For one pot of broccoli soup, a single-zone induction hob is a practical choice if your saucepan has a compatible magnetic base and fits the hob’s supported pan size. Consider a conventional electric hot plate if keeping a non-induction saucepan matters more. Either way, measure the available worktop space and plan for the pan handle, lead and a suitable socket.
A single portable zone lets you cook soup in one saucepan and put the hob away afterwards. Measure the clear space you have: The product information lists the Tefal IH201840 at 225 × 350 mm, while Judge lists the JEA90 at 310 × 270 mm.
If replacing your pan would defeat the point of buying a portable hob, check it before choosing induction. Judge says induction needs magnetisable cookware; Geepas describes its conventional single hot plate as usable with different cookware materials.
If the hob will come out only when needed, make sure it has a stable place to sit and that its plug, lead and socket are suitable. Electrical Safety First advises against handling kitchen electrical equipment with wet hands or leaving appliances on unattended.
Choose when: You have an induction-compatible saucepan of a size accepted by the hob and want one portable zone for soup.
Trade-off: Judge’s JEA90 manual says non-magnetisable pans will not work on induction; its stated minimum pan-base diameter is 12 cm.
Choose when: Keeping a non-induction saucepan is the deciding factor. Geepas describes its single cast-iron hot plate as usable with all types of cookware.
Trade-off: You still need a stable place for the hot plate and a suitable electrical connection; broader pan compatibility does not remove those precautions.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Worktop space and storage | Compare the hob’s full width and depth with a stable, clear space that also accommodates the pan handle and lead. | If I need the worktop back after making soup, I want a hob I can fit and put away. Around 42% of consumers put available worktop space first. |
| Saucepan compatibility | For induction, check for a magnetic base and compare its diameter with the particular hob’s accepted range. | I want to keep cooking with the saucepan I already own rather than discover it will not work on the new hob. Around 33% of consumers put pan compatibility first. |
| Cooking control and electrical setup | Check the available power settings and confirm that the plug, socket and any extension lead are suitable for the appliance’s load. | When soup moves from heating to simmering, I want usable controls without overlooking the electrical setup. Around 25% of consumers put control and safe use first. |
An induction hob may not operate with a non-magnetisable pan. Judge also says pans with a base under 12 cm are unsuitable for its JEA90.
Check for an induction symbol or see whether a fridge magnet sticks to the pan base, then compare the base diameter with the hob’s stated range.
A hob can have the controls you want yet leave too little room for the saucepan handle or lead.
Measure the usable worktop. The product information lists the Tefal IH201840 at 225 × 350 mm; Judge lists the JEA90 at 310 × 270 mm. Check which shape fits your space.
A timer or automatic shut-off is not a substitute for watching a pan. Electrical Safety First advises against leaving kitchen appliances on unattended.
Stay nearby while the soup heats and simmers. Keep the appliance and lead dry, and let the hob cool before cleaning it.
A 2000 W or 2100 W hob places a substantial load on a shared connection. Electrical Safety First advises checking an extension lead’s marked rating and the combined load of connected appliances.
Use a suitable wall socket where practical. If an extension lead is necessary, stay within its rating and do not connect one extension lead to another.
Tefal’s IH201840 is a single-zone induction option with soup and stew programmes; The product information lists the dimensions as 225 × 350 × 55 mm.
Judge lists its JEA90 single-zone induction hob at 310 × 270 × 50 mm, with ten selectable temperatures from 60°C to 240°C.
VonShef lists a single induction hob with power settings from 200 W to 2000 W and temperature settings from 60°C to 240°C.
It will work only if its base is induction-compatible and an accepted size for the hob. Judge’s JEA90 manual says cookware must be magnetisable and its base must be at least 12 cm across; check your own hob’s requirements before buying.
Allow for the whole appliance, not just its cooking zone, plus clear space for the pan handle and lead. The product information lists the Tefal IH201840 at 225 × 350 × 55 mm, while Judge lists the JEA90 at 310 × 270 × 50 mm; compare those shapes with a stable, heat-resistant place to cook.
Yes, if your saucepan is induction-compatible and fits the hob’s supported pan size. Tefal lists soup and stew programmes for the IH201840, but you should still stay nearby while the soup heats and simmers.
Only if the lead’s marked rating can safely accommodate the hob and every other appliance connected to it. Electrical Safety First advises checking the total load, staying within the lead’s rating and not connecting extension leads to one another.
Check that the plug, fuse, lead and socket are appropriate and undamaged, and do not use the appliance if you see damage or signs of overheating. A 2025 Office for Product Safety and Standards report identified a specific induction cooker as a serious fire risk because its plug lacked a BS 1362-compliant fuse link; that finding concerns the reported product, not every portable hob.