GAS STOVE ARRANGEMENT WITH A WOK SUPPORT AND A GAS BURNER TOP

Abstract

 The present invention is related to a gas stove arrangement (1b, 1c) for supporting a wok (46), the arrangement comprising: a gas stove having at least one gas-operated gas hob (2b, 2c) with a gas burner (4), and a wok support (14, 26) designed to be positioned on the gas hob (2b, 2c). The wok support (14, 26) is designed to support a wok (46) and is designed to receive a bottom portion (48) of a wok (46) when positioned on the wok support (14, 26). The gas burner (4) has a wok burner top (12) which is provided with a top surface area (16b) having a symmetry or rotational symmetry and being arranged to at least partially face a bottom portion (48) of a wok (46) when the latter is positioned in said wok support (14, 26). The top surface area (16b) is provided with a plurality of gas-air mix outlet openings (10) arranged in groups (32), each group comprising a plurality of said gas-air mix outlet openings (10) aligned radially, or substantially radially, along said top surface area (16b).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a gas stove arrangement adapted for cooking food using a wok.

[0002] Cooking of food is done within various types of pots or pans. Heating of vessels like pots and pans by gas stove arrangements are favorable due to the easiness of adjusting the amount of heating and a very fast responses time, e.g. the heating can be immediately switched on or off even for full power operation.
Cooking with a wok is traditionally from Asia, especially from China, however, it recently gains continuously more interest also in western countries. An advantage of using a wok is the wide variety of cooking methods, e.g. boiling, braising, deep frying, pan frying, roasting etc. with just one tool. The wok is preferentially used on open flames like gas stoves. Moving the wok, sliding in from of tilting and/or rotating, across the gas flame with inhomogeneous heat distribution along the inner wok wall is the specialty in food preparation using the wok.

[0003] US 2002/0162923 A1 suggests a wok support for supporting the wok on a pan supporting structure of a gas hob, where the wok is held by means of circular shaped mounts.

[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide a gas stove arrangement for optimizing the use of a wok, wherein the gas stove arrangement is a modification on the basis of a conventional gas stove arrangement. In particular the optimization provides heating of a central bottom area of a wok.

[0005] This object is solved in particular by a gas stove arrangement for supporting a wok, the arrangement comprising: a gas stove having at least one gas-operated gas hob with a gas burner, and a wok support designed to be positioned on the gas hob, wherein the wok support is designed to support a wok and is designed to receive a bottom portion of a wok when positioned on the wok support, wherein the gas burner has a wok burner top which is provided with a top surface area having a symmetry or rotational symmetry and being arranged to at least partially face a bottom portion of a wok when the latter is positioned in said wok support, and wherein said top surface area is provided with a plurality of gas-air mix outlet openings arranged in groups, each group comprising a plurality of said gas-air mix outlet openings aligned radially, or substantially radially, along said top surface area.

[0006] Preferably, a plurality of said groups is provided, wherein the groups are circumferentially distributed or the groups are evenly distributed on the top surface area of the wok burner top.

[0007] Advantageously, the wok burner top has a spatial arrangement of the gas-air mix outlet openings at the top surface area of the wok burner top that is designed for heating the center of the bottom region of a wok placed on the wok support positioned at the gas hob having the wok burner top.

[0008] Preferably, the wok burner top is exchangeably placed on an adapter or seating ring of the gas burner, and the adapter or seating ring of the gas burner has a matching shape that is matching with a bottom shape of the wok burner top such that the wok burner top is received in a centering manner on the supporting base and such that it is secured against lateral displacements with respect to the adapter or seating ring.

[0009] In an advantageous embodiment, the gas stove arrangement further comprises a pan burner top that is exchangeably placed on the adapter or seating ring in the position of the removed wok burner top, wherein the pan burner top has an arrangement of gas outlet openings at the lateral surface of the pan burner top designed for heating the outer bottom regions of a pan placed on the gas hob having the pan burner top, and wherein the pan burner top has a bottom profile that is matching with the matching profile of the adapter or seating ring such that the pan burner top is received in a centering manner on the adapter or seating ring and such that it is secured against lateral displacements with respect to the adapter or seating ring.

[0010] Preferably, the maximum spacing between neighboring openings in one of said groups is less than the minimum spacing between the openings of two neighboring groups.

[0011] Advantageously, the openings have an axis of extension through the wall of the wok burner top, and the axis of extension of a portion of the openings, or most of the openings, or all of the openings, or the openings at a top surface area, is oriented according to one or more of the following: the axis of extension is inclined of an angle (γ) with respect to a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis of said wok burner top, and the axis of extension is inclined of an angle (α) with respect to the surface normal of the surface of the wok burner top, for each of the concerned openings at the respective position of the openings.

[0012] More preferably, angle (α) is in the range from 20 to 30°, 15 to 35°, 15 to 25° or 25 to 45°.

[0013] Advantageously, the wok burner top has a conical or substantially conical surface area at which at least a portion of the openings are arranged, and the surface normal of the conical or substantially conical surface is inclined relative a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the wok burner top, by an angle (β) that is in the range from 20 to 40°, or 25 to 35°, or it is 30°.

[0014] Preferably, the wok support has an upper rim and extensions extending from the upper rim, and the extensions are bending outward in a curved line with respect to the center of the wok support.
In another advantageous embodiment, the wok support has an upper rim and extensions extending from the upper rim, and the extensions are resilient and when a wok is placed on the wok support, the extensions are bent outward with respect to the center of the wok support.

[0015] Preferably, the height or the vertical extension of the wok support is provided in a way such that a wok is supported at a position above the gas burner which is higher than if the wok would be positioned on the gas hob without wok support.

[0016] Advantageously, the wok support is a ring-shaped ring or loop-shaped wok support having a closed or an at least partially closed sidewall that is circumferentially surrounding the central longitudinal axis of the gas burner when the wok support is placed on the gas hob or a pan supporting structure of the gas hob.

[0017] Preferably, the wok support has a supporting and/or flow guiding structure adapted for supporting the bottom surface of a wok to be positioned on the gas hob and/or for guiding an air flow along the bottom surface of a wok to be positioned on the gas hob, and wherein the diameter of the supporting and/or flow guiding structure is expanding from a lower region to an upper region of the wok support at least in an upper region of the wok support.

[0018] Advantageously, the gas hob has a pan supporting structure designed to support a pan above the gas burner, and the wok support has recesses and/or extensions, and the recesses and/or extensions are designed to receive supporting elements of the pan supporting structure therebetween for laterally holding the wok support on the pan supporting structure.

