Cooking appliance

Abstract

A cooking appliance is disclosed that includes a cooking cavity, a first heating element disposed adjacent a top of the cooking cavity, a second heating element disposed adjacent a bottom of the cooking cavity, a temperature sensor adapted to sense the temperature of air within the cooking cavity, a blower arranged to agitate the air within the cooking cavity, a cookware device removably disposed above and in thermal communication with the second heating element, and a controller adapted to manually receiving cooking parameters from a user and sensed temperature information and to independently and selectively control the heating elements and the blower according thereto.

1 . A cooking appliance comprising;
 a housing defining a cooking cavity;   a first air heating element disposed adjacent a top of the cooking cavity;   a second heating element disposed adjacent a bottom of the cooking cavity;   a temperature sensor adapted to sense a temperature of air within the cooking cavity;   a blower arranged to agitate air within the cooking cavity;   a cookware device removably disposed above the second heating element and in thermal communication therewith such that heating of food on the cookware device is selectively provided thereby; and   a controller adapted to manually receive cooking parameters from a user and sensed temperature information from the first temperature sensor and to selectively control the heating elements and the blower according thereto; wherein   the cookware device has a first foot-print with a first area and the second heating element has a second foot-print with a second area at least 40 percent of the first area.   
     
     
         2 . The cooking appliance of  claim 1  wherein;
 the cookware device is removably disposed atop and in physical contact with the second heating element, such that contact-cooking of food on the cookware device is selectively provided thereby. 
 
     
     
         3 . The cooking appliance of  claim 2  wherein the temperature sensor is adapted to sense a temperature of the air within an upper portion of the cooking cavity, and further comprising a second temperature sensor adapted to sense a temperature of air within a lower portion of the cooking cavity;
 and wherein the controller is adapted to manually receive cooking parameters from the user and sensed temperature information from the first and second temperature sensors and to independently and selectively control the heating elements and the blower according thereto. 
 
     
     
         4 . The cooking appliance of  claim 3  wherein the controller is further adapted to independently and selectively control the heating elements and the blower according to a comparison of the temperatures sensed by the first and second temperature sensors. 
     
     
         5 . The cooking appliance of  claim 3  wherein the controller is further adapted to independently and selectively control the heating elements and the blower according to an average of the temperatures sensed by the first and second temperature sensors. 
     
     
         6 . The cooking appliance of  claim 1  wherein;
 the cookware device is removably disposed above the second heating element with a gap therebetween, such that radiant-cooking of food on the cookware device is selectively provided thereby. 
 
     
     
         7 . The cooking appliance of  claim 7  wherein the first temperature sensor is adapted to sense a temperature of the air within an upper portion of the cooking cavity, and further comprising a second temperature sensor adapted to sense a temperature of air within a lower portion of the cooking cavity;
 and wherein the controller is adapted to manually receive cooking parameters from the user and sensed temperature information from the first and second temperature sensors and to independently and selectively control the heating elements and the blower according thereto. 
 
     
     
         8 . The cooking appliance of  claim 7  wherein the controller is further adapted to independently and selectively control the heating elements and the blower according to a comparison of the temperatures sensed by the first and second temperature sensors. 
     
     
         9 . The cooking appliance of  claim 7  wherein the controller is further adapted to independently and selectively control the heating elements and the blower according to an average of the temperatures sensed by the first and second temperature sensors. 
     
     
         10 . The cooking appliance of  claim 1  wherein the second heating element is of a type taken from the group including one or more straight tubular heating elements, one or more circular tubular heating elements, one or more oval tubular heating elements, one or more U-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more wide U-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more M-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more multi M-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more spiral tubular heating elements, one or more animal-shaped heating elements, one or more snake-shaped heating elements, one or more quartz tubular heating elements, one or more offset Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more scalloped tubular heating elements, one or more X-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more multi-loop Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more offset multi-loop Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more fan-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more concentric ringed tubular heating elements, one or more C-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more looped Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more double star-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more star-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more double burst-shaped tubular heating elements, and one or more burst-shaped tubular heating elements. 
     
