PEF COOKING APPLIANCE AND PEF SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a PEF cooking appliance comprising a PEF generator and at least one support for receiving at least one food storage container. The invention also relates to a PEF system comprising a PEF cooking appliance and at least one removably inserted storage container. The invention is particularly advantageously applicable to household appliances for processing food.

[0002] One method previously used commercially in the food industry for supplying energy to food is based on the generation of pulsed electric fields (PEFs) at the food's location. This involves exposing food to alternating electric fields with a pulse duration of, for example, up to a few tens of microseconds. These alternating fields cause alternating current pulses to flow through the food, which introduce ohmic power loss into the food and thereby cause ohmic heating of the food. Capacitive displacement currents are also generated in the food, which can assume very high values. These displacement currents cause a certain degree of disinfection of the food and, in their effect on the food, are reminiscent of the pasteurization process.

[0003] For non-liquid or chunky foods, the spaces between them are filled with water. Sufficient salt is added to the water so that the electrical conductivity of the water at least roughly matches that of the food.

[0004] WO 2011 / 139144 A1 discloses a method and system for treating a substantially solid food product, in which cell disruption of the food product occurs and the necessary temperature rise required for processing macronutrients is established. The system comprises means arranged to subject the food product to a pulsed electric field to disrupt the cells of the food product and process the macronutrients, thereby preparing it for intended consumption and efficient digestion.

[0005] DE 10 2010 028 780 A1 provides a device and a method for the batch heating of foodstuffs, in particular meat and sausage products, which can optionally be arranged in an electrically conductive casing, in a chamber which has two spaced-apart electrodes to which electrical voltage can be applied, wherein the electrical voltage is alternating voltage at a frequency of 500 Hz to 10 MHz or pulse voltage from bipolar, direct current-free pulses with pulse widths or pulse durations of 50 ns to 1 ms.

[0006] It is the Task The present invention aims to at least partially overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and, in particular, to provide a way of heating food using PEF fields that is particularly customer-friendly and cost-effective.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.

[0008] The object is achieved by a PEF cooking appliance, comprising a PEF generator and at least one carrier for receiving at least one storage container for food, wherein the carrier has at least two electrodes, between which at least one storage container can be inserted and of which at least one electrode ("PEF electrode") is connected to the PEF generator, wherein the respective carrier is designed as a drawer, in particular one which can be pulled out horizontally, with a top cover pivotably attached thereto, and wherein at least one electrode is integrated into or arranged in the base and the lid of the drawer.

[0009] This provides the advantage that particularly large horizontal storage containers can be easily inserted into the drawer. This, in turn, increases accessibility to the food contained in the storage containers. Furthermore, such storage containers are particularly easy to clean. Furthermore, such an arrangement is particularly cost-effective. Another advantage is that the space available for food to be treated with PEF can be utilized very effectively.

[0010] The term "food" here can include all types of animal or plant foods, for example, all types of fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, or poultry, regardless of whether these foods are raw or pre-processed at the beginning of preparation. Other foods such as egg dishes, grains, rice, pasta, etc. can also be prepared.

[0011] The PEF generator generates pulsed electrical signals ("PEF signals") that can be applied to at least one PEF electrode in a drawer. If the PEF generator has multiple signal outputs, these can be individually controlled in a further development. A signal output can be connected to one or more PEF electrodes.

[0012] PEF electrodes are, in particular, electrodes to which a pulsed electrical signal generated by the PEF generator can be applied. A PEF electrode, together with the opposite electrode (PEF electrode or grounded electrode), forms, in particular, the plates of a capacitor, between which the PEF field is generated and between which the food is placed.

[0013] In principle, a drawer can have one or more receptacles or receptacle areas, each for accommodating one or more receptacles. Accordingly, each receptacle can be assigned at least two electrodes, of which at least one electrode is a PEF electrode that can be connected to a signal output of the PEF generator.

[0014] In one embodiment, the at least one PEF electrode is integrated into the lid. The at least one electrode integrated into the base of the drawer is then not connected to the PEF generator, but is, for example, earthed. Compared to an arrangement - which is also possible in principle - of at least one PEF electrode in the lid and at least one PEF electrode in the base of the drawer, this has the advantage of achieving particularly high operational and user safety and also enabling a particularly cost-effective design of the PEF generator and the drawer. Compared to an arrangement - which is also possible in principle - with an earthed electrode in the lid and a PEF electrode in the base, this results in a particularly reliable and structurally simple earthing system.

