Who each approach suits

One-pan cooks short on space

If you usually make one pan of vegetable curry and need the worktop back afterwards, a hob you can store away may suit your routine. The Tefal UK Shop lists the IH201840 as a portable, single-zone model.

Cooks preparing several pans

If you fry ingredients, simmer curry and cook rice or a side dish at the same time, separate zones may matter more than removability. Bosch GB lists four zones on its 592 x 522 mm PUG61RAA5B; a fitted model still needs a suitable worktop opening.

Batch cooks using larger cookware

If large pans are a regular part of your cooking, a bridge zone may be worth considering. AEG UK lists one on the TO84IB00FB, alongside a 750 x 490 mm built-in opening and a hardwired-only connection.

What matters when choosing

Decide whether reclaiming the worktop or using several pans at once matters more. Then check cookware fit, the worktop opening and the exact model's electrical connection before choosing between portable and fitted hobs.

Concern What to check Who this matters to
Worktop space Check where a portable hob can stand during use and whether its dimensions allow you to store it afterwards. I usually make curry in one pan and want the counter clear between meals. Around 42% of consumers put reclaiming worktop space first.
Several pans at once Check the number of usable zones, the fitted opening and the model's connection and connected load. I want to simmer curry while rice or another dish cooks separately. For around 33% of consumers, separate cooking positions are the main priority.
Large-pan flexibility Check the bridge-zone arrangement, cookware fit, cut-out and electrical provision; confirm hood compatibility if linked control matters. I often cook larger batches and need room for the cookware I use. Larger-pan flexibility comes first for around 25% of consumers.

Checks before you order

  • Judging a fitted hob by its outside width alone

    AEG UK gives the TO84IB00FB an exterior size of 780 x 520 mm but specifies a 750 x 490 mm built-in opening and a hardwired-only connection. An apparently suitable surface width does not settle whether it can be installed in your kitchen.

    Compare the exact installation diagram with your measured worktop opening, cabinet clearances and electrical provision. Arrange an installation assessment for a hardwired model.

    An unsuitable opening or electrical arrangement can involve cabinet alterations or installation work.

  • Expecting every four-zone hob to have the same electrical arrangement

    The Joybuy listing for the Bosch PUG61RAA5B states a 3.0 kW maximum connected load and a UK 13 A plug. AEG UK specifies a hardwired connection and a 7,200 W total electrical load for the TO84IB00FB. Zone count alone does not tell you which arrangement your kitchen can accommodate.

    Check the connected load, connection method and installation instructions for the exact model rather than choosing by zone count or a boost feature alone.

  • Checking a pan's rim instead of its base

    The Tefal UK Shop specifies induction-compatible cookware with a 12 cm to 25 cm base for the IH201840. A familiar curry pot may not meet those requirements simply because its overall diameter looks suitable.

    Check induction compatibility and measure the base of the saucepans and curry pots you plan to use.

    Cookware outside the model's requirements may need replacing.

  • Assuming a hob can control any cooker hood

    AEG UK says Hob2Hood requires the function on both the hob and the hood. A hob with this feature will not provide linked control with an arbitrary existing hood.

    Check both exact model numbers if automatic hood control matters to you; otherwise plan to operate the hood separately.

Relevant brands for reference

Tefal

The IH201840 is a portable, single-zone option to consider when the hob needs to be stored after cooking.

  • The Tefal UK Shop lists nine power levels from 450 W to 2,100 W, a timer and a child lock for this model.
  • Its single zone cannot cook curry and rice in separate pans simultaneously; compatible pan bases must measure 12 cm to 25 cm.

Bosch

The fitted PUG61RAA5B is a four-zone option for a kitchen that can accommodate a 60 cm-class hob.

  • Bosch GB lists four zones, 592 x 522 mm dimensions and a Plug & Play socket connection for this model.
  • It remains a built-in appliance: check the required opening and follow its installation instructions.

AEG

The wider TO84IB00FB offers a bridge zone for cooks considering larger cookware in a fitted kitchen.

  • AEG UK lists four zones and a bridge function that joins two cooking zones on this model.
  • It is hardwired only and needs a 750 x 490 mm built-in opening. AEG says Hob2Hood control also requires a compatible hood.

Portable hob on Joybuy

This portable induction hob is relevant if you want to make curry without dedicating a permanent worktop opening to a fitted appliance. Check its cooking-zone arrangement and your cookware before relying on it for your usual meal.

ochama 2000W portable induction hob

ochama 2000W Portable Induction Hob

A portable option for cooking curry where a fitted hob is not the preferred arrangement.

The product title specifies 2,000 W, 10 power settings, six functions, touch controls, a glass panel and a safety lock.

Before ordering, check its zone arrangement, dimensions, compatible pan-base sizes and electrical connection against your kitchen and cooking routine. The product guidance says not to move it during operation and to keep its ventilation openings clear.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Will my existing pans work on an induction hob?

They need an induction-compatible base that fits the particular hob. For the Tefal IH201840, the Tefal UK Shop specifies cookware bases from 12 cm to 25 cm, so check the base of each pan you regularly use rather than its rim.

Can a four-zone induction hob use a socket?

Some models can: Bosch GB describes the PUG61RAA5B as Plug & Play, and its Joybuy listing states a pre-fitted UK 13 A plug and a 3.0 kW maximum connected load. Check the connection instructions for the exact model; four zones do not by themselves mean it can be plugged in.

What should I check before buying a hardwired bridge-zone hob?

Have the worktop opening and electrical provision assessed against the exact installation instructions. AEG UK specifies a hardwired-only connection, a 7,200 W total electrical load and a 750 x 490 mm built-in opening for the TO84IB00FB. GOV.UK's Approved Document P provides electrical-safety guidance for dwellings in England; it does not establish an installation rule for every UK jurisdiction.

Will Hob2Hood work with the cooker hood I already own?

Only if both exact appliances support the function. AEG UK says Hob2Hood requires a compatible hob and hood, so check your hood model before making linked control a reason to choose the hob.

What safety checks matter for a portable induction hob?

Follow the instructions for the model you choose and do not use an appliance with a cracked ceramic surface. Tefal's user guidance warns against use if its surface is cracked and advises people with cardiac pacemakers or similar medical devices to stay away while the appliance is connected and seek medical advice if unsure.