     
         11 . The cooking appliance of  claim 1  wherein the cookware device is from the group including a lidded or unlidded cooking pot, a slow-cooking pot, a rice pot, baking pan or tray, a grill plate, and a griddle plate. 
     
     
         12 . A cooking appliance comprising;
 a housing defining a cooking cavity;   a first air heating element disposed adjacent a top of the cooking cavity;   a second heating element disposed adjacent a bottom of the cooking cavity;   a first temperature sensor adapted to sense a temperature of air within an upper portion of the cooking cavity;   a second temperature sensor adapted to sense a temperature of air within a lower portion of the cooking cavity;   a blower arranged to agitate air within the cooking cavity;   a cookware device removably disposed above the second heating element and in thermal communication therewith such that heating of food on the cookware device is selectively provided thereby; and   a controller adapted to manually receive cooking parameters from a user and sensed temperature information from the first and second temperature sensors and to selectively control the heating elements and the blower according thereto.   
     
     
         13 . The cooking appliance of  claim 12  wherein;
 the cookware device is removably disposed atop and in physical contact with the second heating element, such that contact-cooking of food on the cookware device is selectively provided thereby. 
 
     
     
         14 . The cooking appliance of  claim 13  wherein the controller is further adapted to independently and selectively control the heating elements and the blower according to a comparison of the temperatures sensed by the first and second temperature sensors. 
     
     
         15 . The cooking appliance of  claim 14  wherein the cookware device has a first foot-print with a first area and the second heating element has a second foot-print with a second area at least 40 percent of the first area. 
     
     
         16 . The cooking appliance of  claim 13  wherein the controller is further adapted to independently and selectively control the heating elements and the blower according to an average of the temperatures sensed by the first and second temperature sensors. 
     
     
         17 . The cooking appliance of  claim 16  wherein the cookware device has a first foot-print with a first area and the second heating element has a second foot-print with a second area at least 40 percent of the first area. 
     
     
         18 . The cooking appliance of  claim 12  wherein;
 The cookware device is removably disposed above the second heating element, with a gap therebetween, such that radiant-cooking of food on the cookware device is selectively provided thereby. 
 
     
     
         19 . The cooking appliance of  claim 18  wherein the controller is further adapted to independently and selectively control the heating elements and the blower according to a comparison of the temperatures sensed by the first and second temperature sensors. 
     
     
         20 . The cooking appliance of  claim 19  wherein the cookware device has a first foot-print with a first area and the second heating element has a second foot-print with a second area at least 40 percent of the first area. 
     
     
         21 . The cooking appliance of  claim 20  wherein the controller is further adapted to independently and selectively control the heating elements and the blower according to an average of the temperatures sensed by the first and second temperature sensors. 
     
     
         22 . The cooking appliance of  claim 21  wherein the cookware device has a first foot-print with a first area and the second heating element has a second foot-print with a second area at least 40 percent of the first area. 
     
     
         23 . The cooking appliance of  claim 12  wherein the second heating element is of a type taken from the group including one or more straight tubular heating elements, one or more circular tubular heating elements, one or more oval tubular heating elements, one or more U-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more wide U-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more M-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more multi M-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more spiral tubular heating elements, one or more animal-shaped heating elements, one or more snake-shaped heating elements, one or more quartz tubular heating elements, one or more offset Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more scalloped tubular heating elements, one or more X-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more multi-loop Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more offset multi-loop Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more fan-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more concentric ringed tubular heating elements, one or more C-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more looped Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more double star-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more star-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more double burst-shaped tubular heating elements, and one or more burst-shaped tubular heating elements. 
     
     
         24 . The cooking appliance of  claim 12  wherein the cookware device is from the group including a lidded or unlidded cooking pot, a slow-cooking pot, a rice pot, baking pan or tray, a grill plate, and a griddle plate. 
     
