Patent Publication Number: US-9420800-B1

Title: Oven appliance

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present subject matter relates generally to oven appliances, such as pizza oven appliances. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Pizza ovens generally include a housing that defines a cooking chamber for receiving a pizza for cooking Heating elements, such as gas burners, or combusting wood heat the cooking chamber to a suitable temperature. Certain pizza ovens operate at high temperatures. For example, the operating temperatures of such pizza ovens can be higher than five hundred degrees Fahrenheit. 
     Uniformly heating food items within pizza ovens operating at high temperatures poses challenges. For example, high temperature gradients within a pizza stone of the pizza oven can unevenly heat a pizza on the pizza stone. However, adjusting operation of the pizza oven to account for such temperature gradients can be difficult and slow. 
     Accordingly, a pizza oven with features for evenly heating a pizza stone of the pizza oven would be useful. In particular, a pizza oven with features for limiting hot spots on a pizza stone of the pizza oven would be useful. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present subject matter provides an oven appliance with a baking stone positioned within a housing at a bottom portion of a cooking chamber. A controller is in operative communication with an upper heating element array, a lower heating element array, a pair of upper temperature sensors and a pair lower temperature sensors. The controller is configured for independently operating each of a first zone of the upper heating element array, a second zone of the upper heating element array, a first zone of the lower heating element array and a second zone of the lower heating element array. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. 
     In a first exemplary embodiment, an oven appliance is provided. The oven appliance includes a housing that defines a cooking chamber. An upper heating element array is positioned within the housing at a top portion of the cooking chamber. The upper heating element array has a first zone and a second zone. The oven appliance also includes a pair of upper temperature sensors. Each temperature sensor of the pair of upper temperature sensors is positioned adjacent a respective one of the first and second zones of the upper heating element array. A baking stone is positioned within the housing at a bottom portion of the cooking chamber. A lower heating element array is positioned within the housing below the baking stone adjacent the bottom portion of the cooking chamber. The lower heating element array has a first zone and a second zone. The oven appliance also includes a pair of lower temperature sensors mounted to the baking stone. Each temperature sensor of the pair of lower temperature sensors is positioned adjacent a respective one of the first and second zones of the lower heating element array. A controller is in operative communication with the upper heating element array, the lower heating element array, the pair of upper temperature sensors and the pair lower temperature sensors. The controller is configured for independently operating each of the first zone of the upper heating element array, the second zone of the upper heating element array, the first zone of the lower heating element array and the second zone of the lower heating element array. 
     In a second exemplary embodiment, an oven appliance is provided. The oven appliance includes a housing that defines a cooking chamber. An upper heating element array is positioned within the housing at a top portion of the cooking chamber. The upper heating element array has a first zone and a second zone. The oven appliance also includes a pair of upper temperature sensors. Each temperature sensor of the pair of upper temperature sensors is positioned adjacent a respective one of the first and second zones of the upper heating element array. A baking stone is positioned within the housing at a bottom portion of the cooking chamber. A lower heating element array is positioned within the housing below the baking stone adjacent the bottom portion of the cooking chamber. The lower heating element array has a first zone and a second zone. The oven appliance also includes a pair of lower temperature sensors mounted to the baking stone. Each temperature sensor of the pair of lower temperature sensors is positioned adjacent a respective one of the first and second zones of the lower heating element array. A controller is in operative communication with the upper heating element array, the lower heating element array, the pair of upper temperature sensors and the pair lower temperature sensors. The controller is configured for independently operating the first zone of the upper heating electrical element in response to temperature measurements from a first one of the pair of upper temperature sensors and for independently operating the second zone of the upper electrical heating element array in response to temperature measurements from a second one of the pair of upper temperature sensors. The controller also configured for independently operating the first zone of the lower electrical heating element array in response to temperature measurements from a first one of the pair of lower temperature sensors and for independently operating the second zone of the lower electrical heating element array in response to temperature measurements from a second one of the pair of lower temperature sensors. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures. 
         FIG. 1  provides a partial front, perspective view of an oven appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. 
         FIG. 2  provides a side section view of the exemplary oven appliance of  FIG. 1  positioned within a cabinet. 
         FIG. 3  provides a top section view of the exemplary oven appliance of  FIG. 1  positioned within the cabinet. 
