For a small batch of custard, choose a portable single-zone induction hob by its low manual settings, ease of adjustment and fit with your saucepan—not by maximum wattage alone. A slim model may be easier to store, while a timer or pause control can help you manage the cooking; neither replaces gentle heat and constant stirring.
If you usually make one or two servings, you need to turn the heat down while stirring rather than rely on a setting intended for a rapid boil. The British Dietetic Association advises gentle cooking and constant stirring for homemade custard.
A portable single-zone hob can be put away after dessert or a simple meal, provided you have a suitable place to use it and let it cool.
If custard is only an occasional task, look for controls that also suit the soup, boiling or frying you plan to do. Check those everyday needs without losing sight of gentle manual heat.
Start with your saucepan: it must work with induction and fit the hob’s stated pan-base range. Then compare low manual settings and controls before deciding how much storage space you can give the appliance.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gentle heat control | Compare minimum manual wattage and how readily you can reduce or pause heating. Tefal lists 300W as the lowest manual setting for IH210840 and 450W for IH201840; neither figure establishes the temperature of custard in your pan. | When I am stirring a small batch, I want to lower the heat before it overheats. Around 36% of consumers put gentle control first. |
| Small-saucepan fit | Check induction compatibility and measure the flat pan base against the exact model’s range. Tefal states 12–25cm for IH201840 and 12–26cm for IH210840. | If I already own a small saucepan, I need it to work on the hob I choose. Pan compatibility is the main concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| Storage and capacity | Compare the appliance’s dimensions with your storage space, and decide whether heating one pan at a time meets your needs. | With little cupboard space, I want a hob I can put away, although one cooking zone limits what I can prepare at once. Around 21% of consumers prioritise storage and single-zone capacity. |
| Safety and support | Look at the model’s safeguards and the seller’s product documentation; inspect the plug and cable before use. A timer or automatic shut-off does not make unattended cooking safe. | I want to know whom to contact if an electrical fault develops and which safeguards the model includes. Safety and support come first for around 14% of consumers. |
Maximum output does not tell you how gently a hob can heat custard. Tefal’s IH210840 and IH201840 have different stated minimum manual settings, but those settings do not guarantee steady pan temperature.
Compare the exact model’s low settings and adjustment controls, then plan to stir and watch the custard as it thickens.
An induction hob needs compatible cookware, and a small pan may fall outside a model’s stated base-size range.
Check whether your pan has an induction-compatible base, measure its flat underside and compare it with the hob’s specification.
If your existing saucepan is incompatible or outside the supported size range, you may need a different pan.
The British Dietetic Association advises cooking homemade custard gently while stirring constantly. A programme or timer cannot watch for thickening or prevent overheating on its own.
Stay with the hob, stir through the thickening stage and switch it off when the custard is ready.
In a 2025 report about a particular induction cooker, the UK Office for Product Safety and Standards identified a serious fire risk involving a plug without a BS 1362-conforming fuse link. That report is not a finding about the models on this page.
Buy from a traceable seller, inspect the plug and cable before use, and stop using an appliance if either becomes damaged or unusually hot.
Tefal lists portable single-zone models including the Everyday IH201840 and Everyday Slim IH210840.
Daewoo’s portable 2200W single induction hob is presented for everyday tasks ranging from simmering to frying.
An Amazon UK listing describes an AMZCHEF portable single hob with power and temperature controls.
These portable single-zone induction hobs suit the one-person cooking setup. Compare their stated controls with your saucepan and storage needs; keep stirring and managing the heat when making custard.
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Consider this model if you want adjustable settings for a small batch and your induction-compatible saucepan has a flat base within its stated 12–26cm cookware range.
The product name lists eight power levels, 60–270°C temperature control, seven preset functions, a three-hour timer and a child safety lock. Check the plug details for your intended place of use; the settings do not establish custard temperature stability.
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Consider this slim portable model if storage matters and you want adjustable heat for one-pan cooking. Confirm that your magnetic saucepan’s flat base falls within the model’s supported range.
The product name lists 10 power settings, six functions, touch control and a safety lock. Check its minimum manual setting, ventilation instructions and plug details before use; keep the ventilation openings clear while cooking.
It must be induction-compatible and its flat base must fit the exact hob’s supported size range. Tefal states 12–25cm for IH201840 and 12–26cm for IH210840; do not assume another model accepts the same sizes.
No. A programme may help with heating, but the British Dietetic Association advises cooking homemade custard gently and stirring constantly until it thickens. Stay present even if the hob has a timer.
Stop using the hob and disconnect it if you can do so safely. Electrical Safety First advises against ignoring hot electrical fittings, burn marks, crackling sounds or repeated circuit-breaker trips; seek advice from the retailer, manufacturer or a qualified repair professional.
Check the seller, product documentation and plug details for the particular appliance. According to GOV.UK’s Office for Product Safety and Standards, the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 set requirements for electrical equipment placed on the Great Britain market; a hob’s cooking or safety features alone do not establish that a particular unit meets them.