Abstract: A cooktop is provided that includes heating elements which are combined to a heating zone; a power supply to generate a heating current that operates the heating elements; a switch to open and close a power circuit that includes the power supply and one of the heating elements; and a controller that determines a characteristic variable of the heating current, actuates the switch as a function of a selected power level to operate the heating zone, and activates, in a first operating state, two of the heating elements, which are combined to form the heating zone, in different phases of a heating period.

Abstract: A hob includes at least one heating zone, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of a cookware element placed on the heating zone, and a control unit for operating the heating zone. The control unit is constructed to heat up the cookware element in a heat-up phase and to control the temperature of the cookware element to a target temperature in a holding phase in at least one operating mode. In order to enable an energy-saving simmer operation, the control unit detects a boiling point of the liquid contained in the cookware element during the heat-up phase and determines the target temperature as a function of the boiling point.

Abstract: A hob includes at least one heating zone, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of a cookware element placed on the heating zone, and a control unit for operating the heating zone. The control unit is constructed to heat up the cookware element in a heat-up phase and to control the temperature of the cookware element to a target temperature in a holding phase in at least one operating mode. In order to enable an energy-saving simmer operation, the control unit detects a boiling point of the liquid contained in the cookware element during the heat-up phase and determines the target temperature as a function of the boiling point.

Abstract: A cooktop is provided that includes heating elements which are combined to a heating zone; a power supply to generate a heating current that operates the heating elements; a switch to open and close a power circuit that includes the power supply and one of the heating elements; and a controller that determines a characteristic variable of the heating current, actuates the switch as a function of a selected power level to operate the heating zone, and activates, in a first operating state, two of the heating elements, which are combined to form the heating zone, in different phases of a heating period.