For one-pan vegetable stir-fries in a small kitchen, a portable induction hob is a sensible starting point if you can use a suitable magnetic, flat-bottomed pan and have somewhere safe to put the appliance away. A built-in induction hob makes more sense when you regularly need several pans at once and can accommodate its installation; consider ceramic-electric if keeping non-induction cookware is the deciding factor, after checking the requirements of the particular hob.
If vegetable stir-fry is usually the only dish on the hob, a portable appliance can free the worktop after cooking. Check its actual dimensions and where it will be stored: The Tefal IH201840 is listed at 22.5 cm wide and 35 cm deep, but that footprint applies to this model, not every portable hob.
If adjustable output matters to you, look at the controls as well as any stir-fry preset or boost function. Your pan still has to suit the hob: Bosch UK explains that induction needs ferromagnetic cookware, while a 12–26 cm pan range is specified for the Tefal IH201840.
If rice, sauce or another dish often cooks alongside your stir-fry, a fixed multi-zone hob may justify the worktop space it occupies. The Zanussi ZEI6840FBA is listed as a four-zone induction hob, with professional installation to a 13 Amp fused spur by a qualified installer specified.
Choose when: You mainly cook one pan at a time and want to clear the worktop afterwards.
Trade-off: A single-zone model cannot cook several pans simultaneously and needs compatible cookware.
Choose when: Several dishes regularly need heat at once and you have room for a permanent hob.
Trade-off: Installation needs planning, and induction still requires compatible pans.
Consider when: Keeping existing non-induction cookware is your priority, subject to the exact hob’s cookware requirements.
Trade-off: Which? explains that ceramic-electric hobs heat elements beneath the glass, so take account of the heated surface during and after cooking.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Worktop space and storage | Measure the appliance and the space where you will use and store it; check how many cooking zones it has. | I want to cook a one-pan meal, then reclaim the worktop. Around 33% of consumers put space and storage first. |
| Stir-fry heat control | Compare adjustable power controls and check what a boost function or stir-fry preset does on the exact model. | When I stir-fry vegetables often, I want to change the heat without struggling with the controls. Controllable heat comes first for around 33% of consumers. |
| Wok and pan compatibility | For induction, check that the base is magnetic and flat, then compare its diameter with the hob’s stated pan range. | I want to keep using my current wok rather than discover it will not work with the new hob. Around 20% of consumers prioritise cookware compatibility. |
| Cooking several dishes | Check zone count and, for a built-in hob, the worktop fit and model-specific electrical installation instructions. | If rice or sauce needs a pan while the vegetables cook, one zone may not be enough. Several-zone cooking is the main need for around 14% of consumers. |
Bosch UK explains that induction requires ferromagnetic cookware. A wok with a non-magnetic base will not work simply because it fits on the glass.
Check that the base is magnetic and flat, then compare its diameter with the pan sizes specified for the hob you want.
Changing to induction may also mean replacing a pan you currently use for stir-fry.
A fixed hob cannot be put away after dinner. Installation requirements also differ: Professional installation to a 13 Amp fused spur by a qualified installer is specified for the Zanussi ZEI6840FBA.
Check the exact model’s fitting and electrical instructions before choosing a built-in hob; seek a qualified installer’s advice where required.
Allow for the installation work as well as the permanent worktop space.
Electrical Safety First advises against using electrical equipment with wet hands, leaving appliances unattended and overloading socket outlets.
Keep the hob on a stable, dry surface with its lead clear of hot and wet areas. Follow its instructions and do not leave it operating unattended.
The IH201840 is a portable induction option for cooks who want to store a single hob after making stir-fry. A 22.5 × 35 cm footprint, a stir-fry preset and suitability for 12–26 cm pans are listed.
The portable SDA2771GE is relevant if you are comparing controls on single-zone induction hobs. It is listed at 2200 W with a boost function and nine power levels.
The ZEI6840FBA represents the fixed, multi-zone route. Four induction zones are listed, with boost functions described for stir-frying.
These choices include a portable induction cooker for a worktop you want to clear and fixed four-zone induction hobs for meals involving several pans. If retaining non-induction cookware is decisive, assess a ceramic-electric hob separately against that cookware and your available space.
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Consider this portable option if you want to clear your worktop after cooking. Its name specifies 10 power settings, six functions and a safety lock; check its dimensions, cooking zones and suitable pan sizes against your kitchen and cookware.
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Consider a fixed hob if several dishes regularly need cooking space at once. This model’s name specifies a hard-wired installation; confirm the worktop cut-out and electrical requirements with a qualified installer before ordering.
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Four zones suit a kitchen where the stir-fry shares cooking time with other dishes. Check the cabinet fit, ventilation and electrical connection required for this built-in model before choosing it.
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The four-zone format is relevant if you need another pan on the hob while stir-frying. Plan for a fixed installation and confirm the worktop fit and electrical requirements with an installer.
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This fixed four-zone option is for cooking several components at once. Its name also specifies a booster function; check the particular model’s fitting and electrical instructions before committing to an installation.
It will work only if its base meets the hob’s induction and size requirements. Bosch UK says induction needs ferromagnetic cookware; check that your wok has a magnetic, flat base and falls within the chosen hob’s stated pan range. For example, 12–26 cm pans are listed for the Tefal IH201840.
Do not assume that a built-in induction hob is suitable for self-installation. Requirements depend on the model: Professional installation to a 13 Amp fused spur by a qualified installer is specified for the Zanussi ZEI6840FBA. Check the instructions for the exact hob and your kitchen’s electrical provision before ordering.
Use it on a stable, dry surface and follow the appliance’s instructions for placement and operation. Electrical Safety First advises against handling electrical equipment with wet hands, overloading socket outlets or leaving appliances unattended; keep the lead away from hot and wet areas while you cook.