Who this suits

Soup cooks with very little worktop space

A single-zone hob lets you cook with one saucepan and put the appliance away afterwards. Measure both the clear cooking area and the place where you will store it.

Consumers keeping their current saucepan

Check that the pan has a magnetic base and that its base diameter falls within the chosen hob’s stated range. Pan compatibility can differ between portable models.

Soup cooks who want more heat control

Adjustable power, a timer or a keep-warm setting may matter if you want to manage a gentle cook or serve soup later. Those features do not replace watching the pan while the hob is on.

What to check before buying

Start with the space available while cooking and the saucepan you intend to use. Once both fit, compare the controls that matter for soup.

Concern What to check Who this matters to
Worktop and storage space Compare the full width and depth with your clear, stable worktop area; check height and cable reach for use and storage. I need to clear the worktop after making soup, so the whole hob must fit while I cook and have somewhere to go afterwards. Around 42% of consumers put space and storage first.
Gentle cooking control Look at the stated power settings and available soup, stew or timer functions; a timer is not a substitute for attending to cooking. When the soup needs a gentler cook, I want controls I can adjust rather than only a high-output setting. Cooking control comes first for around 33% of consumers.
Pan and electrical suitability Check your saucepan’s magnetic base and base diameter against the exact model’s requirements; confirm the supplied plug and applicable product documentation. If I want to keep using my soup pan, it needs to work with the hob, and I want to know what electrical product I am buying. Around 25% of consumers prioritise these compatibility and safety checks.

Buying pitfalls

  • Choosing by a “slim” label alone

    A thin hob can still take up more worktop than you have available. IKEA lists its TILLREDA at 27 cm wide and 30.5 cm deep, showing why the full footprint matters as well as height.

    Measure the clear, stable cooking area and storage space, then compare them with the model’s complete dimensions and cord length.

  • Assuming any saucepan works on induction

    Induction needs a magnetic pan base, and the supported base diameter varies by model.

    Check an uncertain pan base with a magnet and compare its diameter with the requirements for the exact hob.

    If the pan is unsuitable, you may need different cookware to use the hob.

  • Leaving soup because the hob has a timer

    A timer helps you keep track of cooking time; it does not make unattended cooking safe. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service advises against leaving cooking unattended.

    Stay available while the hob is on, keep combustible items clear and switch it off after cooking.

  • Overlooking the identity and plug of an electrical import

    An Office for Product Safety and Standards report in August 2025 identified a serious fire risk in one specific induction cooker whose plug lacked a fuse link. That report is not a finding about portable hobs generally.

    Check the exact product identity, seller, supplied plug and documentation applicable where you will use it before purchasing.

Brands to consider for portable induction

IKEA

The single-zone TILLREDA 704.935.03 is a compact option with documented dimensions for checking a tight worktop fit.

  • IKEA lists a 27 cm × 30.5 cm × 6.2 cm body, one 175 mm, 2000 W zone and a child lock.
  • It heats one pan at a time and requires magnetic-base cookware; place it on a flat, stable surface.

Tefal

The Everyday line includes models worth comparing if soup functions, adjustable power or a thin storage profile matter to you.

  • Tefal lists soup and stew functions, nine power levels from 450 W to 2100 W, a timer of up to two hours and a 12 cm to 26 cm compatible pan-base range for the IH201840.
  • Tefal describes the Everyday Slim IH210840 as 45 mm thick; check its full width and depth separately before relying on it to fit your space.

Smeg

The PIC01BLMUK offers probe-led cooking controls for consumers who want them beyond the controls needed for straightforward soup.

  • Smeg lists an external temperature probe, keep-warm function, nine power levels and probe-target and probe-timer modes.
  • The additional probe and accessories also need somewhere to be stored.

CIARRA

The CBTIH1-OW is a slim single-zone model to assess if cupboard space and your saucepan’s base size are priorities.

  • CIARRA states a 45 mm body, eight power levels from 400 W to 2000 W, a timer and compatibility with 12 cm to 26 cm cookware.
  • Check the full width and depth, as well as your own pan’s magnetic base, before deciding it fits your kitchen.

CASO Design

The ProSlim 2000 is a single-zone option for comparing adjustable settings and timer duration.

  • CASO Design lists 10 power levels up to 2000 W, temperature settings from 60°C to 240°C and a timer of up to 240 minutes.
  • Its stated 12 cm to 22 cm cookware range makes checking the base of a larger soup pan particularly important.

Portable hobs on Joybuy

This portable induction hob is a single-appliance option to consider for making soup when the worktop needs clearing afterwards. Check its complete dimensions and your saucepan’s compatibility before choosing it for a small kitchen.

ochama portable induction hob, 2000 W

ochama 2000 W Portable Induction Hob

Consider this hob for soup if you want adjustable cooking settings and can confirm that it fits your clear worktop.

Its product name specifies 10 power settings, six functions, touch controls, a glass panel and a safety lock.

Check the full dimensions, your magnetic saucepan’s base-size compatibility, the supplied plug and the applicable product documentation before use. Keep the ventilation openings clear, and do not move the appliance while it is operating.

Joybuy

Common questions

Will my saucepan work on a portable induction hob?

It will work only if its base is magnetic and its base diameter suits the exact hob. Check an uncertain base with a magnet, then compare its size with the model’s stated range rather than measuring the pan’s rim.

Can I put a portable hob on any small worktop?

No: the surface needs to be flat and stable, with room for the whole appliance and its required clearances. Measure the available area and check cord reach before buying; IKEA lists a 1.4 m cord for the TILLREDA 704.935.03.

Can I leave broccoli soup cooking if the hob has a timer?

No. A timer can remind you about cooking time, but Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service advises never leaving cooking unattended.

Does an induction hob need a UKCA mark?

For products placed on the market in Great Britain, GOV.UK says CE marking continues to be recognised alongside or instead of UKCA marking where the relevant product requirements are met. Northern Ireland has separate provisions, so check the marking requirements and seller documentation applicable to your exact product there.

How should I clean the hob after making soup?

Let the cooking surface cool, then wipe spills with a soft damp cloth. IKEA’s TILLREDA guidance advises against scouring powder, steel wool and hard or sharp tools that could scratch the surface.