For one pot of vegetable curry and little storage space, start with a compact single induction hob. Choose two zones if rice or another pan regularly needs to cook alongside the curry; if keeping non-magnetic pans matters most, consider a conventional electric hot plate instead. Check the full appliance dimensions, pan compatibility and electrical requirements before buying.
If you make one saucepan of curry and put the hob away afterwards, a compact single induction model is worth considering. Tefal UK lists the IH210840 as 45 mm thick, while Judge Cookware gives the JEA90’s external dimensions as 31 × 27 × 5 cm; compare the complete dimensions with your cupboard and worktop.
If rice or another curry component needs heat while the main pot cooks, two zones avoid cooking everything in sequence. VonShef and CIARRA list portable double induction models, but you will need room for the wider appliance and induction-compatible pans.
If your regular pans have non-magnetic bases, check them before choosing induction. Judge Cookware recommends testing the outside base with a fridge magnet; VonShef lists its conventional double hot plate as compatible with aluminium, copper and non-magnetic stainless-steel cookware.
Choose when: One curry pot is usually enough and the hob needs to be stored after cooking.
Trade-off: A second pan must wait, and your curry pan needs an induction-compatible base.
Choose when: Rice or a second curry component regularly cooks alongside the main pot.
Trade-off: Two zones take more worktop width than a single zone, and both pans must suit induction.
Choose when: You need two rings and want to keep non-magnetic cookware.
Trade-off: Measure the footprint carefully: VonShef lists its double hot plate at 46 × 28 cm.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Worktop and storage space | Measure the clear worktop and storage space; compare the hob’s full dimensions rather than thickness alone. | I cook one pot and need to put the hob away without losing useful cupboard space. Around 36% of consumers put compactness first. |
| Heat control | Look at the stated lower settings, manual controls and timer behaviour for the model you are considering. | I want to fry aromatics and then keep the curry at a gentler setting without relying on a headline wattage figure; roughly 29% of consumers prioritise heat control. |
| Pan compatibility | Test each intended pan’s outside base with a magnet and check any stated induction pan-size range. | My usual curry pan is the deciding factor, and I would rather keep it than change cookware. Around 21% of consumers make pan compatibility their main concern. |
| Cooking with two pans | Check the appliance’s overall dimensions and whether its two zones have separate controls. | Rice or a side dish needs to cook while the curry pot is on the heat; for roughly 14% of consumers, a second zone takes priority. |
A pan with a non-magnetic base may not work on an induction hob, even if the appliance otherwise fits your kitchen.
Use the magnet check described by Judge Cookware on each pan you plan to use, and compare its diameter with the hob’s supported range. If keeping non-magnetic pans is essential, consider a conventional hot plate.
Choosing induction may also mean replacing a frequently used pan.
A second ring helps with simultaneous cooking, but a double appliance also occupies worktop space when you only need one pan.
Plan how often rice, a side dish or a second curry component genuinely needs heat at the same time, then measure the space available for both cooking and storage.
Electrical Safety First warns that exceeding an extension device’s maximum current rating can cause overheating and fire.
Prefer a suitable wall socket. If an extension lead is unavoidable, check its marked rating against all appliances connected at once, do not daisy-chain leads and fully unwind a cable reel.
A conformity marking does not replace checking whether a particular model is subject to a safety alert or recall.
Keep the model identifier and consult the Office for Product Safety and Standards’ product safety alerts and recalls service if a concern arises.
A single-zone induction option for cooking one pot and storing the hob afterwards.
A compact single induction option with published external dimensions.
Model-specific choices spanning single and double induction hobs and a conventional double hot plate.
A slim double induction option for meals that regularly need two pans.
A conventional double hot-plate option for shoppers considering two heating rings.
This portable induction option is relevant if you plan to cook a curry in one pan and move the hob into storage afterwards. Check its dimensions and your cookware before deciding whether it fits your kitchen.
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Consider this portable model for one-pan curry cooking where the hob needs to be moved or stored after use.
The product name specifies touch controls, 10 power settings, six functions, a glass panel and a safety lock.
Check its full dimensions against your worktop and storage space, confirm that your pan’s base and diameter are suitable, and check its electrical requirements for your intended socket.
It needs an induction-compatible base and must fit the hob’s supported pan size. Judge Cookware suggests checking whether a fridge magnet sticks to the outside base; Tefal lists a 12–26 cm induction-pan range for the IH210840, and CIARRA lists the same range for the CUTIH2-OW.
Only use an extension arrangement if its marked rating can accommodate the hob and any other appliances connected at the same time. Electrical Safety First advises against overloading or daisy-chaining extension leads and says to fully unwind cable reels before use; a suitable wall socket avoids reliance on an extension.
The Department for Business and Trade’s guidance dated 31 March 2026 lists UKCA or CE marking for electrical equipment placed on the Great Britain market; for Northern Ireland, it lists CE, or CE with UKNI where applicable. The applicable marking depends on where the product is placed on the market, and a marking alone does not establish that a particular seller or listing is safe.
Check your tenancy agreement or accommodation rules before using a personally purchased hob, as well as the condition and suitability of the available socket. GOV.UK says private landlords must ensure the electrical system and any appliances they supply are safe; that responsibility does not itself establish permission for every tenant-owned appliance.
Follow the instructions for your particular appliance and allow it to cool before cleaning or storing it. Check the manual’s directions for wiping the cooking surface and keeping the appliance and its electrical parts dry.