[0019] The invention advantageously provides a gas stove arrangement having at least one gas hob comprising a gas burner for heating a wok at a central bottom area.
Further, or alternatively the invention provides a wok support for easiness of use for tilting and/or rotating the wok when resting on the wok support.
Preferably the gas stove arrangement is a professional gas stove arrangement or is a domestic gas stove arrangement. The invention preferably provides arrangements by modifying standard gas stove arrangements by replacing a conventional burner top with a wok burner top according to the invention and/or by placing a wok support onto a (conventional) pan support structure at the gas hob. By removing the wok support and/or by replacing the wok burner top with a conventional burner top, the conventional gas stove arrangement may be easily re-established. The conversion is feasible and preferably without the need for special mounting tools.

[0020] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, a gas stove arrangement for supporting a wok is provided. It is underlined that the wok is a cooking vessel with a curved bottom shape. This curved bottom shape may be e.g. conical or bulgy. The wok may also be denoted as wok pan. All cooking vessels having a rounded bottom may also be regarded as woks. In particular, other regional variants of wok are the Japanese chukanabe, the Indonesian penggorengan or wajan, the Malaysian kuali or kawah, the Philippine kawali or kawa, the Indian cheena chatti and karahi. In the present invention the term "wok" comprises all above mentioned kind of curved bottom pans.

[0021] Preferably, the gas stove arrangement according to the invention comprises a gas stove having a gas-operated gas hob with a wok gas burner, and a wok support designed to be positioned on the gas hob, preferably on a pan supporting structure of the gas hob. The gas stove arrangement may comprise one or more gas hobs out of which one or more of the gas hobs have an arrangement as defined below.

[0022] Preferably, a wok burner top of the gas burner is removably and/or exchangeably positioned on the top of the gas burner. E.g. the wok burner top can be exchanged with a conventional burner top (and vice versa), i.e. a burner top typically used for heating a flat, or substantially flat bottom pot or pan. Herein the conventional burner top is also called "pan burner top", which for example has the openings provided at a lateral circumferential wall thereof, such that the flames are directed radially outward.

[0023] Preferably, for modifying the conventional gas hob to a gas hob configured for cooking using a wok, the pan burner top can be exchanged by the wok burner top according to the invention and/or the wok support according to the invention is placed on the gas hob. In this way a conventional professional or a domestic gas stove can be transformed, specifically one or more of the gas hobs of the gas stove, into a gas stove adapted for improved use of one or more woks for cooking.

[0024] The gas burner advantageously comprises a "wok burner top" which also can be denoted as wok burner head. The wok burner top has the function of a flame spreader which spatially distributes the flames starting at the exit of the openings. The openings direct the gas flow to different predefined directions. The wok burner top has a top surface area (which may be a portion of the outer surface of the wok burner top) having preferably symmetry or rotational symmetry, and being arranged to at least partially face the wok bottom when the latter is positioned in said wok support. The symmetry of the wok burner top is preferred, more preferably rotational symmetry is provided. The symmetry relates to central longitudinal axis (coinciding to the central vertical axis in operational orientation of the burner top) or to planes that cross the wok burner top in longitudinal (vertical in operational orientation) direction. The symmetry may include a mirror (ellipse) or polygon-symmetry (repetition at fixed angles or rotation, e.g. triangle, pentagon, etc.).
It is underlined that 'vertical' and 'horizontal' relate to the orientation of the gas stove and thus the wok burner top when installed in the domestic or professional kitchen for 'normal' operation.
Preferably, the gas burner construction is such that a mixture of gas and air is exiting outlets formed through the wall of the wok burner top. For example, the gas burner comprises a Venturi-nozzle which provides a mixture of gas and air to the inner side of the wok burner top. Preferably, the gas mixture lacks air so that a complete gas-burning takes place outside the openings when the exiting gas-air mixture further mixes with surrounding air.

[0025] The top surface area of the wok burner top is provided with a plurality of "gas-air mix outlet openings" arranged in groups (these outlet openings are structured for allowing the coming out of a mixture of air and gas). Each group comprises a plurality of said gas-air mix outlet openings aligned radially, substantially radially along said top surface area. The spatial arrangement of the gas-air mix outlet openings at the top surface area of the burner is designed for heating the center or the bottom region of a wok to be placed on the gas hob having the burner top. Preferably the spacing d (also 'distance' or 'gap') between neighboring openings of a group is less than the spacing D of closest openings of neighboring groups - see also below. By such groups arrangement, the ambient air can better flow between the groups from the periphery towards the center of the burner top.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment, the maximum spacing between neighboring openings in one group is less than the minimum spacing D or the average spacing or the smallest spacing between openings of neighboring groups of openings. Preferably, the spacing between neighboring openings in a group (row) is smaller than the spacing between the shortest distance D between openings of different groups (rows), at least when taking the average of the spacing in one group and the average spacing between the groups.

[0027] The spacing of the groups is such that the minimum distance D between two neighboring groups is preferably comprised between 1.5 times and 2 times the maximum or average diameter W of the openings. For example, in an advantageous embodiment, the minimum distance D between two neighboring groups is 5.3 mm, and the average diameter W of the openings is 2.75 mm.
In a further advantageous embodiment, the minimum distance D between two neighboring groups is preferably comprised between 2.5 times and 6 times the maximum or average diameter W of the openings.
Spacing, distance, and diameter preferably relate to average spacing, average distance, and average diameter at the outer region of the burner top.

[0028] Preferably, the outlet openings are grouped in groups that extend radially, so that the openings of one group are aligned in a radial direction with respect to the central longitudinal axis LA of the wok burner top. The word "radial" may include some bend lines extending radially outward (when referring to central longitudinal axis LA of the wok burner top). Preferably, the "radial" extension is seen in a projection to a plane perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis LA of the wok burner top, and the center from which the rays spread is the projection to said plane of the central longitudinal axis LA of the wok burner top. Preferably, the groups are distributed with respect to the top surface area of the wok burner top over the circumference. Herein, "distributed over circumference" means that there is an azimuthal distribution, i.e. the openings and/or groups are arranged so that these are under different azimuthal angles with respect to the central longitudinal axis LA of the wok burner top. In an advantageous embodiment, the openings are aligned at the wok burner top surface in rows that extend from a lower (outer) region of the wok burner top to an upper (inner) region of the burner top. Generally, the "rows" of openings can also be denoted as "lines" of openings.

[0029] Preferably, the rows are in the form of straight lines, e.g. on a cone or truncated cone. However, the rows may also be slightly bend, e.g. on a spherical dome or on a truncated spherical cone. The bending may additionally or alternatively be in the radial direction, e.g. slightly spiral or helical extension of the row in radial direction.

