Airflow control in multi-cavity oven appliances with one gas burner

Abstract

An oven appliance includes a cabinet. An upper cooking chamber is defined in the cabinet adjacent a top portion of the cabinet. A lower cooking chamber is defined in the cabinet below the upper cooking chamber and adjacent a lower portion of the cabinet. A duct is positioned at a back portion of the cabinet. The duct extends between both the upper cooking chamber and the lower cooking chamber. A fan is positioned in the duct. A gas heating element is disposed in the cabinet. The gas heating element is the only gas heating element for the upper cooking chamber and the lower cooking chamber.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to multi-cavity oven appliances, such as double oven range appliances, and more specifically to systems for controlling airflow therein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Various oven appliance may include more than one cooking chamber. For example, such multi-cavity oven appliances may include double oven range appliances having upper and lower cooking chambers. A user of the double oven range appliances may conveniently utilize either or both of the upper and lower cooking chambers to cook food items. In certain double oven range appliances, the upper cooking chamber is smaller than the lower cooking chamber. Thus, the user may utilize the upper cooking chamber to cook smaller food items and the lower cooking chamber to cook larger food items.

[0003] Heating a multi-cavity oven appliance to properly cook / bake foods includes being able to supply heat to each oven cavity substantially independent of the other cavity or cavities. Traditionally, this has been accomplished by supplying a bake burner to each oven cavity, a broil burner to at least one of the cavities, and optionally an additional heat source with a fan for convection. This includes independent burners or electric elements for each of these heat sources. Such configurations can be costly, reduce the usable cooking volume within the oven appliance, add complexity, and may reduce reliability of the oven appliance. As another example, typical multi-cavity oven appliances only provide convection heating in one cavity or the additional cost of another convection system must be added to provide convection in other cavities.

[0004] Accordingly, a multi-cavity oven appliance with a reduced part count and features for providing flexible operation of the oven appliance, e.g., by selectively directing heat to one or more of the multiple cavities, would be useful.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] 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.

[0006] In one example embodiment, an oven appliance is provided. The oven appliance defines a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction. The vertical, lateral, and transverse directions are mutually perpendicular. The oven appliance includes a cabinet extending between a first side portion and a second side portion along the lateral direction. The cabinet also extends between a top portion and a bottom portion along the vertical direction. The cabinet defines an upper cooking chamber positioned adjacent the top portion of the cabinet and a lower cooking chamber positioned adjacent the lower portion of the cabinet. The oven appliance also includes a duct positioned at a back portion of the cabinet. The duct extends in the vertical direction between both the upper cooking chamber and the lower cooking chamber. A fan is positioned in the duct, and a gas heating element is in direct thermal communication with the upper cooking chamber. The gas heating element is the only gas heating element for the upper cooking chamber and the lower cooking chamber.

[0007] In another example embodiment, an oven appliance is provided. The oven appliance defines a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction. The vertical, lateral, and transverse directions are mutually perpendicular. The oven appliance includes a cabinet extending between a first side portion and a second side portion along the lateral direction. The cabinet also extends between a top portion and a bottom portion along the vertical direction. The cabinet defines an upper cooking chamber positioned adjacent the top portion of the cabinet and a lower cooking chamber positioned adjacent the lower portion of the cabinet. The oven appliance also includes a duct positioned at a back portion of the cabinet. The duct extends in the vertical direction between both the upper cooking chamber and the lower cooking chamber. A fan is positioned in the duct, and a gas heating element is in direct thermal communication with the lower cooking chamber. The gas heating element is the only gas heating element for the upper cooking chamber and the lower cooking chamber.

[0008] In another example embodiment, an oven appliance is provided. The oven appliance includes a cabinet, an upper cooking chamber defined in the cabinet adjacent a top portion of the cabinet, a lower cooking chamber defined in the cabinet below the upper cooking chamber and adjacent a lower portion of the cabinet, and a duct positioned at a back portion of the cabinet. The duct extends between both the upper cooking chamber and the lower cooking chamber, and a fan is positioned in the duct. A gas heating element is disposed in the cabinet. The gas heating element is the only gas heating element for the upper cooking chamber and the lower cooking chamber.

