Who needs which portable hob?

Small-batch custard cooks

If you usually make custard in one saucepan, look for controls that let you reduce the heat while stirring. A compact unit may also be easier to accommodate than a two-zone hob.

Households keeping their existing pans

Your saucepan may determine the hob type before its controls do. Check its induction compatibility and base diameter, or consider a conventional hot plate if you need to keep using a non-magnetic pan.

Cooks using two pans at once

If another component needs heating alongside the custard, a second zone may be useful. Allow for the wider unit and check the cookware requirements of both zones.

What matters when choosing a hob for custard?

Decide whether you need one zone or two, then check your saucepan against the hob type and compare the available heat controls.

Single-zone induction

Consider it when: Custard is usually your only pan on the hob and worktop or storage space is limited.

Trade-off: Your saucepan must be induction-compatible and fit that model’s stated pan-size range.

Double induction

Consider it when: You need to heat another pan while attending to the custard.

Trade-off: It occupies more worktop space, and both pans need to suit induction cooking.

Conventional electric hot plate

Consider it when: Keeping a non-magnetic saucepan matters more than choosing induction controls.

Trade-off: Compare the actual heat settings before buying; the cited VonShef double hot plate has five thermostat settings, which are not a measure of the custard’s temperature.

Concern What to check Who this matters to
Adjustable heat Compare the type and range of settings, especially lower settings, rather than judging by maximum wattage alone. When I am stirring a delicate custard, I want to be able to turn the heat down without relying on a preset to prevent scorching. Around 46% of consumers put adjustable heat first.
Saucepan compatibility For induction, check the pan’s induction symbol and base diameter against the exact hob model’s stated range. If I want to keep using my saucepan, I need to know it will work on the hob before choosing its controls. For around 36% of consumers, pan compatibility is the primary concern.
Second-zone capacity Check the number of zones, the unit’s dimensions and the cookware requirements for each zone. Cooking another component alongside custard makes space for a second pan more important to me than a smaller unit. Roughly 18% of consumers prioritise two-pan capacity.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming an induction hob will accept your saucepan

    Induction cookware requirements and accepted pan sizes vary by model. Tefal UK states a 12–26 cm pan range for the IH201840, while Morphy Richards UK states 12–20 cm for its 452000 model; both require suitable induction cookware.

    Check the symbol on the pan base, measure its base diameter and compare both with the specifications for the exact hob you intend to buy.

  • Treating wattage as a gentle-heat setting

    A hob’s maximum rated wattage does not tell you how low you can set it or what temperature custard will reach in your saucepan.

    Compare the documented control range as well as wattage, and stay with the pan to stir and monitor the custard rather than relying on a programme.

  • Overloading or daisy-chaining extension equipment

    Electrical Safety First warns that exceeding an extension lead’s maximum current rating can overheat electrical equipment and create a fire risk.

    Check the extension equipment’s rating against the appliances connected to it, do not daisy-chain leads and fully unwind a cable reel before use.

Portable hob brands to consider

These model-specific details can help narrow a choice; a brand’s controls or pan range should not be assumed to apply to its other hobs.

Tefal

The IH201840 is a single-zone induction option for cooks comparing selectable controls and pan fit.

  • Tefal UK lists nine power levels, six programmes including hot milk, and a stated 12–26 cm pan range for this model.
  • The pan must suit induction; a hot-milk programme does not establish how a particular custard recipe will turn out.

Judge

The JEA90 is a portable induction model for cooks who prefer temperature-labelled selections.

  • Judge lists ten selectable temperatures from 60°C to 240°C.
  • Check that your saucepan is suitable for induction; a selected setting does not establish the temperature of the custard.

VonShef

Its cited double induction hob and conventional double hot plate offer different two-pan routes.

  • VonHaus lists two induction plates and ten heat settings for the cited double induction model. It lists aluminium, copper, cast iron and non-magnetic stainless-steel compatibility for its conventional double hot plate.
  • The induction model still needs compatible pans; the listed specifications do not establish which model heats custard more gently.

Daewoo

Its cited single induction hob is an option for cooks comparing power-level controls on a portable unit.

  • Daewoo Electricals lists nine power levels and six programmes for its 2200W model.
  • It requires suitable induction cookware, and its listed settings do not establish the result for a custard recipe.

Morphy Richards

The 452000 is a single induction option with a stated pan range worth checking against a small saucepan.

  • Morphy Richards UK lists nine-stage power settings and suitability for induction-safe pans measuring 12–20 cm.
  • Measure the intended pan base rather than assuming that cookware accepted by another induction hob will fit this model.

Joybuy portable hob options

This portable induction option is relevant if adjustable heat and compact storage matter for custard cooking. Check your saucepan’s compatibility and the hob’s zone count if you also need to heat a second pan.

ochama 2000W portable induction hob

ochama 2000W Portable Induction Hob

Consider this portable induction hob if you want adjustable settings while cooking custard in a compatible saucepan.

The listing states ten power settings, six functions, touch controls and a safety lock. It describes low-heat slow cooking, but a setting alone cannot prevent custard from scorching or curdling.

Confirm that your saucepan is induction-compatible and within the hob’s accepted pan-size range. Check the zone count if you need to use another pan at the same time.

Joybuy

Questions about portable hobs for custard

Will my existing saucepan work on a portable induction hob?

It will need to be induction-compatible and fit the exact hob’s stated pan-size range. Check the symbol and base diameter on your saucepan: Tefal UK states 12–26 cm for the IH201840, while Morphy Richards UK states 12–20 cm for the 452000.

Are power levels or temperature settings more useful for custard?

Either can provide a way to adjust the hob, so compare the controls you would use while stirring. Tefal UK lists nine power levels and a hot-milk programme for the IH201840; Judge lists ten selectable temperatures from 60°C to 240°C for the JEA90. Neither specification tells you the temperature your custard will reach in a particular pan.

Can I use a portable hob with an extension lead?

Check the extension equipment’s rating against the connected appliance load before using it. Electrical Safety First warns against exceeding the maximum current rating or daisy-chaining leads, and advises fully unwinding cable reels.

How can I check for a product recall later?

Keep the hob’s model details and check current notices through the Office for Product Safety and Standards recall information. Electrical Safety First directs consumers to that route for current recall information; you can also register the product if its manufacturer offers registration.