For one saucepan of leek soup, a slim single-zone induction hob is worth considering if your pan has a magnetic base and storage space is tight. Choose a conventional electric hot plate if keeping a non-induction saucepan matters more, or a two-zone tabletop hob if you regularly use a second pan and have room for the larger appliance.
If soup is usually the only dish on the hob, one cooking zone may be enough. Compare the appliance’s full worktop footprint as well as its stored height: Tefal UK specifies a 45 mm thickness for its IH210840 induction hob, while Duronic specifies a 31.7 × 22.8 cm footprint for its HP1 BK hot plate.
If you do not want to change your soup pot, check its base before choosing induction. Tefal UK advises that a magnet should stick firmly to an induction-compatible pan base.
If another pan needs heat while the soup cooks, independently controlled zones may justify a larger hob. Russell Hobbs UK specifies separate controls for the two plates on its 15199 model; its Joybuy listing gives an overall length of 46.8 cm and warns that the plates remain hot after use.
Start with the space available while the hob is in use, then check your saucepan and decide whether a second cooking zone is needed often enough to give it worktop space.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Worktop and storage space | Measure the clear worktop area and storage space; compare each hob’s complete length, width and height. | If one soup pan is all I normally use, I want room to prepare food beside the hob and somewhere to put it away afterwards. Around 46% of consumers put usable worktop and storage space first. |
| Existing saucepan | For induction, test the pan base with a magnet and check the chosen hob’s supported pan-base size. | I would rather keep my current soup pot than replace it to use a new hob. Around 36% of consumers make saucepan compatibility their primary concern. |
| Simmering and a second pan | Check the available low-heat controls; if you need two pans at once, check for independently controlled zones. | When soup is cooking, I also need heat for another pan and want to control each zone separately. Around 18% of consumers prioritise that extra cooking capacity. |
A non-magnetic saucepan may not heat properly on an induction hob.
Test the base of the actual pan with a magnet, then check the selected hob’s supported pan-base size.
Keeping the induction hob may mean obtaining a compatible saucepan.
A thin hob may store neatly yet still take up more worktop than expected; two zones need space for the whole appliance, not just its cooking rings.
Measure where the hob will sit and where it will be stored, then compare its complete length, width and height.
Electrical Safety First warns that a cable reel can overheat when used wound and that extension-lead ratings vary.
Use a suitable wall socket where possible. If an extension arrangement is necessary, check its marked rating and fuse, fully unwind any cable reel and do not use a damaged lead.
The Russell Hobbs 15199 product information warns that its plates remain hot after use, so immediate handling or storage creates a burn risk.
Switch the hob off and allow its plates to cool completely before cleaning or storing it.
Its Everyday Slim IH210840 is a single-zone induction option for cooks who need to store the hob between uses.
Its 15199 tabletop hob is a conventional two-plate option for cooking with two pans at once.
Its HP1 BK is a conventional single-ring hot plate for cooks who do not need an induction hob.
Its Smart Touch model is a single-zone induction hob with stated settings for simmering and boiling.
This single-zone induction option is relevant if you cook leek soup in one compatible saucepan. Check its full dimensions against your worktop and storage space before deciding whether it fits your kitchen.
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Consider this for a single saucepan of soup if its base works with induction and the appliance fits your available space.
The product name specifies 2000 W, touch controls, 10 power settings, six functions and a safety lock. Check the hob’s supported pan-base size, complete dimensions and connection instructions before use.
It needs a magnetic base that the hob can accommodate. Tefal UK advises checking whether a magnet sticks firmly to the pan base; also compare the base diameter with the individual hob’s stated range.
Only use an extension arrangement whose marked rating and instructions suit the hob and the electrical supply. Electrical Safety First notes that extension leads are generally rated at 13 A, though some older ones may be rated at 10 A, and warns against operating a cable reel while it is wound.
Cool the cooked soup and refrigerate it within one to two hours. GOV.UK advises cooling cooked food at room temperature before putting it in the fridge within that period; dividing soup into smaller portions can help it cool promptly.