         FIG. 4  provides a front elevation view of the exemplary oven appliance of  FIG. 1  positioned within the cabinet. 
         FIG. 5  provides a side section view of the exemplary oven appliance of  FIG. 1  with a manifold assembly of the exemplary oven appliance removed from a housing of the exemplary oven appliance. 
         FIG. 6  provides a side section view of a manifold assembly of the exemplary oven appliance of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 7, 8 and 10  provide side section views of manifold assemblies according to various exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter. 
         FIG. 9  provides a partial perspective, section view of the exemplary manifold assembly of  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
       FIG. 1  provides a partial front, perspective view of an oven appliance  100  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. As may be seen in  FIG. 1 , oven appliance  100  includes a housing  110  that defines a cooking chamber  112 . Cooking chamber  112  is configured for receiving food items for cooking therein. In particular, housing  110  also defines an opening  114  for accessing cooking chamber  112 . Opening  114  is positioned at a front portion  116  of housing  110 , and a user of oven appliance  100  may place food items into and remove food items from cooking chamber  112  via opening  114 . As may be seen in  FIG. 1 , cooking chamber  112  is open such that cooking chamber  112  is contiguous with or exposed to ambient atmosphere about oven appliance  100 , e.g., about housing  110 , via opening  114 . Thus, oven appliance  100  does not include a door positioned at opening  114  for sealing opening  114 . 
     A baking stone  130  is positioned within housing  110  at a bottom portion  120  of cooking chamber  112 . Thus, baking stone  130  may form at least a portion of a floor of cooking chamber  112 . Food items, such as pizza, may be placed directly on baking stone  130  during operation of oven appliance  100 , as will be understood by those skilled in the art. Baking stone  130  may be constructed of or with any suitable material. For example, baking stone  130  may be constructed of or with a ceramic, clay or stone. In particular, baking stone  130  may be constructed of or with a porous ceramic or porous stone. 
     Oven appliance  100  also includes a manifold or casing  140 . Casing  140  is mounted to housing  110  at opening  114  of housing  110 . In particular, as shown in  FIG. 1 , casing  140  may extend about opening  114  of housing  110 . Thus, a user may reach through opening  114  into cooking chamber  112  at casing  140 . Casing  140  may have any suitable shape and/or appearance. For example, casing  140  may be rectangular with flat elements as shown in  FIG. 1 . In alternative exemplary embodiments, casing  140  may include column shaped elements, rounded elements, etc. Casing  140  may be formed of or with any suitable material. For example, an outer surface  141  of casing  140  may be constructed of or with stainless steel, painted steel, enameled steel, copper or combinations thereof. 
       FIG. 2  provides a side section view of oven appliance  100  positioned within a cabinet  50 .  FIG. 3  provides a top section view of oven appliance  100  positioned within cabinet  50 .  FIG. 4  provides a front elevation view of oven appliance  100  positioned within cabinet  50 . As may be seen in  FIGS. 2, 3 and 4  oven appliance  100  defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L and a transverse direction T. The vertical direction V, the lateral direction L and the transverse direction T are mutually perpendicular and form an orthogonal direction system.  FIG. 6  provides a side section view of casing  140 . Various features of oven appliance  100  are discussed in greater detail below in the context of  FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 6 . 
     Oven appliance  100  includes heating element arrays for heating cooking chamber  112  and food items therein. In particular, an upper heating element array  102  is positioned within housing  110  at a top portion  122  of cooking chamber  112 . In addition, a lower heating element array  104  is positioned within housing  110  below baking stone  130  adjacent bottom portion  120  of cooking chamber  112 . Thus, lower heating element array  104  may not be directly exposed to cooking chamber  112 , and baking stone  130  may be positioned between cooking chamber  112  and lower heating element array  104 , e.g., along the vertical direction V. Upper and lower heating element arrays  102 ,  104  are electrical heating element arrays. In certain exemplary embodiments, upper and lower heating element arrays  102 ,  104  are constructed of or with electrical resistance heating elements, such as calrods. 
