Choose a single-zone induction hob if your saucepan has a compatible magnetic base and you want selectable lower settings; check the exact model’s pan-size range and controls. If keeping a non-magnetic saucepan matters more, consider a ceramic or solid-plate hob and check its low-heat settings. Waitrose & Partners’ lemon-curd recipe calls for very gentle heat and continuous whisking, so neither a high maximum wattage nor a timer replaces attention at the pan.
If you make egg-based lemon curd repeatedly, prioritise adjustable low heat, a stable place for the saucepan and a surface you can clean after splashes. Waitrose & Partners’ recipe starts with very gentle heat and calls for continuous whisking.
If you want to keep using a favourite saucepan, check its base before choosing induction. CIARRA Appliances UK specifies magnetic cookware for its single-zone model, while a ceramic model listed by Tesco Groceries Marketplace names aluminium and copper among its compatible materials.
If the hob will come out for occasional preserving sessions, measure both the worktop space available while cooking and the cupboard space available between batches. Single- and double-zone portable models serve different space needs.
For one saucepan of curd, start with low-heat control and pan compatibility; consider a second zone when another pan genuinely needs heating at the same time.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gentle heat | Compare the lowest published settings and how you adjust them; maximum wattage alone does not describe low-heat control. | When I whisk an egg mixture through several batches, I need heat I can adjust gently. Around 36% of consumers put controllable heat first. |
| Saucepan fit | For induction, check whether the base is magnetic and compare its diameter with the model’s stated range; check pan limits for other hobs too. | If I cannot use my usual batch saucepan, the hob would disrupt how I cook. Around 29% of consumers put pan compatibility and fit first. |
| Storage and cleaning | Measure the hob against your worktop and cupboard; check its surface and cleaning instructions. | Between preserving sessions, I need somewhere to put the hob and a surface I can clean after splashes. Around 21% of consumers prioritise storage and cleaning. |
| Two-zone use | Decide whether you will heat two pans simultaneously and check that both fit and have suitable controls. | When another pan needs heating alongside the curd, one ring could hold up my session. Around 14% of consumers put a second zone first. |
A high maximum output does not tell you how manageable the lower settings will be while curd thickens. CIARRA Appliances UK lists a 400 W minimum for its CBTIH1-OW induction hob; Robert Dyas lists 200 W for the Baridi DH145, but a published minimum alone does not describe heating behaviour.
Compare the lowest settings and control method on the exact model rather than treating its maximum output as a measure of gentle control.
An induction hob needs a suitable magnetic pan base, and the base must fit the model’s stated diameter range.
Check the saucepan base with a magnet and measure its diameter before comparing hob specifications. If keeping a non-magnetic pan is essential, consider a compatible ceramic or solid-plate model.
Keeping an incompatible saucepan may require a different pan or an adapter approved for the intended use.
A timer can help organise a batch, but Waitrose & Partners’ recipe calls for continuous whisking during heating and removal when the curd thickens.
Use the timer as a reminder, not as a substitute for staying at the hob and watching the saucepan.
A second zone takes more worktop and storage space, while curd splashes make the surface and its cleaning instructions relevant to everyday use.
Measure the space before choosing a one- or two-zone hob, keep the appliance stable during use and follow its instructions for cleaning after it cools.
CIARRA Appliances UK lists single- and double-zone portable induction hobs with touch controls.
The Baridi DH145 is a single-zone portable induction option listed by Robert Dyas.
The Russell Hobbs 15199 is listed as a portable hob with two separately controlled solid plates.
Geepas UK identifies GCP32026UK as a portable double ceramic hot plate.
Look for adjustable lower settings, rather than choosing by maximum wattage alone. Waitrose & Partners’ recipe begins with very gentle heat and continuous whisking, then increases the heat until the curd thickens; check how the exact hob lets you adjust heat while you remain at the pan.
It will need a suitable magnetic base within that hob’s specified size range. CIARRA Appliances UK lists a 12–26 cm magnetic-cookware range for its CBTIH1-OW; measure your pan’s base rather than relying on its rim diameter.
Not if you heat one saucepan at a time. Consider two zones when another pan must be heated alongside the curd, and allow for the extra worktop and storage space.
For its recipe, Waitrose & Partners instructs cooks to put the curd into sterilised jars, let it cool, refrigerate it and use it within one week. Follow the storage instructions for the particular recipe you make rather than treating that period as a guarantee for every preparation.