Choose a portable induction hob if your soup saucepan has a flat magnetic base within the model’s supported size range and you want digital controls or a soup programme. A portable ceramic hob is worth considering if keeping a non-induction saucepan is more important. Before buying either, check that the hob is permitted in your shared kitchen and that you can use it without overloading the electrical supply.
If you share a kitchen, establish whether your accommodation permits a portable hob before choosing one. The University of Leicester, for example, lists hot plates among items banned in its accommodation; your own rules may differ. Electrical Safety First also advises against overloading extension leads.
If you already have a pan for leek soup, its base may decide the hob type. Electrolux UK explains that induction needs a magnetic base, while Cooks Professional specifies several cookware materials for its single ceramic model. Check the requirements of the exact hob you intend to buy.
If the hob must be put away after a one-pot meal, compare the model’s footprint, cord length and supported pan size with the space and socket you can actually use. Check its cleaning instructions before assuming it can be stored immediately after cooking.
Confirm permission and a suitable electrical supply before comparing hob types. Your saucepan then determines whether induction is an option; controls and the space needed for cooking matter once those checks are satisfied.
Choose it when: Your saucepan has a flat magnetic base within the hob’s supported size range, and you want features such as digital power settings or a soup programme.
Trade-off: A pan without a suitable magnetic base will not work on induction, even if it fits on the cooking surface.
Choose it when: Keeping an existing non-induction saucepan matters more than having the induction model’s controls.
Trade-off: Cookware flexibility does not guarantee that a particular pan size or control range suits your soup-making routine.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Permission and electrical safety | Check the applicable accommodation rules, available socket and combined load of anything connected to an extension lead. If the rules require a timer, check the exact model. | I need to know I can use a hob in this kitchen without overloading a shared supply; around 46% of consumers put permission and electrical safety first. |
| Soup-pan compatibility | For induction, test the pan base with a magnet and check its diameter against the model’s range. For ceramic, check the stated cooking zone and recommended pan size. | Keeping a saucepan I already own matters more to me than changing cookware for a new hob. Around 27% of consumers make pan compatibility their primary concern. |
| One-pot cooking and storage | Compare the hob’s dimensions and cord length with your worktop and socket position; check its lower settings or documented soup or stew function. | I need room to cook leek soup, then clean and put the hob away without taking over the communal worktop; for around 27% of consumers, compact everyday use comes first. |
Induction needs a suitable magnetic pan base. As Electrolux UK explains, a pan made from a non-magnetic material will not work unless it has an induction-compatible base.
Test the base with a magnet and compare its diameter with the exact hob’s requirements. If the pan is incompatible, consider a ceramic model rather than assuming you must replace it.
A portable hob can add a substantial load. Electrical Safety First warns that exceeding an extension lead’s marked current rating can cause overheating.
Use a suitable wall socket where possible. If an extension lead is unavoidable, check its rating and the combined load, and do not daisy-chain leads.
Accommodation rules can prohibit portable hot plates or permit them only under stated conditions. The University of Leicester’s accommodation policy is one example of a restriction, not a rule for every shared kitchen.
Check the rules that apply to your home before ordering. If a particular feature is required, confirm the exact model has it; a timer does not override a general ban.
A power rating does not tell you whether the saucepan fits, the controls offer a useful lower setting, or the hob and cord suit the available worktop.
Compare supported pan size, control settings, appliance dimensions and cord length, as well as the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.
Tefal’s Everyday IH201840 is a portable, single-zone induction hob rated at 2,100 W. Tefal UK specifies digital controls, soup and stew programmes, adjustable 350–2,100 W power and a 12–26 cm cookware range for this model.
Cooks Professional’s K962 is a portable, single-zone ceramic hob rated at 2,000 W, with a 17.5 cm ring and dial control. The manufacturer states that cast iron, stainless steel, aluminium and copper cookware can be used.
It will work only if its base is suitable for induction and falls within the hob’s supported pan-size range. Test the base with a magnet, then check the model’s instructions; Tefal UK states a 12–26 cm cookware range for the Everyday IH201840.
Only if the rules for that accommodation permit it, including any conditions for the appliance. The University of Leicester lists hot plates among items banned in its accommodation, but its policy does not determine the rules for another property. Check your own agreement or ask the accommodation operator before buying.
Use an extension lead only if its marked current rating can accommodate the hob and every other connected appliance without exceeding the limit. Electrical Safety First advises against overloading or daisy-chaining extension leads; a suitable wall socket is preferable where available.
For electrical equipment placed on the Great Britain market, the Department for Business and Trade’s March 2026 guidance lists UKCA or CE marking routes; for Northern Ireland, it lists CE, or UKNI together with CE. Check the marking relevant to where the product is sold. A marking does not establish that a particular hob is permitted in your accommodation or suitable for your electrical supply.
Let the hob cool and follow its model-specific instructions before cleaning or storing it. Unplug it before cleaning, keep water away from electrical parts and do not wrap the cable around the appliance while it is still hot.