     As discussed above, casing  140  is mounted to housing  110 . As may be seen in  FIG. 2 , casing  140  defines an air plenum  142 . Thus, casing  140  may be hollow. Casing  140  also defines entrances  144 , e.g., at a bottom of casing  140 . Entrances  144  are contiguous with ambient air about housing  110 . Thus, ambient air about housing  110  may flow into air plenum  142  via entrances  144 . In particular, air handlers  143 , such as fans, may operate to draw ambient air about housing  110  into air plenum  142  via entrances  144 . Each air handler  143  may be positioned at a respective entrance of entrances  144 , e.g., at the bottom of casing  140 . Utilizing air handlers  143 , air plenum  142  may be pressurized relative to ambient air about housing  110 . From air plenum  142 , the air within air plenum  142  may be supplied to various parts of oven appliance  100 , e.g., to assist with cooling oven appliance  100 , to assist with regulating a temperature of baking stone  130  and/or to assist with drawing treating cooking fumes from cooking chamber  112  of housing  110 , as discussed in greater detail below. 
     Oven appliance  100  includes various features for limiting or reducing heat transfer from cooking chamber  112  to cabinet  50 . For example, oven appliance  100  includes insulation  111  within housing  110 , e.g., such that housing  110  is an insulated housing. Insulation  111  is positioned between cooking chamber  112  and cabinet  50 . Oven appliance  100  also includes a baffle  160  within housing  110 . Baffle  160  is positioned within housing  110  below lower heating element array  104 . Thus, baffle  160  limits or reduces heat transfer between lower heating element array  104  and a floor of cabinet  50 . 
     As may be seen in  FIG. 2 , baffle  160  includes an upper plate  162  and a lower plate  166 . Upper plate  162  and lower plate  166  are spaced apart from each other, e.g., along the vertical direction V. Thus, a thermal break may be formed between upper plate  162  and lower plate  166 , e.g., along the vertical direction V. As discussed in greater detail below, baffle  160  also includes features for directing a flow of air through baffle  160  to lower heating element array  104  and/or a bottom surface  138  of baking stone  130 . 
     In addition to passive insulating elements discussed above, oven appliance  100  also includes features for actively cooling oven appliance  100 . In particular, housing  110  defines a cooling air duct  124 , e.g., at a side of housing  110 . Cooling air duct  124  may be positioned between cooking chamber  112  and an outer surface of housing  110 , e.g., along the lateral direction L, as shown in  FIG. 4 . In addition, insulation  111  of housing  110  may be positioned between cooling air duct  124  and cooking chamber  112  of housing  110 , e.g., along the lateral direction L. As discussed in greater detail below, air flow though cooling air conduit  124  may assist with limiting or reducing heat transfer from housing  110  to cabinet  50  in which oven appliance  100  is positioned. 
     Cooling air conduit  124  includes an inlet  126  (or series of inlets) and an outlet  128  (or series of outlets). Inlet  126  of cooling air duct  124  is positioned at a front portion  116  of housing  110 . Conversely, outlet  128  of cooling air duct  124  is positioned at a rear portion  118  of housing  110 . Thus, inlet  126  and outlet  128  of cooling air duct  124  may be positioned opposite each other on housing  110  and spaced apart from each other, e.g., along the transverse direction T. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , inlet  126  of cooling air duct  124  is positioned adjacent and/or aligned with a first exit  146  (or series of exits) of air plenum  142 . Thus, air from air plenum  142  of casing  140  may flow into cooling air duct  124  of housing  110  via first exit  146  of air plenum  142  and inlet  126  of cooling air duct  124 . A gasket or seal  152  is positioned at a junction between housing  110  and casing  140  may extend between housing  110  and casing  140  in order to assist with limiting leakage of air from air plenum  142  to cooling air duct  124 . 
     At the junction between housing  110  and casing  140 , pressurized ambient air from about housing  110  may flow from air plenum  142  into cooling air duct  124 . Within cooling air duct  124 , air may flow within housing  110  from front portion  116  of housing  110  to rear portion  118  of housing  110 , e.g., along the transverse direction T, and exit cooling air duct  124  at outlet  128  of cooling air duct  124 . Air within cooling air duct  124  may assist with limiting or reducing heat transfer from housing  110  to cabinet  50  in which oven appliance  100  is positioned, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. In addition, the air from cooling air duct  124  may also flow between housing  110  and cabinet  50 , e.g., from rear portion  118  of housing  110  to front portion  116  of housing  110  along the transverse direction T, in order to further assist with limiting or reducing heat transfer from housing  110  to cabinet  50  in which oven appliance  100  is positioned. 
