EP3855076A1

EP3855076A1 - Portable cooking hob and method of operating a portable cooking hob

Info

Publication number: EP3855076A1
Application number: EP20152906.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Massimo Zangoli; Massimo Nostro; Alex Viroli; Claudio Paolini; Elia SCHIARATURA
Original assignee: Electrolux Appliances AB
Current assignee: Electrolux Appliances AB
Priority date: 2020-01-21
Filing date: 2020-01-21
Publication date: 2021-07-28
Also published as: WO2021148270A1

Abstract

There is described a portable cooking hob (2) comprising at least one cooking surface (4) configured to support a cooking vessel (3) and to heat the cooking vessel (3) and/or a product present within the cooking vessel (3), one weight detection unit (6) configured to determine and/or measure a weight of the cooking vessel (3) and/or the product present within the cooking vessel (3) and one main housing (7) having at least a first portion (8) carrying the cooking surface (4) and a second portion (8) different to the first portion (7). The weight detection unit (6) comprises at least one weight sensor (10) arranged at and/or within the second portion (8) of the main housing (7).

Description

The present invention relates to a portable cooking hob for the thermal treatment of products, in particular food products.
Advantageously, the present invention also relates to a method of operating of a portable cooking hob for the thermal treatment of products, in particular food products.
Portable cooking hobs are known for the preparation of food products by means of thermal conditioning of the food products while being placed within a respective cooking vessel, such as a pan, kettle or pot.
A typical portable cooking hob comprises at least one cooking surface being configured to support, in use, one respective cooking vessel and being selectively controllable so as to heat e.g. by means of an electrical resistance or induction heating, the respective cooking vessel and, accordingly, also the food product being placed within the respective cooking vessel.
In the recent years, the need to provide for cooking hobs in general, which are provided with technical means, which allow to aid and/or guide a user throughout the cooking process has evolved. However, while there was a strong focus on fixed cooking hobs in this regard, portable cooking hobs usually do not come along with any technical means, which may allow a user to improve the overall cooking experience and the thermal treatment of the products.
Thus, a need is felt in the sector to improve the known portable cooking hobs, and/or the known methods for operating the portable cooking hobs.
In particular, a need is felt in the sector to improve the cooking experience of users when thermally treating products with the help of portable cooking hobs.
One aim of the present invention is to provide for a cooking hob, to overcome, in a straightforward manner, at least one of the aforementioned inconveniences.
Another aim of the present invention is to provide for a method for operating a portable cooking hob to overcome, in a straightforward manner, at least one of the aforementioned inconveniences.
According to the present invention, there is provided a portable cooking hob according to the independent claim 1.
Preferred non-limiting embodiments are claimed in the dependent claims directly or indirectly depending on claim 1.
According to the present invention, there is provide a method of operating a portable cooking hob according to claim 11.
Preferred non-limiting embodiments are claimed in the claims directly or independently depending on claim 11.
In addition, according to the present invention, there is provided a portable cooking hob comprising at least:

one cooking surface configured to support a cooking vessel and to heat the cooking vessel and/or a product, in particular a food product, present within the cooking vessel;
one weight detection unit configured to determine and/or measure a weight of the cooking vessel and/or the product present within the cooking vessel;
one main housing having a first portion carrying the cooking surface and a second portion different to, in particular opposite to, the first portion;