[0009] 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

[0010] 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.

[0011] FIG. 1 provides a perspective views of an oven range appliance according to one or more example embodiments of the present subject matter.

[0012] FIG. 2 provides a schematic illustration of a multi-cavity oven appliance according to one or more example embodiments of the present subject matter in a first operating mode.

[0013] FIG. 3 provides a schematic illustration of the multi-cavity oven appliance of FIG. 2 a second operating mode.

[0014] FIG. 4 provides a schematic illustration of the multi-cavity oven appliance of FIG. 2 in a third operating mode.

[0015] FIG. 5 provides a schematic illustration of another example multi-cavity oven appliance in a fourth operating mode.

[0016] FIG. 6 provides a schematic illustration of the multi-cavity oven appliance of FIG. 5 in a fifth operating mode.

[0017] FIG. 7 provides a schematic view of a fan system of the example multi-cavity oven appliance according to one or more example embodiments of the present subject matter.

[0018] Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] 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.

[0020] FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a multi-cavity oven range appliance 100 according to an example embodiment of the present subject matter. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1 the oven range appliance is a double oven appliance including two cavities. It is to be understood that such is by way of example only, additional embodiments of the present disclosure may include three or more cavities. In the illustrated example, the multi-cavity oven appliance 100 includes a separate door for each cavity, e.g., an upper door 121 and a lower door 125 corresponding to the upper and lower cavities, respectively. In additional embodiments, a single door May be provided for simultaneous access to all of the multiple cavities within the oven appliance 100. Other combinations and variations are also possible, for example a triple cavity oven appliance with two doors, etc.

[0021] As may be seen in FIG. 1 oven appliance 100 defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L and a transverse direction T. The vertical, lateral, and transverse directions are mutually perpendicular and form an orthogonal direction system.

[0022] Oven appliance 100 includes an insulated cabinet 110. Cabinet 110 extends between a top portion 111 and a bottom portion 112, e.g., along the vertical direction V. Thus, top, and bottom portions 111, 112 of cabinet 110 are spaced apart from each other, e.g., along the vertical direction V. Cabinet 110 also extends between a first side portion 113 and a second side portion 114, e.g., along the lateral direction L. Thus, first and second side portions 113, 114 of cabinet 110 are spaced apart from each other, e.g., along the lateral direction L. For example, from the perspective of a user standing in front of the oven appliance 100, e.g., to reach into one of the cavities and / or to access the controls, the first side portion 113 may be a right side portion and the second side portion 114 may be a left side portion. Cabinet 110 further extends between a front portion 115 and a back portion 116, e.g., along the transverse direction T. Thus, front, and back portions 115, 116 of cabinet 110 are spaced apart from each other, e.g., along the transverse direction T.

[0023] In the illustrated example, oven appliance 100 includes a cooktop 130 positioned at or adjacent top portion 111 of cabinet 110. Cooktop 130 includes various heating elements 132, such as gas burners, electric resistance elements, induction elements, etc., that are configured for heating cookware positioned thereon. In additional embodiments, the oven appliance 100 may be a built-in oven or a wall oven, e.g., without a cooktop 130 thereon.

[0024] As indicated in FIG. 1, cabinet 110 also defines an upper cooking chamber 120 and a lower cooking chamber 124. Thus, oven appliance 100 is generally referred to as a double oven range appliance. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, range appliance 100 is provided by way of example only, and the present subject matter may be used in any suitable multi-cavity oven appliance, e.g., a triple cavity oven appliance (or more), a double cavity wall oven appliance, etc., in various combinations.

[0025] Upper cooking chamber 120 is positioned at or adjacent top portion 111 of cabinet 110. Conversely, lower cooking chamber 124 is positioned at or adjacent bottom portion 112 of cabinet 110. Thus, upper, and lower cooking chambers 120, 124 are spaced apart from each other along the vertical direction V. Upper and lower cooking chambers 120, 124 can have any suitable size relative to each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, upper cooking chamber 120 may be smaller than lower cooking chamber 124.

