an embedded, resistive, heat-generating circuit. When energized, the circuit generates temperatures in excess of 2000 F. in under 4 seconds to ignite cooking gas such as natural gas. To prevent damage to the igniter during use or cleaning, an insulator assembly is provided which protects the distal end of the igniter ceramic body from damage while still exposing it to the cooking gas flow from the burner. In addition, a number of different terminal connection schemes for connecting the igniters to a power source are shown and described.

A gas oven appliance includes a cooking chamber, a gas burner positioned in the cooking chamber, an igniter positioned at the gas burner, and a gas valve coupled to the igniter. The gas valve includes a bimetallic strip. A controller is configured to operate the igniter. The controller cycles the ignitor between on and off at an interval of time to at least keep the bimetallic strip above a temperature threshold.