Such a portable cooking hob allows a user to obtain information about the weight of the cooking vessel and/or the product present within the cooking vessel and, by having at hand such information, to follow the progress of the thermal treatment of the product. By arranging the weight sensor at or within the second portion, it is guaranteed that the weight sensor is not subjected to significant temperature changes, which might lead to undesired inaccuracies in the weight measurement.
It should be noted that in the context of the present description, the product being present within the cooking vessel is preferably a food product or a mixture, emulsion, suspension, water, oil or any other combination. It should also be noted that the product may also be defined by a mixture of a liquid such as water, milk or oil and another food product. It should also be noted that the product to be treated may vary throughout the overall cooking process; i.e. it may be possible to add further components (ingredients) to the product during the cooking process. E.g. during a first step of the cooking process, the cooking vessel only contains a first component (e.g. water or oil) and only after the first component having reached a required temperature, a second component (e.g. pasta or meat) is added. However, for the sake of simplicity, in the following, these possible variations in the exact composition of the product are not further distinguished and simply the term "product" is used including such possibilities.
In the context of the present description, it should be noted that the cooking surface is configured to be intended as any portion of the cooking hob, which is configured to support the cooking vessel and which is provided with means of directing in any form thermal energy into and/or to the cooking vessel and/or into the product being present within the cooking vessel. E.g. the cooking surface can be defined by a surface for the support of the cooking vessel and an electronic element such as an electrical resistance or an electrical coil, being associated to (e.g. being arranged below of) the surface. Another example is a cooking surface being defined by support elements for supporting the cooking vessel and a nozzle arranged below the support elements and configured to allow for a controlled outflow and burning of a gas.
Furthermore, in the context of the present description a cooking vessel can be of any type, form and material (e.g. steel, cast iron, aluminium, clay, ceramics, etc.) as long that it is suitable for being placed onto the cooking surface and for the thermal treatment of products being arranged within the cooking vessel. It is clear that the specific type of cooking vessel may differ in dependence on the specific solution on how the thermal energy is provided to the cooking vessel and/or the food product. A non-exhaustive list of cooking vessels are pans, pots and kettles.
It should be furthermore noted that the term "portable" means that the cooking hob is removably arrangeable on a support surface of e.g. a table and/or a kitchen counter or any other surface suitable to carry the portable cooking hob. In particular, the term "portable" means that the cooking hob is self-retaining meaning that no further means of fixing are required when being arranged on the support surface.
Furthermore, the term "portable" also indicates that the cooking hob is suited to be temporarily placed on such a support surface.
It should also be noted that the term weight sensor includes any sensor, which is configured to directly and/or indirectly determine and/or measure and/or detect the weight of the cooking vessel and/or the product placed therein. In particular, the term weight sensor comprises any sensor, which is configured to provide for weight signals, which are dependent on the acting weight. E.g. the weight signal may by a signal about a strain acting on the weight sensor and/or a resistance of the weight sensor and/or a capacity of the weight sensor, which vary in dependence of the weight acting on them.
According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, the bottom portion comprises one or more support elements configured to arrange and/or place the portable cooking hob on a support surface and the at least one weight sensor is associated to and/or integrated into at least one support element.
In such a manner, the weight sensor is associated and/or integrated to the portion of the cooking hob, which, in use, is placed on the support surface, thereby allowing to improve the measurement sensitivity.
Preferentially but not necessarily, the weight detection unit comprises a plurality of weight sensors, each one being associated to and/or being integrated into one respective support element.
By providing for more than one weight sensor measuring at varying locations, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the weight measurement.
According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, the weight sensor is of the resistive type, in particular the weight sensor is a strain gage.
According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the weight sensor may be of the capacitance-type or of the Micro-ElectroMechanical System (MEMS) type or of the load-cell type.
In this manner, it is possible to use a simple, but still efficient means of indirectly obtaining information about the weight and to determine the weight from such information.
According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, the weight detection unit comprises at least one measurement circuit having at least one Wheatstone bridge comprising the weight sensor. A sensor voltage of the Wheatstone bridge depends on the weight of the cooking vessel and/or the product being present within the cooking vessel.
By using a Wheatstone bridge one obtains an efficient and reliable means of measuring the resistance of the weight sensor and to indirectly acquire information about the weight.
According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, the cooking hob also comprises a control unit configured to control operation of the cooking surface and/or the cooking hob and being operatively connected to the weight detection unit for receiving information signals about the determined and/or detected weight. As the control unit receives the data about the determined and/or detected weight, it is possible for the control unit to rely on such information when controlling operation of the cooking surface and/or the cooking hob.
Preferentially but not necessarily, the control unit is configured to control operation of the portable cooking hob itself and/or of the cooking surface in dependence of the detected and/or determined weight. This allows to improve the efficiency of the thermal treatment process and/or of the final cooking result.
Preferentially but not necessarily, the control unit is configured to emit a signal when, in use, the measured and/or determined weight reaches a predetermined weight threshold and/or a predetermined weight difference threshold of a weight difference between an initial weight and a current weight as determined and/or measured, in use, by the weight detection unit. In this manner, the user is made aware that the thermal treatment process has reached a certain threshold so that the user can initiate the next steps of the thermal treatment process.
In particular, within the scope of the present description the term "current weight" indicates the determined and/or measured weight of a current weight acquisition. Furthermore, the term "initial weight" indicates a determined and/or measured weight obtained at an earlier time with respect to the current weight, e.g. at the beginning of the thermal treatment process. The term "initial weight" can also indicate a determined and/or measured weight obtained during the thermal treatment process and at an appropriate moment.
According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, the cooking hob further comprises a display unit configured to display the weight and/or a weight difference between the initial weight and the current weight. In this way, the user is able to obtain the weight information.
According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, the cooking hob also comprises a control interface configured to allow for the setting and/or definition of one or more operating parameters of the cooking surface and/or the cooking hob itself. In this manner, a user can set and/or define the desired cooking result.
In addition, according to the present invention, there is provided a method of operating a portable cooking hob, the portable cooking hob comprising at least:

one cooking surface configured to support a cooking vessel and to heat the cooking vessel and/or a product present within the cooking vessel;
one weight detection unit configured to determine and/or measure a weight of the cooking vessel and/or the product present within the cooking vessel;
one main housing having a first portion carrying the cooking surface and a second portion different to the first portion;

Such operation of the portable cooking hob allows a user to obtain information about the weight of the cooking vessel and/or the product present within the cooking vessel and, by having at hand such information, to follow the progress of the thermal treatment of the product. By arranging the weight sensor at or within the second portion, it is guaranteed that the weight sensor is not subjected to significant temperature changes, which might lead to undesired inaccuracies in the weight measurement.
Preferentially but not necessarily, during the step of determining and/or measuring, a resistance of and/or a capacity of and/or a strain acting on the weighing sensor is determined and/or measured. In this way, a simple manner is obtained to measure a value, which is directly related to the acting weight.
According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, operation of the portable cooking hob further comprises the step of supplying power to the cooking surface during which power is supplied to the cooking surface for controlling a thermal treatment of the product.
Preferentially but not necessarily, during the step of supplying, the power supplied to the cooking surface depends on cooking parameters and the weight determined and/or measured during the step of determining and/or measuring and/or a weight difference between an initial weight and a current weight. In this way it is possible to improve the overall efficiency of the thermal treatment process.
Preferentially but not necessarily, operation of the portable cooking hob further comprises the step of emitting a signal, during which a signal is emitted if the determined and/or measured weight reaches a predetermined weight threshold and/or a weight difference between an initial weight and a current weight reaches a predetermined weight difference threshold. This allows the user to put aware of the fact that a certain condition during the thermal treatment process has been achieved.
According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, operation of the cooking hop also comprises the step of displaying, during which the weight and/or a weight difference between an initial weight and a current weight is displayed. This allows the user to obtain the information about the weight.
One non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a cooking assembly having at least one portable cooking hob according to the present invention, with parts removed for clarity;
Figure 2 is a schematic side-view of a detail of the cooking assembly of Figure 1, with parts removed for clarity; and
Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a portion of a measurement circuit of the cooking assembly of Figure 1, with parts removed for clarity.

With particular reference to Figure 1, number 1 indicates as a whole a cooking assembly comprising at least a portable cooking hob 2 for the thermal treatment, in particular for the heating, of a product, in particular a food product and/or products such as water, emulsions, suspensions, mixtures or oil or any combination thereof and at least one cooking vessel 3, such as a pot, pan or kettle, containing the product to be thermally treated.
According to some non-limiting variants, cooking assembly 1 could also comprise a lid covering and/or being applied onto cooking vessel 3.
In particular, cooking hob 2 is configured to be placed on a support surface 4, preferentially having a (substantially) horizontal orientation.
According to some non-limiting embodiments, support surface 4 is defined by a surface of a table, of a kitchen counter or of any other surface suitable for carrying cooking hob 2.
With particular reference to Figure 1, cooking hob 2 comprises at least:

one cooking surface 5 configured to support and heat cooking vessel 3 and/or the product present within cooking vessel 3;
one weight detection unit 6 configured to determine and/or measure a weight of cooking vessel 3 and/or the product present within cooking vessel 3; and
one main housing 7.

