Choose a single-zone induction hob if your saucepan is induction-compatible, its base meets the model’s stated size requirement and you want a choice of documented power or temperature settings. Choose a portable ceramic hob if keeping ordinary cookware matters more; you will still need to check the cooking-zone size, controls and electrical setup for the model you buy.
For a small batch of fruit coulis, start with the saucepan you intend to use: its material and base size can determine which hob type is practical before you compare controls.
If you want adjustable heat from one portable zone, check that your saucepan is induction-compatible and that its base meets the exact hob’s minimum diameter. Tefal UK and CASO Design both publish pan-size ranges for their single-zone induction models.
If replacing a saucepan would change your purchase decision, consider a ceramic hob whose documentation accepts its material. Cooks Professional states that its single ceramic hob needs no special pans, though pan size still matters.
If the hob will be put away between uses, compare its dimensions with your worktop and storage space. Check the pan’s fit and the electrical supply too: a compact appliance still needs a suitably rated connection.
Induction and ceramic hobs answer different cookware needs. Once you have chosen a route, compare the exact model’s pan requirements, controls and space requirements rather than relying on its maximum wattage alone.
Choose it when: Your saucepan is induction-ready and its base falls within the model’s stated pan-size range.
Trade-off: A small or incompatible pan may not meet the hob’s requirements, regardless of how many heat settings it offers.
Choose it when: Using an existing non-induction saucepan is your deciding need; Cooks Professional states that its single ceramic hob requires no special pans.
Trade-off: Check that the pan sits securely on the cooking ring and that the model’s stated controls suit the way you make coulis.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Small-pan fit and heat control | Measure the saucepan’s contact base, not just its rim. Compare it with the induction hob’s stated pan range and check its lower power or temperature settings. | For a small batch, I need the hob to accept my saucepan and give me settings I can adjust while the fruit reduces. Around 50% of consumers put small-pan fit and control first. |
| Keeping current cookware | Confirm induction compatibility before choosing induction, or check which pan materials and sizes the ceramic model accepts. | If I intend to keep my aluminium or copper saucepan, its compatibility determines which hob I can choose. Roughly 30% of consumers prioritise using their existing cookware. |
| Compact, safe setup | Compare the hob’s dimensions with your space; check the marked rating of any extension lead and the load of appliances sharing it. | When I put the hob away after cooking, I need it to fit both my worktop and storage space without overloading the electrical setup. About 20% of consumers put this compact, safe setup first. |
Tefal UK states a 12 cm minimum pan diameter for the IH201840, and CASO Design states the same minimum for the ProSlim 2000. A pan’s wide rim does not establish the size of its contact base.
Check both induction compatibility and the base diameter against the specification of the exact hob you intend to buy.
If your saucepan does not qualify, using that induction hob may mean obtaining a compatible pan.
Cooks Professional says its single ceramic hob accepts ordinary cookware, but it specifies a 17.5 cm ring and says the model works best with pans up to 22 cm.
Compare your pan’s base and overall width with the cooking ring and the model’s recommended pan size.
A portable hob’s power demand must be considered alongside everything else connected to the same supply. Electrical Safety First warns that extension leads have different current ratings and that overloading creates a fire risk.
Check the lead’s marked rating and the combined appliance load. Do not connect one extension lead to another.
Tefal’s induction-cooker safety instructions warn that a cracked surface presents an electric-shock risk.
Switch the appliance off, stop using it and follow the manufacturer’s service instructions rather than attempting a repair.
These documented models illustrate the cookware and control choices; the features of one model should not be assumed to apply across its brand’s range.
Tefal UK’s Everyday IH201840 is a single-zone induction example for cooks with a suitable induction-ready saucepan.
The ProSlim 2000 is a slim single-zone induction example for cooks comparing documented dimensions, settings and a timer.
Its single electric ceramic hob illustrates the route for cooks who want to keep ordinary, non-induction cookware.
Yes, if it is induction-compatible and its base meets the exact model’s stated size requirement. Tefal UK specifies pans from 12 cm to 26 cm for the IH201840; CASO Design specifies induction cookware from 12 cm to 22 cm for the ProSlim 2000. Measure the contact base rather than relying on the rim diameter.
Consider ceramic if keeping a non-induction saucepan is the deciding factor. Cooks Professional says its single ceramic hob accepts materials including aluminium and copper without special pans, but you should still check that your pan sits securely on its 17.5 cm ring.
Only use a suitable lead without exceeding its marked current rating or the capacity of the electrical setup. Electrical Safety First advises checking the combined load of connected appliances and warns against connecting one extension lead to another.
Switch it off and stop using it. Tefal’s induction-cooker instructions warn of an electric-shock risk from a cracked surface; follow the manufacturer’s service instructions rather than attempting a repair.
Take the waste electrical appliance to an appropriate collection point rather than putting it in household rubbish. GOV.UK identifies local household waste recycling centres as one option for electrical products.