[0026] Upper and lower cooking chambers 120, 124 are configured for receipt of one or more food items to be cooked. The upper door 121 and the lower door 125 are movably attached or coupled to cabinet 110, e.g., rotatably coupled with hinges, in order to permit selective access to upper cooking chamber 120 and lower cooking chamber 124, respectively. Handles 123, 127 are mounted to upper and lower doors 121, 125 to assist a user with opening and closing doors 121, 125 in order to access cooking chambers 120, 124. As an example, a user can pull on handle 123 mounted to upper door 121 to open or close upper door 121 and access upper cooking chamber 120. Glass window panes 122, 126 provide for viewing the contents of upper and lower cooking chambers 120, 124 when doors 121, 125 are closed and also assist with insulating upper and lower cooking chambers 120, 124.

[0027] A control panel 140 of oven appliance 100 is positioned at top portion 111 and back portion 116 of cabinet 110. Control panel 140 includes user inputs 142. Control panel 140 provides selections for user manipulation of the operation of oven appliance 100. For example, a user can touch control panel 140 to trigger one of user inputs 142. In response to user manipulation of user inputs 142, various components of the oven appliance 100, such as various heating elements, can be operated.

[0028] In general, oven appliance 100 may further include or be in operative communication with a processing device or a controller (not shown) that may be generally configured to facilitate appliance operation. In this regard, control panel 140, and user inputs 142 may be in communication with the controller such that the controller may receive control inputs from user inputs 142 and may otherwise regulate operation of oven appliance 100. For example, signals generated by the controller may operate oven appliance 100, including any or all system components, subsystems, or interconnected devices, in response to the position of user inputs 142 and other control commands. Control panel 140 and other components of oven appliance 100 may be in communication with the controller via, for example, one or more signal lines or shared communication busses. In this manner, Input / Output (“I / O”) signals may be routed between the controller and various operational components of oven appliance 100.

[0029] As used herein, the terms “processing device,”“computing device,”“controller,” or the like may generally refer to any suitable processing device, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor, a microcontroller, an integrated circuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a logic device, one or more central processing units (CPUs), a graphics processing units (GPUs), processing units performing other specialized calculations, semiconductor devices, etc. In addition, these “controllers” are not necessarily restricted to a single element but may include any suitable number, type, and configuration of processing devices integrated in any suitable manner to facilitate appliance operation. Alternatively, the controller may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and / or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND / OR gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software.

[0030] The controller may include, or be associated with, one or more memory elements or non-transitory computer-readable storage mediums, such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, EPROM, flash memory devices, magnetic disks, or other suitable memory devices (including combinations thereof). These memory devices may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. In addition, these memory devices can store information and / or data accessible by the one or more processors, including instructions that can be executed by the one or more processors. It should be appreciated that the instructions can be software written in any suitable programming language or can be implemented in hardware. Additionally, or alternatively, the instructions can be executed logically and / or virtually using separate threads on one or more processors.

[0031] For example, the controller may be operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with an operating mode of oven appliance 100. In this regard, the instructions may be software or any set of instructions that when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations, such as running one or more software applications, displaying a user interface, receiving user input, processing user input, etc. Moreover, it should be noted that the controller as disclosed herein is capable of and may be operable to perform any methods, method steps, or portions of methods as disclosed herein. For example, in some embodiments, methods disclosed herein may be embodied in programming instructions stored in the memory and executed by the controller.