[0015] In one embodiment, at least one PEF electrode protrudes from an inner side of the lid (which, when the lid is closed, points downwards or towards the interior of the drawer). This has the advantage that it is reliably possible for the PEF electrode to come into contact with the food contained in the receptacle, as the PEF electrode can thus be immersed particularly easily into a receptacle that is open at the top. The electrode is, in particular, plate-shaped. The protruding PEF electrode is, in particular, arranged such that, when the lid is closed, it is immersed in a space in the carrier provided for a respective storage container. It is advantageously large enough to be able to immerse itself extensively in the receptacle and, in particular, to cover it practically completely.It is a further development that the protruding PEF electrode has holes to allow gases forming on the food to pass through.

[0016] It is an embodiment that the at least one protruding PEF electrode is suspended in a spring-loaded manner, so that a certain pressure on the food can advantageously be ensured and a particularly reliable closing of the lid is achieved.

[0017] In a further development, the lid-side PEF electrode is designed in two layers, with an upper electrode (when the lid is closed) and a lower electrode spaced apart from it. The upper electrode serves as a test contact to detect contact with water or food. If the upper or higher electrode detects contact with the water or food, the lower PEF electrode is safely immersed. This, in turn, increases operational reliability and improves the preparation result. The upper electrode can be a pure test electrode or a PEF electrode.

[0018] In one embodiment, each drawer is equipped with a respective PEF generator, which is located in particular in a rear section of the drawer in the pull-out direction of the drawer, while the at least one storage container can be inserted into a front section of the drawer and in particular only the front section can be covered by the associated lid. This achieves the advantage that a particularly safe and reliable electrical connection can be provided between the PEF generator and the at least one PEF electrode of a drawer. The support for the at least one receiving container is therefore provided or formed by the front section. The rear section is advantageously not accessible to a user and can in particular be permanently housed, e.g. also by means of shielding.

[0019] In one embodiment, the drawer has a plug-in connection element for at least one respective detachable electrical plug-in connection on the rear, and the plug-in connection, when connected, establishes an electrical connection between the PEF generator and a power supply. This provides the advantage of a particularly reliable arrangement: the PEF generator can only be supplied with power when the drawer is fully or almost fully inserted into a housing of the PEF cooking appliance, meaning the drawer is not accessible to the user (apart from a front panel that is particularly PEF-neutral or even shielding). In this embodiment, when the drawer is inserted, a plug-in connection element of the drawer engages with a matching plug-in connection counter-element, which can be located on the housing of the PEF appliance, for example, or integrated into a rear panel or partition.This allows the PEF generator to be supplied with electrical power. When the drawer is pulled out, the connector element disengages from the connector mating element, and the power supply to the PEF generator is interrupted.

[0020] In an alternative embodiment, the drawer has a plug-in connection element on the rear with at least one respective detachable electrical plug-in connection, and the plug-in connection, when connected, establishes an electrical connection between a PEF generator on the housing side and the at least one PEF electrode on the cover side. The PEF generator is therefore not integrated into the drawer here, but rather into the housing of the PEF device. This offers the advantage that the drawer can be designed particularly simply. In this embodiment, when the drawer is inserted, the plug-in connection element engages with a matching plug-in connection mating element that is connected to the PEF generator. This separates the PEF generator from the at least one PEF electrode. When the drawer is pulled out, the plug-in connection element exits the plug-in connection mating element, and a signal connection to the PEF generator is interrupted.

[0021] The use of a plug connection has the additional advantage, compared to a power supply via flexible electrical cables, that the risk of cable breakage is avoided.

[0022] One embodiment includes a design and positioning of the lid on the drawer in such a way that it can only be opened noticeably when the drawer is practically fully extended. This advantageously achieves particularly high operational reliability. This design can be implemented, for example, in such a way that the housing has a front opening ("insertion opening") for inserting or pushing in the drawer, and an upper edge of the insertion opening is only a small vertical distance from the closed lid. A rotation axis of the lid can then only be positioned in front of the insertion opening when the drawer is fully extended.

