Who is this for?

Family-meal polenta cooks

You need a portable hob with settings you can adjust as you heat the polenta and continue cooking it while stirring.

Two-pan family-meal cooks

You want to cook polenta alongside a sauce or side dish, so the number of zones and each zone's rating matter.

Households keeping their existing cookware

You want to use a saucepan you already own and need to establish whether its base suits induction or whether another heating format would be more practical.

What matters when choosing?

Start with the saucepan you plan to use, then decide whether polenta needs the only cooking zone or you will have a second pan on the hob.

Concern What to check Who this matters to
Adjustable heat for polenta Compare the stated power settings and controls for the exact hob; check that your saucepan base fits its requirements. I want to change the setting as the polenta moves from heating to continued cooking, without losing track of a pan that still needs stirring. Around 42% of consumers put one-pan heat control first.
Space for a second pan Check the number of zones, each zone's rating, the overall connection rating and the available worktop space. If a sauce or side dish needs cooking alongside the polenta, one zone will not accommodate both pans at once. For around 33% of consumers, two-pan capacity is the primary need.
Using an existing saucepan For induction, check the pan's magnetic base and the hob's stated base-size requirements; for ceramic, check the exact model's cookware guidance. Keeping my current polenta saucepan matters more to me than choosing induction controls if its base is unsuitable. Cookware compatibility comes first for around 25% of consumers.

Buying pitfalls

  • Assuming any saucepan will work on induction

    The induction models described by IKEA UK and Tefal UK Shop require compatible cookware; Tefal's IH201840 also specifies a 12–25 cm pan-base diameter.

    Check the base with a magnet or look for an induction symbol, then compare its diameter with the exact hob's requirements.

    If your polenta saucepan is incompatible, you would need a suitable pan or a different hob format.

  • Reading a dual hob's total rating as each zone's output

    IKEA UK lists 1500 W and 2000 W zones for its two-zone TILLREDA, alongside a 2800 W connection rating. VonShef lists two 1400 W plates and 2800 W total for its dual model.

    Check the individual zone ratings before deciding which pan will go where; do not use the total as the rating for either zone.

  • Planning to run the hob across the work area

    The IKEA TILLREDA two-zone manual says not to use extension cords or place its cord across working areas. Electrical Safety First identifies trailing cables, water and hot surfaces as kitchen hazards.

    Choose a stable position near an appropriate wall socket, keep the lead clear of water and walkways, and follow the instructions for the exact model.

Relevant brands to consider

IKEA

The TILLREDA portable induction range includes one-zone and two-zone options for different family-meal workflows.

  • IKEA UK lists a 2000 W zone on the one-zone model and 1500 W and 2000 W zones on the two-zone model.
  • Both require magnetic-base cookware; the two-zone model lists a 2800 W connection rating and 13 A current.

Tefal

The IH201840 is a single-zone portable induction option with selectable settings for one saucepan.

  • Tefal UK Shop lists nine power levels from 450 W to 2100 W and a timer of up to two hours.
  • It requires an induction-compatible pan with a 12–25 cm base and has no second cooking zone.

VonShef

Its portable induction models include single- and dual-zone formats.

  • VonShef lists ten power settings from 200 W to 2000 W for its single hob and two 1400 W plates for its dual hob.
  • Both formats require induction-compatible pans; on the dual model, check the per-plate rating rather than relying on its 2800 W total.

Geepas

Its portable hot-plate range includes ceramic and induction formats, giving households another format to consider if they want to keep a non-magnetic saucepan.

  • Geepas UK identifies a 2000 W double ceramic cooker in its range.
  • Check the exact ceramic model's cookware guidance, ring dimensions and controls against your pan and cooking routine.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

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

Yes, the induction models described by IKEA UK and Tefal UK Shop require a compatible magnetic-base pan. Check the base rather than the rim: Tefal's IH201840 also specifies a 12–25 cm base diameter.

Is one zone enough for a family polenta meal?

One zone is enough for the hob's part of the meal if polenta is your only active pan. If you also need to cook a sauce or side dish on the portable hob, choose two zones and compare their individual ratings; IKEA UK and VonShef list different per-zone arrangements for their dual models.

Can I use an extension lead with a portable induction hob?

Do not use one with IKEA's two-zone TILLREDA: its manual specifically says not to connect it with extension cords. For any other model, follow its own connection instructions and plan a position that keeps the cable clear of the work area.

Where should I position a portable hob in the kitchen?

Place it on a stable surface where you can follow the model's clearance and connection instructions without trailing the lead across the work area. Electrical Safety First highlights the combination of water, hot surfaces and cables as a kitchen hazard.

How should I clean a portable induction hob after cooking polenta?

Let it cool and follow the cleaning instructions for the exact model. IKEA's TILLREDA guidance says not to use scouring powder, steel wool, hard or sharp tools, or a steam cleaner.