[0032] As may be seen in FIGS. 2 through 6, upper cooking chamber 120 and lower cooking chamber 124 may be thermally isolated from one another. For example, insulation 150 may be positioned between the upper cooking chamber 120 and the lower cooking chamber 124, e.g., in the transverse and lateral directions T, L, respectively. The oven appliance 100 generally includes one, single gas heating element configured to provide heat, e.g., convection heat via heated air, to both cooking chambers 120, 124. Thus, in the illustrated example embodiment of FIGS. 2-4, the oven appliance includes a gas heating element 160 in the upper cooking chamber 120 generally configured to provide heat, e.g., convection heat via heated air, to both of upper and lower cooking chambers 120 and 124, respectively. In the illustrated example embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, the oven appliance includes a gas heating element 160 in the lower cooking chamber 124 generally configured to provide heat, e.g., convection heat via heated air, to both of upper and lower cooking chambers 120 and 124, respectively. In some embodiments, more than one type of heating element may be provided, e.g., one or more electrical heating elements 162 may be provided in either, or both, of the upper and lower cooking chambers 120 and 124, as shown throughout FIGS. 2-6.

[0033] Turning briefly to FIG. 7, illustrated is an example of a fan 190 of the oven appliance 100. In general, oven appliance 100 may include fan 190 positioned and configured to urge heated air from gas heating element 160 through a duct 180. In particular, as seen in FIGS. 2-7, duct 180 may be a singular duct system extending in the vertical direction V between top portion 111 and bottom portion 112, e.g., between upper cooking chamber 120 and lower cooking chamber 124. Duct 180 may generally provide airflow pathways for facilitating heated air, such as heated air 1000, to the desired cooking chamber 120 and / or 124. More specifically, duct 180 may extend between a top heat outlet 186 through back portion 116 of cabinet 110 to the upper cooking chamber 120 and a lower, bake outlet 178 through back portion 116 of cabinet 110 to the lower cooking chamber 124.

[0034] As will be described in more detail below, selective activation or deactivation of fan 190 may provide thermal communication from gas heating element 160 through duct 180 and to the upper cooking chamber 120 and / or the lower cooking chamber 124, e.g., heated air 1000 may be forced via fan 190 to the desired cooking chamber 120, 124. In some example embodiments, electrical heating elements 162 may be positioned in either, or both, of the upper and lower cooking chambers 120 and 124, as well as proximate fan 190 to provide additional heating to the heated air 1000. Referring still to FIG. 7, in particular, fan 190 may be a centrifugal fan including impeller style fan blades 192 configured to pull air through a fan inlet 194 and force air out perpendicularly to the fan inlet 194. For example, fan 190 may intake heated air 1000 in the transverse direction T into fan inlet 194 and may then direct, eject, or facilitate, air upward, or downward, through duct 180 in the vertical direction V. More specifically, fan 190 may be configured to rotate fan blades 192 either clockwise or counter-clockwise to direct air either up, or down, in the vertical direction V. In general, fan inlet 194 may be positioned through an opening in back portion 116 of cabinet 110 proximate gas heating element 160, such as through back portion 116 of cabinet 110 in upper cooking chamber 120 or through back portion 116 of cabinet 110 in lower cooking chamber 124.

[0035] Referring now to FIG. 2, illustrated is cooking appliance 100 in a broil operating mode in the upper cooking chamber 120. As stated above, in the present example embodiment, gas heating element 160 is provided in the upper cooking chamber 120, proximate, e.g., no more than eight inches (8 in) away from, the back portion 116 of cabinet 110. In particular, gas heating element 160 is positioned in the upper cooking chamber 120, and fan 190 may be positioned in duct 180 such that fan inlet 194 is positioned proximate gas heating element 160. In the present example embodiment, fan 190 may be OFF, such that heated air 1000 emanating from gas heating element 160 may naturally rise within upper cooking chamber 120, providing the desired heat for broiling.

[0036] Turning now to FIG. 3, illustrated is cooking appliance 100 in a bake operating mode in the upper cooking chamber 120. As stated above, in the present example embodiment, gas heating element 160 is provided in the upper cooking chamber 120, and fan 190 may be positioned in duct 180 such that fan inlet 194 is positioned proximate gas heating element 160. In the present example embodiment, fan 190 may be ON, and rotating in the clockwise direction, e.g., heated air 1000 may be directed into duct 180 and upwards through top heat outlet 186 back into cooking chamber 120. For example, heated air 1000 may be forced back into upper cooking chamber 120 such that heated air 1000 may flow around the upper cooking chamber 120 providing the desired heat for baking.

