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Manipulating the control knob on the stove adjusts a cam connected to the switch contacts within the simmerstat. The cam's varying profile determines how far the contacts close, effectively modulating the heating cycle. Depending on the knob's position, the temperature at which the bimetallic strip opens differs, thus altering the duration the heating element remains on before switching off.
Historical Context of the Simmerstat Technology
Though this technology may seem modern, it has its roots in the 1920s, highlighting the timelessness of the simmerstat design. The technology was utilized in coil-top stoves, which are still widely used today. This underlines the efficiency and practicality of the simmerstat in various stovetop designs, bridging generations of culinary technology.