Who each choice suits

Start with how many pans you actually use, then check whether your usual frying pan works with the hob you have in mind.

One-pan small-kitchen cooks

If the shakshuka stays in one frying pan, a single zone avoids setting aside worktop and cupboard space for a second cooking position.

Cooks who want control over the simmer

If you fry peppers and onions before turning the sauce down while the eggs set, look closely at the hob’s adjustable settings and check that your pan is suitable for it.

Households keeping their existing pans

If your frying pan is not induction-compatible, a conventional hotplate may let you continue using it. Check the hob maker’s cookware guidance for your particular pan.

What matters when choosing

Single-zone induction

Choose it when: Shakshuka is normally a one-pan meal and a hob you can store compactly matters most.

Allow for: You need an induction-compatible pan, and there is no second position for another dish.

Double-zone induction

Choose it when: You regularly heat a second pan while the shakshuka cooks.

Allow for: Both pans need to be induction-compatible, and the appliance takes more space than a single-zone model.

Conventional electric hotplate

Choose it when: Keeping a non-induction frying pan is a deciding factor.

Allow for: Cast-iron plates retain heat after you turn the setting down, so plan the move from frying to simmering accordingly.

Concern What to check Who this matters to
Worktop and storage space Measure the clear, heat-safe worktop area and storage space; compare both with the appliance’s full dimensions. With little room around my frying pan, I need a hob I can put away after cooking; around 42% of consumers put fitting and storing it first.
Frying and simmer control Compare the available manual settings and check the maker’s supported pan sizes. Treat stated hob temperatures as settings, not exact sauce temperatures. I need to turn down the heat after frying the pepper-and-tomato base so the eggs can set in a gentle simmer; roughly 33% of consumers make heat control their main concern.
Pan and cooking-zone flexibility Check your pan base for induction compatibility. If you need two zones, confirm the appliance fits and how its settings work when both are in use. I want to keep using my frying pan or cook an accompaniment at the same time; about 25% of consumers put cookware and second-pan flexibility first.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming any frying pan works on induction

    Induction needs a suitable magnetic pan base. Aluminium, copper, glass and ceramic pans will not work unless they have a compatible induction base.

    Check the pan’s induction symbol or whether a fridge magnet sticks to its base, then compare its base diameter with the hob maker’s supported range.

  • Choosing two zones without measuring the space

    A second zone is useful only if the whole appliance fits where you will use and store it. Duronic lists its HP2 BK hotplate as 54 cm long, while Andrew James lists its double induction hob as 58.2 cm long.

    Measure the available heat-safe worktop and cupboard space before deciding whether that second pan position earns its place.

  • Overloading an extension setup

    Electrical Safety First warns that overloaded extension leads, cable reels and adaptors can overheat. Daisy-chaining adds another avoidable risk.

    Use a suitable wall socket where possible. If an extension is necessary, check its rating against the combined load, do not daisy-chain it and fully unwind a cable reel.

  • Expecting a cast-iron plate to cool as soon as you turn it down

    Cast-iron hotplates retain heat, which matters when the tomato base has finished frying and you want a gentler simmer for the eggs.

    If you choose this format for cookware compatibility, reduce the setting in time and watch how the sauce responds rather than relying on the dial position alone.

Brands to consider

These examples illustrate different portable-hob formats; the stated dimensions, settings and cookware requirements apply to the named models, not every product from each brand.

Tefal

The Everyday Slim IH210840 is a single-zone induction example for one-pan cooking where shallow storage matters.

  • Tefal states that it is 45 mm thick, with seven manual power levels from 300W to 2100W and a timer.
  • Tefal specifies induction pans from 12 cm to 26 cm; the hob cannot heat a second pan at the same time.

VonShef

Its portable induction range includes single- and double-zone options for different pan counts.

  • VonShef states that its single hob has 200W–2000W settings and that its dual hob has two 1400W plates.
  • Both formats require compatible pans; choosing the dual format also means accommodating a larger appliance.

Duronic

The HP2 BK offers two conventional cast-iron rings for cooks who want to keep using a wider range of pans.

  • Duronic lists 1000W and 1500W rings and says the model accepts stainless steel, cast iron, aluminium and non-stick cookware.
  • The stated dimensions are 54 cm by 22.8 cm by 10 cm, and the plates retain heat after the setting changes.

Andrew James

Its double induction hob is an option to examine if shakshuka regularly shares the worktop with another pan.

  • Andrew James lists independently adjustable zones, with a stated 1800W left zone and 1000W right zone.
  • The stated footprint is 58.2 cm by 34.9 cm, and both cooking positions require induction-compatible pans.

Joybuy product choices

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a different pan for a portable induction hob?

You need a pan with an induction-compatible magnetic base, but your current pan may already qualify. Judge advises checking whether a fridge magnet sticks to the base; also check the hob maker’s size range. Tefal specifies induction pans from 12 cm to 26 cm for its Everyday Slim IH210840.

Is one cooking zone enough for shakshuka?

One zone is enough if you cook the dish in a single frying pan and do not need to heat anything else simultaneously. If a second pan is part of your usual meal, compare double-zone models against the worktop and storage space they require.

Can I use a portable hob with an extension lead?

Only use an extension setup that is appropriately rated for the combined load of everything connected to it. Electrical Safety First warns against overloading or daisy-chaining extension devices and advises fully unwinding cable reels when in use.

What should I check before using a portable hob in a UK kitchen?

Check that the appliance is supplied for UK domestic use, has a suitable mains connection and comes with instructions you can follow. The UK’s Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 apply to domestic electrical equipment intended for use there; a marking alone does not replace checking the particular appliance, its instructions and its electrical setup.