US Patent 7895999 Cooking appliance

In one aspect the invention discloses a gas cooktop which is relatively easy to clean and which is not visually complex. The gas cooktop surface is provided with a trivet having two operating conditions. In a first condition the trivet is retracted and is substantially flush with the cooktop surface. In a second condition the trivet is extended to support a cooking vessel above a gas burner. In another aspect the invention discloses an improved gas burner with a high turn-down ratio. The improved burner includes first and second gas flow passages, a flame front locator, in one of the passages and a burner head. Fuel gas is injected into an end of one of said passages and is ignited to establish a flame at the flame front locator. Secondary combustion air is provided through the other of the passages which on a high setting enables secondary combustion and on a low setting may mix with the hot gases and cool them resulting in a lower temperature at the cooking vessel.