For leek soup, choose an induction hob whose zone suits your pan and whose controls let you move from boiling to a gentle simmer. Prioritise kitchen fit and the required electrical connection before paying attention to extras: a boil sensor has specific operating limits, while a bridge or flex zone is chiefly worth considering if you use a broad stockpot.
If you often bring liquid to the boil and then need a gentle simmer, look for controls you can adjust promptly. A timer may help you keep track of cooking; if you want boil-to-simmer assistance, check its stated conditions before relying on it for a soup recipe.
The deciding question may be whether the appliance fits the existing worktop opening, space below it and electrical arrangement. Check the installation drawing for the exact model rather than choosing by its visible width.
A broad stockpot makes pan-base size and zone layout particularly important. Consider a bridge or flex zone if its specified cooking area accommodates your pan; a conventional zone may suffice for a smaller pot.
Start with the pan you intend to use and the kitchen installation, then compare controls for the boiling and simmering stages.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gentle simmering | Check how readily you can lower the power and whether any boil sensor applies to your liquid and fill level. | If I regularly make soup, I want to turn the heat down after boiling without repeatedly adjusting it. Around 50% of consumers put simmer control first. |
| Kitchen fit | Compare the specified cut-out, ventilation clearances and electrical connection with your kitchen. | Replacing a built-in hob means I need one that can be installed in my existing space. Installation and fit come first for around 30% of consumers. |
| Stockpot space | Match your flat, magnetic pan base to the zone guidance; check whether a bridge or flex area suits its footprint. | For larger batches, I need my stockpot to be recognised and to sit on a suitable cooking area. Roughly 20% of consumers prioritise pan and zone fit. |
Induction cookware needs a suitable magnetic base, and the pan must suit the chosen zone. A pan that is unsuitable or too small for a zone may not be recognised.
Check the base with a magnet where practical, measure it and compare it with the hob's pan-size guidance. John Lewis & Partners advises choosing cookware with ferrous metal in its base for induction.
If your current pan is unsuitable, you may need replacement induction-compatible cookware.
The worktop opening and space needed for ventilation can differ between models, even when their advertised widths sound similar.
Measure the existing opening and cabinet arrangement, then check the exact model's installation drawing and connection requirements. Bosch UK notes that installation measurements vary by model.
A mismatch could mean worktop alterations or additional installation work.
Boost is for rapid heating where the hob and cookware instructions permit it; it does not replace a lower setting once the liquid boils.
Reduce the power for the simmering stage and use a timer if that helps you keep track of cooking.
Relevant if you are considering assisted boiling or a larger cooking area on selected models.
Relevant if a conventional 60 cm, four-zone format suits your replacement plans.
Relevant if flexible cookware placement matters more to you than a fixed-zone layout.
These models cover conventional four-zone hobs and options with a bridge or flex cooking area. Compare your pan and installation requirements with the exact model before choosing.
No image available
Consider this four-zone model if you are replacing a built-in hob for everyday soup cooking. Check the intended pan against its zone guidance and confirm the cut-out, ventilation and electrical requirements for your kitchen.
No image available
Consider its flexible bridge if you use a broad pan for larger batches of soup. The product name specifies four zones, touch controls and boost; check pan fit and the installation requirements before choosing this 77 cm model.
No image available
This built-in four-zone format may suit a conventional replacement for one-pot cooking. Confirm the required electrical connection, cut-out and ventilation against your kitchen before ordering.
No image available
Consider this 60 cm model if a hardwired hob suits your planned installation. Check its exact cut-out, ventilation and pan-size guidance before deciding whether it fits your kitchen and soup pan.
No image available
Area Flex is worth considering if you cook larger batches in a broad pan. Check the pan against the zone guidance and confirm the cut-out, electrical connection and ventilation for this model.
It needs a suitable flat, magnetic base, and its base size must suit the chosen zone. John Lewis & Partners advises that induction cookware needs ferrous metal in the base; compare your pan with the exact hob's zone guidance before buying.
Boost can help with the initial heating stage, but you will still need a lower setting for a gentle simmer. Follow the hob and cookware instructions when using high-power settings.
No: a boil sensor should not be treated as a programme for the whole soup recipe. AEG says SenseBoil reduces heat after detecting boiling, but specifies use with water or water with potatoes, 1–5 litres of water, a gap of at least 4 cm below the pot rim and one sensor zone at a time. Check the instructions for the exact model and cook the other stages yourself.
Check the new hob's connection instructions and your existing electrical arrangement before ordering, then discuss any required work with a qualified installer. Electrical Safety First strongly recommends a registered electrician for installation or repair; in England, GOV.UK's Approved Document P covers electrical safety in dwellings. Confirm the applicable requirements locally if the installation is elsewhere in the UK.