     
         25 . A cooking appliance comprising;
 a housing defining a cooking cavity;   a first air heating element disposed adjacent a top of the cooking cavity;   a second heating element disposed adjacent a bottom of the cooking cavity;   a first temperature sensor adapted to sense a temperature of air within an upper portion of the cooking cavity;   a second temperature sensor adapted to sense a temperature of air within a lower portion of the cooking cavity;   a blower arranged to agitate air within the cooking cavity;   a cookware device removably disposed above the second heating element and in thermal communication therewith, with a gap therebetween, such that radiant-cooking of food on the cookware device is selectively provided thereby; and   a controller adapted to manually receive cooking parameters from a user and sensed temperature information from the first and second temperature sensors and to selectively control the heating elements and the blower according thereto.   
     
     
         26 . The cooking appliance of  claim 25  wherein the controller is adapted to manually receive cooking parameters from the user and sensed temperature information from the first and second temperature sensors and to independently and selectively control the heating elements and the blower according thereto. 
     
     
         27 . The cooking appliance of  claim 26  wherein the controller is further adapted to independently and selectively control the heating elements and the blower according to a comparison of the temperatures sensed by the first and second temperature sensors. 
     
     
         28 . The cooking appliance of  claim 27  wherein the cookware device has a first foot-print with a first area and the second heating element has a second foot-print with a second area at least 40 percent of the first area. 
     
     
         29 . The cooking appliance of  claim 28  wherein the controller is further adapted to independently and selectively control the heating elements and the blower according to an average of the temperatures sensed by the first and second temperature sensors. 
     
     
         30 . The cooking appliance of  claim 29  wherein the cookware device has a first foot-print with a first area and the second heating element has a second foot-print with a second area at least 40 percent of the first area. 
     
     
         31 . The cooking appliance of  claim 25  wherein the second heating element is of a type taken from the group including one or more straight tubular heating elements, one or more circular tubular heating elements, one or more oval tubular heating elements, one or more U-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more wide U-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more M-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more multi M-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more spiral tubular heating elements, one or more animal-shaped heating elements, one or more snake-shaped heating elements, one or more quartz tubular heating elements, one or more offset Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more scalloped tubular heating elements, one or more X-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more multi-loop Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more offset multi-loop Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more fan-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more concentric ringed tubular heating elements, one or more C-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more looped Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more double star-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more star-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more double burst-shaped tubular heating elements, and one or more burst-shaped tubular heating elements. 
     
     
         32 . The cooking appliance of  claim 25  wherein the cookware device is from the group including a lidded or unlidded cooking pot, a slow-cooking pot, a rice pot, baking pan or tray, a grill plate, and a griddle plate. 
     
     
         33 . A cooking appliance comprising;
 a housing defining a cooking cavity;   a first air heating element disposed adjacent a top of the cooking cavity;   a second heating element disposed adjacent a bottom of the cooking cavity;   a first temperature sensor adapted to sense a temperature of air within an upper portion of the cooking cavity;   a second temperature sensor adapted to sense a temperature of air within a lower portion of the cooking cavity;   a blower arranged to agitate air within the cooking cavity;   a cookware device removably disposed atop the second heating element and in physical contact and thermal communication therewith such that contact-heating of food on the cookware device is selectively provided thereby; and   a controller adapted to manually receive cooking parameters from a user and sensed temperature information from the first and second temperature sensors; and to independently and selectively control the heating elements and the blower according thereto.   
     
     
         34 . The cooking appliance of  claim 33  further comprising a second temperature sensor adapted to sense a temperature of air within a lower portion of the cooking cavity;
 and wherein a controller adapted to manually receive cooking parameters from a user and sensed temperature information from the first and second temperature sensors; and to selectively control the heating elements and the blower according thereto. 
 
     
     
         35 . The cooking appliance of  claim 34  wherein the controller is further adapted to independently and selectively control the heating elements and the blower according to a comparison of the temperatures sensed by the first and second temperature sensors. 
     