     An additional cooling air duct  125  may be positioned at an opposite side of housing  110 . Additional cooling air duct  125  may be constructed in the same or similar manner to cooling air duct  124  and operate in the manner described above for cooling air duct  124 . Air duct  124  and additional cooling air duct  125  may be spaced apart from each other, e.g., along the lateral direction, and cool opposite sides of housing  110 . 
     As may be seen in  FIG. 4 , inlet  126  of cooling air duct  124  defines a height HI (e.g., along the vertical direction V), and housing  110  also defines a height HH (e.g., along the vertical direction V). The height HI of inlet  126  may be about equal to the height HH of housing  110 . As used herein, the term “about” means with ten percent of a stated height when used in the context of heights. Thus, inlet  126  (or a series of inlets  126  as shown in  FIG. 4 ) of cooling air conduit  126  may extend along the height HH of housing  110  at front portion  116  of housing  110 . Outlet  128  of cooling air conduit  124  may be similarly sized relative to housing  110 . 
     Oven appliance  100  also includes features for regulating a temperature of baking stone  130 . In particular, housing  110  also defines a regulating air duct  170 , e.g., at a bottom portion of housing  110 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , regulating air duct  170  includes an inlet  172  (or series of inlets) that is positioned adjacent and/or aligned with a second exit  148  (or series of exits) of air plenum  142 . Thus, air from air plenum  142  of casing  140  may flow into regulating air duct  170  of housing  110  via second exit  148  of air plenum  142  and inlet  172  of regulating air duct  170 . A gasket or seal  152  is also positioned at a junction between housing  110  and casing  140  may extend between housing  110  and casing  140  in order to assist with limiting leakage of air from air plenum  142  to regulating air duct  170 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , upper plate  162  defines a plurality of holes  164 , and lower plate  166  also defines a plurality of holes  168 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , holes  164  of upper plate  162  are offset from holes  168  of lower plate  166 , e.g., along the lateral direction L and/or transverse direction T. Thus, holes  164  of upper plate  162  may be unaligned with holes  168  of lower plate  166 , e.g., along the vertical direction V. Such distribution of holes  164  of upper plate  162  relative to holes  168  of lower plate  166  may assist with limiting radiant heat transfer from lower heating element array  104  through baffle  160 . 
     Holes  168  of lower plate  166  are contiguous with regulating air duct  170  of housing  110 . In particular, air from regulating air duct  170  may flow into and enter baffle  160  through holes  168  of lower plate  166 . The air may then flow between upper and lower plates  162 ,  166  to holes  164  of upper plate  162 , and the air may exit baffle  160  at holes  164  of upper plate  162 . After exiting holes  164  of upper plate  162 , the air may flow along bottom surface  138  of baking stone  130  in order to assist with regulating a temperature of baking stone  130 . In particular, the air exiting holes  164  of upper plate  162  may assist with cooling baking stone  130 . Inlet  172  of regulating air duct  170  (or any other orifice of regulating air duct  170 ) may be metered to regulate the flow of air through regulating air duct  170  to baking stone  130 . 
     Holes  164  of upper plate  162  and holes  168  of lower plate  166  may be distributed in any suitable manner relative to one another. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , holes  164  of upper plate  162  may be positioned proximate a central portion of upper plate  162 , e.g., below a central portion  131  of baking stone  130 . Conversely, holes  168  of lower plate  166  may be positioned proximate edge portions  169  of lower plate  166 . As another example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , baking stone  130  may have a front half  132 , e.g., positioned adjacent opening  114  of housing  110 . Baking stone  130  may also have a rear half  134  positioned opposite opening  114  of housing  110  within cooking chamber  112  of housing  110 . Turning back to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , holes  164  of upper plate  162  may be distributed such that more of the holes  164  of upper plate  162  are positioned below rear half  134  of baking stone  130  than front half  132  of baking stone  130 . In particular, no less than twice as many of the holes  164  of upper plate  162  may be positioned below rear half  134  of baking stone  130  than front half  132  of baking stone  130 . Further, holes  164  of upper plate  162  positioned below rear half  134  of baking stone  130  may be distributed in a diamond, and holes  164  of upper plate  162  positioned below front half  132  of baking stone  130  may be distributed in a line. Such distribution of holes  164  of upper plate  162  and holes  168  of lower plate  166  may assist with maintaining a uniform heat distribution at a top surface  136  of baking stone  130  while also limiting radiant heat transfer from lower heating element array  104  through baffle  160 . 
