Patent attributes
A cooking appliance shown in the form of a cooktop includes a upper cooking zone and a concealed lower cooking zone. The upper cooking is defined by a pivotally mounted frame portion within which is arranged a plurality of heating elements. Located below the upper cooking zone is a second, lower cooking zone within which are arranged a plurality of lower cooking surfaces. The upper cooking zone is movable betweens a closed position whereupon cooking is performed on the upper cooking surfaces, and an open position whereby access is provided to the lower cooking surfaces. Control of either zone is performed through a plurality of control elements. When the upper cooking zone is in a closed position, the control elements regulate the upper heating surfaces and, when the upper cooking zone is raised to the open position, the control elements are used to control the lower cooking surfaces.