[0023] A further development is that the PEF cooking appliance has a drawer opening on its housing, which accommodates the drawer, and this drawer opening has at least one local stop at the upper edge relative to the lid. This allows for particularly easy implementation of the stop, which can then be formed by the upper edge of the drawer opening. When the drawer is fully inserted, the opening is closed or covered, in particular by a front panel of the drawer.

[0024] One embodiment provides that the drawer has a monitoring sensor for monitoring the closed state of the lid. This can further increase operational reliability. Thus, if the monitoring sensor detects an open state of the lid, the associated PEF generator can be deactivated. A further development provides that the monitoring sensor comprises at least one switch, in particular a contact switch for the lid. This is a particularly reliable, compact, and cost-effective implementation.

[0025] In a further development, at least one current sensor is present in the signal path between the PEF generator and the at least one PEF electrode. The current sensor can be connected to an evaluation device, which is also connected to an electrically switchable switch present in the signal path between the PEF generator and the at least one PEF electrode, in particular in series with the at least one current sensor. This advantageously allows currents to the PEF electrode to be evaluated and, if necessary, interrupted.

[0026] A further development is that a current limiter is arranged in the signal path between the PEF generator and the at least one PEF electrode. This reliably prevents overcurrents in the PEF electrode and increases operational reliability.

[0027] In one embodiment, the bottom-side—in particular, grounded—electrode forms a support surface for the at least one storage container. This allows the bottom-side electrode to be positioned particularly close to the at least one storage container, enabling a particularly effective PEF treatment of the food contained in the at least one storage container. The electrode then forms, in particular, an upper surface of the bottom.

[0028] One embodiment provides that the drawer is connected to a grounded housing of the PEF cooking appliance via an electrically conductive pull-out system, and the bottom electrode is connected to the housing via the pull-out system. This enables a particularly compact and reliable arrangement for grounding the bottom electrode. The pull-out system can, for example, comprise several telescopic pull-outs or rail pull-outs, at least one of which is electrically conductive.

[0029] In one embodiment, the drawer includes at least one sensor for sensing at least one property of the food. This advantageously enables monitoring of the food, which improves the reliability of the product.

[0030] The at least one sensor can, for example, comprise at least one temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the food. For this purpose, the temperature can be detected directly or indirectly by detecting the temperature of the receiving container.

[0031] A temperature sensor can be a contact sensor, e.g. a thermocouple, or a contactless sensor, e.g. an IR diode, a thermopile, etc.

[0032] The at least one sensor may alternatively or additionally comprise at least one conductivity sensor for measuring the electrical conductivity of the food or liquid in the receiving container.

[0033] In one embodiment, the drawer comprises at least one sensor for sensing fields, voltages, and / or currents generated in the food during PEF treatment. This improves operational reliability and / or success. This can include sensing a shape of the voltage pulses and / or current pulses. A shape can be understood, for example, as a pulse height, a steepness of the rising and / or falling edges of the pulses, and / or a pulse duration.

[0034] A drawer can also have at least one actuator for non-electrical processing of the food. This can further improve the reliability of the process. In a further development, the at least one actuator comprises an agitator, by means of which the contents of the receptacle can be set in motion. This can advantageously prevent the formation of gas bubbles in the receptacle and / or even out the temperature in the food. The agitator can, for example, be a mechanically driven, e.g., orbital, a vibrating agitator, or an ultrasonic agitator.

[0035] It is a design that the PEF cooking appliance is a household appliance.

[0036] This problem is also solved by a PEF system comprising a PEF cooking appliance as described above and at least one removable storage container inserted into a drawer. The PEF system can be designed analogously to the PEF cooking appliance and offers the same advantages.

[0037] One embodiment provides for the storage containers to be bowl-shaped, open-topped containers, for example, to facilitate immersion of the PEF electrode(s). One or more storage containers can be accommodated in a drawer, depending, for example, on the size of the storage container(s). The storage containers can be available in various sizes, particularly when viewed from above.

[0038] The at least one storage container may have a height that is less than a horizontal dimension, e.g. edge length.

[0039] A storage container can in particular have an electrically conductive base so that this base can contact an electrode on the bottom of the drawer. The base of the storage container can then itself serve as a PEF electrode, which increases the effectiveness of the food treatment. In particular, the base of the storage container and, if applicable, the bottom electrode of the drawer exposed on the top, can be made of stainless steel, which enables a particularly low-maintenance and long-lasting construction. The side walls of the storage container and, if applicable, the drawer are advantageously made of an electrically insulating material, e.g., electrically insulating plastic. Alternatively, a storage container can be made entirely of a material that is permeable to electrical fields, e.g., plastic.