[0030] Preferably, each group or each row of the openings has an extension along the wok burner top surface in a direction having a component parallel to the central longitudinal axis LA of the wok burner top (i.e. a longitudinal component when the wok burner top is in operational position). Whit reference to a spatial condition in which the wok burner top is in operational position, the top surface area of the wok burner top is rising vertically upward along the surface from an outer region to an inner region. This is at least for a partial distance from the outer region to the inner region, e.g. a partial distance along a truncated dome/cone area of the wok burner top. For example the openings in one group or row are arranged one above the other along the distance or along the partial distance from the outer to the inner region.

[0031] The design of the burner top provides a plurality of groups of openings. The groups may be circumferentially distributed or may be evenly distributed over the surface area of the burner top. E.g. the groups are distributed like an aureole where each 'ray' is spaced from the neighboring one, preferably evenly spaced, e.g. the angle between the groups is preferably the same along the circumference. As mentioned above, groups may be arranged in lines or rows.

[0032] The openings have an axis B of extension through the wall of the wok burner top, wherein the extension axis of a portion of the openings, most of the openings or all of the openings preferably are oriented according to one or more of the following:

1) the axis of extension is inclined of an angle γ with respect to a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the wok burner top, and

2) the axis of extension is inclined of an angle α with respect to the surface normal of the surface of the wok burner top for each of the concerned openings at the respective position of the openings.

[0033] The openings are understood as holes through the wall of the wok burner top and have an axis B of extension through the wall ('bore' axis). The word 'concerned' relates to the openings that may be all, a portion or most of the openings.

[0034] In an advantageous embodiment, the openings are inclined with respect to the surface normal N at the wok burner top. The inclination provides that an air stream, that is flowing parallel to the surface of the wok burner top, is hit by the gas stream flowing out from the opening. This gas stream has a flow direction component that is flowing opposite to the air stream, such that the air stream is disturbed and turbulences may develop, which mix the gas stream and the air stream to result in better combustion efficiency and/or reduced air flow velocity towards the bottom side of the wok. Preferably, the openings are inclined with respect to the surface normal at the wok burner top by an inclination angle in the range from 20 to 30°, 15 to 35°, 15 to 25° or 25 to 45°. Preferably, the angle ranges indicated are seen with respect to a radially sectioning view through the respective opening under consideration. Preferably, the inclination angle is measured from the surface normal into a radially outward direction.

[0035] The top surface area or the area of the outer surface of the wok burner top where the groups of openings are arranged may be a dome or a truncated dome (e.g. dome-shaped or truncated dome-shaped). In respect of manufacturing and the evenness of the heat generated by the flames discharged out of the openings in the wok burner top, the truncated-cone shape is the most advantageous in combination with the radial group of holes.

[0036] Preferably, the wok burner top has a conical or substantially conical surface area at which the openings are arranged and wherein the surface normal N of the conical or substantially conical surface is inclined relative to a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the wok burner top by an angle that is in the range from 20 to 40°, 25 to 35°, or it is 30°. Such arrangements are favorable for the purposes of central heating of the bottom portion of this wok in combination with the described arrangements of the gas-air-mix outlet opening at the wok burner top.

[0037] Preferably, the wok burner top is exchangeably placed on an adapter or seating ring of the gas burner. Preferably, the adapter or seating ring of the gas burner has a matching shape that is matching with a bottom shape of the wok burner top such that the wok burner top is received in a centering manner on the adapter or seating ring and such that it is secured against lateral relocations or displacements with respect to the adapter or seating ring. Herein the 'matching shape' could also be denoted as 'mating structure' or 'mating profile' or 'engaging profile'. The adapter or seating ring may also be denoted as or considered as 'supporting flange'.

[0038] The gas stove arrangement further comprises a pan burner top that is exchangeably placed on the adapter or seating ring at the position of a removed wok burner top. The pan burner top has an arrangement of gas outlet openings at the surface of the pan burner top that is designed for heating the outer bottom regions of a flat, or substantially flat, pan to be placed on the gas hob having the pan burner top. The pan burner top has a bottom shape that is matching with the matching shape of the adapter or seating ring such that the pan burner top is received in a centering manner on the adapter or seating ring and such that it is secured against lateral relocations with respect to the adapter or seating ring.

[0039] Preferably, the adapter or seating ring has a rim circumferentially provided and the wok burner top and/or pan burner top has a rim circumferentially provided, wherein the rims cooperate for centering and laterally fixing the wok burner top and/or pan burner top on the adapter or seating ring. Preferably, the bottom shapes of the wok burner top and of the pan burner top, which are providing the mating engagement between the adapter or seating ring and the wok and pan burner tops, are identically or essentially identically shaped, so that an exchange of the wok and pan burner tops can be made without the need for an intermediate adapter or another additional element.

[0040] Preferably, the wok support is designed to align a wok to be supported with the gas burner. The wok support is designed to receive a bottom portion of the wok when positioned on the wok support. The (diagonal) clearance between supporting positions (e.g. contact points or surfaces or lines at which the external surface of the wok bottom portion is in contact with the wok support) at which the wok is supported on the wok support is wider than the (diagonal) clearance between supporting positions when the wok is positioned directly on a pan supporting structure without using the wok support. A more stable support of the wok over the gas burner is provided thereby.

[0041] Preferably the wok support has an upper rim and extensions extending from the upper rim, wherein the extensions are bending outward with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the wok support. The extensions may be resilient, so that they flexibly adapt to the curvature of the wok bottom surface and/or are elastically deflected while the wok is moved within the wok support (e.g. during tilting or rotating). Additionally or alternatively, the upper rim of the wok support may have an outer edge and the outer edge is bent to the outside of the wok support such that when positioning a wok on the wok support the outer edge is bent away from the wok bottom surface and is not contacting the wok bottom surface. By the bending, only curved areas contact the bottom of a wok such. Thereby, the friction of the wok bottom along the curved areas is reduced and the sliding of the wok is improved when the wok is tilted or rotated on the wok support without lifting it. This avoids sharp edges engaging at the wok bottom. Alternatively or additionally one or more spacers are provided at the upper rim of the wok support that are guided downward at the periphery of the wok support. Preferably the length of the one or more spacers is such that the lower end of the spacers rest on a pan supporting structure of the gas hob when the wok support is positioned on the pan supporting structure. Thereby the support stability of the wok support on the pan supporting structure and finally the stability of support of the wok is improved.

[0042] Preferably, the upper rim may be provided as a continuous rim or may be provided as elements distributed along the circumference of the wok support. The elements may be advantageously provided as blades or flaps extending upwards and outward with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the wok support.

