A method for operating a cooktop appliance is provided. The method includes determining a temperature of a cooking utensil positioned on a heating element of the cooktop appliance, as well as determining a temperature of a food in the utensil positioned on the heating element of the cooktop appliance. The method also includes calculating a temperature differential between the temperatures of the food in the cooking utensil and of the cooking utensil itself. Subsequently, the method includes controlling a heating temperature of the heating element to reduce the temperature differential when the temperature differential is greater than a predetermined threshold to, e.g., reduce a risk of burning a portion of the food in the utensil.

A cooking appliance having a cooktop that is regulated by a fire prevention module is provided. In addition to its fire prevention and safety features, the fire prevention module includes a communication module that enables communication between the cooktop appliance and a remote device, such as a smartphone or tablet computer. Using this communication link, the fire prevention module can be used to expand the ability of a user to monitor and/or control operation of the cooktop appliance from a remote location. For example, using a software application on their smartphone, a user may monitor the temperature of a cooking utensil and initiate a particular cooking profile, or be notified when an unsafe cooking condition might be present and that the cooktop unit has been automatically deactivated to remedy the situation.

A cooking appliance having a cooktop that is regulated by a fire prevention module is provided. In addition to its fire prevention and safety features, the fire prevention module includes a communication module that enables communication between the cooktop appliance and a remote device, such as a smartphone or tablet computer. Using this communication link, the fire prevention module can be used to expand the ability of a user to monitor and/or control operation of the cooktop appliance from a remote location. For example, using a software application on their smartphone, a user may monitor the temperature of a cooking utensil and initiate a particular cooking profile, or be notified when an unsafe cooking condition might be present and that the cooktop unit has been automatically deactivated to remedy the situation.

An electric heater includes a substrate, a first outer pattern part disposed on one surface of the substrate and to connect with a pair of first electrodes, a second outer pattern part to connect with the pair of first electrodes in parallel with the first outer pattern part and to be spaced apart from the first outer pattern part, and an inner pattern part disposed on one surface of the substrate so as to be located such that the first outer pattern part and the second outer pattern part surround the inner pattern part, to be spaced apart from the first outer pattern part and the second outer pattern part, and to connect with a pair of second electrodes spaced apart from the pair of first electrodes.

An electric heater includes a substrate, a first outer pattern part disposed on one surface of the substrate and to connect with a pair of first electrodes, a second outer pattern part to connect with the pair of first electrodes in parallel with the first outer pattern part and to be spaced apart from the first outer pattern part, and an inner pattern part disposed on one surface of the substrate so as to be located such that the first outer pattern part and the second outer pattern part surround the inner pattern part, to be spaced apart from the first outer pattern part and the second outer pattern part, and to connect with a pair of second electrodes spaced apart from the pair of first electrodes.

An electric stovetop includes a vitroceramic top part, an electric heating element built-in below the top part, and a bottom box with the electric heating element mounted through the bottom box. The electrical heating element can include parallel and equidistant tracks defining a rectangular heating area. Each track is divided into three segments, a large central part and two smaller end parts. Each track is positioned corresponding to a sliding button for controlling power to start heating and to control intensity of heat. The sliding button sets each track according to at least three stages of activation: no power, power to the central part, and power to the smaller ends. There can be an intermediate position defined by a midpoint with a tactile stop to indicate the transition from the second stage to the third stage.

An electric stovetop includes a vitroceramic top part, an electric heating element built-in below the top part, and a bottom box with the electric heating element mounted through the bottom box. The electrical heating element can include parallel and equidistant tracks defining a rectangular heating area. Each track is divided into three segments, a large central part and two smaller end parts. Each track is positioned corresponding to a sliding button for controlling power to start heating and to control intensity of heat. The sliding button sets each track according to at least three stages of activation: no power, power to the central part, and power to the smaller ends. There can be an intermediate position defined by a midpoint with a tactile stop to indicate the transition from the second stage to the third stage.

Provided is a cooking system that provides for a plurality of cooking types in one apparatus. The cooking system includes an upper assembly releasably retaining one of a plurality of upper cooking plates and a lower assembly releasably retaining one of a plurality of lower cooking plates. The upper assembly is rotatably coupled to the lower assembly on an end of each assembly. The lower assembly supports the cooking system on a cooking surface and the upper assembly moves between an opened position with the retained upper cooking plate rotated away from the retained lower cooking plate and a closed position with the retained upper cooking plate adjacent the retained lower cooking plate. The plurality of upper cooking plates correspond to the plurality of lower cooking plates for one of eight predetermined types of cooking.

Provided is a cooking system that provides for a plurality of cooking types in one apparatus. The cooking system includes an upper assembly releasably retaining one of a plurality of upper cooking plates and a lower assembly releasably retaining one of a plurality of lower cooking plates. The upper assembly is rotatably coupled to the lower assembly on an end of each assembly. The lower assembly supports the cooking system on a cooking surface and the upper assembly moves between an opened position with the retained upper cooking plate rotated away from the retained lower cooking plate and a closed position with the retained upper cooking plate adjacent the retained lower cooking plate. The plurality of upper cooking plates correspond to the plurality of lower cooking plates for one of eight predetermined types of cooking.

A method of heating/cooling one or more substrates includes placing the one or more substrates on a rotatable hot-cold plate, wherein each substrate of the one or more substrates is placed on a corresponding sub-plate of a plurality of sub-plates of the rotatable hot-cold plate. The method further includes rotating the one or more substrates, wherein rotating the one or more substrates comprises rotating each substrate of the one or more substrates independently. The method further includes heating or cooling the one or more substrates using a heating-cooling element, wherein rotating the one or more substrates comprises rotating the one or more substrates relative to the heating-cooling element.