Method of forming cooking plate with temperature sensing element

A method of forming a first metal plate for a cooking appliance comprising:

• forming a first channel between first and second surfaces of the first metal plate, wherein the first channel comprises a first opening and a second opening, the first surface is opposite to the second surface, and the first surface comprises a nonstick cooking surface upon which food to be cooked will be in contact with;
• forming a first portion of a second channel between the first and second surfaces of the first metal plate, wherein the first portion of the second channel comprises a first portion of a third opening and a first portion of a fourth opening;
• inserting a heating element in the first channel, wherein the heating element comprises a first end comprising a first plug extending from the first opening and a second end comprising a second plug extending from the second opening, and the first and second plugs are positioned to be accessed from a first side edge of the first metal plate;
• placing a temperature sensing element against the first portion of the second channel, wherein the temperature sensing element comprises a third end comprising a third plug extending from the third opening and a fourth end comprising a fourth plug extending from the fourth opening, the third and fourth plugs are positioned to be accessed from the first side edge of the first metal plate, and the third and fourth plugs are positioned between the first and second plugs;
• and
• coupling a second metal plate to the second surface of the first metal plate, wherein the second metal plate comprises a second portion of the second channel, which mates with the first portion of the second channel to form a complete second channel, and the second metal plate couples the temperature sensing element to the first metal plate,
• the temperature sensing element comprises
• a first member, coupled to the third plug, wherein the first member extends in a first direction,
• a second member, coupled to the first member, wherein the second member comprises a first bend, and the second member comprises a temperature sensor device, and
• a third member, coupled to the second member, wherein the third member extends in a second direction, opposite of the first direction, and the third member is also coupled to the fourth plug, and
• between the first member and second member, a first air gap is formed in the second surface of the first metal plate that separates the temperature sensing element from the second surface, and the first air gap exposes a first portion of the temperature sensing element from being enclosed by the second channel.