[0043] The height or vertical extension of the wok support may be provided in a way such that a wok is supported at a position above the gas burner which is higher than if the wok would be directly positioned on the gas hob (e.g. on the pan supporting structure) without using the wok support.

[0044] Alternatively or preferably, the wok support is ring-shaped having a closed or an at least partially closed sidewall that is circumferentially surrounding the axis LA of the gas burner. The at least partially closed side walls concentrate the heat flow of heated air to the bottom surface of the wok. The heated air is preferably guided along the wok bottom surface in a chimney like manner.

[0045] Preferably, the wok support has a supporting and/or flow guiding structure adapted for supporting the bottom surface of a wok to be positioned on the gas hob and/or for guiding an air flow along the bottom surface of a wok to be positioned on the gas hob. The diameter of the supporting and/or flow guiding structure may be preferably expanding from a lower region to an upper region of the wok support at least in an upper region of the wok support. The expanding diameter refers to the free width at the inner side of the wok ring. The expanding diameter improves the handling of the wok when tossing or lifting the wok while preparing food. The expanding diameter in connection with at least partially closed circumferential side walls of the wok support improves efficiency of using energy and/or providing a gradual heat gradient along the bottom surface of the wok.

[0046] Preferably, the wok support forms a polygon in a plan view of the basic structure or a regular polygon. The side elements of the wok support may be formed of plate-shaped elements connected to each other. Preferably, the side elements are arranged tangentially or essentially tangentially with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the wok support. The tangential arrangement of the plate-shaped elements further reduces friction in that the edges of the elements do not come in contact with the bottom of the wok. Plate-shaped elements are easily manufactured from plate material.

[0047] Preferably, the gas hob has a pan supporting structure designed to support a flat or substantially flat bottom pan above the gas burner. The wok support may have recesses and/or extensions at the lower rim, wherein the recesses and/or extensions are designed to receive supporting elements of the pan supporting structure therebetween, for laterally holding the wok support on the pan supporting structure.

[0048] Preferably, the pan supporting structure has beams, in particular beams that are radially aligned with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the gas burner, and the recesses and/or extensions are designed to match with the profile of the beams and/or the arrangement of the beams such that the wok support is laterally fixed with respect to the gas burner and/or is aligned to the central longitudinal axis of the gas burner, e.g. the wok support is aligned coaxially to the central longitudinal axis of the gas burner.

[0049] Gas stoves with the gas stove arrangement according to the invention can be used as domestic gas stove or a professional gas stove. Conventional gas stove arrangements for pans and/or pots can easily be converted to arrangements for woks, also for fixed installations, by using a wok support and/or a wok burner top according to the invention. Just a few pieces, namely the supporting structure and/or the burner top need to be detached and replaced. These two pieces are typically detachable in conventional gas stoves, for cleaning purposes.

[0050] From the above and the following description, it is understood by the person in the art that the wok burner top having the groups of openings may be claimed as such without including the other elements of the gas stove arrangement. Also the wok support according to the first or second embodiment may be claimed as such without including the other elements of the gas stove arrangement, in particular the specific wok burner top. The wok burner top and/or each of the embodiments of the wok supports may be claimed with the respective features in any combination or sub-combination as disclosed herein in the claims and/or in the detailed description and/or in the above introductory portion. Furthermore, a gas stove arrangement having only the wok burner top (with any sub-combination of features thereof), or having only one of the embodiments of the wok support (with any sub-combination of features thereof), may be claimed independently.

[0051] The following is an aspect of the invention relating to the wok support disclosed herein.
In an independent aspect, the invention relates to a wok support designed for being placed on a pan supporting structure of a gas hob and being designed to support a wok above a gas burner of the gas hob. The wok support has a height or vertical extension such that a wok placed on the wok support is supported at an elevated position (h) with respect to a gas burner of a gas hob as compared to the position of the wok when placed on the pan supporting structure.

[0052] The wok support has an upper rim and extensions extending from the upper rim, wherein the extensions are bending outward with respect to a central longitudinal axis (CLA) of the wok support. The extensions may be resilient, so that they flexibly adapt to the curvature of the wok bottom surface and/or are elastically deflected while the wok is moved within the wok support (e.g. during tilting or rotating).
By the bending, only curved areas contact the bottom of a wok. Thereby the friction of the wok bottom along the curved areas is reduced and the sliding of the wok is improved when the wok is tilted on the wok support without lifting it. This design avoids sharp edges engaging at the wok bottom.

[0053] Alternatively, or additionally, to the extensions, one or more spacers are provided at the upper rim of the wok support that are guided downward at the periphery of the wok support. Preferably the length of the one or more spacers is such that the lower end of each of the spacers rests on a pan supporting structure of the gas hob when the wok support is positioned on the pan supporting structure. Thereby the support stability of the wok support on the pan supporting structure and finally the stability of support of the wok is improved.

[0054] The extensions may have an outer edge and the outer edge is bent to the outside of the wok support such that when positioning a wok on the wok support the outer edge is bent away from the wok bottom surface and is not contacting the wok bottom surface.

[0055] The upper rim of the wok support may be provided as a continuous rim or may be provided as elements distributed along the circumference of the wok support. The elements may be provided as blades or wings extending upwards to the outside in a curved manner or straight manner (e.g. planes or plates - see below).

[0056] Preferably in a plan view of the wok support, the basic structure of the wok support forms a polygon, preferably a regular polygon. Alternatively, or additionally, the side elements of the wok support are formed of plate-shaped elements connected to each other, wherein, preferably, the side elements are arranged tangentially or essentially tangentially with respect to the central longitudinal axis (CLA) of the wok support. The tangential arrangement of the plate-shaped elements further reduces friction in that the edges of the elements do not come in contact with the bottom of the wok. The plate-shaped elements can be easily manufactured for example from plate material.

[0057] All elements of the wok support as described herein are individually or in any sub-combination applicable to the wok support according to the independent aspect of the invention.