     From baking stone  130 , the air from holes  164  of upper plate  162  is directed away from baffle  160 . In particular, housing  110  includes a pair of side panels  180  and a rear panel  182 . Side panels  180  are positioned at and may assist with defining cooking chamber  112  of housing  110 . Side panels  180  may be positioned opposite each other about cooking chamber  112  of housing  110 , e.g., such that side panels  180  are spaced apart from each other along the lateral direction L. Rear panel  182  is also positioned at and may assist with defining cooking chamber  112  of housing  110 . Rear panel  182  is positioned adjacent rear position  118  of housing  110  and may extend between side panels  180 , e.g., along the lateral direction L. 
     Side panels  180  and/or rear panel  182  define a plurality of inlet openings  184  and a plurality of outlet openings  186 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , inlet openings  184  are positioned below baking stone  130  and above upper plate  162  of baffle  160 , e.g., along the vertical direction V. Outlet openings  186  are positioned at and contiguous with cooking chamber  112  of housing  110 . Outlet openings  186  may also be positioned below upper heating element array  102 , e.g., along the vertical direction V. Inlet openings  184  are configured for receiving air from below baking stone  130 , and outlet openings  186  are configured for directing the air into cooking chamber  112  of housing  110 . Thus, from baking stone  130  and baffle  160 , the flow of air from regulating air duct  170  may enter cooking chamber  112  of housing  110  and exit housing  110  at opening  114 , as discussed in greater detail below. 
     Oven appliance  100  further includes features for assisting with venting cooking fumes and/or smoke into the ambient atmosphere about oven appliance  100 . In particular, casing  140  defines a venting channel  154 . Venting channel  154  extends between an entrance  156  and an exit  158 . Entrance  156  of venting channel  154  is positioned, e.g., directly, over opening  114  of housing  110 . Thus, entrance  156  of venting channel  154  may be contiguous with cooking chamber  112  of housing  110 , and cooking fumes and/or smoke from cooking chamber  112  of housing  110  may enter and flow into venting channel  154  at entrance  156  of venting channel  154 . Exit  158  of venting channel  154  is positioned above entrance  156  of venting channel  154 , e.g., along the vertical direction V. Exit  158  of venting channel  154  is positioned such that exit  158  of venting channel  154  is contiguous with the ambient atmosphere about housing  110  and/or exposed to the ambient atmosphere about housing  110 . Thus, cooking fumes and/or smoke from cooking chamber  112  of housing  110  may exit and flow out of venting channel  154  at exit  158  of venting channel  154 . In particular, the cooking fumes and/or smoke from cooking chamber  112  of housing  110  may flow from exit  158  of venting channel  154  into the ambient atmosphere about housing  110 . Entrance  156  of venting channel  154  may also be positioned above outlet openings  186 , e.g., along the vertical direction V. 
     Venting channel  154  permits oven appliance  100  to vent cooking fumes and/or smoke into an interior atmosphere of a building housing oven appliance  100 . Thus, oven appliance  100  need not include or be coupled to venting ducts that direct cooking fumes and/or smoke to an exterior atmosphere outside of the building housing oven appliance  100 . Oven appliance  100  also includes features for treating the cooking fumes and/or smoke within venting channel  154 , as discussed in greater detail below. 
     Entrance  156  and exit  158  of venting channel  154  may have any suitable sizes. For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , entrance  156  of venting channel  154  may define a width WV, e.g., along the lateral direction L. Opening  114  of housing  110  may also define a width WO, e.g., along a lateral direction. The width WO of opening  114  may be substantially equal to the width WV of venting channel  154 . As used herein, the term “substantially” means within ten percent of the stated width when used in the context of widths. Exit  158  of venting channel  154  may be similarly sized relative to opening  114  of housing  110 . 
