The present invention relates to a method (100) of controlling a cooking process of a food. The method comprises a step of detecting (S101) a weight change of a first vaporizable component in the food over a first period of time. The method also comprises a step of determining (S102) an initial status of the food at least partially based on the detected weight change of the first vaporizable component in the food. The method also comprises a step of controlling (S103) the cooking process at least partially based on the determined initial status of the food. The invention also relates to corresponding apparatus and computer program product.

A toaster oven comprising a housing defining a food cavity, an opening defined in the housing, a door movably affixed to the housing, a cooking grid selectively mountable within the housing, one or more heating elements within the housing, a timer controlling activation of the heating elements, and a timer control knob engaged with the timer. The timer control knob is selectively rotatable in a second direction from the off position to a third position to activate at least one of the one or more heating elements until the timer control knob is selectively rotated in the first direction back to the off position. The timer control knob has a selectively depressible pushbutton, such that the timer control knob is only selectively rotatable in the second direction from the off position to the third position when the pushbutton is depressed.

A toaster oven comprising a housing defining a food cavity, an opening defined in the housing, a door movably affixed to the housing, a cooking grid selectively mountable within the housing, one or more heating elements within the housing, a timer controlling activation of the heating elements, and a timer control knob engaged with the timer. The timer control knob is selectively rotatable in a second direction from the off position to a third position to activate at least one of the one or more heating elements until the timer control knob is selectively rotated in the first direction back to the off position. The timer control knob has a selectively movable button, such that the timer control knob is only selectively rotatable in the second direction from the off position to the third position when the button is moved from a first position to a second position.

A heating appliance includes a translucent cooktop and a burner in communication with the cooktop. The burner is operable between deactive and active states. The upper surface of the cooktop defines a cooldown state after the burner is moved from the active to the deactive state. A light module includes a light source and is in an illuminated state when the burner is in the active state and when the cooktop is in the cooldown state. A light guide extends from the light module and around a portion of the burner. The light guide is positioned such that the light source directs light through the light guide. The outer surface of the light guide includes a formed surface that directs light upward and through the cooktop, wherein the light guide is visible through the cooktop when the light module is in the illuminated state.

A cooktop appliance includes a bimetallic switch is positioned adjacent an electrical heating element. A first electrical conduit is coupled to a first terminal of the electrical heating element and is configured to operate at a first voltage, L1, with respect to ground. A second electrical conduit is configured to operate at a second voltage, L2, with respect to ground. A relay is configured such that the relay connects the second electrical conduit to a second terminal of the electrical heating element when the bimetallic switch is in the first configuration and is also configured such that the relay connects a neutral electrical conduit to the second terminal of the electrical heating element when the bimetallic switch is in the second configuration.