Abstract: Glass or glass-ceramic materials for a cooking surface of a modern cooking unit can only withstand a certain predetermined limited temperature/time load. In order to guarantee that the permissible temperature/time load is not exceeded during the guaranteed lifetime at a given “standard” usage frequency, a shut-off temperature must be determined by an operating temperature limiting device provided in the cooking unit. So that the full potential of the cooking unit in regard to the load that the cooking surface bears can be attained when the actual usage frequency is less than a nominal value or predetermined guideline, the method provides for a continuous measurement of the accumulated temperature/time load and for continuous determination of the shut-off temperature by comparison of the accumulated temperature/time load with the permissible load for the actual usage duration.

Abstract: The invention offers a simple and economical mounting possibility for gas burners in molded parts made of a brittle-friable material, such as glass, glass-ceramic or ceramic, by means of which gas burners can be mounted without stresses, in a leakage-proof and gastight fashion in cooking surfaces of such a material without having to impose a restriction as to a special appliance and/or a specific burner type. The molded part which is made of the brittle-friable material, is the sole support for the gas burners, however, if the molded part breaks, the gas burners will drop onto a lower metal support so that the gas feed lines do not rupture.