For an occasional one-person batch of lemon curd, a portable single-zone induction hob is a practical choice if it accepts your magnetic saucepan’s base and offers settings you can turn down as the mixture thickens. A built-in multi-zone hob makes more sense if you also want a permanent cooking setup for several pans; maximum wattage alone does not establish how gently either hob will heat a small batch.
You make one or two jars at a time and want to check both the lower heat settings and the fit of a small saucepan. Tefal specifies a 450–2100 W range and 12–25 cm compatible pan bases for the IH201840; Judge specifies selectable temperatures from 60°C for the JEA90 and excludes pan bases below 12 cm.
You want to put the hob away after cooking or use it as an occasional extra zone. Storage dimensions and weight matter alongside the controls: Tefal, Daewoo and Judge specify weights of 2.3 kg, 2.25 kg and 2.4 kg respectively for the portable models discussed here.
You expect to use the hob for more than lemon curd and want to understand its longer-term support. Tefal says its IH201840 is eligible for a 15-year repairability programme, subject to its terms and parts availability; Daewoo says the SDA2771GE’s three-year extended warranty requires online registration.
Choose it when: You cook small batches occasionally and want a hob you can put away.
Trade-off: Its one cooking zone cannot heat two separate pans at once.
Choose it when: You are planning a permanent kitchen setup and regularly cook with several pans.
Trade-off: It requires installation planning, and extra zones do not establish how well the selected zone handles a very small saucepan.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gentle, adjustable heat | Look for a stated lower power range or selectable temperature settings. Distinguish power levels from temperature modes and presets. | When my lemon curd starts to thicken, I want to turn down the heat while I stir, rather than rely on a high maximum output. Around 42% of consumers put gentle heat control first. |
| Small-pan compatibility | Check whether the saucepan base attracts a magnet, measure that base rather than the rim, and compare its diameter with the exact hob’s requirements. | I want to keep using a small saucepan without discovering that the hob will not detect it. For around 33% of consumers, pan compatibility is the primary concern. |
| Storage and ownership | Compare dimensions and weight, then read any warranty-registration and repair-programme conditions that matter to you. | If I put the hob away between batches, I need a manageable unit and support terms I can use. Storage and ownership come first for around 25% of consumers. |
A small saucepan may still have a base too narrow for the hob: Judge excludes bases below 12 cm for the JEA90, while Tefal specifies a 12–25 cm compatible range for the IH201840.
Check that the base attracts a magnet, then measure it against the requirements for the exact model before ordering.
You may need a different induction-compatible saucepan if your current one is non-magnetic or too small.
A maximum-output figure does not tell you which lower settings are available for a small egg-based mixture.
Compare the stated lower range and the type of adjustment. Continue to stir and supervise the curd even when using a lower setting.
Daewoo says the three-year extended warranty for the SDA2771GE requires online registration.
Read the model’s warranty terms, retain proof of purchase and complete any required registration.
GOV.UK’s electrical-equipment guidance for Great Britain does not establish the applicable marking position for a delivery address in Northern Ireland.
For Northern Ireland, check the relevant regional guidance and the seller’s product information rather than relying on a Great Britain-only marking statement.
The portable IH201840 is worth considering when a stated lower power setting and a defined saucepan-base range are important.
The portable SDA2771GE offers stated power adjustments and an extended-warranty option for consumers who can meet its registration condition.
The portable JEA90 suits consumers who want stated temperature selections and a clear minimum-pan check.
VonShef offers a portable single induction hob for consumers considering a plug-in cooking zone.
This portable single-zone option is relevant if you want adjustable settings for occasional small-batch cooking. Check its lower heat setting and your saucepan’s fit before choosing it for lemon curd.
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For occasional small batches where you want adjustable settings on a portable hob, check that your intended saucepan works with it.
The product name specifies 10 power settings, six functions, touch controls and a glass panel.
Confirm the lowest setting and supported pan-base diameter before using a small saucepan for lemon curd. The product information warns that the panel becomes hot during use; follow its handling and cleaning instructions.
It needs a magnetic base that meets the chosen hob’s size requirements. Judge’s JEA90 manual excludes bases below 12 cm, while Tefal specifies a 12–25 cm compatible range for the IH201840. Check the base with a magnet and measure its diameter before choosing a model.
Not on wattage alone: for a small, delicate batch, check which lower settings you can select. Tefal states a 450–2100 W range for the IH201840, Judge specifies ten temperature selections from 60°C to 240°C for the JEA90, and Daewoo specifies nine power levels for the SDA2771GE. These different controls do not establish which hob heats most steadily.
Follow the manual for your exact model and let the surface cool before cleaning it. For the IH201840, Tefal advises wiping the ceramic plate with a damp, soft cloth.
Check registration requirements and the scope of any repair programme for the exact model. Daewoo says its SDA2771GE’s three-year extended warranty requires online registration; Tefal says the IH201840 is eligible for its 15-year repairability programme, subject to its conditions and parts availability.
For products placed on the market in Great Britain, August 2026 guidance from the UK Department for Business and Trade says CE marking continues to be recognised alongside or instead of UKCA marking where the applicable requirements are met. Do not apply that Great Britain conclusion to Northern Ireland without checking the relevant regional rules.