Who is this for?

Small-kitchen compote makers

You want a hob for one pan of fruit compote that fits on your worktop and can be stored between uses once it has cooled.

Cookware-first buyers

You want to use a saucepan you already own. Whether its base is suitable for induction may decide which type of hob you choose.

Temporary or extra-hob users

You need a countertop cooking zone in a compact or temporary kitchen, or extra capacity when another pan is in use. Two plates may matter more to you than the smallest footprint.

What matters when choosing?

Decide whether you need one cooking zone or two, then check your saucepan against the hob’s requirements. For compote, compare the available manual settings as well as the maximum power rating.

Single-zone induction

Consider it when: You cook compote in one compatible pan and want a model with adjustable manual settings.

Trade-off: The pan must meet that model’s material, base and diameter requirements.

Two-plate solid electric hob

Consider it when: Your saucepan is not induction-compatible or you need a second plate while the compote cooks.

Trade-off: Two plates take up more worktop space, and the plates remain hot after use.

Concern What to check Who this matters to
Simmer control Look for stated manual settings, including the lower power levels; do not judge simmer control by maximum wattage alone. If I am making plum compote, I want to adjust the heat as the fruit cooks rather than rely on a high-power setting. Around 31% of consumers put simmer control first.
Worktop and storage space Compare the full dimensions and the space needed to leave the hob safely in place while it cools. With little room to leave an appliance out, I need a hob I can accommodate during cooking and put away after it cools. For around 25% of consumers, space is the primary concern.
Saucepan compatibility For induction, check the pan material, flatness of the base and the model’s accepted diameter range. I would rather keep using my compote saucepan than replace it for a new hob. Cookware compatibility comes first for around 25% of consumers.
Electrical and surface safety Check the UK plug and fuse arrangement, the rating of any extension equipment and a stable, heat-resistant worktop position. On a crowded worktop, I need a safe place for the hob and cable before I can use it. Around 19% of consumers prioritise the electrical and surface setup.

Buying pitfalls

  • Assuming every saucepan works on induction

    Induction models have cookware and pan-size requirements; an unsuitable pan may not heat as intended.

    Check your saucepan’s base against the exact model’s requirements before ordering, rather than using maximum wattage as a compatibility guide.

    If your existing pan is unsuitable, using an induction hob may also mean getting a compatible saucepan.

  • Expecting a solid-plate hob to be ready to store straight away

    Solid plates remain hot after cooking, which matters when storage space is tight.

    Leave the hob on a stable, heat-resistant surface until it has cooled before moving or cleaning it.

  • Overloading an extension arrangement

    Electrical Safety First warns that exceeding an extension lead’s, cable reel’s or adaptor’s maximum current rating can cause overheating.

    Check the equipment’s rating against the appliances connected to it. Do not daisy-chain extensions, and fully unwind a cable reel when using one.

  • Leaving compote because the hob has a timer

    A timer does not remove the need to watch a heating pan. Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service advises staying with cooking and turning off the heat if you need to leave the room.

    Stay nearby while the compote heats or simmers, and keep tea towels and packaging away from the hob.

Relevant brands to consider

Tefal

The Everyday IH201840 and Everyday Slim IH210840 are single-zone portable induction models relevant to a one-pan setup.

  • Tefal lists manual power adjustment and timers for these models. Its Everyday Slim specification gives a thickness of 45mm and manual settings from 300W to 2100W.
  • Both models require suitable induction cookware within their respective stated pan-size ranges; check the range for the model you choose.

Russell Hobbs

The 15199 is a two-plate solid electric mini hob for a setup that needs two cooking zones.

  • The product information lists separate 1500W and 750W plates with independent variable controls.
  • The solid plates remain hot after cooking, so allow them to cool before moving or storing the hob.

Daewoo

The SDA2771 provides a single-zone induction specification reference, including presets and a timer.

  • The Joybuy listing describes a 2200W maximum rating and a three-hour timer.
  • The listing specifies flat-bottomed steel or cast-iron cookware at least 16cm in diameter and marks this model as no longer available.

ochama

A single-zone portable induction option described in its Joybuy listing as having touch controls and a slim glass-panel body.

  • The listing states a 2000W maximum rating, ten heat settings and six functions.
  • Before choosing this model, confirm that your pan meets its requirements and that the appliance is supplied with an appropriate UK plug and fuse arrangement.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Questions about portable hobs

Do I need a particular saucepan for a portable induction hob?

Yes: the saucepan must meet the requirements of the induction model you choose. Tefal specifies a 12cm to 26cm pan diameter for the Everyday Slim, while the Daewoo SDA2771 listing specifies flat-bottomed steel or cast-iron cookware at least 16cm in diameter. If you want to keep using a pan that is not induction-compatible, consider a solid-plate electric hob.

Can I run a portable hob from an extension lead?

Check the extension equipment’s current rating against the combined load before using it. Electrical Safety First advises against overloading or daisy-chaining extensions and says a cable reel must be fully unwound to achieve its rated current capacity.

Can I leave plum compote simmering on a hob with a timer?

No: a timer is not a substitute for staying with a heating pan. Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service advises staying with cooking and turning off the heat if you need to leave the room.

What should I check about a portable hob’s plug?

For use on UK mains power, confirm that the hob is supplied with an appropriate compliant plug and fuse arrangement. In a 2025 product safety report, the UK Office for Product Safety and Standards assessed a particular induction cooker with a non-compliant fuse link as presenting a serious fire risk; that finding concerns the reported product, not every portable hob.