     As may be seen in  FIG. 2 , oven appliance  100  includes a smoke reduction catalyst  190 . Smoke reduction catalyst  190  is positioned within venting channel  154  of casing  140 , e.g., at entrance  156  of venting channel  154 . Smoke reduction catalyst  190  is configured for reacting with cooking fumes and/or smoke within venting channel  154  in order to reduce emission of undesirable material from venting channel  154 . Smoke reduction catalyst  190  may be any suitable smoke reduction catalyst. For example, smoke reduction catalyst  190  may include ceramic plates coated with a noble (non-reactive) metal, such as palladium. The ceramic plates of smoke reduction catalyst  190  may form a honeycomb or other suitable high surface area pattern. Insulation  191  is disposed within casing  140  opposite smoke reduction catalyst  190 . Insulation  191  may assist with maintaining smoke reduction catalyst  190  at a suitable temperature. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 6 , oven appliance  100  may also include features for assisting with drawing cooking fumes and/or smoke (shown with arrow C) into or through venting channel  154 . For example, casing  140  defines a third exit  150  (or series of exits) of air plenum  142 . Third exit  150  of air plenum  142  is positioned at or adjacent venting channel  154 . Thus, air from air plenum  142  of casing  140  (shown with arrows A) may flow near or into venting channel  154  via third exit  150  of air plenum  142 . Third exit  150  of air plenum  142  is positioned above entrance  156  of venting channel  154 , e.g., along the vertical direction V, on casing  140 . Thus, air exiting air plenum  142  at third exit  150  of air plenum  142  may entrain or draw gases, such as cooking fumes and/or smoke, into entrance  156  of venting channel  154  or through venting channel  154 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , third exit  150  of air plenum  142  may be positioned at top portion of casing  140  adjacent exit  158  of venting channel  154 . As discussed in greater detail below, other positions for third exit  150  of air plenum  142  may be used in alternative exemplary embodiments. 
       FIGS. 7, 8 and 10  provide side section views of casings  700 ,  800  and  900  according to various exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter.  FIG. 9  provides a partial perspective, section view of casing  900 . Casing  700 , casing  800  and casing  900  include similar components as casing  140  and may be constructed and operate in the same or similar manner to casing  140  described above. Differences in the arrangement and/or features of components of casing  700 , casing  800  and casing  900  are discussed in greater detail below. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 7 and 9 , in conduits  700  and conduit  900 , at least some of the openings of third exit  150  of air plenum  142  may be positioned at venting channel  154 , e.g., such that third exit  150  of air plenum  142  is contiguous with venting channel  154 . Thus, air exiting air plenum  142  at third exit  150  of air plenum  142  may flow into venting channel  154  and entrain or draw gases, such as cooking fumes and/or smoke, into entrance  156  of venting channel  154  or through venting channel  154 . In addition, air exiting air plenum  142  at third exit  150  of air plenum  142  may also assist with cooling the cooking fumes and/or smoke flowing through or out of venting channel  154 . Third exit  150  of air plenum  142  may also be formed or oriented such that air exiting air plenum  142  at third exit  150  of air plenum  142  flows towards exit  158  of venting channel  154 , e.g., upwardly along the vertical direction V. In addition, smoke reduction catalyst  190  may be positioned below third exit  150  of air plenum  142  within venting channel  154 , e.g., along the vertical direction V. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , oven appliance  100  may include a catalyst heating element  192  to facilitate operation of smoke reduction catalyst  190 . Catalyst heating element  192  is also positioned at smoke reduction catalyst  190  and may be an electrical heating element, such as an electric resistance heating elements, that is operable to heat smoke reduction catalyst  190 . As will be understood by those skilled in the art, smoke reduction catalyst  190  may be more efficient and/or effective at reacting with cooking fumes and/or smoke within venting channel  154  when heated above a temperature threshold. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 8 , in conduit  800 , an air handler  194  is positioned within venting channel  154 . Air handler  194  is operable to draw gases, such as cooking fumes and/or smoke, into entrance  156  of venting channel  154  or through venting channel  154 . Thus, air handler  194  may be provided to actively draw cooking fumes and/or smoke into entrance  156  of venting channel  154  or through venting channel  154 . 
       FIG. 5  provides a side section view of oven appliance  100  with casing  140  of oven appliance  100  removed from housing  110  of oven appliance  100 . Thus, as shown in  FIG. 5 , casing  140  is removable from housing  110 . In such a manner, a user may select a casing having a desired appearance and mount such casing to a common or uniform housing. 
