Small-kitchen soup cooks
If the hob must come off the worktop after you make leek soup, compare its length and width for cooking and its height for storage. A slim appliance does not necessarily have the smallest cooking footprint.
Who this suits
Induction-pan owners who want cooking controls
If your saucepan is induction-compatible, a model with adjustable power and a timer may suit a recipe that begins by cooking the leeks and then needs a gentler simmer. Check the controls on the exact model.
Cooks keeping a non-induction saucepan
If replacing your saucepan is not part of the plan, consider a conventional electric hot plate. Check that your pan suits the particular ring and that the appliance fits your clear worktop area.
What matters when choosing
Start with the saucepan you intend to use, then compare the room available during cooking with the space available to store the hob.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Worktop and storage space | Compare the exact model's length, width and height with your clear cooking area and storage space. | When the worktop also has to hold soup ingredients, I need room for the saucepan and a hob I can put away afterwards. Roughly 42% of consumers put usable space and storage first. |
| Pan fit and heat control | For induction, confirm pan compatibility and the model's permitted base size; compare its adjustable power and timer controls. | I want to cook the leeks, then lower the heat for the soup without changing appliances. For around 33% of consumers, controllable cooking with a compatible pan is the primary need. |
| Existing cookware and setup | Check the conventional plate's pan requirements and power rating, and locate a suitable wall socket. | Keeping my current saucepan matters more to me than choosing induction, and I need a workable place to plug in the hob. About 25% of consumers prioritise cookware flexibility and a straightforward setup. |
Buying pitfalls
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Ordering induction before checking the saucepan
An induction hob needs suitable cookware, and the Tefal IH201840 and IH210840 have model-specific pan-base ranges. A pan outside the required range may not be suitable.
Check your saucepan's induction compatibility, measure its base and compare that measurement with the exact hob specification.
If your current pan is unsuitable, using that hob may also mean obtaining another saucepan.
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Measuring the appliance but not the cooking area
A small hob still needs a stable surface with room for the saucepan, its handles and the lead, away from items that could catch fire.
Measure the clear worktop area as well as the appliance, and keep cloths, paper and packaging away from the cooking position.
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Planning to reach the socket with an extension lead
County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service advises plugging kitchen appliances directly into a wall socket rather than an extension lead.
Choose a cooking position with a suitable wall socket, keep the lead clear of heat and water, and do not leave the cooking unattended.
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Choosing by wattage alone
The cited Quest K0010 is a 1000W conventional plate, while the cited Tefal induction models are rated up to 2100W. Their heating formats, controls and cookware requirements also differ; the ratings alone do not establish how your soup will cook.
Compare the exact model's controls, pan requirements and dimensions alongside its power rating.
Brands to consider
These named models illustrate different portable-hob formats; their specifications should not be assumed to apply across each brand's range.
Tefal
The IH201840 Everyday and IH210840 Everyday Slim are single-zone portable induction hobs.
- Tefal UK specifies the IH210840 at 45 mm thick; the IH201840 has preset functions as well as adjustable power.
- Both models require induction-compatible pans within their respective stated base-size ranges.
Duronic
The HP1 BK is a conventional single-ring electric hot plate.
- Duronic specifies a 1500W, 18.7 cm cast-iron ring with dial control, handles and anti-slip feet.
- Its stated height is 10 cm, a consideration if vertical storage space is tight.
Quest
The K0010 is a compact conventional single hot plate.
- B&Q lists a 22 cm by 22 cm body, a 1000W rating and variable temperature control for this model.
- Check the plate's dimensions against both your saucepan and the clear space available for cooking.
Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Common questions
Will my saucepan work on a portable induction hob?
Only if it is induction-compatible and its base fits the particular model's stated range. Tefal lists a 12–25 cm pan-base range for the IH201840 and a 12–26 cm range for the IH210840, so check your saucepan before choosing either one.
Is a thinner hob always the better choice for a small kitchen?
No: thickness helps determine where a hob can be stored, while length and width determine how much worktop it occupies during cooking. Tefal specifies the IH210840 at 45 mm thick; measure your cooking space and storage space separately.
Can I use an extension lead with a portable hob?
County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service advises plugging kitchen appliances directly into a wall socket, not an extension lead. Plan a stable cooking position close enough to the socket to keep the lead clear of the heated area.