Storage-first custard makers
If the worktop is needed for other tasks after cooking, you need a removable hob that fits while in use and can be put away afterwards. Check its full width and depth, not just whether it looks slim.
Who needs which setup?
Low-heat control seekers
If you expect to stir custard as it heats, manual adjustment matters more to you than maximum wattage alone. Check the controls on the exact hob and whether your saucepan will work with induction.
Small-space multi-pan cooks
If you often need a second pan alongside the custard, two zones may be useful. You still need enough clear worktop for the appliance and an electrical arrangement suitable for its stated rating.
What matters when choosing?
Measure the usable worktop and check your saucepan first; then decide whether you need a second pan cooking at the same time.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Worktop space and storage | Measure the level surface available during cooking and compare it with the hob's full width and depth. IKEA UK lists its one-zone TILLREDA at 27 cm by 30.5 cm; Judge lists the JEA90 at 31 cm by 27 cm. | If I need the worktop back after making custard, the hob must fit while I cook and be practical to put away. Roughly 46% of consumers would put space and storage first. |
| Heat control and saucepan fit | Compare manual settings on the exact model and check for a magnetic pan base of a suitable size. Tefal UK specifies seven manual power levels from 300W to 2100W and a 12 cm to 26 cm pan range for the IH210840. | When I am stirring custard, I want settings I can adjust and a saucepan the hob will recognise. Around 36% of consumers would make control and pan compatibility their primary concern. |
| Second zone and electrical load | Check that you have room for two pans and that the electrical setup suits the appliance rating. IKEA UK specifies a 2800W, 13A connection rating for its two-zone TILLREDA. | If another part of the meal often needs heating alongside custard, cooking both pans at once matters to me. About 18% of consumers would prioritise that extra zone and its electrical requirements. |
What should you check before buying?
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Assuming your saucepan will work on induction
An induction hob needs a saucepan with a magnetic base. A suitable power rating on the hob does not make a non-magnetic pan compatible.
Test the base with a magnet and check the exact model's pan-size requirements before ordering.
If your current saucepan is unsuitable, you may need an induction-compatible replacement.
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Treating a temperature label as the pan's temperature
A high maximum wattage does not establish gentle heating control. Judge's instructions for its JEA92 dual-zone hob also caution that temperature settings are approximate and can vary with cookware.
Compare the manual settings on the model you intend to buy. Start with a suitable lower setting and stir and monitor the custard as your recipe directs.
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Adding a second zone without checking the power arrangement
IKEA UK rates its two-zone TILLREDA at 2800W and 13A. Electrical Safety First warns that exceeding an extension lead's maximum current rating can cause overheating.
Check the appliance and extension-lead ratings, including the load from other connected appliances. Do not connect extension leads to one another; fully unwind a cable reel when using its full rating.
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Relying on markings alone for a safety decision
A marking does not replace checking the exact appliance. In a 2025 report, the Office for Product Safety and Standards identified a particular induction cooker with a serious fire risk linked to its plug; that report does not describe every portable hob.
Inspect the supplied plug and check the Office for Product Safety and Standards recalls and alerts service for the exact brand and model.
Relevant brands for reference
IKEA
IKEA UK documents one-zone and two-zone TILLREDA portable induction hobs, giving a choice between a single cooking position and room for two pans.
- The one-zone model is listed at 27 cm wide by 30.5 cm deep, with a 2000W induction zone.
- The two-zone model has a stated 2800W connection rating. Both formats require suitable magnetic-base cookware.
Tefal
The Everyday Slim IH210840 is a single-zone option for consumers interested in manual power adjustment and controls such as a timer and pause function.
- Tefal UK specifies seven manual power levels from 300W to 2100W and compatibility with induction pans measuring 12 cm to 26 cm.
- Its stated footprint is 30 cm by 38 cm. Its controls do not establish how a particular pan of custard will heat.
Judge
Judge lists the JEA90 as a portable induction option with selectable temperature settings and a stated depth of 27 cm.
- Judge specifies a 31 cm by 27 cm footprint, a 2000W rating and ten settings labelled from 60°C to 240°C for the JEA90.
- Induction requires magnetic cookware. Do not treat a selected temperature as a measurement of the custard or pan.
Portable hobs on Joybuy
These portable induction hobs are choices to consider for a removable custard station. Compare their stated controls, then confirm the full worktop dimensions and saucepan requirements for the model you choose.
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IAGREEA DF200-14V10 portable induction hob
Consider this model if you want adjustable settings and a timer while making custard. Its product title specifies 2000W, eight power levels, temperature settings labelled 60–270°C, seven preset functions and a three-hour timer. It also specifies suitable cookware measuring 12–26 cm. Check that your saucepan has a magnetic base and confirm the hob's full width and depth against your worktop; the settings are not a measurement of pan temperature.
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ochama 2000W portable induction hob
Consider this model if you want several selectable settings on a portable hob. Its product title specifies 2000W, ten power settings, six functions, touch controls and a safety lock. Confirm its full width and depth before choosing it for a small worktop, and check the exact cookware requirements for your saucepan. The number of settings does not establish how gently a particular pan will heat.
Common questions
Will my saucepan work on a portable induction hob?
It needs a magnetic base and must meet the chosen hob's pan-size requirements. Check the base with a magnet, then compare its size with the exact model's instructions; Tefal UK specifies a 12 cm to 26 cm pan range for the IH210840.
Should I choose the highest-wattage hob for custard?
Not on wattage alone: maximum output does not tell you how a particular hob and saucepan will behave at a lower setting. Compare the exact model's manual controls, then monitor and stir the custard according to your recipe rather than relying on a displayed setting as its measured temperature.
Can I use an extension lead with a portable hob?
Only if the lead is suitable for the appliance and the total connected load stays within its rating. Electrical Safety First advises against connecting extension leads to one another and says to fully unwind a cable reel when using its full rating. IKEA UK specifies a 2800W, 13A connection rating for its two-zone TILLREDA, so check the arrangement before using that model.
Does a portable hob sold for Great Britain need UKCA rather than CE marking?
Not necessarily. Department for Business and Trade guidance for Great Britain says CE marking continues to be recognised alongside or in place of UKCA marking where the relevant product regulations allow it. Check the marking and that the appliance is intended for the UK electrical supply with a suitable plug; that Great Britain guidance does not settle the requirements for Northern Ireland.
Does the type of hob change how I should handle eggs for custard?
No hob feature makes egg custard automatically safe. The Food Standards Agency cautions that no egg can be guaranteed free from Salmonella; handle the ingredients hygienically and follow the recipe's cooking instructions, taking account of any advice relevant to the people eating it.