[0040] If the PEF electrodes assigned to different storage containers can be individually controlled or operated, this offers the advantage of allowing different treatment processes or regimes (e.g., comprehensively different operating settings, durations, etc.) to be run in each storage container. This also makes it possible to prepare very different foods simultaneously. This, in turn, simplifies or improves the device's user-friendliness.

[0041] The PEF cooking appliance can comprise one or more PEF modules, each with its own housing and drawers as described above. For this purpose, the PEF cooking appliance can comprise a support frame for at least two PEF modules, which can be arranged one above the other, for example. The frame is, in particular, groundable or earthed, so that the housings of the PEF modules can also be earthed by electrically connecting the frame to the PEF modules inserted therein.

[0042] The above-described properties, features and advantages of this invention, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more clearly understood in connection with the following schematic description of an embodiment, which is explained in more detail in connection with the drawings. Fig.1 shows a sectional side view of a PEF device with a PEF module inserted into it with the drawer fully inserted; Fig.2 shows a sectional side view of the PEF module from Fig.1 with partially extended drawer; Fig.3 shows a sectional side view of the PEF module from Fig.1 and Fig.2with the drawer fully extended; Fig. 4 shows a sectional side view of an alternative PEF module with the drawer partially extended; Fig. 5 shows a sectional side view of a sketch of the alternative PEF module with the drawer fully extended; and Fig. 6 shows an equivalent circuit diagram of a circuit for PEF treatment of food using a PEF generator of the PEF module.

[0043] Fig.1 shows a sectional side view of a PEF cooking appliance 1 intended as a household appliance. The PEF cooking appliance 1 has a frame 2 into which a PEF module 3 is inserted. The frame 2 is grounded.

[0044] The PEF module 3 comprises a housing 4 with a front insertion opening, in which a drawer 5 is mounted horizontally movable, as indicated by the double arrow. The drawer 5 has two sections or "compartments," namely a front section 6 in the pull-out direction for accommodating receptacles A (see Fig.4 and Fig.5 ), which is covered by a horizontally pivoting lid 7, and a rear section 8 in the pull-out direction, in which a PEF generator 9 is housed. The front section 6 thus serves as a support for at least one receiving container A. The rear section 8 is closed so that the PEF generator 9 is not accessible to a user.

[0045] A PEF electrode 10 is integrated over a large area into the lid 7, or the lid also serves as a PEF electrode. The PEF electrode 10 is connected to a signal output of the PEF generator 9 via a contact switch 11. When the lid 7 is closed, the contact switch 11 is switched on, so that pulsed electrical signals output by the signal output of the PEF generator 9 are applied to the PEF electrode 10. When the lid 7 is open, however, the contact switch 11 is switched on.

[0046] The top of the insertion opening forms a stop 12 relative to the lid 7 or has such a stop 12, so that the lid 7 can only be opened when the drawer 5 is practically completely pulled out.

[0047] When the drawer 5 is pushed in, a plug connection element 13 arranged on a rear wall of the drawer 5 engages a plug connection counter element 14 of the frame 2 and then forms an electrically conductive plug connection 13, 14. The plug connection element 13 is connected to the PEF generator 9, while the plug connection counter element 14 is connected to a power supply arranged, for example, on the frame 2 (see Fig.6 ). When the plug connectors 13, 14 are connected, the PEF generator can thus be supplied with power. The PEF electrode 10 can therefore only be supplied with PEF signals when the cover 7 is closed and the drawer 5 is fully inserted into the housing 4.

[0048] A base 15 of the drawer 5 is formed, at least on the top side—in particular over its entire surface—as a metallic electrode 16. The electrode 16 is electrically connected to a pull-out system 17, which slidably connects the drawer 5 to the housing 4, and thus electrically connected to the housing 4. Since the housing 4 is grounded, e.g., via the frame 2, the electrode 16 is also grounded via the pull-out system 17. Since the grounded electrode 16 extends into the rear section 8 and is connected there to the PEF generator 9, it can also serve to ground the PEF generator 9.