According to some non-limiting embodiments, weight detection unit 6 is configured to determine and/or measure dynamically the weight; i.e. weight detection unit 6 is configured to obtain, in use, a time-dependent weight profile.
Preferentially but not necessarily, weight detection unit 6 is configured to determine and/or measure an initial weight, in particular at the beginning of a thermal treatment process, and a current weight (at a later time with respect to the acquisition of the initial weight) during the thermal treatment process. In particular, weight detection unit 6 is also configured to calculate a weight difference between the initial weight and the current weight.
Advantageously, main housing 7 comprises at least a top portion 8 configured to carry and/or carrying cooking surface 3 and a bottom portion 9 different and opposite to top portion 8.
In the context of the present invention, the terms top and bottom are to be considered with respect to the orientation of cooking hob 2 during operation of cooking hob 2 itself. In particular, in use, top portion 8 is interposed between cooking vessel 3 and bottom portion 9. In other words, in use, bottom portion 9 faces and/or is adjacent to support surface 4 onto which cooking hob 2 is placed and bottom portion 9 is interposed between top portion 8 and support surface 4.
Advantageously, weight detection unit 6 comprises a plurality of weight sensors 10 arranged at and/or within bottom portion 9 and, in particular each one is configured to generate at least one respective weight signal being a function of the weight.
In particular, weight detection unit 6 is configured to determine and/or measure the weight based on at least one of the weight signals, preferably by all the weight signals, generated, in use, by weight sensors 10.
Preferentially but not necessarily, weight detection unit 6 is configured to calculate the weight form the weight signals.
According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, main housing 7, in particular bottom portion 9, comprises one or more support elements, in particular support feet 14, in the specific example disclosed four, configured to arrange and/or place cooking hob 2 on support surface 4.
Preferentially but not necessarily, support feet 14 are selectively adjustable in height so as to allow controlling of the orientation and/or alignment of cooking hob 2.
According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments and with particular reference to Figure 2, each weight sensor 10 is associated to and/or integrated into one respective support feet 14.
Preferentially but not necessarily, each support foot 14 comprises a respective housing seat 15 (see Figure 2) for the respective weight sensor 10.
According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments and with particular reference to Figures 2 and 3, weight sensors 10 are of the resistive type meaning that the respective resistances of weight sensors 10 are a function of the weight.
According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, weight sensors 10 are chosen from the group of strain gages, load cells, MEMS and capacity sensors.
Preferentially but not necessarily, weight sensors 10 are configured so as to determine the strain acting on weight sensors 10. In particular, the strain acting on weight sensors 10 determines, in use, the respective resistances of weight sensors 10. In use, e.g. a change of the weight of cooking vessel 3 and/or the product present within cooking vessel 3 results in a change of the acting strain and therewith in a change of the respective resistances.
According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, weight detection unit 6 comprises a measurement circuit (only partially shown in Figure 3), in particular configured to detect and/or determine the respective resistance or changes in the respective resistance of weight sensors 10.
Preferentially but not necessarily, the measurement circuit comprises at least one Wheatstone bridge 16, in particular at least a balanced Wheatstone bridge 16. In particular, the Wheatstone bridge 16 comprises at least one weight sensor 10.
In particular, Wheatstone bridge 16 comprises besides the respective weight sensor 10 three further resistances 17, which are arranged together with the respective weight sensor 10 in a closed circuit. In particular, Wheatstone bridge 16 further comprises a power source 18 configured to apply a voltage to the respective Wheatstone bridge 16 and a bridge 19. A sensor current and/or a sensor voltage of each bridge 19 is dependent on the resistance of the respective weight sensor 10, which again is dependent on the weight. In other words, a sensor voltage and/or sensor current of each Wheatstone bridge 16 is dependent on the weight.
According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, the measurement circuit also comprises one or more amplifiers (not shown and known as such) each associated to one respective Wheatstone bridge 16 and configured to amplify the sensor voltages for improving sensitivity.
According to some non-limiting embodiments, cooking hob 2 also comprises a display unit 20 configured to display at least the weight and/or the weight difference determined and/or measured by weight detection unit 6.
According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, cooking hob 2 also comprises a control unit (not shown) configured to control operation of cooking hob 2 itself and/or cooking surface 5. In particular, the control unit is configured to at least control a power supply to cooking surface 5.
Preferentially but not necessarily, control unit is operatively connected to weight detection unit 6 and configured to receive (continuously or intermittently) information signals about the determined and/or measured weight and/or the weight difference. In particular, the control unit is configured to control operation of cooking hob 2 itself and/or of cooking surface 5 in dependence of the measured and/or determined weight.
According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, the control unit is configured to emit a signal, such as e.g. a sound signal and/or a visual signal and/or a mobile text message, in the case that, in use, the weight reaches a predetermined weight threshold and/or a predetermined weight difference threshold.
According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, cooking hob 2 also comprises a supply unit (not shown) being operationally connected to the control unit and cooking surface 5 and configured to selectively supply, upon control by means of the control unit, energy to cooking surface 5. In particular, the energy can be in the form of electrical energy or in the form of a gas to be burned.
According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, cooking surface 5 is of the type relying on a power and/or energy input by means of electrical energy. Preferentially but not necessarily, cooking surface 5 is configured to heat by means of an electrical resistance or by means of induction.
