Abstract: A portable operating device for controlling a kitchen appliance from different operating positions having a base body, at least one control element, which is displaceable relative to the base body, for the user to input control information, at least one sensor for detecting a relative movement between the at least one control element and the base body, and a communication unit which is connected to the at least one sensor in a signal-transmitting manner in order to wirelessly transmit, to the kitchen appliance, control information which correlates with the relative movement.

Abstract: A method for controlling a cooking appliance of the basis of a control command transferred from a mobile device to a control device via a wireless data connection, comprising the steps of: capturing a plurality of the sample values correlating to a signal strength of the wireless data connection, determining a test value on the basis of the plurality of sample values, comparing the test value with a reference test value to determine a comparison result, limiting the controllability of said cooking appliance by means of the mobile device according to the comparison result.