Who is this hob choice for?

One-pot cooks with limited space

If your seafood stew stays in one pot, a single cooking zone may meet your needs while leaving more room on the worktop and taking less space to store.

Cooks with induction-ready cookware

A portable induction hob is an option if your stew pot has a compatible magnetic base within the exact model's stated size range, or you are willing to use a suitable pot.

Cooks who need two pans at once

A two-plate hob lets you keep the stew on one independently controlled plate while using another pan, provided the larger appliance fits your worktop.

What should you check before buying?

Start with the number of pans you need to use at once: that determines whether a single cooking zone is enough before you compare pot fit, controls and available space.

Single-zone induction

Choose it when: Your stew stays in one induction-compatible pot and a compact appliance matters.

Trade-off: You get one cooking position, and the pot base must meet the exact hob's compatibility requirements.

Two-plate electric mini hob

Choose it when: You need a separate pan while the seafood stew occupies the other plate.

Trade-off: Allow more worktop room and check what each plate can do; the two plates on the Russell Hobbs 15199 have different rated power.

Concern What to check Who this matters to
Worktop space and storage Compare the appliance dimensions with the clear space available, allowing room for pot handles, the cable and food preparation. If I cook stew in one pot, I need room to prepare ingredients and somewhere to put the hob afterwards; around 29% of consumers put compact cooking and storage first.
Induction pot fit Check the pot base with a magnet and measure its base, not its rim. CASO Design specifies a 12–22 cm cookware range for the ProSlim 2000; the VonShef example specifies 12–20 cm induction-pan bases. I want to keep using my stew pot without finding that the induction hob cannot detect it; roughly 29% of consumers make cookware compatibility their primary concern.
Heat adjustment Check the exact model's selectable power or temperature settings and whether its controls suit your preferred simmer; maximum wattage alone does not describe low-heat control. Moving from sautéing aromatics to a gentle simmer matters when I make seafood stew; around 24% of consumers put heat adjustment first.
A second pan Check that the plates have independent controls and compare their rated power. The product information lists 1,500 W and 750 W plates for the Russell Hobbs 15199. When the stew occupies one plate, I need another for a separate pan; roughly 18% of consumers prioritise two-pan flexibility.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming any stew pot will work on induction

    Pot detection and supported base sizes vary by model. CASO Design states a 12–22 cm cookware range for the ProSlim 2000, while the cited VonShef hob specifies induction-pan bases of 12–20 cm.

    Test the base with a magnet and measure it before comparing it with the exact hob's specification.

    If your current pot does not meet those requirements, you would need a compatible pot to use that induction hob.

  • Choosing two plates without measuring the worktop

    The second cooking position takes space: Joybuy lists the Russell Hobbs 15199 at 46.8 cm long, while Homebase lists the CASO ProSlim 2000 single-zone model at 39 cm long.

    Mark out the full appliance dimensions and leave practical room for pot handles, the cable and food preparation.

  • Overloading an extension setup

    Electrical Safety First warns that an overloaded extension lead, cable reel or adaptor can overheat and create a fire risk.

    Use a suitable wall socket where possible. If an extension is unavoidable, check its marked rating against the appliances connected to it, avoid daisy-chaining and fully unwind a cable reel.

  • Assuming a product listing establishes electrical safety

    A UK product-safety report published by the Office for Product Safety and Standards in August 2025 identified a particular induction cooker with a suspected counterfeit plug fuse and a serious fire risk. That finding concerns the reported product, not portable induction hobs generally.

    Buy from a retailer you can identify, inspect the plug, cable and appliance before use, and retain your proof of purchase.

Brands to consider for these hob formats

CASO Design

The ProSlim 2000 illustrates a portable single-zone induction option for a one-pot stew where worktop and storage space matter.

  • CASO Design specifies ten power levels up to 2,000 W, temperature adjustment from 60°C to 240°C and automatic pot detection for its ProSlim 2000.
  • This model's stated 12–22 cm cookware range and induction requirements must fit your pot; these specifications do not describe every CASO Design hob.

VonShef

The cited portable single induction hob is another one-zone option with selectable settings and a specified induction-pan-base range.

  • Tesco Groceries Marketplace lists 200–2,000 W power settings and compatible induction-pan bases of 12–20 cm for the cited model.
  • Check your pot against that model's base range rather than assuming that cookware suitable for a different induction hob will fit.

Russell Hobbs

The 15199 electric mini hob illustrates the two-plate route for cooking a stew and a separate pan at the same time.

  • The product information lists independently controlled 1,500 W and 750 W plates for model 15199.
  • The plates have unequal rated power, and Joybuy lists the appliance at 46.8 cm long; check both the secondary task and the space available.

Joybuy products for this topic

Related products coming soon.

Questions about portable hobs

Will my stew pot work on a portable induction hob?

Check both whether its base attracts a magnet and whether the base diameter fits the exact model's stated range. CASO Design specifies 12–22 cm cookware for the ProSlim 2000; the cited VonShef hob specifies 12–20 cm induction-pan bases. Measure the base rather than the wider rim.

Can I plug a portable hob into an extension lead?

Only use an extension setup if its marked rating accommodates the connected load. Electrical Safety First advises against overloading or daisy-chaining extension leads and says cable reels should be fully unwound before use; a suitable wall socket avoids relying on an extension.

Where should a portable hob go in a kitchen with a nearby sink?

Place it on a stable, heat-resistant surface where its electrical connections can stay dry and the pot and cable have room. Electrical Safety First advises positioning socket-outlets and switches at least 30 cm horizontally from a sink where possible.

Does the type of hob determine whether seafood stew is safe to eat?

No. Whichever hob you choose, cook the food thoroughly and follow applicable recipe or pack instructions. UK government food guidance advises checking that food is cooked completely before serving.

Is a UKCA mark the only acceptable marking for an electric hob in Great Britain?

No. For electrical equipment placed on the market in England, Scotland and Wales, the Office for Product Safety and Standards' guidance dated 25 March 2025 explains that the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 apply and that recognition of certain goods meeting EU requirements, including CE-marked goods, has been extended indefinitely for many products. That Great Britain guidance does not establish the applicable route in Northern Ireland; check it with the seller or manufacturer if buying for use there.