Choose a portable induction hob if custard is usually a one-pan task, you can put the hob away afterwards and your saucepan is induction-compatible. A narrow built-in ceramic hob offers two zones while letting you keep suitable non-magnetic cookware, but it takes up permanent worktop space. A full-width four-zone induction hob makes more sense when you regularly cook several dishes at once and have room for the required installation.
If you want to clear the counter after making a sauce or custard, consider a portable induction hob that fits your storage space. You will also need a compatible saucepan; the pan-size requirements vary by model.
If you want two zones without replacing suitable glass, ceramic or aluminium cookware, a narrow built-in ceramic hob is worth considering. Ciarra says its CBBCH292T-OW accepts heat-resistant pans made from those materials; check the exact model instructions before buying.
If custard is often just one part of a meal, four zones may matter more than a clear worktop. Bosch lists its PUG61RAA5B as a 592 mm by 522 mm built-in hob; its installation guidance also calls for model-specific ventilation planning.
Choose it when: You usually make custard in one pan and want to put the hob away after cooking.
Accept that: Induction needs compatible cookware, and a single cooking position cannot hold a second pan alongside the custard.
Choose it when: Two fixed zones or keeping suitable non-magnetic pans matters more than putting the hob away.
Accept that: The hob needs a permanent worktop cut-out and fitting to the exact model instructions.
Choose it when: You routinely use several pans and have space for a four-zone installation.
Accept that: You give up substantially more permanent worktop space and still need induction-compatible pans.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Adjustable heat | Compare the lowest stated manual setting and how you change settings while stirring. A selected power level does not guarantee a particular pan temperature. | When I stir custard, I want to ease the heat down before the mixture catches. Around 42% of consumers would put adjustable heat first. |
| Space and cooking zones | Measure counter and storage space for a portable hob, or the cut-out and ventilation space for a built-in one. Decide how many pans you need on the hob at once. | I need to clear a cramped counter after cooking, or leave room for another pan while custard is on the hob. Space and zone capacity would be the main concern for around 33% of consumers. |
| Existing cookware | For induction, check that your saucepan has a magnetic base and meets the hob’s pan-size requirements. For ceramic, check the model’s cookware instructions. | If I want to keep using my current saucepan, its compatibility could decide which hob I choose. Around 25% of consumers would make that their primary concern. |
An unsuitable pan may not activate an induction hob. Judge’s JEA90 manual excludes ordinary glass, ceramic, aluminium and copper pans unless they have a suitable induction base; it also rules out bases smaller than 12 cm.
Check the intended custard pan with a magnet, then compare its base diameter with the exact hob’s instructions.
You may need a different saucepan if the one you own fails either check.
A maximum output rating does not tell you how easily you can reduce the heat while stirring custard. Tefal UK lists manual settings from 300 W to 2100 W for the Everyday Slim IH210840; Judge lists ten selectable temperatures from 60°C to 240°C for the JEA90. Neither range promises an exact custard temperature in every pan.
Compare the lower settings and the way adjustments are made rather than treating a boil or boost function as a custard setting.
The worktop opening, space beneath the hob and ventilation arrangement also affect whether it can be fitted. Bosch says installation requirements vary by model and calls for a rear worktop opening in its stated 60 cm arrangements.
Measure the worktop and the cabinet, drawer or oven beneath it against the exact installation manual before ordering.
A mismatched opening or ventilation arrangement may require cabinetry changes or installation work.
Electrical Safety First warns that exceeding an extension lead’s marked current rating can overheat the lead, adaptor or plug. A cable reel left wound can also overheat.
Use a suitable wall socket where possible. If an extension is unavoidable, check its rating and the total connected load, do not daisy-chain leads, and fully unwind a cable reel.
Its portable induction range includes a slim option for a kitchen where a hob needs to be stored between uses.
The portable JEA90 gives buyers stated temperature choices and dimensions to compare with their counter and storage space.
The PUG61RAA5B is a fixed four-zone induction option for households that regularly need several pans on the hob.
Its narrow built-in ceramic option is relevant when two zones and retaining suitable non-magnetic pans matter more than portability.
This portable induction option is for cooks who want an adjustable hob they can put away after making custard, provided their saucepan is induction-compatible.
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Consider this portable hob if you want to clear the worktop after making custard and have a saucepan with an induction-compatible base.
The product name specifies 10 power settings, six functions, touch controls and a safety lock. Check its lowest setting, compatible pan-base sizes and physical dimensions against your saucepan and storage space.
It will work only if its base is induction-compatible and meets the hob’s size requirements. Judge says its JEA90 needs magnetisable cookware and does not accept a pan base smaller than 12 cm. A magnet sticking to the saucepan base is a useful initial check, but follow the pan and hob instructions.
Prioritise settings you can adjust while stirring rather than using maximum wattage as a quality measure. Tefal UK lists manual settings from 300 W to 2100 W for the Everyday Slim IH210840, while Judge lists ten selectable temperatures from 60°C to 240°C for the JEA90. Neither specification guarantees a particular temperature in your saucepan.
Only if the extension is suitable for the appliance and the total connected load stays within the lead’s marked rating. Electrical Safety First warns that extension leads have different current ratings. Do not daisy-chain leads, and fully unwind a cable reel before use.
No. A built-in hob needs a suitable worktop cut-out and the ventilation arrangement specified for its model, as well as the appropriate electrical supply. Bosch says its installation requirements vary by model, so check the exact manual rather than relying on the visible hob dimensions.
Check the induction hob’s safety instructions before choosing or using it. Tefal’s induction-cooker guide says people with cardiac pacemakers or similar medical devices should keep away from the cooker while it is connected to the power supply and consult a medical practitioner if in doubt.