Who needs a portable hob?

Family cooks using two pans at once

If soup needs to simmer while you prepare rice, spices or another component, a portable two-zone hob lets you control the pans separately. Check that its zones fit both pan bases.

Soup cooks keeping their existing pot

If your soup pot has a non-magnetic base, a ceramic electric hob may let you keep using it. An induction hob instead needs compatible magnetic cookware.

Small-kitchen cooks needing one extra ring

A single-zone model may suit an occasional pot of soup when storage space is limited and you do not need a second pan cooking alongside it. For induction, check that the pot base fits the model’s stated range.

What matters when choosing?

For a family pot of red lentil soup, start with the pot you intend to use and whether another dish needs heat at the same time. Then consider simmer controls and where the hob will sit and be stored.

Concern What to check Who this matters to
Cookware and pot fit For induction, check the pot base with a magnet. Compare its base diameter with the model’s stated pan range. If I want to keep my family soup pot, its base must work with the hob and fit the cooking zone. Roughly 30% of consumers put cookware and pot fit first.
Cooking two dishes Check for independently controlled zones, space for both pans and enough worktop width. When soup simmers while I make rice or a tempering, I need a separate zone rather than taking the soup off the heat. Around 30% of consumers prioritise cooking two dishes at once.
Simmer control Look at the available lower settings, controls and timer; a soup preset is not a substitute for checking the pan. I want to move from boiling to a manageable simmer without letting the lentils stick or boil over. About 20% of consumers place simmer control first.
Worktop and storage space Measure the intended cooking and storage spots, including room for the cord. If the hob is only an occasional extra ring, I need somewhere practical to put it away afterwards. Worktop and storage fit comes first for roughly 20% of consumers.

Buying pitfalls

  • Assuming any flat-bottomed pot works on induction

    A flat base alone does not establish induction compatibility. A non-magnetic pot will not work as intended, and the base may fall outside the hob’s stated pan range.

    Test the base with a magnet and measure it before choosing an induction model.

    Keeping an incompatible pot would also mean obtaining suitable cookware for induction.

  • Choosing one ring for a two-pan meal

    A single-zone hob cannot simmer soup and independently heat a second pan at the same time.

    If concurrent cooking is a regular part of the meal, compare two-zone models and check the larger zone against your soup pot.

  • Judging electrical suitability by wattage alone

    The appliance’s rating does not replace checking its plug, socket and instructions. Sharing an inadequate extension lead with other high-power appliances can create an overload risk.

    Follow the model’s electrical instructions and stop using a plug or socket that shows heat damage or another fault.

  • Touching or cleaning the surface too soon

    Cookware and hob surfaces can remain hot after cooking. Tefal’s induction cooker manual also instructs users to switch off the appliance immediately if its surface cracks.

    Keep children clear, allow the surface to cool before cleaning and stop using an appliance with a cracked cooking surface.

Portable hob brands to consider

These model examples illustrate different ways to meet the soup-cooking task; check the specifications of the exact model you choose.

Tefal

Tefal UK lists single-zone Everyday induction models with adjustable power and cooking functions, including soup and stew options on the IH201840.

  • The IH201840 is listed with a 450W to 2100W power range and compatibility with induction pans from 12cm to 26cm.
  • These induction models need magnetic cookware, and one zone cannot heat a side dish independently.

IKEA

IKEA UK lists the two-zone TILLREDA induction hob for cooking with two pans at once.

  • Its zones are rated at 1500W and 2000W, with nine cooking levels.
  • Both zones require induction-compatible pans; check its 2800W connection rating and the space available on your worktop.

CASO Design

CASO Design lists the single-zone ProSlim 2000 induction hob for cooks considering manual controls and compact storage.

  • The model is specified with 10 power levels up to 2000W and a timer of up to 240 minutes.
  • Its stated pot-detection range is 12cm to 22cm, so measure the base of a larger soup pot before choosing it.

Cooks Professional

Cooks Professional lists single- and double-zone ceramic electric hobs for cooks who want to assess options for non-magnetic cookware.

  • The single model is rated at 2000W and is stated to work best with pans up to 22cm; the double model has independently controlled rings.
  • Allow the ceramic surface to cool after use. The double model is 64cm wide, which may rule it out for a narrow worktop.

Joybuy product choices

This single-zone induction option is for cooking the soup pot when you do not need the portable hob to heat a second pan at the same time.

ochama 2000W portable induction hob

ochama 2000W Portable Induction Hob

Consider this single-zone hob when the soup pot is the only pan you need to heat on it.

The product name specifies 2000W, touch controls, 10 power settings, six functions and a safety lock.

Induction needs a magnetic pot. Check the pot-base size, the hob’s dimensions and its plug and electrical requirements against your kitchen setup.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can I use my existing soup pot on an induction hob?

Yes, if its base is magnetic and fits the chosen hob’s stated pan range. Test the base with a magnet and measure its diameter; for example, Tefal UK lists 12cm to 26cm induction-pan compatibility for the Everyday IH201840. If the pot is non-magnetic, consider a suitable ceramic electric hob or different cookware.

Do I need two zones to cook red lentil soup?

No, one zone is enough if it will heat only the soup pot. Choose two independently controlled zones if you also need to cook rice or another component at the same time, and check that the main zone accommodates your pot.

Can I leave the soup simmering unattended?

No. Keep the cooking pan attended and follow the appliance manual, even if the hob has a timer or soup setting. Keep children clear of hot cookware and surfaces.

How should I clean the hob after cooking soup?

Let the surface cool, then clean it as the particular model’s instructions direct. Do not immerse the appliance or power cord in water; wiping cooled splashes before they dry can make residue easier to remove.

What electrical checks matter before using a portable hob?

Check the model’s rated supply, plug and instructions against the socket you intend to use. Avoid sharing an inadequate extension lead with other high-power appliances, and stop using a plug or socket that shows heat damage.