[0049] The front section 6 of the drawer 5 thus has two electrodes 10, 16, between which at least one storage container can be inserted

[0050] On the front side, the drawer 5 has a front panel 18 that can be handled by a user, e.g. to pull out and push in the drawer 5.

[0051] Fig.2shows a sectional side view of the PEF module 3 with the drawer 5 partially extended. By extending the drawer, the plug connection element 13 is now separated from the plug connection counter element 14, so that the power supply to the PEF generator 9 is interrupted. Due to the stop 12, the cover 7 cannot yet be opened.

[0052] Fig.3shows a sectional side view of a sketch of the PEF module 3 with the drawer 5 fully extended and the lid 7 open. Since the pivot axis of the lid 7 is now in front of the stop 12, the lid 7 can be opened, making the front section 6 accessible to a user, e.g., for inserting or removing receptacles A. With the lid 7 open, the contact switch 11 is open, so that an electrical connection between the PEF generator 9 and the PEF electrode 10 of the lid 7 is also interrupted. The rear section 8 is still inaccessible to a user.

[0053] Fig.4shows a sectional side view of a sketch of an alternative PEF module 19 with a partially extended drawer 20. The PEF module 19 is designed similarly to the PEF module 3, although the lid 21 is designed differently. In particular, the lid 21 has a purely mechanically acting lid part 22, from the inside of which a plate-shaped PEF electrode 23 protrudes via a spring element 24. The PEF electrode 23 can be immersed in an open top of a bowl-shaped receptacle A and contact the food L contained therein or the salt-containing liquid surrounding the food. The PEF electrode 23 is shaped in particular such that it practically completely covers the receptacle A. In this way, a particularly effective PEF treatment of the food L is achieved.

[0054] The spring element 24 enables the position of the PEF electrode 23 to be adjusted to the food L and enables a reliable closure of the lid 21.

[0055] In a further development, the PEF electrode 23 has holes so that any gas formation by the food L does not lead to a (partial) loss of contact between the PEF electrode 23 and the contents of the receiving container A.

[0056] Alternatively, a PEF electrode can also be integrated into the cover part 22.

[0057] The receiving container A can in particular have a metallic bottom so that it can come into contact with the electrode 16 over a large area and the bottom of the receiving container A can then itself serve as an electrode.

[0058] Fig.5 shows a sectional side view of a sketch of the alternative PEF module 19 with the drawer 20 fully extended and the lid 21 open.

[0059] Fig.6shows a simplified equivalent circuit diagram of a circuit for PEF treatment of food L using a PEF generator 9 of the PEF module 3 or 19. The circuit has, for example, on the frame 2, a power supply unit 25, which may have an interference filter. The power supply unit 25 is connected to a power connection of the PEF generator 9 via the plug connection 13, 14. The PEF generator 9 has a voltage generator 26, the output of which is connected to a capacitor bank 27. The capacitor bank 27 serves to keep the voltage output by the voltage generator 26 stable. The capacitor bank 27 is connected on the output side to a pulse generator 28 for generating sharp voltage pulses. The pulse generator 28, in turn, is connected on the output side to the PEF electrode 10, 23 of the drawer 5 or 20 via an electrically switchable switch 29, a current sensor and limiter 30 and the switch 11.The other electrode 16, which together with the PEF electrode 10, 23 serves as capacitor plates of a capacitor between which the food L can be introduced, is earthed or is connected to ground.

[0060] On the drawer 5 or 20 there are several sensors 31, by means of which, for example, a temperature and / or an electrical conductivity in the receiving container A, a form of the voltage pulses and / or current pulses at the location of the food L, etc. can be detected.

[0061] The circuit also comprises electronics 32 for controlling the circuit, for example for evaluating the measurement signals of the current sensor 30, for controlling (e.g., for opening and closing) the switch 29, in particular based on an evaluation of the measurement signals of the current sensor 30, for controlling (e.g., switching on and off, for pulse shaping, etc.) and monitoring (e.g., the output voltages) of the PEF generator 9 and, if necessary, for controlling a user interface 33 of the PEF cooking appliance 1.

[0062] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown.

[0063] Thus, the drawer may generally comprise one or more sensors for sensing at least one property of the food and / or the fields and / or voltages / currents conducted through the food during PEF treatment.

[0064] A drawer can also generally have one or more actuators for non-electrical treatment of the food, e.g. a stirrer.

