Who needs an extra hob?

Hosts cooking with two pans at once

If the fricassee needs a gentle simmer while another pan handles an accompaniment, look for two independently controlled zones rather than a single spare ring.

Cooks keeping their existing pans

If your pans include aluminium, copper or non-magnetic stainless steel, check them before choosing induction. The pan materials accepted by a conventional electric hot plate may make that route more practical.

Occasional extra-hob users

If the main cooker handles most of dinner, one portable zone may be enough for a sauce, vegetables or reheating, without choosing a second two-zone appliance.

What matters when choosing?

Decide how many pans need heat simultaneously, then check those pans against the hob type. Before buying, measure the available worktop space and check the appliance’s electrical and placement instructions.

Concern What to check Who this matters to
Two-pan capacity Check for two independently controlled zones and enough clear worktop space for both pans. Check total and per-zone power separately. If my sauce must simmer while another pan cooks an accompaniment, I need both pans on the heat without swapping them over; around 40% of consumers put parallel cooking first.
Existing cookware Test pan bases with a magnet before choosing induction. For a conventional electric hot plate, check the ring and recommended pan sizes. Keeping my non-magnetic pans matters more to me than choosing induction; roughly 30% of consumers make cookware compatibility their primary concern.
One extra zone Check the number of zones, pan-size guidance and where the hob can stand and be stored. My main cooker can handle the other dishes, so I only need a storable position for one more pan; around 30% of consumers prioritise supplementary capacity.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming every pan works on induction

    Induction needs a magnetic pan base. Tefal’s cookware guidance recommends checking for an induction symbol or testing the base with a magnet.

    Check the pans you intend to use before buying. If essential pans are not compatible and you want to keep using them, compare conventional electric hot plates instead.

    Choosing induction may mean obtaining compatible cookware for any essential non-magnetic pans.

  • Buying one zone for a two-pan job

    A single hob cannot simmer the fricassee sauce and heat another pan simultaneously unless the main cooker supplies the other position.

    List the pans that need heat at the same time during serving. Choose a two-zone hob if two of them must run on the portable appliance.

  • Overloading extension equipment

    Electrical Safety First warns that overloading an extension lead, cable reel or adaptor can cause overheating and fire.

    Check the marked rating and the combined demands of connected appliances. Follow the equipment instructions, including any requirement to unwind a cable reel fully, and do not daisy-chain extensions.

  • Using an outdoor cartridge stove in the kitchen

    The reviewed Campingaz stove’s instructions require use outside premises; combustion in an enclosed space can produce carbon monoxide.

    Use an appliance intended for indoor cooking at an indoor dinner party. Consider this cartridge stove only for an outdoor arrangement that follows its instructions.

Brands to consider for these hob types

VonShef

Relevant when comparing two-zone induction with a conventional electric double hot plate.

  • VonShef specifies two 1,400W plates for its 2,800W dual induction model. Its Double Hot Plate is specified for aluminium, copper, cast iron and non-magnetic stainless-steel pans.
  • The induction model needs compatible pans. For the conventional hot plate, check that your pans fit its rings and allow for a hot cooking surface.

Tefal

Relevant when one additional induction zone is enough.

  • Tefal lists its Everyday IH201840 and Everyday Slim IH210840 as 2,100W portable induction hobs.
  • A single zone does not provide parallel pan capacity, and Tefal advises using pans with magnetic bases for induction.

Cooks Professional

Relevant when an additional ceramic zone suits the pans already in use.

  • Cooks Professional specifies a 2,000W single ceramic hob with a 17.5cm cooking zone and recommends pans up to 22cm.
  • It supplies only one cooking zone, so another hob position is needed if two pans require heat together.

Campingaz

Relevant to an outdoor cooking arrangement, not an indoor dinner-party setup.

  • The reviewed 2.2kW cartridge stove uses Campingaz CP250 or CP250 SP cartridges.
  • Campingaz instructs users to operate the reviewed stove outside premises, not in enclosed areas. Follow its cartridge and pan-size instructions for outdoor use.

Joybuy products for an extra cooking zone

This single-zone induction hob is an option when the main cooker can handle the other pans. Check that your intended pan has a magnetic base and that the hob fits its planned worktop position.

ochama 2000W portable induction hob

ochama 2000W Portable Induction Hob, 10 Power Settings

Consider this for one supplementary pan while the main cooker handles the rest of the meal; it cannot heat a second pan at the same time.

The product name specifies 2000W, 10 power settings, 6 functions and a safety lock. Use an induction-compatible pan, and check the hob’s dimensions and pan-size guidance against your space and cookware.

Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Do I need one or two portable hob zones for chicken fricassee?

Choose two zones if the fricassee must simmer while another pan cooks an accompaniment. One zone is enough as an extra position if the main cooker can handle every other pan that needs heat.

Will my pans work on a portable induction hob?

Induction needs a magnetic pan base. Tefal recommends checking for an induction symbol or testing the base with a magnet; if an essential pan is not compatible, compare a conventional electric hot plate and check its pan-size guidance.

Can I use a Campingaz cartridge stove in the kitchen?

Not the reviewed Campingaz portable stove: its instructions require use outside premises and warn against enclosed spaces because combustion can produce carbon monoxide. For an indoor dinner party, choose an appliance intended for indoor use.

What should I check before using an extension lead with a portable hob?

Check the lead’s marked rating against the combined demands of everything connected to it, and follow the lead or reel instructions. Electrical Safety First warns that overloaded extension equipment can overheat and cause a fire.

How can I check that the chicken is cooked?

Check the centre of the thickest pieces with a clean food thermometer. GOV.UK’s guidance for food businesses gives a core temperature of 70°C for 2 minutes as a safe cooking benchmark; do not judge the chicken solely by how gently the sauce is simmering.