     
         36 . The cooking appliance of  claim 25  wherein the cookware device has a first foot-print with a first area and the second heating element has a second foot-print with a second area at least 40 percent of the first area. 
     
     
         37 . The cooking appliance of  claim 36  wherein the controller is further adapted to independently and selectively control the heating elements and the blower according to an average of the temperatures sensed by the first and second temperature sensors. 
     
     
         38 . The cooking appliance of  claim 37  wherein the cookware device has a first foot-print with a first area and the second heating element has a second foot-print with a second area at least 40 percent of the first area. 
     
     
         39 . The cooking appliance of  claim 33  wherein the second heating element is of a type taken from the group including one or more straight tubular heating elements, one or more circular tubular heating elements, one or more oval tubular heating elements, one or more U-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more wide U-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more M-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more multi M-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more spiral tubular heating elements, one or more animal-shaped heating elements, one or more snake-shaped heating elements, one or more quartz tubular heating elements, one or more offset Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more scalloped tubular heating elements, one or more X-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more multi-loop Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more offset multi-loop Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more fan-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more concentric ringed tubular heating elements, one or more C-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more looped Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more double star-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more star-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more double burst-shaped tubular heating elements, and one or more burst-shaped tubular heating elements. 
     
     
         40 . The cooking appliance of  claim 33  wherein the cookware device is from the group including a lidded or unlidded cooking pot, a slow-cooking pot, a rice pot, baking pan or tray, a grill plate, and a griddle plate. 
     
     
         41 . A cooking appliance comprising;
 a housing defining a cooking cavity;   a first air heating element disposed adjacent a top of the cooking cavity;   a second heating element disposed adjacent a bottom of the cooking cavity;   a temperature sensor disposed adapted to sense a temperature of air within the cooking cavity;   a blower arranged to agitate air within the cooking cavity;   a cookware device removably disposed atop the second heating element and in physical contact and thermal communication therewith such that contact-cooking of food on the cookware device is selectively provided thereby; and   a controller adapted to manually receive cooking parameters from a user and sensed temperature information from the temperature sensor; and to independently and selectively control the heating elements and the blower according thereto; wherein the cookware device has a first foot-print with a first area and the second heating element has a second foot-print with a second area at least 40 percent of the area of the first area.   
     
     
         42 . The cooking appliance of  claim 41  wherein the second heating element is of a type taken from the group including one or more straight tubular heating elements, one or more circular tubular heating elements, one or more oval tubular heating elements, one or more U-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more wide U-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more M-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more multi M-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more spiral tubular heating elements, one or more animal-shaped heating elements, one or more snake-shaped heating elements, one or more quartz tubular heating elements, one or more offset Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more scalloped tubular heating elements, one or more X-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more multi-loop Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more offset multi-loop Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more fan-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more concentric ringed tubular heating elements, one or more C-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more looped Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more double star-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more star-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more double burst-shaped tubular heating elements, and one or more burst-shaped tubular heating elements. 
     
     
         43 . The cooking appliance of  claim 41  wherein the cookware device is from the group including a lidded or unlidded cooking pot, a slow-cooking pot, a rice pot, baking pan or tray, a grill plate, and a griddle plate. 
     
     
         44 . An electrical countertop cooking appliance comprising;
 a housing defining a cooking cavity;   a door arrangement for selectively accessing the cooking compartment;   a first air heating element disposed adjacent a top of the cooking cavity;   a second heating element disposed adjacent a bottom of the cooking cavity;   a temperature sensor adapted to sense a temperature of air within the cooking cavity;   a blower arranged to agitate air within the cooking cavity;   a cookware device removably disposed above the second heating element and in thermal communication therewith such that cooking of food on the cookware device is selectively provided thereby; and   a controller adapted to manually receive cooking parameters from a user and sensed temperature information from the temperature sensor; wherein   the controller connected to the heating elements and comprising a timer and adapted to independently and selectively control, in cooperation with the timer and according to the cooking parameters and the sensed temperature information one or more from the group including;   one or both of the blower's on/off state and the blower's speed;   one or both of the first heating element's on/off state and the blower's speed; and   one or both of the second heating element's on/off state and the blower's speed.   
     
