Method of operating a steam generator, steam generator and cooking device with a steam generator

A method of operating a steam generator, said steam generator comprising:

• a water container,
• two heating devices on said water container, which are located in different height regions separated from each other in a vertical direction, one said heating device being an upper heating device and an other said heating device being a lower heating device,
• a first temperature detection device covering a temperature detection area, wherein said temperature detection area comprises at least an area covered by said two heating devices,
• a second temperature detection device in a form of a spot-like temperature sensor being located on said water container in a region of an upper border of said upper heating device, and
• a control device for evaluating said first temperature detection device and said second temperature detection device and for activating and deactivating said two heating devices,
• with steps of:
• filling said water container with water for a predefined first filling duration D1,
• after said first filling duration D1 has elapsed, said lower heating device is activated, wherein said water container is continuously filled further with water and wherein said upper heating device is not activated,
• in case said first temperature detection device detects a temperature exceeding a first temperature threshold Tthr, said lower heating device is deactivated, wherein said water container is filled further with water,
• as soon as said first temperature detection device detects any temperature below said first temperature threshold Tthr, said lower heating device is activated again,
• as soon as said first temperature detection device detects any temperature below said first temperature threshold Tthr for a duration of at least 5 sec, said control device defines a quantity of water in said water container to be between 60% and 90% of a height of an upper rim of said lower heating device, and
• as soon as said second temperature detection device detects a temperature of at least 95° C., said upper heating device and said lower heating device are both activated.