According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, cooking hob 2 comprises a glass-ceramic surface 21 and cooking surface 5 is defined and/or determined by a respective active portion of glass-ceramic surface 21 and a respective electrical resistance or a respective electrical coil arranged below the respective active portion of glass-ceramic surface 21.
According to an alternative embodiment not shown, cooking surface 5 could be of the type relying on a burning gas. According to such an alternative embodiment, the control unit could be configured to selectively control the volume flow of the gas to cooking surface 5 for controlling the power and/or energy input.
Preferentially but not necessarily, according to such an alternative embodiment, the cooking surface could comprise respective support elements for supporting cooking vessel 3 and a nozzle arranged below the respective support elements and configured to allow for a controlled outflow and burning of the gas.
According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, cooking hob 2 also comprises a control interface 22 configured to allow for the setting and/or definition of one or more operating parameters of cooking surface 5 and/or cooking hob 2 itself, in particular prior, during and/or after the thermal treatment of the product.
According to the non-limiting embodiment shown in Figure 1, control interface 22 is integral to cooking hob 2. In particular, control interface 22 comprises a touch display and/or control switches and/or control knobs.
In addition or in alternative, control interface 22 could comprise a mobile device provided with a respective software program for setting and/or defining the operating parameters.
According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the operating parameters can be chosen from at least the group of a desired energy input, a desired cooking temperature, a desired cooking time, a predetermined weight threshold and/or a predetermined weight difference threshold.
According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, weight detection unit 6 and/or control interface 22 comprises an input interface (not shown) configured to allow a user to clear and/or rest the weight. In this manner, it is e.g. possible for a user to place an empty cooking vessel 3 onto cooking surface 5, to zero the weight and to add the product afterwards; in such a manner it is guaranteed to (substantially) determine and/or measure only the weight of the product.
In use, operation of cooking hob 2 comprises at least the step of determining and/or measuring, during which the weight of cooking vessel 3 and/or the product present within cooking vessel 3, is determined and/or measured by weight detection unit 6.
In particular, during the step of determining and/or measuring, each weight sensor 10 generates the respective weight signal and weight detection unit 6 determines and/or measures the weight based on at least one of the weight signals, preferably by considering all the weight signals.
According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, during the step of determining and/or measuring, the respective resistance of and/or the respective strain acting on weight sensor 10 is determined and/or measured, in particular defining and/or determining the respective weight signal.
Preferably but not necessarily, the step of determining and/or measuring is executed continuously or intermittently.
According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, operation of cooking hob 2 also comprises the step of zeroing, during which the weight determined and/or measured is cleared and/or reset. In particular, the step of zeroing is activated by operating the input interface. Even more particular, the step of zeroing is activated after placement of cooking vessel 3 onto cooking surface 5 and prior to insertion of (at least a portion of) the product into the cooking vessel 3.
According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, operation of cooking hob 2 also comprises the step of calculating a weight difference, during which weight detection unit 6 calculates a weight difference between the initial weight and a current weight.
According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, operation of cooking hob 2 also comprises the step of activating the thermal treatment of the product. In particular, the step of activating is started after placement of cooking vessel 3 onto cooking surface 5 and the insertion of the product into cooking vessel 3.
According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, operation of cooking hob 2 also comprises the step of supplying power to cooking surface 5, during which power is supplied to the cooking surface 5, e.g. in the form of electrical energy or in the form of a gas, for controlling the thermal treatment of the product.
Preferentially but not necessarily, during the step of supplying, the power supplied to cooking surface 5 depends on and/or is controlled in dependence of the cooking parameters and the weight determined and/or measured during the step of determining and/or measuring and/or a weight difference between the initial weight and the current weight.
Preferentially but not necessarily, during the step of supplying, the control unit controls the supply of power to cooking surface 5. In particular, the control unit controls the supply unit.
According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, operation of cooking hob 2 further comprises the step of emitting a signal, during which a signal is emitted if the weight reaches the predetermined weight threshold and/or the predetermined weight difference threshold.
According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, operation of cooking hob 2 also comprises the step of displaying, during which the weight and/or the weight difference is displayed, in particular by means of display unit 20.
According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, operation of cooking hob 2 also comprises the step of setting and/or defining, during which one or more operating parameters of cooking surface 5 and/or cooking hob 2 are set and/or defined, in particular by means of control interface 22. In particular, the step of setting and/or defining is executed prior, during and/or after the thermal treatment of the product.
The advantages of cooking hob 2 and its operation according to the present invention will be clear from the foregoing description.
In particular, by obtaining information about the weight of cooking vessel 3 and/or the product present within cooking vessel 3 it is possible to improve the overall cooking experience. The user is aided during the thermal treatment process by having at hand updated information about the weight.
Clearly, changes may be made to cooking hob 2 and/or its method of operation without, however, departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Portable cooking hob (2) comprising at least:
- one cooking surface (4) configured to support a cooking vessel (3) and to heat the cooking vessel (3) and/or a product present within the cooking vessel (3);