     
         45 . The cooking appliance of  claim 44  wherein the cookware device has a first foot-print with a first area and the second heating element has a second foot-print with a second area at least 40 percent of the first area. 
     
     
         46 . The cooking appliance of  claim 44  wherein the second heating element is of a type taken from the group including one or more straight tubular heating elements, one or more circular tubular heating elements, one or more oval tubular heating elements, one or more U-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more wide U-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more M-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more multi M-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more spiral tubular heating elements, one or more animal-shaped heating elements, one or more snake-shaped heating elements, one or more quartz tubular heating elements, one or more offset Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more scalloped tubular heating elements, one or more X-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more multi-loop Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more offset multi-loop Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more fan-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more concentric ringed tubular heating elements, one or more C-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more looped Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more double star-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more star-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more double burst-shaped tubular heating elements, and one or more burst-shaped tubular heating elements. 
     
     
         47 . The cooking appliance of  claim 44  wherein the cookware device is from the group including a lidded or unlidded cooking pot, a slow-cooking pot, a rice pot, baking pan or tray, a grill plate, and a griddle plate. 
     
     
         48 . A cooking appliance comprising;
 a housing defining a cooking cavity;   a door arrangement for selectively accessing the cooking compartment;   a first air heating element disposed adjacent a top of the cooking cavity;   a second heating element disposed adjacent a bottom of the cooking cavity;   a first temperature sensor adapted to sense a temperature of the air within an upper portion of the cooking cavity;   a second temperature sensor adapted to sense a temperature of air within a lower portion of the cooking cavity;   a blower arranged to agitate air within the cooking cavity;   a cookware device removably disposed above the second heating element and in thermal communication therewith such that cooking of food on the cookware device is selectively provided thereby, and the second temperature sensor, such that contact temperature sensing of food on the cookware device is enabled thereby; and   a controller adapted to manually receive cooking parameters from a user and sensed temperature information from the first and second temperature sensors; and to independently and selectively control the heating elements and the blower according thereto.   
     
     
         49 . The cooking appliance of  claim 48  wherein the cookware device has a first foot-print with a first area and the second heating element has a second foot-print with a second area at least 40 percent of the first area. 
     
     
         50 . The cooking appliance of  claim 48  wherein the second heating element is of a type taken from the group including one or more straight tubular heating elements, one or more circular tubular heating elements, one or more oval tubular heating elements, one or more U-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more wide U-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more M-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more multi M-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more spiral tubular heating elements, one or more animal-shaped heating elements, one or more snake-shaped heating elements, one or more quartz tubular heating elements, one or more offset Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more scalloped tubular heating elements, one or more X-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more multi-loop Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more offset multi-loop Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more fan-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more concentric ringed tubular heating elements, one or more C-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more looped Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more double star-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more star-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more double burst-shaped tubular heating elements, and one or more burst-shaped tubular heating elements. 
     
     
         51 . The cooking appliance of  claim 49  wherein the cookware device is from the group including a lidded or unlidded cooking pot, a slow-cooking pot, a rice pot, baking pan or tray, a grill plate, and a griddle plate. 
     
     
         52 . An electrical countertop cooking appliance comprising;
 a housing defining a cooking cavity;   a door arrangement for selectively accessing the cooking compartment;   a first air heating element disposed adjacent a top of the cooking cavity;   a second heating element disposed adjacent a bottom of the cooking cavity;   a first temperature sensor adapted to sense a temperature of air within an upper portion of the cooking cavity;   a second temperature sensor adapted to sense a temperature of air within a lower portion of the cooking cavity;   a blower arranged to agitate air within the cooking cavity;   a cookware device removably disposed above the second heating element and in thermal communication therewith such that cooking of food on the cookware device is selectively provided thereby, and the second temperature sensor, such that contact temperature sensing of food on the cookware device is enabled thereby; and   a controller adapted to manually receive cooking parameters from a user and sensed temperature information from the first and second temperature sensors; wherein   the controller connected to the heating elements and comprising a timer and adapted to independently and selectively control, in cooperation with the timer and according to the cooking parameters and the sensed temperature information one or more from the group including;   one or both of the blower's on/off state and the blower's speed;   one or both of the first heating element's on/off state and the blower's speed; and   one or both of the second heating element's on/off state and the blower's speed.   
     