     Casing  140  may be removably mounted to housing  110  using any suitable method or mechanism. For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , oven appliance  100  may include a plurality of fasteners  196  to assist with mounting casing  140  to housing  110 . Casing  140  has a flange  198  that extends towards housing  110 , e.g., along the transverse direction T, proximate or at opening  114  of housing  110 . Fasteners  196  may extend through flange  198  into housing  110  in order to mount casing  140  to housing  110 . To remove casing  140  from housing  110 , fasteners  196  may be withdrawn from housing  110 . 
     With casing  140  removed from housing  110 , any suitable casing may be mounted to housing  110 . Thus, a plurality of interchangeable casings may be provided, in certain exemplary embodiments. Each casing of the plurality of interchangeable casings may have a unique cosmetic appearance, and a user of oven appliance  100  may select his or her desired casing from the plurality of interchangeable casings and mount the desired casing to housing  110 , e.g., with fasteners  196 , as discussed above. 
     Oven appliance  100  also includes features for assisting with regulating heating of cooking chamber  112  of housing  110  with upper and lower heating element arrays  102 ,  104 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , upper heating element array  102  has a first zone  105  and a second zone  106 . Oven appliance  100  also includes a pair of upper temperature sensors  206 . Each temperature sensor of upper temperature sensors  206  is positioned at or adjacent a respective one of the first and second zones  105 ,  106  of upper heating element array  102 , e.g., in direct thermal contact with the respective one of the first and second zones  105 ,  106  of upper heating element array  102 . Lower heating element array  104  also has a first zone  107  and a second zone  108 . Oven appliance  100  also includes a pair of lower temperature sensors  208 . Each temperature sensor of lower temperature sensors  208  is positioned at or adjacent a respective one of the first and second zones  107 ,  108  of lower heating element array  104 . 
     Lower temperature sensors  208  may be positioned within baking stone  130 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . Thus, lower temperature sensors  208  may be embedded within the material of baking stone  130 , and heater surface temperature measurements from lower temperature sensors  208  may correspond to the temperature of baking stone  130 . Lower temperature sensors  208  may be positioned within baking stone  130  at a middle portion of baking stone  130 , e.g., along the vertical direction V. In alternative exemplary embodiments, lower temperature sensors  208  may be positioned within baking stone  130  at or adjacent a top portion and/or a bottom portion of baking stone  130 , e.g., along the vertical direction V. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, baking stone  130  may have a relatively low thermal conductivity, such that the temperature of baking stone  130  changes slowly. Thus, positioning lower temperature sensors  208  at a suitable vertical location within baking stone  130  may permit accurate measurement of the temperature of baking stone  130 , e.g., at top surface  136  and bottom surface  138  of baking stone  130 . In particular, having a lower temperature sensors  208  at both top surface  136  and bottom surface  138  of baking stone  130  may assist with regulating heating of cooking chamber  112  of housing  110 . 
     First zone  105  of upper heating element array  102  may be positioned at or adjacent a front portion of cooking chamber  112 , e.g., at or adjacent opening  114  of housing  110  and/or above front half  132  of basking stone  130 . First zone  107  of lower heating element array  104  may be positioned below baking stone  130  adjacent the front portion of cooking chamber  112 , e.g., below front half  132  of basking stone  130 . Second zone  106  of upper heating element array  102  may be positioned at or adjacent a rear portion of cooking chamber  112 , e.g., opposite opening  114  of housing  110  and/or above rear half  134  of basking stone  130 . Second zone  108  of lower heating element array  104  may be positioned below baking stone  130  adjacent the rear portion of cooking chamber  112 , e.g., below rear half  134  of basking stone  130 . 
     Oven appliance  100  also includes a controller  204  for providing desired functionality for oven appliance  100 . For instance, as will be described below, the controller  204  may be configured to control the activation and deactivation of upper and lower heating element arrays  102 ,  104  in order to regulate heating of cooking chamber  112  with upper and lower heating element arrays  102 ,  104 . For instance, by controlling the operation of the upper and lower heating element arrays  102 ,  104 , the controller  204  may be configured to control the various operating modes of the oven appliance  100 , such as baking, roasting, broiling, cleaning and/or any other suitable operations. 