- one weight detection unit (6) configured to determine and/or measure a weight of the cooking vessel (3) and/or the product present within the cooking vessel (3); and

- one main housing (7) having at least a first portion (8) carrying the cooking surface (4) and a second portion (8) different to the first portion (7);
wherein the weight detection unit (6) comprises at least one weight sensor (10) arranged at and/or within the second portion (8) of the main housing (7).
Portable cooking hob according to claim 1, wherein the bottom portion (8) comprises one or more support elements (14) configured to arrange and/or place the portable cooking hob (2) on a support surface (4);
wherein the at least one weight sensor (10) is associated to and/or integrated into at least one respective support element (14).
Portable cooking hob according to claim 2, wherein the weight detection unit (6) comprises a plurality of weight sensors, each one being associated to and/or being integrated into one respective support element (14).
Portable cooking hob according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the weight sensor (10) is of the resistive type or of the capacitive type or of the Micro-ElectroMechanical System type or of the load-cell type, in particular the weight sensor (10) is a strain gage.
Portable cooking hob according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the weight detection unit (6) comprises at least one measurement circuit having at least one Wheatstone bridge (16) comprising the weight sensor (10);
wherein a sensor voltage of the Wheatstone bridge (16) is dependent on the weight of the cooking vessel (3) and/or the product being present within the cooking vessel (3).
Portable cooking hob according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a control unit configured to control operation of the cooking surface (5) and being operatively connected to the weight detection unit (6) for receiving information signals about the determined and/or measured weight.
Portable cooking hob according to claim 6, wherein the control unit is configured to control operation of the portable cooking hob (2) itself and/or of the cooking surface (5) in dependence of the measured and/or determined weight.
Portable cooking hob according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the control unit is configured to emit a signal when, in use, the determined and/or measured weight reaches a predetermined weight threshold and/or a predetermined weight difference threshold of a weight difference between an initial weight and a current weight as determined and/or measured, in use, by the weight detection unit (6).
Portable cooking hob according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a display unit (20) configured to display the determined and/or measured weight and/or a weight difference between an initial weight and a current weight.
Portable cooking hob according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a control interface (22) configured to allow for the setting and/or definition of one or more operating parameters of the cooking surface (5) and/or of the portable cooking hob (2) itself.
Method of operating a portable cooking hob (2), in particular according to any one of the previous claims;
the portable cooking hob (2) comprises at least:
- one cooking surface (4) configured to support a cooking vessel (3) and to heat the cooking vessel (3) and/or a product present within the cooking vessel (3);

- one weight detection unit (6) configured to determine and/or measure a weight of the cooking vessel (3) and/or the product present within the cooking vessel (3);

- one main housing (7) having a first portion (8) carrying the cooking surface (5) and a second portion (9) different to the first portion (8);
wherein the weight detection unit (6) comprises at least one weight sensor (10) arranged at and/or within the second portion (9) of the main housing (7);
wherein the operation of the portable cooking hob (2) comprises the step of determining and/or measuring the weight of the cooking vessel (3) and/or of the product by means of the weight detection unit (6).
Method according to claim 11, wherein during the step of determining and/or measuring, a resistance and/or capacity of and/or a strain acting on the weighing sensor (10) is determined and/or measured.
Method according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising the step of supplying power to the cooking surface (5) during which power is supplied to the cooking surface (5) for controlling a thermal treatment of the product;
wherein during the step of supplying, the power supplied to the cooking surface (5) depends on cooking parameters and the weight determined and/or measured during the step of determining and/or measuring and/or a weight difference between an initial weight and a current weight.
Method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising the step of emitting a signal, during which a signal is emitted if the determined and/or measured weight reaches a predetermined weight threshold and/or a weight difference between an initial weight and a current weight reaches a predetermined weight difference threshold.
Method according to any one of claim 11 to 14, further comprising the step of displaying, during which the determined and/or measured weight and/or a weight difference between an initial weight and a current weight is displayed.