[0058] Reference is made in detail to preferred embodiments of this invention in the accompanying figures, which show:

Fig. 1

a schematic view of a prior art gas stove arrangement having two gas hobs with conventional pan burner tops,

Fig. 2

a gas stove arrangement with two gas hobs, one of these gas hobs having a wok burner top and a wok support according to the invention002C and the other gas hob having a pan burner top,

Fig. 3

a schematic exploded view of the gas stove arrangement of Fig. 2 having the wok support with a bended upper rim,

Fig. 4

a schematic exploded view of another gas stove arrangement with a ring-shaped wok support according to another advantageous embodiment,

Fig. 5

a cross-sectional exploded side view showing details of the gas stove arrangement of Fig. 3,

Fig. 5A

a cross-sectional exploded side view showing details of the gas stove arrangement of Fig. 4,

Fig. 6A

is a perspective view of the wok burner top of Fig. 3,

Fig. 6B

is a cross-sectional view of a detail of the wall of the wok burner top of Fig. 3,

Fig. 6C

is a cross-sectional side view of the wok burner top of Fig. 3,

Fig. 6D

is a top view of the wok burner top of Fig. 3, depicting the preferred arrangement of a plurality of gas-air-mix openings,

Fig. 7A

a cross-sectional side view of a detail of the gas stove arrangement of Fig. 1 showing the gas hob with a pan burner top,

Fig. 7B

a cross-sectional side view of a detail of the gas stove arrangement of Fig. 2 showing the gas hob with the wok burner top depicting the gas flow in close proximity to the gas-air-mix openings,

Fig. 7C

the detail of Fig. 7B in side view depicting the gas flow from the inlet area to the outlet area,

Fig. 8A

a conventional gas hob with a pan placed on the pan support structure and with indicated hot air flow,

Fig. 8B

the gas hob of Fig. 5 with a wok placed on the wok support and with indicated hot air flow, and

Fig. 9

a more detailed view of Fig. 8B for illustrating the gas, gas/air and ambient air flows.

[0059] In the following the terms 'vertical' and 'horizontal' related to orientations with respect to the orientation of the arrangement or elements thereof when the gas stove arrangement is placed in a way to be ready for use, in an operational condition in which the central longitudinal axis of the das burner, the central longitudinal axis CLA of the wok support 14 and the central longitudinal axis LA of the wok burner top 12 are vertically oriented

[0060] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a prior art gas stove arrangement 1a having two conventional gas hobs 2a. Each one of the gas hobs 2a comprises a gas burner 4 and a pan supporting structure 8 which are arranged in a supporting base 22 of the arrangement 1a. The gas burner 4 comprises a conventional pan burner top 6.

[0061] The conventional pan burner top 6 comprises gas-air-mix outlet openings 11 which are oriented radially outward from the center of the pan burner top 6 and are distributed on the circumference of a side wall of the pan burner top 6. The pan supporting structure 8 (two shown in this example) is preferably a conventional structure, more preferably having support beams 9b that extend from a frame 9a towards the center (preferably towards the central longitudinal axis of the respective gas burner 4). The top side of the support beams 9b lie in an define an even plane, horizontal when the pan burner top 6 is in the operational condition, for carrying pans and/or pots having a planar or flat bottom surface.

[0062] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of an advantageous embodiment of a gas stove arrangement 1b which in this configuration has, preferably, two gas hobs. One of the gas hobs is a gas hob 2b according to a first embodiment of the invention, and the other gas hob is preferably a conventional gas hob 2a as described with respect to Fig. 1. The gas hob 2b of this embodiment has a wok burner top 12, which is depicted in further detail in Figures 6A to 6D, and a wok support 14 according to a first advantageous embodiment of the invention. Preferably, and as depicted for the embodiments herein, the supporting base 22, the pan burner top 6 and the pan supporting structure 8 of the gas hob 2b (and of the gas hob 2c below) are or can be the same as, or of the same type of, the respective elements of the gas hob 2a as described above for Fig. 1.

[0063] In Fig. 3 the gas hob 2b of the gas stove arrangement 1b of Fig. 2 is shown in exploded perspective view. As can be seen, the wok support 14 advantageously forms a ring-structure, preferably obtained by a plate that is folded to a preferably regular polygon.

[0064] The details of the embodiment of the gas hob 2b are shown in a vertical exploded view. From above there are the wok support 14 according to the first embodiment, the pan supporting structure 8, the wok burner top 12 according to this embodiment, an adapter 24 (may also be denoted as seating ring), the supporting base 22 of the arrangement 1b, and the gas burner 4. Under consideration of the modifications as described for the embodiments herein, for each one of the gas hobs 2a, 2b and 2c, elements 14, 8, 12 (or 6 for gas hob 2a), 24, 4 are aligned to each other coaxially with respect to the central longitudinal axis GBA of the gas burner, as indicated in Fig. 3 in relation to the gas hob 2a.
The wok support 14 can be provided for example as a (upgrade) kit adapted to be directly positioned on the beams 9b of the pan supporting structure 8.
Preferably, for facilitating positioning of the wok support 14 at a defined and stable position on the pan supporting structure 8 with respect to the gas burner 4, the lower rim 19 of the wok support 14 comprises a mating structure which mates with the supporting structure 8, preferably with the supporting beams 9b, in a manner which enables a proper fitting of the wok support to the pan supporting structure 8. In the shown example, the mating structure is provided on the lower rim 19 by recesses 15. Preferably the recesses 15 are distributed along the lower rim 19 in an orientation such that one of the supporting beams 9b is received in one of the recesses 15 when the central longitudinal axis of the wok support 14 and the central longitudinal axis of the pan supporting structure 8 are coinciding. Herein, preferably, the central longitudinal axis of the pan supporting structure 8 is coinciding with the central longitudinal axis of the gas burner 4.

[0065] At the upper rim 18 the wok support 14, extensions 20 are preferably provided, more preferably in the form of wings. The extensions 20 extend upward from the upper rim 18 in a direction that is inclined outward with respect to the central longitudinal axis CLA of the wok support (shown for example in Figure 5). Preferably the extensions 20 are curved outward so as to provide a curvature free of edges. On the one hand, the curved extensions 20 or wings provide support of a wok 46 (shown for example in Figures 7B, 7C, 8B) on top of the wok support 14, and on the other hand the outward curvature of the wings is opposite to the inside curvature of a wok 46 positioned on the wings 20. Thereby the friction between the bottom portion 48 of a wok 46 and wing surface is reduced when the wok 46 is rotated or tilted, and the 'shaking movement' of the chef can be implemented by the chef without lifting the wok. In a further advantageous embodiment, it may be provided that the wings 20 are elastic and may deflect outward when the wok 46 exerts a force onto the supporting wings 20. For example the wings 20 may be formed of metal plates that are thinner than the plate material of the upper region 17b and lower region 17a of the wok support 18 and/or are resilient so that they a bend outward when the wok is placed on the wings.

[0066] Preferably the wok support 14 of this embodiment is formed of a metal plate or metal band, for example by punching and bending the plate into a polygonal form. Preferably the ends of the metal plate are welded together or attached in another way together. The lower sidewall region 17a of the support 14 between the lower rim 19 and the upper rim 18 preferably forms a closed (optionally except the recesses 15) ring-shaped polygon; preferably, the upper sidewall region 17b of the support between the lower and upper rim forms radially extending guiding plates. The upper and lower sidewall regions 17b, 17a assist in guiding the heat from the burner, upwards towards the central region of the bottom portion 48 of a wok 46 and then along the side wall of this bottom portion 48, to be released close along the wok side wall. Thereby the forming of a chimney-effect along the bottom and sidewall of the wok is promoted.