[0065] In general, "a", "an", etc., can be understood as a singular or a plural, in particular in the sense of "at least one" or "one or more", etc., unless this is explicitly excluded, e.g. by the expression "exactly one", etc.

[0066] A numerical value may also include the exact number stated as well as a usual tolerance range, as long as this is not explicitly excluded. List of reference symbols

[0067] 1 PEF cooking appliance 2 Frame 3 PEF module 4 Housing 5 Drawer 6 Front section of the drawer 7 Lid 8 Rear section of the drawer 9 PEF generator 10 PEF electrode 11 Contact switch 12 Stop 13 Plug-in connection element 14 Plug-in connection counter element 15 Drawer base 16 Electrode 17 Pull-out system 18 Front panel 19 PEF module 20 Drawer 21 Lid 22 Lid part 23 PEF electrode 24 Spring element 25 Power supply unit 26 Voltage generator 27 Capacitor bank 28 Pulse generator 29 Electrically switchable switch 30 Current sensor and limiter 31 Sensor 32 Electronics 33 User interface A Receptacle L Food

Claims

1. PEF cooking appliance (1), having a PEF generator (9) and at least one carrier for receiving at least one storage container (A) for food (L), wherein the carrier (6) has at least two electrodes (10, 16; 23, 16), between which at least one storage container (A) can be inserted and of which at least one PEF electrode (10; 23) is connected to the PEF generator (9), characterised in that - the respective carrier is embodied as a drawer (5; 20) with a top cover (7; 21) pivotably attached thereto, - and in each case at least one of the electrodes (10, 16; 23, 16) is integrated into a base (15) and the cover (7; 21) of the drawer (5; 20), - each drawer (5; 20) is equipped with a respective PEF generator (9).

2. PEF cooking appliance (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one PEF electrode (10; 23) is integrated into the cover (7; 21).

3. PEF cooking appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one PEF electrode (23) projects from an interior of the cover (21).

4. PEF cooking appliance (1) according to claim 3, wherein the at least one projecting PEF electrode (23) is resiliently suspended.

5. PEF cooking appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each drawer (5; 20) is equipped with a respective PEF generator (9), which is located in a rear section (8) of the drawer (5; 20) in a pull-out direction of the drawer (5; 20), while the at least one storage container (A) can be inserted into a front section (6) of the drawer and only the front section (6) can be covered by means of the associated cover (7, 21).

6. PEF cooking appliance (1) according to claim 5, wherein on the rear side the drawer (5; 20) has a plug connection element (13) of at least one respective detachable electrical plug connection (13, 14), and the plug connection (13, 14), in the connected state, establishes an electrical connection between the PEF generator (9) and a power supply (25).

7. PEF cooking appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein on the rear side the drawer has a plug connection element (13) of at least one respective detachable electrical plug connection (13, 14) and the plug connection (13, 14), in the connected state, establishes an electrical connection between a housing-side PEF generator (9) and the at least one cover-side PEF electrode (10; 23).

8. PEF cooking appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (7; 21) is configured and arranged on the drawer (5; 20) so that the cover (7; 21) can only then noticeably open if the drawer (5; 20) is fully extended, wherein in one embodiment the PEF cooking appliance (1) has an insertion opening on its housing (4) receiving the drawer (5; 20) for allowing the drawer (5; 20) to pass through and this insertion opening has a stop (12) in relation to the cover (7; 21) on the upper edge.

9. PEF cooking appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drawer (5; 20) has a monitoring sensor (11) for monitoring a closure state of the cover (7; 21).

10. PEF cooking appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drawer (5; 20) is connected to a housing (4) of the PEF cooking appliance (1) by way of an electrically conductive pull-out system (17), and the base-side electrode (16) is connected to the earthed housing (4) by way of the pull-out system (17).

11. PEF cooking appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drawer comprises at least one sensor (31) for sensing at least one property of the food (L).

12. PEF cooking appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drawer (5; 20) comprises at least one sensor (31) for sensing fields, voltages and / or currents in the food generated during the PEF treatment.

13. PEF cooking appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drawer (5; 20) has at least one actuator for the non-electrical treatment of food (L).

14. PEF cooking appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the PEF cooking appliance (1) is a household appliance.

15. PEF cooking system (1, A) having a PEF cooking appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims and at least one storage container (A) inserted into a drawer (5; 20).