     It should be appreciated that controller  204  may generally comprise any suitable processor-based device known in the art. Thus, in several embodiments, controller  204  may include one or more processor(s) and associated memory device(s) configured to perform a variety of computer-implemented functions. As used herein, the term “processor” refers not only to integrated circuits referred to in the art as being included in a computer, but also refers to a controller, a microcontroller, a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller (PLC), an application specific integrated circuit, and other programmable circuits. Additionally, the memory of controller  204  may generally comprise memory element(s) including, but are not limited to, computer readable medium (e.g., random access memory (RAM)), computer readable non-volatile medium (e.g., a flash memory), a floppy disk, a compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk (MOD), a digital versatile disc (DVD) and/or other suitable memory elements. Such memory may generally be configured to store suitable computer-readable instructions that, when implemented by the processor(s), configure controller  204  to perform various computer-implemented functions, such as by implementing embodiments of the heating element array operating algorithm disclosed herein. In addition, controller  204  may also include various other suitable components, such as a communications circuit or module, one or more input/output channels, a data/control bus and/or the like. 
     Turning back to  FIG. 1 , oven appliance  100  may also include a control panel  200  on casing  140 . Control panel  200  may include one or more user-interface elements  202  (e.g., buttons, knobs, etc.) for receiving user inputs associated with controlling the operation of oven appliance  100 . For instance, a user may utilize the user-interface elements  202  to input a desired oven temperature into controller  204 . Controller  204  may then control the operation of oven appliance  100  (e.g., by activating/deactivating one or more of the first and second zones  105 ,  106  of upper heating element array  102  and the first and second zones  107 ,  108  of lower heating element array  104 ) so as to adjust the internal temperature within cooking chamber  112  of housing  110  to the user-selected temperature and/or to maintain the internal temperature at such user-selected temperature. 
     Moreover, controller  204  may be communicatively coupled to upper and lower temperature sensors  206 ,  208 , e.g., for monitoring the internal temperature within cooking chamber  112  of housing  110 . Specifically, upper and lower temperature sensors  206 ,  208  may be configured to transmit heater surface temperature measurements to controller  204 . Controller  204  may then control the operation of the upper heating element array  102  and lower heating element array  104  based on the heater surface temperature measurements so as to heat the oven temperature up to and/or maintain such temperature at the user-selected temperature. 
     Accordingly, controller  204  is in operative communication with upper heating element array  102 , lower heating element array  104 , upper temperature sensors  206  and lower temperature sensors  208 . Controller  204  is configured for independently operating each of the first zone  105  of upper heating element array  102 , the second zone  106  of upper heating element array  102 , the first zone  107  of lower heating element array  104  and the second zone  108  of lower heating element array  104 . Controller  204  may operate the first zone  105  of upper heating element array  102  in response to heater surface temperature measurements from a first one of upper temperature sensors  206 , and controller  204  may operate the second zone  106  of upper heating element array  102  in response to heater surface temperature measurements from a second one of upper temperature sensors  206 . Similarly, controller  204  may operate the first zone  107  of lower heating element array  104  in response to heater surface temperature measurements from a first one of lower temperature sensors  208 , and controller  204  may operate the second zone  108  of lower heating element array  104  in response to heater surface temperature measurements from a second one of lower temperature sensors  208 . 
     Controller  204  may regulate the power output of the first zone  105  of upper heating element array  102 , the second zone  106  of upper heating element array  102 , the first zone  107  of lower heating element array  104  and the second zone  108  of lower heating element array  104  using any suitable method or mechanism. For example, controller  204  may utilize a triode for alternating current (TRIAC) and/or pulse-width modulation of a voltage supplied to a solid state relay to regulate the power output of each of the first zone  105  of upper heating element array  102 , the second zone  106  of upper heating element array  102 , the first zone  107  of lower heating element array  104  and the second zone  108  of lower heating element array  104 . 
     By independently operating the first zone  105  of upper heating element array  102 , the second zone  106  of upper heating element array  102 , the first zone  107  of lower heating element array  104  and the second zone  108  of lower heating element array  104 , a cooking performance of oven appliance  100  may be facilitated. In particular, such operating may provide uniform energy distribution to a food product within cooking chamber  112 . For example, the opening  114  of housing  110  can provide a large thermal gradient between bottom and top portion  120 ,  122  of cooking chamber  112 . Controller  204  may operate the zones of upper and lower heating element arrays  102 ,  104  to provide particular and/or unique amounts of power and energy to predefined zones in order to evenly heat the food product within cooking chamber  112 . 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.