     
         53 . The cooking appliance of  claim 52  wherein the cookware device has a first foot-print with a first area and the second heating element has a second foot-print with a second area at least 40 percent of the first area. 
     
     
         54 . The cooking appliance of  claim 52  wherein the second heating element is of a type taken from the group including one or more straight tubular heating elements, one or more circular tubular heating elements, one or more oval tubular heating elements, one or more U-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more wide U-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more M-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more multi M-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more spiral tubular heating elements, one or more animal-shaped heating elements, one or more snake-shaped heating elements, one or more quartz tubular heating elements, one or more offset Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more scalloped tubular heating elements, one or more X-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more multi-loop Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more offset multi-loop Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more fan-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more concentric ringed tubular heating elements, one or more C-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more looped Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more double star-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more star-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more double burst-shaped tubular heating elements, and one or more burst-shaped tubular heating elements. 
     
     
         55 . The cooking appliance of  claim 52  wherein the cookware device is from the group including a lidded or unlidded cooking pot, a slow-cooking pot, a rice pot, baking pan or tray, a grill plate, and a griddle plate. 
     
     
         56 . A cooking appliance comprising;
 a housing defining a cooking cavity;   a door arrangement for selectively accessing the cooking compartment;   a first air heating element disposed adjacent a top of the cooking cavity;   a second heating element disposed adjacent a bottom of the cooking cavity;   a first temperature sensor adapted to sense a temperature of air within an upper portion of the cooking cavity;   a second temperature sensor adapted to sense a temperature of air within a lower portion of the cooking cavity;   a blower arranged to agitate air within the cooking cavity;   a cookware device removably disposed above the second heating element and in thermal communication therewith such that cooking of food on the cookware device is selectively provided thereby, and the second temperature sensor, such that contact temperature sensing of food on the cookware device is enabled thereby; and   a controller adapted to manually receive cooking parameters from a user and sensed temperature information from the first and second temperature sensors; and to independently and selectively control the heating elements and the blower according thereto; wherein the door arrangement comprises left and right outwardly-opening doors.   
     
     
         57 . The cooking appliance of  claim 56  wherein the left and right outwardly-opening doors are linked together to open and close symmetrically such that opening or closing either one will cause a symmetrical opening or closing of the other. 
     
     
         58 . The cooking appliance of  claim 56  wherein the cookware device has a first foot-print with a first area and the second heating element has a second foot-print with a second area at least 40 percent of the first area. 
     
     
         59 . The cooking appliance of  claim 56  wherein the second heating element is of a type taken from the group including one or more straight tubular heating elements, one or more circular tubular heating elements, one or more oval tubular heating elements, one or more U-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more wide U-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more M-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more multi M-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more spiral tubular heating elements, one or more animal-shaped heating elements, one or more snake-shaped heating elements, one or more quartz tubular heating elements, one or more offset Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more scalloped tubular heating elements, one or more X-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more multi-loop Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more offset multi-loop Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more fan-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more concentric ringed tubular heating elements, one or more C-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more looped Y-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more double star-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more star-shaped tubular heating elements, one or more double burst-shaped tubular heating elements, and one or more burst-shaped tubular heating elements. 
     
     
         60 . The cooking appliance of  claim 56  wherein the cookware device is from the group including a lidded or unlidded cooking pot, a slow-cooking pot, a rice pot, baking pan or tray, a grill plate, and a griddle plate.