[0067] Fig. 4 shows another advantageous embodiment of a gas stove arrangement 1c in a vertically exploded view. In this example the arrangement 1c comprises preferably the same gas hob 2a described above, and another embodiment of a gas hob 2c in which the same elements as for the elements of the has hob 2b are used, except the first embodiment wok support 14 which is replaced here by a second embodiment ring-shaped wok support 26. For the same elements the above applies correspondingly.

[0068] In this example the ring-shaped wok support 26 has two (preferably circular) ring elements 28 wherein the lower ring element rests on the upper side of the supporting beams 9b (see top level L of supporting structure indicated in Fig. 5) when positioned on the pan supporting structure 8 and the upper inner rim of the upper ring element 28 serves as support for the wok bottom. By the rounded contact surface, which is the surface of the upper ring element which comes in contact with the wok bottom, the same friction-reducing effect is achieved as described above for the wings 20 that are curved to the outside: The curved contact surface of the ring element (the curvature is the defined by the circle in the vertical plane cross section of the ring element) interacts with the curved bottom of the wok in an edgeless, and therefore friction-reduced, manner. The ring shape of the upper ring element 28 allows a proper fitting of a wok 46 on top of the ring-shaped wok support 26.

[0069] The ring elements 28 are preferably held spaced from each other by spacers 27, wherein the length (or vertical length) of the spacers defines the height "h" by which the wok is raised above the gas burner 4 as compared to placing the wok directly onto the pan supporting structure 8. The inner free diameter of the ring-shaped wok support 26 is preferably wider than the diameter of a circle having an outer circumference that is touching (or in other words is defined by) the inner ends of the supporting beams 9b; in other words the diameter of the ring-shaped wok support 26 is such that a wok with a dome-shaped bottom surface is inserted with less depth-extension onto the supporting beams 9b when directly placed onto the pan supporting structure 8 as compared to the depth-extension when placed onto the ring-shaped wok support 26. Thereby the supporting line of the contact between upper ring elements 28 and wok 46 has a wider diameter than the supporting line of the contact between supporting beam 9b and wok, which results in a more stable support for the wok on the wok support 26 than on the supporting beams 9b. Preferably, at their lower end, the spacers 27 extend beyond the lower ring element 28 and a notch 27a is formed in each of the spacers. The notches 27a are arranged in such a way to receive one of the supporting beams 9b, so that by placing the notches 27a over the respective beams 9b, the ring-shaped wok support 26 is stably positioned on the pan supporting structure 8.

[0070] Preferably, all the separated elements of the gas hob 2b shown in Fig. 3 and of the gas hob 2c shown in Fig. 4 are removably held in position without any fixing means (without permanent and preferably without temporary fixing means, like a screw or a snap-connection). By a longitudinal (vertical) separation movement, the wok supports 14, 26 can be freely separated from the pan supporting structure 8, the pan supporting structure 8 can be separated from the supporting base 22, the wok and pan burner tops 6, 12 can be separated from the seating ring 24, and the seating ring 24 can be separated from the gas burner 4. In an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the seating ring 24 is permanently or releasably mounted by fixing means to the gas burner 4. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment the user has the convenience to modify his gas stove arrangement according to the current needs:

• both gas hobs are arranged as conventional gas hobs 1a with the conventional burner top 6;
• by exchanging one of the pot burner tops 6 with the wok burner top 12 and placing none or one of the wok supports 14, 26 on the pan supporting structure 8, a gas hob for a wok is provided;
• by placing wok burner tops 12 instead of pot burner tops 6 onto the adapters 24 and by placing a wok support 14 onto one of the pan supporting structure 8 and a ring-shaped wok support 26 on the other pan supporting structure 8, the conventional gas hob 2a is modified into the gas hob 2b and gas hob 2c according to the above embodiments.

[0071] Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional, vertically exploded side view of the gas hob 2b. The gas burner 4 is preferably mounted at a respective opening in the bottom of the supporting base 22. The gas burner 4 has preferably a Venturi nozzle where the gas is injected into a pipe section such that ambient air from below the supporting base 22 is sucked into the pipe section and a gas/air mixture is provided that flows towards the upper outlet of the pipe section and is injected into the cavity formed between the seating ring 24 and the wok burner top 12. Within the cavity the gas/air mixture, which is poor in air, is distributed and is flowing under slight over-pressure as compared to the ambient air through openings 10 formed in the wall of the wok burner top 12. The arrangement of the openings 10 is further better described below in connection with Figures 6A to 6D.

[0072] The adapter 24, or seat ring, acts as a seat equally for the pan burner top 6 and the wok burner top 12. When considering a radial cross section from the center to the outer rim of the adapter 24, the upper peripheral profile 25 of the adapter 24 provides rims and/or edges that mate with rims and/or edges provided at outer region of the lower surface of the pan and wok burner tops 6, 12. The rims and/or edges are paired in a way such that when one of the pan or wok burner tops 6, 12 is placed coaxially on top of the adapter 24, the coaxial alignment of the pan or wok burner top and the adapter is provided by the paired profiles 25 and the pan or wok burner top is secured on the adapter against lateral displacement. The mating or pairing of the rims and/or edges is depicted in more detail in Fig. 9. Preferably the outer bottom profile of the pan burner top 6 is identical or at least substantially identical, so that the pan and wok burner tops can be easily exchanged on the adapter 24 and after exchange each one of the pan and wok burner tops is aligned as just described.

[0073] Preferably, in the first advantageous embodiment of the wok support 14, the wings 20 that are curved outward and are provided at the upper rim 28 have resting elements 21 that extend from the lower end of the wings (and/or from the upper rim 28) downward. The lower end of the resting elements 21 are advantageously in the same horizontal plane as the inner upper edge of the recesses 15. When the wok support 14 is positioned on the pan supporting structure 8 with the supporting beams 9b received in the recesses 15, the lower ends of the resting elements 21 rest on the upper surface of a supporting beam 9b - compare cross-section in Fig. 7B. This configuration has the advantage that the bearing or resting stability of the wok support 14 on the pan supporting structure 8 and in consequence the resting stability of the wok on the wok support 14 is improved. A further advantage is that the wok support can be manufactured from thin plate material (e.g. a metal plate as mentioned above) that provides resilience of the wings 20 under the load of the wok, while the design of the wok support and the support thereof on the pan supporting structure 8 allows full cooking activity of the chef.
In a similar way, as Fig. 5 shows details of gas hob 2b of Fig. 3, Fig. 5A shows details of the gas hob 2c shown in Fig. 4. The details are described above with respect to Fig. 4.

