There is provided a modular barbecue system and kits for adapting a gas barbecue to other types of cooking and other uses. The modular barbecue system comprises a heating compartment having a bottom wall and a peripheral defining a cavity, a heat source provided in the cavity of the heating compartment, a plurality of add-on components receivable in the cavity of the heating compartment, a plurality of steps provided in the cavity of the heating compartment for supporting the add-on components at different distances relative to the heat source. Add-on components such as a large basin, a flat basin, a perforated plate system, a strainer, a lid and a pump are combined to form a plurality of kits enabling steam cooking, maple sap boiling, double boiling, coal fire cooking, boiling, smoke cooking and water heating to expand the typical grilling method of a gas barbecue to various cooking techniques.

Disclosed herein are induction heating articles and vessels and methods for applying insulating coatings thereto. In one aspect, an induction heating vessel of the present invention includes a ferromagnetic substrate and an insulating coating layer attached to the substrate, the insulating coating layer being characterized by a thermal conductivity of less than about 1.0 W/mK and a Shore A hardness of less than about 70.

Disclosed herein are induction heating articles and vessels and methods for applying insulating coatings thereto. In one aspect, an induction heating vessel of the present invention includes a ferromagnetic substrate and an insulating coating layer attached to the substrate, the insulating coating layer being characterized by a thermal conductivity of less than about 1.0 W/mK and a Shore A hardness of less than about 70.

An electric kettle system designed for particular use onboard passenger transportation vehicles. In many instances, hot beverages are brewed using a separate beverage maker system, but it may be desirable to maintain the warmth/heat of a kettle containing the hot beverage that is separate from the beverage maker system. The electric kettle system described provides a base and a carafe with a locking connection therebetween. The system incorporates a heater plate within the carafe, and the heater plate is activated when the carafe is positioned on the base.

A kettle includes a kettle body and a kettle lid. A water fill inlet is defined through the kettle lid and the kettle lid further comprises a water filling flap movably disposed below the water fill inlet for movement between a sealing position and an unsealing position with respect to the inlet. A closure mechanism is configured to apply a resilient drive force to bias the water filling flap toward its sealing position so as to enable the water filling flap to seal the water fill inlet. The water filling flap is configured to be moved toward its unsealing position to open the water fill inlet under the weight of water in the water fill inlet.

An improved fluid level sensor includes a radially magnetized magnet integrated into a float, and a Hall sensor adapted to monitor the magnet field emitted from the magnet. This arrangement provides a continuously variable signal across a range of travel, such that a controller receiving the signal can produce precise fluid level measurements and detect operational states of an associated device based on fluid behavior. In addition, the present fluid level sensor is suitable for use in harsh service environments, both because it is physically resilient to fouling, and because the controller is capable of detecting fouling by sensor behavior. In the context of a steam cooker, the present fluid level sensor can also sense low-water, overfill and fouling conditions, while remaining relatively insensitive to food residue, water scale buildup, corrosion and foaming.

An appliance for making a beverage, the appliance comprising: a plurality of heating components for heating a liquid, and a power management system, wherein the power management system comprises: an energy storage device, wherein at least a first function of the appliance requires simultaneous operation of a first heating component and a second heating component of the plurality of heating components, and wherein at least the first heating component comprises a first heater element and a second heater element, where the first heater element is powered using mains power, and the second heater element is powered using the energy storage device.

A kitchen appliance is described. The kitchen appliance has a chamber delimited by a wall arrangement and a lid for sealing the chamber. The lid is attached to the wall arrangement through a hinge mechanism having an arm and a further arm. The arm has a first terminal portion attached to the wall arrangement through a first pivot proximal to a first end portion of the lid and an opposing second terminal portion attached to an intermediate portion of the lid through a second pivot. The further arm has a first further terminal portion attached to an intermediate portion of the arm in between the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion through a third pivot and a second further terminal portion terminating in a sliding arrangement on the lid in between the second pivot and the first end portion of the lid.

Systems to allow temperature control more precise and accurate than the current state of the art for consumer products that heat liquids such as, without limitation, coffee makers, tea makers, electric kettles and espresso machines. One feature of such systems may include the ability to calibrate the system with reference to a known temperature point. Another feature of such system may allow reduction in the rate of water heating to allow the temperature of the water to approach a target temperature in a gradual manner.

An appliance (10) to heat a liquid, the appliance (10) including: a hollow body (16) providing a chamber (23) to receive the liquid, the body (16) having a bottom wall (17) and a side wall (18) extending upwardly from the bottom wall (17) so as to surround the chamber (23); an electrical resistance heater (27) fixed to the body (16) and to which electric power is delivered so that the heater (27) has a raised temperature to heat the liquid contained in the chamber (23); a switch (29), adjacent the heater (27), that receives electric power and delivers electric power to the heater (27), the switch (29) being mounted in the body (16) and located so that heat generated by the switch (29) can be delivered to the liquid via conduction; and wherein the switch (29) is mounted on the body (16) to inhibit heat transfer by conduction between the heater (27) and switch (29).