[0037] Referring now to FIG. 4, illustrated is cooking appliance 100 in a bake operating mode in the lower cooking chamber 124. As stated above, in the present example embodiment, gas heating element 160 is provided in the upper cooking chamber 120, and fan 190 may be positioned in duct 180 such that fan inlet 194 is positioned proximate gas heating element 160. In the present example embodiment, fan 190 may be ON, and rotating in the counter-clockwise direction, e.g., heated air 1000 may be directed into duct 180 and downward through lower, bake outlet 178 into lower cooking chamber 124. For example, heated air 1000 may be forced into lower cooking chamber 124 such that heated air 1000 may flow around within the lower cooking chamber 124 providing the desired heat for baking.

[0038] Turning now to FIG. 5, illustrated is cooking appliance 100 in a bake operating mode in the upper cooking chamber 120. In the present example embodiment, oven appliance 100 includes a gas heating element 160 in the lower cooking chamber 124. In particular, gas heating element 160 is positioned in the lower cooking chamber 124 with fan 190 positioned in duct 180 such that fan inlet 194 is positioned proximate gas heating element 160. In the present example embodiment, fan 190 may be ON, and rotating in the clockwise direction, e.g., heated air 1000 may be directed into duct 180 and upwards through top heat outlet 186 into upper cooking chamber 120. For example, heated air 1000 may be forced into upper cooking chamber 120 such that heated air 1000 may flow around the upper cooking chamber 120 providing the desired heat for baking.

[0039] Referring now to FIG. 6, illustrated is cooking appliance 100 in a bake operating mode in the lower cooking chamber 124. As stated above, in the present example embodiment, gas heating element 160 is provided in the lower cooking chamber 124, and fan 190 may be positioned in duct 180 such that fan inlet 194 is positioned proximate gas heating element 160. In the present example embodiment, fan 190 may be ON, and rotating in the counter-clockwise direction, e.g., heated air 1000 may be directed into duct 180 and downward through lower, bake outlet 178 back into lower cooking chamber 124. For example, heated air 1000 may be forced back into lower cooking chamber 124 such that heated air 1000 may flow around within the lower cooking chamber 124 providing the desired heat for baking.

[0040] As may be seen from the above, a double oven appliance with a single gas burner placed in one cooking chamber may include a single, reversible fan configured to supply hot air to both of the cooking chambers. The gas burner and the fan may work simultaneously or separately depending on the bake / operating modes in both cooking chambers. Depending upon the direction of rotation of the fan, the heated air is supplied to either the upper cooking chamber or the lower cooking chamber, e.g., to the upper cooking chamber via clockwise rotation, or lower cooking chamber via anticlockwise rotation. The cooking chambers may also include additional electrical heating elements.

[0041] 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.

Claims

1. An oven appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction and a transverse direction, the vertical, lateral, and transverse directions being mutually perpendicular, the oven appliance comprising:a cabinet extending between a first side portion and a second side portion along the lateral direction, the cabinet also extending between a top portion and a bottom portion along the vertical direction, the cabinet defining an upper cooking chamber positioned adjacent the top portion of the cabinet and a lower cooking chamber positioned adjacent the lower portion of the cabinet;a duct positioned at a back portion of the cabinet, the duct extending in the vertical direction between both the upper cooking chamber and the lower cooking chamber;a fan positioned in the duct; anda gas heating element in direct thermal communication with the upper cooking chamber, wherein the gas heating element is the only gas heating element for the upper cooking chamber and the lower cooking chamber.

2. The oven appliance of claim 1, wherein the duct extends between a top heat outlet through the back portion of the cabinet to the upper cooking chamber and a bake outlet through the back portion of the cabinet to the lower cooking chamber.

3. The oven appliance of claim 1, wherein the fan is a centrifugal fan configured to eject air perpendicular to an inlet of the fan, wherein the fan is configured to rotate either clockwise or counter-clockwise to facilitate air either up, in the vertical direction, or down, in the vertical direction.

