Check the worktop cut-out, space below the hob and electrical supply before choosing between induction and ceramic. Induction suits cooks with compatible pans who want responsive heat when moving from frying aromatics to simmering curry; ceramic avoids the induction-pan requirement, but the glass surface is heated by elements beneath it. Connection requirements vary by model: AEG UK lists both a 3000 W plug-in induction hob and higher-load hardwired examples.
If you regularly fry ingredients before simmering a vegetable curry, usable pan space matters alongside the worktop cut-out, ventilation and electrical arrangement. The installation details in AEG UK and Bosch UK guidance show why the advertised hob width alone is not enough to establish fit.
If you already have flat pans with magnetic bases, induction is worth considering for its direct pan heating. NEFF UK advises checking that the pan base also suits the cooking zone; a familiar curry pan should not be assumed compatible from its appearance.
If you are replacing a built-in hob, the current cut-out, cabinet space and electrical supply may determine which models are practical. AEG UK lists different connection requirements across its electric hobs, while Bosch UK says installation measurements vary by model.
For vegetable curry, settle the installation and pan questions before comparing controls: a hob that suits the cooking steps still has to fit the kitchen and work with the pans you intend to use.
Consider it when: You want induction heating and the exact built-in model specifies a suitable plug connection; AEG UK lists its IBS6420SCB with a UK moulded plug and 3000 W total loading.
Trade-off: A plug does not settle whether the worktop, cabinet ventilation or your pans suit the hob, and the electrical rating alone does not establish how its zones compare with a hardwired model.
Consider it when: Responsive pan heating is a priority and the electrical installation can accommodate the selected model; AEG UK specifies a hardwired connection and 7350 W total loading for its SO64IA0SCB.
Trade-off: The supply needs assessment against the model's requirements, and induction still calls for suitable magnetic-base cookware.
Consider it when: Your usual pans are not suitable for induction and you want an electric hob with a smooth glass surface. Which? explains that ceramic elements heat beneath the glass rather than generating heat in the pan.
Trade-off: The surface heats during use and needs time to cool. AEG UK specifies a hardwired connection and 7000 W total loading for its HRX64360C ceramic example.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fit and ventilation | Compare the exact cut-out and worktop requirements with the model's installation drawing. Check clearance and ventilation where a drawer or oven sits below. | If I am replacing a hob in a tight worktop, I need to know that the appliance will fit without obstructing the space below. Roughly 36% of consumers would put physical fit and installation first. |
| Heat control | Compare the selected model's zone sizes and available heat controls with the pans and cooking steps you use. | When I fry onions and spices before lowering a curry to a simmer, I want a hob whose heat I can adjust to suit each stage. Around 36% of consumers would make cooking response their primary concern. |
| Pan and electrical compatibility | For induction, test for a flat magnetic pan base and check zone size. Confirm the exact hob's connection type and total electrical loading. | I want to keep using my curry pans and avoid choosing a hob that does not suit my electrical supply. Approximately 28% of consumers would prioritise those compatibility checks. |
The outer width is not the worktop opening. AEG UK lists a 590 × 520 mm outer size but a 560 × 490 mm cut-out for its IBS6420SCB; space and ventilation below the glass need separate attention.
Measure the existing opening and cabinet, then compare them with the installation drawing for the exact model before ordering.
If the opening is incompatible, fitting the hob could require worktop alteration.
AEG UK specifies a UK moulded plug for its 3000 W IBS6420SCB, but hardwired connections for its 7350 W SO64IA0SCB induction hob and 7000 W HRX64360C ceramic hob. The same connection cannot be assumed across a range.
Check the selected model's stated loading and connection method. Have the existing supply assessed by a qualified electrician where the installation requires it.
NEFF UK advises that induction cookware needs a magnetic base, with a flat base suited to the zone. A pan that looks suitable may not be detected as expected.
Test the bases of the frying pan and saucepan you actually use, and compare their base sizes with the chosen hob's zones.
Keeping induction may mean replacing a pan that is incompatible.
Which? distinguishes induction's direct heating of the pan from ceramic elements beneath the glass. On a ceramic hob, the heated surface remains a consideration after cooking.
Choose with pan compatibility and heat control in mind, and treat a residual-heat indicator as a warning to allow the surface to cool.
AEG UK's specified 60 cm induction and ceramic models provide useful examples of how connection requirements can differ within one brand.
Bosch UK's induction installation guidance is useful when a small kitchen has a drawer or oven beneath the hob.
NEFF UK's cookware guidance helps households decide whether their existing pans suit induction.
Hotpoint UK describes induction and ceramic options among its hob formats, making it relevant when comparing the two routes.
These built-in induction models are relevant if you have suitable pans and want to compare hobs for frying ingredients before simmering vegetable curry. They do not stand in for the ceramic option discussed above: check each model's installation instructions and electrical requirements before choosing one for your kitchen.
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A built-in induction option if you want to use your existing curry pans, provided their bases suit induction. The stated 60 cm size does not establish that the hob fits your cut-out or has sufficient space below; check its installation instructions and electrical connection.
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Consider its stated Area Flex feature if accommodating a larger curry pan matters to you; confirm how the feature works with that pan's base size. Before choosing this built-in hob, check the cut-out, clearance, ventilation and electrical connection against its installation instructions.
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Four zones, nine power levels and a booster are stated for cooks comparing settings for frying and simmering. Check that your pans suit induction, then confirm the model's fitting dimensions, clearance and electrical connection before installation.
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This model suits consideration where a hardwired induction installation is feasible and you want four zones for your cooking pans. Confirm that its electrical requirements suit the supply, that your pans are induction-compatible and that the cabinet meets its fitting and ventilation instructions.
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A hardwired induction option for households whose electrical installation can accommodate the selected hob. Check the required cut-out and under-hob ventilation in the model's manual, as well as the suitability of the pans used for curry.
They need a magnetic base that suits the hob's cooking zone. NEFF UK also advises using a flat, smooth base, so test the pans you cook curry in rather than assuming that all metal pans will work.
Not necessarily: 60 cm describes the hob's approximate outer width, not a universal cut-out. AEG UK specifies a 560 × 490 mm cut-out for its IBS6420SCB, while Bosch UK advises checking model-specific requirements for the worktop, space below and ventilation.
Only if the selected model specifies a suitable plug connection and the installation is appropriate for it. AEG UK lists a UK moulded plug for its 3000 W IBS6420SCB but hardwired connections for its 7350 W SO64IA0SCB and 7000 W HRX64360C; have the supply assessed by a qualified electrician where needed.
Do not assume an England-specific document applies throughout the UK. GOV.UK's Approved Document P concerns electrical safety in dwellings in England; check the applicable requirements where the property is located and follow the selected hob's installation instructions.
Check compatibility advice for the particular medical device before choosing an induction hob. A CDA induction-hob manual directs users to the implant manufacturer or attending physician for information about possible incompatibility; also consult the selected hob's manual.