[0074] Figures 6A to 6D show different views and details of the burner top 12. As can be seen in the perspective view of Fig. 6A, the wok burner top 12 has preferably a top or central surface area 16a where no openings 10 are provided. The central surface area 16a may be flat or may be curved, or multifaceted. In the depicted example of the wok burner top 12, around the central area 16a, a surface 16b, conical (formed e.g. as a truncated cone surface) or hemispherical is provided which comprises a plurality of gas-air-mix outlet openings 10. In another advantageous embodiment, not shown, openings 10 may also be provided in the central area 16a and/or the central area may be the continuation of the conical or hemispherical surface area 16b.
Below surface area 16b, a preferably vertical sidewall 16c can be advantageously provided, in which lateral openings 11 can be preferably provided. The bore direction of the lateral openings 11 extend in radial direction with respect to the central longitudinal axis LA of the wok top burner 12 (which is also a symmetry axis of the wok top burner 12). In another advantageous embodiment, it may be provided that the wok burner top 12 has no lateral openings 11 and/or no vertical side wall 16c.

[0075] Fig. 6B shows a cross-sectional view along a radially oriented cross-section plane of the wall of the wok burner top 12, depicting the orientation of the bore axes B of the openings 10 of the burner top 12. The openings 10 of the surface area 16b have a bore axis B that lie in the radial plane with respect to the central longitudinal axis LA of the wok top burner 12. Each or some of the bore axis B are inclined of an angle γ with respect to a direction S parallel to the central longitudinal axis LA of the wok burner top 12.
Advantageously, each or some of the bore axis B are inclined of an angle α with respect to the surface normal N of the conical surface area 16b of the wok burner top 12

[0076] Due to the extension of the bores of the openings 10, the orientation of the bore axis B imposes an impulse to the air/gas mixture ejected from the openings 10, which optimizes the burning process and interaction with the ambient air flow outside the wok burner top 12 as described below.

[0077] Fig. 6C shows a cross-sectional side view of the burner top 6 depicting the orientation of the areas 16a, 16b, 16c with respect to the central longitudinal axis LA of the wok top burner 12.

[0078] The preferred grouping of the openings 10 at the conical area 16b can be seen from Fig. 6D. In the depicted example, the openings 10 form groups 32 arranged along lines (twelve lines in the advantageous example of Fig. 6D) that (in the projection to the horizontal plane) run radially outward with respect to the central longitudinal axis LA of the wok top burner 12. Two neighboring groups 32a, 32b of openings 10 are indicated.
Preferably, the minimum spacing D between openings 10 of neighboring groups 32 (e.g. 32a, 32b) is wider than the maximum spacing d between two neighboring openings 10 in one of the groups 32. Due to this preferred, but not necessary, spacing relation and due to the radial extension of each of the groups 32, the flow of ambient air towards each of the openings is optimized for complete combustion of the gas. The ambient air flows in the spaces between neighboring groups (e.g. 32a, 32b) from the outer lower rim of the conical surface area 16b in a direction towards the upper inner rim of area 16b, wherein the gas flow rate is successively reduced each time when passing an opening 10 at the way to the inside, so that enough flow rate of ambient air is provided to the inner ones of the openings.

[0079] Fig. 7A shows the gas hob 2a of the gas stove arrangement having a pan burner top 6 with a flat or substantially flat bottom pan 36 placed on top of the pan supporting structure 8 of the gas hob. The central bottom region 40 of the pan is coaxially positioned above the gas burner 4. The bore axis BP of the gas-air-mix-openings 11 of the pan burner top 6 are radially arranged on a circumference along the vertical side wall of the pan burner top 6. Therefore, the gas flame 42 and the ascending heated flow hits the pan bottom close to the outer bottom region 38 of the pan 36 and consequently dominantly heats the outer part of bottom region 38. The trajectory 44a of the secondary or ambient air flow is depicted. As can be understood from the trajectory 44a, the ambient air is sucked towards the flames 42 from below and the heated air flows dominantly towards the outer part of bottom region of the pan 36 as the air flow passes in parallel to the vertical side wall and a radially outward impulse is imposed by the flames.

[0080] Figs. 7B and 7C show the gas stove arrangement 1b with the gas hob 2b using the first embodiment wok support 14 positioned on the pan supporting structure 8 and the wok burner top 12 according to the invention. A wok 46 is held by the wok support 14 such that the central region of the bottom portion 48 of the wok 46 is positioned in correspondence of the central longitudinal axis LA of the wok burner top 12. As described above, due to the arrangement of the gas-air-mix outlet openings 10 on the top surface area 16b of the wok burner top 12, an ambient air flow substantially parallel to the area 16b from the lower periphery to the upper center is effected. Therefore, the ambient air flowing from outside to inside along the area 16b imposes an impulse to the heated air such that heated air is also transported to the central region of the bottom portion 48 of the wok 46 and consequently effectively heats the central region of the bottom portion 48 of the wok 46.

[0081] The trajectory 44b of secondary air flow indicates the path of the ambient air flow which flows from outside towards the gas flame 42 due to a suction effect. The arrangement of gas-air-mix-openings 10 on the burner top 12 supports a full combustion of fuel within the burning process.

[0082] The heating of the central region of the bottom portion 48 of the wok 46 is based mainly on two effects:

• the arrangement of the openings 10 in groups aligned radially, or substantially radially along the top surface area 16b provides a good combustion of the gas at the inner region of the wok burner top and the midmost openings are closer to the center of the burner 4 as compared to the location of the openings 11 at the periphery of pan burner top 6.
• this arrangement also promotes a flow of the secondary ambient air from the periphery of the wok burner top 12 to the center of the wok burner top (instead of the essentially vertical flow at the pan burner top 6).

[0083] Figs. 8A and 8B also illustrate the differences between the air flow 50a below the pan 36 and the air flow 50b below the wok 46 where the air flows 50a, 50b are indicated in a simplified manner as compared to trajectories 44a, 44b.

[0084] Fig. 9 shows the air and gas flows at the wok burner top 12 in more detail. The rich mixture 51 of gas from the Venturi nozzle in the gas burner 4 flows into the space between wok burner top 12 and seating ring 24. The exhaust jet 54 of gas flowing out of the openings 10 has a flow component which is opposite to the direction of the secondary air flow 56 at the location of the respective opening 10. These opposite flow components and the flow component of exhaust jet 54 which is perpendicular to the secondary air flow 56 results in swirls 52 improving the mixture of ambient air in the secondary flow 56 and gas/air mixture of the jet 54, such that a complete burning is promoted.

