Who each hob suits

One-pot cooks with limited worktop space

If you usually make one pan of vegetable curry and put the hob away afterwards, consider a compact single induction model. Check that your pan has a magnetic base and meets the chosen hob’s size requirements.

Cooks making curry and an accompaniment

Two zones let you use separate pans for curry and rice or a vegetable side. Make room for the wider appliance and check its combined electrical rating before choosing one.

Cooks keeping their existing pans

If you cannot confirm that your curry pan works on induction, check it before committing to an induction hob. A conventional hot plate is another format to investigate, using its own cookware and safety instructions.

What to check before buying

Start with whether you need one pan or two, then check cookware, worktop space and the electrical load of the exact hob you are considering.

Concern Buying checks Who this matters to
One-pot heat control Check the adjustable heat settings and the pan-size rules for the exact hob. If I fry spices before simmering one pot of curry, I want to adjust the heat without changing pans. Around 33% of consumers put one-pot heat control first.
Cookware compatibility Check the manufacturer’s pan requirements, including whether the base must be magnetic and its minimum diameter. I want to keep using my curry pan, so I need to know whether it will work before choosing induction. For around 25% of consumers, cookware compatibility is the primary concern.
Two-pan capacity Check the number of independently controlled zones, total rated wattage and appliance dimensions. When curry and rice need separate pans at the same time, I do not want to wait for a zone to become free. Two-pan capacity comes first for around 25% of consumers.
Shared space and electrical load Measure the clear worktop area and compare the hob’s rating with the socket and any extension lead’s marked maximum load. In a crowded kitchen, I need somewhere suitable to place and store the hob without overloading a shared connection. Around 17% of consumers put these shared-space and electrical checks first.

Buying pitfalls

  • Assuming every saucepan or wok works on induction

    An induction hob needs a suitable magnetic pan base, and a small pan may fall below the model’s minimum base diameter.

    Check the pan’s induction marking and whether a magnet sticks firmly to its base, then follow the exact hob’s size rules. The Judge JEA90 manual, for example, specifies a minimum base diameter of 12cm.

    If your current pan is unsuitable, you may need different cookware to use an induction hob.

  • Treating a shared extension lead as unlimited power

    Electrical Safety First puts the maximum load for a single 13A socket at about 3000W. A high-rated hob and another appliance can exceed the rating of a socket, lead or adaptor when used together.

    Check every connected appliance’s rating and the lead’s marked limit. Do not daisy-chain extension leads; follow the cable reel’s instructions, including unwinding it when required for the load.

  • Buying two zones without planning where both pans will go

    A second zone helps only if the hob and pans fit on a clear, stable worktop. Andrew James lists its double induction model at 58.2 × 34.9cm and its single model at 28 × 35cm.

    Measure the available space and choose two zones if you will regularly use the second one. Check the chosen hob’s total rating as well as its dimensions.

  • Handling a solid plate as though it were induction

    Duronic describes the cast-iron plates on its HP2 BK as retaining heat, so moving a pan does not make the plate immediately cool to touch.

    Follow the model’s safety and cooling instructions, and allow for residual heat before cleaning or putting the appliance away.

Brands to consider

Andrew James

Portable single and double induction models offer different numbers of cooking zones without requiring a built-in installation.

  • Andrew James specifies 2000W and 10 power levels for its single model; its double model has independently controlled zones.
  • Both formats need induction-compatible pans. The double model also needs more worktop space and electrical-load planning.

VonShef

Its portable dual-induction hob is relevant if curry and an accompaniment regularly need separate pans.

  • VonShef lists two 1400W plates and a total output of up to 2800W for this model.
  • It requires induction-compatible cookware; compare its total rating with the available socket arrangement before use.

Duronic

The HP2 BK is a portable twin solid-plate option with physical dials rather than induction controls.

  • Duronic specifies a 1500W ring and a 1000W ring for the HP2 BK.
  • Its cast-iron plates retain heat. Check the model’s cookware, clearance and cooling instructions.

Judge

The JEA90 portable induction hob’s instructions provide a useful model-specific example of cookware requirements.

  • The Judge JEA90 manual specifies magnetic cookware and a minimum pan-base diameter of 12cm.
  • Those dimensions belong to the JEA90; check the instructions for any other hob separately.

Portable induction hob on Joybuy

This portable induction option is relevant if you want adjustable heat for vegetable curry and can use a suitable magnetic pan. Check its fit and electrical requirements for your shared kitchen.

ochama 2000W portable induction hob

ochama 2000W Portable Induction Hob, 10 Settings, 6 Functions

Consider this portable hob if adjustable heat is a priority when cooking curry and you have compatible cookware.

Its listed features include touch controls, a glass panel, 10 power settings, six functions and a safety lock.

It requires a ferromagnetic pan base. The panel can become hot during use: keep ventilation openings clear and do not move the hob while it is operating. Check its dimensions, pan-size rules and electrical requirements before buying.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Will my curry pan work on a portable induction hob?

It needs a suitable magnetic base and must meet the hob’s pan-size rules. A magnet sticking firmly to the base is a useful preliminary check; the Judge JEA90 manual, for instance, specifies a minimum base diameter of 12cm. Follow the instructions for the model you choose.

Can I use an extension lead for a portable hob?

Only if the combined load stays within the extension lead’s marked rating and the socket arrangement’s limit. Electrical Safety First advises against overloading extension leads and gives about 3000W as the maximum load for a single 13A socket. Check what else is connected before using a high-rated hob.

Do I need a double hob to make vegetable curry?

No—a single hob can suit a one-pot curry when you do not need another pan at the same time. Consider two zones if you regularly cook rice or a side dish alongside it, provided the wider hob fits and its electrical rating suits your kitchen.

How should I clean a portable induction hob?

Follow the appliance’s cooling and cleaning instructions before wiping its surface. Do not assume the panel is safe to touch immediately after cooking: a hot pan can leave heat on the surface even though induction heats compatible cookware rather than directly heating the plate.

What checks are worth making before ordering?

Check the exact model’s warranty and the retailer’s returns terms, along with its cookware and electrical instructions. You can also check current product recalls through the Office for Product Safety and Standards route signposted by Electrical Safety First.