An oven appliance may include a cabinet, a plurality of chamber walls, a cooking surface, a top heating element, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The cooking surface may be defined in a cooking chamber. The top heating element may be mounted above the cooking surface to heat the cooking chamber. The temperature sensor may be disposed within the cabinet. The controller may be configured to initiate a cooking operation that includes initiating preheat activation of the top heating element, receiving temperature signals from the temperature sensor during the preheat activation, determining a preheat threshold is met based on the received temperature signals, and initiating cooking activation of the top heating element based on a cooking cycle having a predetermined time interval subsequent to determining the preheat threshold is met. Initiating cooking activation may include directing the top heating element based on the cooking cycle for the predetermined time interval.

Provided is an apparatus and method for a digital power supply that can provide independent power control, and control variable power, for two or more electrical loads. Disclosed embodiments may reduce the magnitude of harmonic currents and/or flicker introduced into a power system. Embodiments include a microprocessor that delivers power to electric loads using phase-controlled AC current. The microprocessor may calculate a power array corresponding to a requested power for each electric load. Logic is provided for populating the power array in a pattern that reduces the magnitude of harmonic currents and flicker.

Provided is an apparatus and method for a digital power supply that can provide independent power control, and control variable power, for two or more electrical loads. Disclosed embodiments may reduce the magnitude of harmonic currents and/or flicker introduced into a power system. Embodiments include a microprocessor that delivers power to electric loads using phase-controlled AC current. The microprocessor may calculate a power array corresponding to a requested power for each electric load. Logic is provided for populating the power array in a pattern that reduces the magnitude of harmonic currents and flicker.

An apparatus and method for controlling the movement of liquids into and out of a container is described. The cleanable, portable, fully automated apparatus includes a main container for holding the food product, a liquid inlet container having a liquid inlet and inlet valve for controllably providing liquid into the main container and a liquid outlet container receiving liquid drained from the main container. A heater automatically heats the main container and a motor rotates or otherwise moves the main container from a receiving position for receiving fresh liquid from the inlet container to a drainage position for draining waste liquid via gravity from the main container into the outlet container. This rotation/movement of the main container can be used repeatedly to add fresh liquid and remove waste liquid during multiple fully automated cycles (e.g., sprouting, rinsing, soaking, cooking, etc.) that do not require user interaction.

A gas cooktop may include: a gas burner; a sensor configured to sense temperature of a cooking container heated by the gas burner; a valve configured to control flow rate of gas from a gas source to the gas burner; and a control system including circuitry. The control system may start operation of the gas burner; receive sensor signals from the sensor indicating the temperature of the cooking container; and based on received sensor signals representing the sensed temperature of the cooking container and a cooking profile indicating one or more durations and one or more temperatures, control the valve to change the gas flow rate to the gas burner.

A gas cooktop may include: a gas burner; a sensor configured to sense temperature of a cooking container heated by the gas burner; a valve configured to control flow rate of gas from a gas source to the gas burner; and a control system including circuitry. The control system may start operation of the gas burner; receive sensor signals from the sensor indicating the temperature of the cooking container; and based on received sensor signals representing the sensed temperature of the cooking container and a cooking profile indicating one or more durations and one or more temperatures, control the valve to change the gas flow rate to the gas burner.

A method of preparing soy milk using a blender and the blender includes heating beans and water in a predetermined proportion to a first predetermined temperature, cooking the beans at a second predetermined temperature such that the beans are well-cooked, and grinding the well-cooked beans. The method of preparing soy milk can solve the overflow problem that occurs in the preparation of the soy milk and provides delicious and nutritious soy milk.

A method of preparing soy milk using a blender and the blender includes heating beans and water in a predetermined proportion to a first predetermined temperature, cooking the beans at a second predetermined temperature such that the beans are well-cooked, and grinding the well-cooked beans. The method of preparing soy milk can solve the overflow problem that occurs in the preparation of the soy milk and provides delicious and nutritious soy milk.

A sensor-enabled range hood can be used with a cooking appliance. Information from multiple sensors can be used to determine whether abnormal or hazardous conditions are present, such as when unattended cooking is detected. A local indication or a remote notification can be generated in response to one or more conditions. A control signal to control a cooking appliance or range hood can be issued in response to one or more conditions. A remediation signal to address an actual fire present can be issued, such as to trigger fire remediation.

A sensor-enabled range hood can be used with a cooking appliance. Information from multiple sensors can be used to determine whether abnormal or hazardous conditions are present, such as when unattended cooking is detected. A local indication or a remote notification can be generated in response to one or more conditions. A control signal to control a cooking appliance or range hood can be issued in response to one or more conditions. A remediation signal to address an actual fire present can be issued, such as to trigger fire remediation.