[0085] It is also to be mentioned that the wok support 14 is also guiding the heated air flow within the gas stove arrangement.

Claims

1. Gas stove arrangement (1b, 1c) for supporting a wok (46), the arrangement comprising:

a gas stove having at least one gas-operated gas hob (2b, 2c) with a gas burner (4), and

a wok support (14, 26) designed to be positioned on the gas hob (2b, 2c),

wherein the wok support (14, 26) is designed to support a wok (46) and is designed to receive a bottom portion (48) of a wok (46) when positioned on the wok support (14, 26),

wherein the gas burner (4) has a wok burner top (12) which is provided with a top surface area (16b) having a symmetry or rotational symmetry and being arranged to at least partially face a bottom portion (48) of a wok (46) when the latter is positioned in said wok support (14, 26), and

wherein said top surface area (16b) is provided with a plurality of gas-air mix outlet openings (10) arranged in groups (32), each group comprising a plurality of said gas-air mix outlet openings (10) aligned radially, or substantially radially, along said top surface area (16b).

2. The gas stove arrangement of claim 1, wherein a plurality of said groups (32, 32a, 32b) is provided, wherein the groups are circumferentially distributed or the groups are evenly distributed on the top surface area (16b) of the wok burner top (12).

3. The gas stove arrangement of claim 1 or 2, wherein the wok burner top (12) has a spatial arrangement of the gas-air mix outlet openings (10) at the top surface area (16b) of the wok burner top (12) that is designed for heating the center of the bottom region (48) of a wok (46) placed on the wok support (14, 26) positioned at the gas hob (2b, 2c) having the wok burner top (12).

4. The gas stove arrangement of claim 1, 2 or 3,
wherein the wok burner top (12) is exchangeably placed on an adapter or seating ring (24) of the gas burner (4), and
wherein the adapter or seating ring (24) of the gas burner (4) has a matching shape that is matching with a bottom shape of the wok burner top (12) such that the wok burner top (12) is received in a centering manner on the supporting base (22) and such that it is secured against lateral displacements with respect to the adapter or seating ring (24).

5. The gas stove arrangement of claim 4, further comprising a pan burner top (8) that is exchangeably placed on the adapter or seating ring (24) in the position of the removed wok burner top (12),
wherein the pan burner top (6) has an arrangement of gas-air mix outlet openings (10) at the lateral surface of the pan burner top (6) designed for heating the outer bottom regions of a pan 38 placed on the gas hob (2a) having the pan burner top (6), and
wherein the pan burner top (6) has a bottom profile that is matching with the matching profile of the adapter or seating ring (24) such that the pan burner top (6) is received in a centering manner on the adapter or seating ring (24) and such that it is secured against lateral displacements with respect to the adapter or seating ring (24).

6. The gas stove arrangement according to any of the previous claims,
wherein the maximum spacing (d) between neighboring gas-air mix outlet openings (10) in one of said groups (32) is less than the minimum spacing (D) between the gas-air mix outlet openings (10) of two neighboring groups (32a, 32b).

7. The gas stove arrangement according to any of the previous claims, wherein the gas-air mix outlet openings (10) have an axis of extension (B) through the wall of the wok burner top (12) and wherein the axis of extension (B) of a portion of the openings, or most of the openings, or all of the openings, or the openings at a top surface area (16b), is oriented according to one or more of the following:

the axis of extension (B) is inclined of an angle (γ) with respect to a direction (S) parallel to the central longitudinal axis (LA) of said wok burner top, and

the axis of extension (B) is inclined of an angle (α) with respect to the surface normal (N) of the surface of the wok burner top (12), for each of the concerned gas-air mix outlet openings (10) at the respective position of the openings.

8. The gas stove arrangement of claim 7, wherein said angle (α) is in the range from 20 to 30°, 15 to 35°, 15 to 25° or 25 to 45°.

9. The gas stove arrangement according to any of the previous claims,
wherein the wok burner top (12) has a conical or substantially top surface area (16b), conical or substantially conical or hemispherical, at which at least a portion of the openings (10) are arranged, and
wherein the surface normal (N) of the top surface (16b) is inclined relative a direction (S) parallel to the central longitudinal axis (LA) of the wok burner top (12), by an angle (β) that is in the range from 20 to 40°, or 25 to 35°, or it is 30°.

10. The gas stove arrangement according to any of the previous claims,
wherein the wok support (14) has an upper rim (18) and extensions (20) extending from the upper rim (18), wherein the extensions (20) are bending outward in a curved line with respect to the center of the wok support (14), or
wherein the wok support (14) has an upper rim (18) and extensions (20) extending from the upper rim (18), wherein the extensions (20) are resilient and when a wok (46) is placed on the wok support (14), the extensions (20) are bent outward with respect to the center of the wok support (14).

11. The gas stove arrangement according to any of the previous claims, wherein the height or the vertical extension (h) of the wok support (14, 26) is provided in a way such that a wok (46) is supported at a position above the gas burner (4) which is higher than if the wok (46) would be positioned on the gas hob (2a, 2b, 2c) without wok support (14, 26).

12. The gas stove arrangement according to any of the previous claims, wherein the wok support (14) is a ring-shaped ring or loop-shaped wok support having a closed or an at least partially closed sidewall (17a, 17b) that is circumferentially surrounding the central longitudinal axis (GBA) of the gas burner (4) when the wok support (14) is placed on the gas hob or a pan supporting structure (8) of the gas hob (2a, 2b, 2c).

13. The gas stove arrangement according to any of the previous claims,
wherein the wok support (14) has a supporting and/or flow guiding structure (17a, 17b) adapted for supporting the bottom surface of a wok (46) to be positioned on the gas hob (2b, 2c) and/or for guiding an air flow along the bottom surface of a wok (46) to be positioned on the gas hob (2b, 2c), and
wherein the diameter of the supporting and/or flow guiding structure (17a, 17b) is expanding from a lower region to an upper region of the wok support (14) at least in an upper region of the wok support (14).

14. The gas stove arrangement according to any of the previous claims,
wherein the gas hob (2b, 2c) has a pan supporting structure (8) designed to support a pan (36) above the gas burner (4),
wherein the wok support (14, 26) has recesses and/or extensions (15, 27a), and
wherein the recesses and/or extensions (15, 27a) are designed to receive supporting elements (9b) of the pan supporting structure (8) therebetween for laterally holding the wok support (14, 26) on the pan supporting structure (8).

Drawing