4. The oven appliance of claim 1, wherein the gas heating element is positioned within the upper cooking chamber, proximate the back portion of the cabinet.

5. The oven appliance of claim 4, further comprising a fan inlet positioned through the back portion of the upper cooking chamber, the fan inlet proximate the gas heating element, the fan positioned within the duct at the fan inlet.

6. The oven appliance of claim 1, further comprising one or more electrical heating elements in the cabinet, the one or more heating elements positioned in one or both of the upper cooking chamber and the lower cooking chamber.

7. An oven appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction and a transverse direction, the vertical, lateral, and transverse directions being mutually perpendicular, the oven appliance comprising:a cabinet extending between a first side portion and a second side portion along the lateral direction, the cabinet also extending between a top portion and a bottom portion along the vertical direction, the cabinet defining an upper cooking chamber positioned adjacent the top portion of the cabinet and a lower cooking chamber positioned adjacent the lower portion of the cabinet;a duct positioned at a back portion of the cabinet, the duct extending in the vertical direction between both the upper cooking chamber and the lower cooking chamber;a fan positioned in the duct; anda gas heating element in direct thermal communication with the lower cooking chamber, wherein the gas heating element is the only gas heating element for the upper cooking chamber and the lower cooking chamber.

8. The oven appliance of claim 7, wherein the duct extends between a top heat outlet through the back portion of the cabinet to the upper cooking chamber and a bake outlet through the back portion of the cabinet to the lower cooking chamber.

9. The oven appliance of claim 7, wherein the fan is a centrifugal fan configured to eject air perpendicular to an inlet of the fan, wherein the fan is configured to rotate either clockwise or counter-clockwise to facilitate air either up, in the vertical direction, or down, in the vertical direction.

10. The oven appliance of claim 7, wherein the gas heating element is positioned within the lower cooking chamber, proximate the back portion of the cabinet.

11. The oven appliance of claim 10, further comprising a fan inlet positioned through the back portion of the lower cooking chamber, the fan positioned within the duct at the fan inlet.

12. The oven appliance of claim 7, further comprising one or more electrical heating elements in the cabinet, the one or more electrical heating elements positioned in one or both of the upper cooking chamber and the lower cooking chamber.

13. An oven appliance, comprising:a cabinet;an upper cooking chamber defined in the cabinet adjacent a top portion of the cabinet;a lower cooking chamber defined in the cabinet below the upper cooking chamber and adjacent a lower portion of the cabinet;a duct positioned at a back portion of the cabinet, the duct extending between both the upper cooking chamber and the lower cooking chamber;a fan positioned in the duct; anda gas heating element disposed in the cabinet, wherein the gas heating element is the only gas heating element for the upper cooking chamber and the lower cooking chamber.

14. The oven appliance of claim 13, wherein the duct extends between a top heat outlet through the back portion of the cabinet to the upper cooking chamber and a bake outlet through the back portion of the cabinet to the lower cooking chamber.

15. The oven appliance of claim 13, wherein the fan is a centrifugal fan configured to eject air perpendicular to an inlet of the fan, wherein the fan is configured to rotate either clockwise or counter-clockwise to facilitate air either upwards or downwards.

16. The oven appliance of claim 13, wherein the gas heating element is positioned within the upper cooking chamber, proximate the back portion of the cabinet.

17. The oven appliance of claim 16, further comprising a fan inlet positioned through the back portion of the upper cooking chamber, the fan inlet proximate the gas heating element, the fan positioned within the duct at the fan inlet.

18. The oven appliance of claim 13, wherein the gas heating element is positioned within the lower cooking chamber, proximate the back portion of the cabinet.

19. The oven appliance of claim 18, further comprising a fan inlet positioned through the back portion of the lower cooking chamber, the fan positioned within the duct at the fan inlet.

20. The oven appliance of claim 13, further comprising one or more electrical heating elements in the cabinet, the one or more electrical heating elements positioned in one or both of the upper cooking chamber and the lower cooking chamber.

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