Who this choice affects

Small-kitchen soup makers

You need room for a saucepan of pumpkin soup, but also need the hob to fit your worktop and storage space when cooking is over.

Existing-pan users

You would rather keep your current saucepan. For induction, its magnetic base and base diameter can determine which hob models are suitable.

Temporary-cooking users

You want an extra cooking zone and need a suitable socket, an intact cable and space to position the appliance safely.

What to check before buying

Start with the saucepan you will use for soup, then measure the available space and check how you will power the hob. An induction model needs compatible cookware; a conventional electric hotplate is an alternative to investigate if you want to keep a non-magnetic pan.

Concern What to check Who this matters to
Pan fit and soup controls For induction, check whether a magnet sticks to the pan base and compare its base diameter with the model’s stated range. Check the lowest settings and available controls for adjusting the heat. If I want to keep my soup saucepan, I need it to work with the hob and want enough control to turn down the heat after boiling. Around 42% of consumers put pan fit and soup controls first.
Worktop and storage space Compare the appliance’s full dimensions with a clear, level worktop and its storage spot; allow room for the pan handle and cable. When counter space is scarce, I need the hob to fit while I cook and have somewhere to put it afterwards. For around 33% of consumers, space is the primary concern.
Electrical setup Check the plug, cable and appliance instructions. Electrical Safety First advises against overloading socket outlets or extension leads. If I am setting up an extra cooking zone, I want to know the socket and cable are suitable before switching it on. Electrical setup comes first for around 25% of consumers.

Buying pitfalls

  • Buying induction before checking the soup pan

    An induction hob needs a compatible magnetic pan base, and some models specify a minimum and maximum base diameter. A pan may therefore be unsuitable even if its rim looks wide enough.

    Test the base with a magnet and measure its diameter against the exact hob’s guidance before ordering.

    If your existing pan does not qualify, you may need a compatible saucepan or a different type of hob.

  • Judging simmer control by maximum wattage

    A high maximum rating does not tell you how the hob adjusts heat at lower settings or which cooking functions it offers.

    Compare the exact model’s listed settings and controls. If you want a timer or soup setting, check that it is specified for that model.

  • Measuring only the cooking zone

    The whole appliance needs space, not just its heating area. For example, Andrew James lists its double induction hob as 58.2 cm wide, which may be difficult to accommodate on a restricted worktop.

    Measure the proposed position and storage shelf against the full appliance dimensions, leaving room for the saucepan handle and cable.

  • Overlooking the socket and cable

    Electrical Safety First warns against overloading socket outlets or extension leads. Portable does not mean that any electrical setup is suitable.

    Follow the appliance instructions and use an undamaged plug, cable and suitable socket. Stop using the appliance if you notice damage.

Brands to consider

Tefal

Tefal lists single-zone induction models with different controls and storage profiles.

  • Tefal specifies six functions, including soup and stew, and a 12 cm to 25 cm compatible pan-base range for the Everyday IH201840.
  • The stated 45 mm thickness belongs to the Everyday Slim IH210840; do not apply either model’s dimensions or pan guidance to the other without checking.

Judge

Judge offers a portable single induction hob with documented controls and cookware guidance.

  • Judge lists a 2,000 W model measuring 31 × 27 × 5 cm, with ten selectable temperatures from 60°C to 240°C.
  • Judge’s induction instructions require magnetisable cookware and state a 12 cm minimum pan-base diameter for the hob they cover.

VonShef

VonShef lists a single portable induction hob with adjustable power and temperature settings.

  • VonShef specifies power settings from 200 W to 2,000 W, temperature settings from 60°C to 240°C, a timer and touch controls.
  • Confirm that your saucepan is induction-compatible and compare the exact hob’s dimensions with your available space.

Andrew James

Andrew James lists both single and double portable induction hobs.

  • The single model is listed at 28 × 35 × 6.4 cm, with ten power levels, a timer and pan-detection switch-off.
  • The double model offers two zones but is listed at 58.2 cm wide; check whether that footprint makes sense for your worktop.

Portable induction hobs on Joybuy

This portable single induction hob is relevant if you plan to cook one saucepan of pumpkin soup and have induction-compatible cookware. Check the space and pan-size requirements for your kitchen before choosing it.

ochama 2000W portable induction hob

ochama 2000W Portable Induction Hob

A single portable induction hob to consider for one-pan soup cooking if your saucepan has a suitable magnetic base.

The product name lists ten power settings, six functions, touch controls and a safety lock. Compare the hob’s dimensions, supported pan-base sizes and lower settings with your space, saucepan and preferred way of simmering.

View on Joybuy

Common questions

Will my saucepan work on a portable induction hob?

It needs a magnetic base and must meet the particular hob’s pan-size requirements. A magnet sticking firmly to the base is a useful initial check; Judge also states a 12 cm minimum base diameter for the portable induction hob covered by its instructions. Aluminium, copper, glass or ceramic pans need a suitable induction base.

Which settings matter when simmering pumpkin soup?

Look at the lower power or temperature settings and how you adjust them, rather than relying on maximum wattage. Tefal lists nine power levels from 450 W to 2,100 W and soup and stew functions for its Everyday IH201840; those specifications do not establish how another model will simmer with your pan.

Can I plug a portable hob into an extension lead?

Do not overload an extension lead or socket outlet. Electrical Safety First warns against overloading them; follow the hob’s instructions and check that the plug, cable and proposed electrical setup are suitable and undamaged.

What if an induction hob’s ceramic surface cracks?

Stop using the hob. Tefal’s induction-cooker instructions warn of electric-shock risk from a cracked surface and direct users to switch off the power and contact an approved service centre.