Gas cooktop with griddle assembly including removable temperature probe
A gas cooktop includes a gas burner for selectively generating a flow of heated air, a griddle defining a probe receptacle, a griddle magnet positioned within the probe receptacle, and a temperature sensor configured for receipt within the probe receptacle. The temperature sensor includes a sensor housing, a temperature probe positioned within the sensor housing and being movable between an extended position and a retracted position, and a probe magnet mounted to the sensor housing, the probe magnet engaging and utensil magnet to secure the temperature sensor such that the temperature probe engages the contact pin and is pushed into the retracted position.
1. A gas cooktop defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction, the gas cooktop comprising:
a gas burner for selectively generating a flow of heated air;
a cooking utensil defining a probe receptacle and a contact pin within the probe receptacle;
a utensil magnet positioned within the probe receptacle; and
a temperature sensor configured for receipt within the probe receptacle, the temperature sensor comprising:
a sensor housing;
a temperature probe positioned within the sensor housing and being movable between an extended position and a retracted position; and
a probe magnet mounted to the sensor housing, the probe magnet engaging and utensil magnet to secure the temperature sensor such that the temperature probe engages the contact pin and is pushed into the retracted position.
2. The gas cooktop of claim 1 , wherein the temperature sensor further comprises:
a mechanical spring positioned within the sensor housing and engaging the temperature probe to urge the temperature probe toward the extended position.
3. The gas cooktop of claim 1 , wherein the temperature probe is positioned at a center of a rear wall of the sensor housing.
4. The gas cooktop of claim 1 , wherein the probe magnet is annular and defines a central opening, the temperature probe extending through the central opening.
5. The gas cooktop of claim 1 , wherein the cooking utensil defines a magnet recess in the probe receptacle, and wherein the utensil magnet is received within the magnet recess.
6. The gas cooktop of claim 5 , wherein the utensil magnet is annular and surrounds the contact pin for engaging the temperature probe when the temperature sensor is in an installed position.
7. The gas cooktop of claim 1 , wherein the utensil magnet and the probe magnet are polymagnets configured to position and align the sensor housing within the probe receptacle in an installed position.
8. The gas cooktop of claim 7 , wherein the utensil magnet and the probe magnet are in a first orientation in the installed position, and wherein the temperature sensor is rotatable about an axis of rotation from the first orientation to a second orientation where the utensil magnet and the probe magnet generate a repulsive force to facilitate removal of the temperature sensor from the probe receptacle.
9. The gas cooktop of claim 8 , wherein an angle of rotation between the first orientation and the second orientation is between about 60 degrees and 120 degrees.
10. The gas cooktop of claim 1 , wherein the utensil magnet and the probe magnet align the temperature sensor such that a gap is defined between sides of the sensor housing and sidewalls of the probe receptacle.
11. The gas cooktop of claim 1 , wherein the cooking utensil is a griddle, a skillet, a pot, or a pan.
12. The gas cooktop of claim 1 , further comprising a controller in operative communication with the temperature sensor, the controller being configured to:
determine that the temperature probe is in the retracted position; and
initiate a closed loop cooking process by regulating operation of the gas burner based at least in part on temperature measurements obtained by the temperature probe.
13. The gas cooktop of claim 1 , wherein the cooking utensil is formed from a nonferrous material.
14. The gas cooktop of claim 1 , wherein the cooking utensil is formed from aluminum alloy.
15. A cooking utensil assembly for a gas cooktop, the gas cooktop comprising a gas burner for selectively generating a flow of heated air, the cooking utensil assembly comprising:
a cooking utensil defining a probe receptacle and a contact pin within the probe receptacle;
a utensil magnet positioned within the probe receptacle; and
a temperature sensor configured for receipt within the probe receptacle, the temperature sensor comprising:
a sensor housing;
a temperature probe positioned within the sensor housing and being movable between an extended position and a retracted position; and
a probe magnet mounted to the sensor housing, the probe magnet engaging and utensil magnet to secure the temperature sensor such that the temperature probe engages the contact pin and is pushed into the retracted position.
16. The cooking utensil assembly of claim 15 , wherein the temperature sensor further comprises:
a mechanical spring positioned within the sensor housing and engaging the temperature probe to urge the temperature probe toward the extended position.
17. The cooking utensil assembly of claim 15 , wherein the cooking utensil defines a magnet recess in the probe receptacle, wherein the utensil magnet is received within the magnet recess, and wherein the utensil magnet is annular and surrounds the contact pin for engaging the temperature probe when the temperature sensor is in an installed position.
18. The cooking utensil assembly of claim 15 , wherein the utensil magnet and the probe magnet are polymagnets configured to position and align the sensor housing within the probe receptacle in an installed position.
19. The cooking utensil assembly of claim 18 , wherein the utensil magnet and the probe magnet are in a first orientation in the installed position, and wherein the temperature sensor is rotatable about an axis of rotation from the first orientation to a second orientation where the utensil magnet and the probe magnet generate a repulsive force to facilitate removal of the temperature sensor from the probe receptacle.
20. The cooking utensil assembly of claim 15 , wherein the utensil magnet and the probe magnet align the temperature sensor such that a gap is defined between sides of the sensor housing and sidewalls of the probe receptacle.