An operator control unit for operator control of a cooktop comprising at least two cooking zones, with at least one of the cooking zones having two heating rings that can be separately activated. The operator control unit comprises at least one selection element to select a cooking zone, at least one adjusting element, it being possible to adjust a heating power of a selected cooking zone by operating said adjusting element, and a control unit coupled to the at least one selection element and the at least one adjusting element, and which detects operation of the at least one selection element and the at least one adjusting element. The control unit can control at least one of the at least two heating rings of the selected cooking zone in the event of an operating duration in a second time period which differs from the first time period range.