Choose a compact single induction hob if the curry is cooked in one pot and storage space matters. Choose a double hob if you regularly need a separate pan for rice or a side dish, but check each zone’s output rather than treating the combined wattage as power available to one pan. Either choice depends on an induction-compatible curry pot that fits the model’s stated pan-size range.
If the curry only needs one pot, a compact single-zone hob can provide an extra cooking position without a permanent installation. Check that your pot has an induction-compatible base and fits the model’s permitted pan size.
If rice or a side dish needs its own pan while the curry cooks, look for two zones you can control independently. Allow room for both pans on the worktop as well as space to store the hob afterwards.
If you need an extra cooking position mainly when family visits, compare the hob’s dimensions with your storage space. A slimmer single-zone model is worth considering if one pan at a time meets your needs.
Choose it when: One pot handles the curry and a smaller hob is easier to put away.
Trade-off: Rice or a side dish must use another cooking position or wait its turn.
Choose it when: The curry and another pan need to cook at the same time.
Trade-off: Two zones take more worktop and storage room, and the combined power rating is not necessarily available to either pan alone.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Two pans at once | Check for independently controlled zones and compare each zone’s stated output. | If I want rice ready with the curry, I need two pans cooking without waiting for one to finish. Around 33% of consumers put simultaneous cooking first. |
| Existing curry pot | Check for an induction-compatible base and compare its flat base diameter with the exact hob’s permitted range. | I want to use the family curry pot I already own, rather than discover it will not work on the new hob. For around 27% of consumers, cookware fit is the primary concern. |
| Frying and simmering | Compare the stated manual power range and lower settings; check whether the model has a timer. | When I move from frying spices to simmering the curry, I want a setting I can adjust for each stage. Heat control comes first for around 20% of consumers. |
| Storage space | Measure the available worktop and cupboard space, then compare the hob’s dimensions and weight. | I need an extra hob for family meals but want to put it away afterwards. Around 20% of consumers prioritise compact storage. |
An induction-compatible pot can still be unsuitable if its base falls outside the hob’s stated size range. Check the flat base, not just the diameter across the rim.
Check your pot for an induction-compatible magnetic base, then compare its base diameter with the specification for the exact model.
If your existing pot is unsuitable, you will need access to a different induction-compatible pot.
VonShef states 2800W combined output for its dual induction hob, with each plate capable of 1400W. The total is not a per-zone rating.
Compare individual-zone figures when deciding whether a double hob meets your two-pan cooking needs.
A lock or automatic shut-off does not remove the risks posed by hot cookware or a damaged appliance. Tefal’s induction-cooker guidance says to switch off immediately if the ceramic surface cracks.
Stay with the cooking, keep children away from the hob and lead, and stop using the appliance if its surface, plug or lead is damaged.
In an August 2025 report about a specific induction cooker, the Office for Product Safety and Standards identified a serious fire risk because its plug lacked a fuse link conforming to BS 1362. That finding is not a conclusion about every portable hob.
Choose a seller and product you can identify, keep the supplied instructions, and inspect the plug and lead before use.
Tefal’s IH201840 and slimmer IH210840 are single-zone induction options for one-pot cooking and storage between uses.
VonShef offers both a 2000W single induction hob and a 2800W dual model, covering one-pot and two-pan cooking arrangements.
Emperial’s double induction hob is a two-pan option with independently controlled zones and a stated 12cm to 26cm compatible pan-base range.
This portable induction hob is worth considering for curry cooked in one pot. If you also need to cook rice at the same time, check its zone layout before choosing it.
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For a curry cooked in one pot, the adjustable settings offer a way to move between cooking stages. Check that your pot has an induction-compatible base and that its flat base fits this model.
The product title specifies touch control, a glass panel, ten power settings, six functions and a safety lock. Check the zone layout if you need a second pan, and measure the hob for your worktop and storage space. A safety lock does not make unattended cooking safe.
Only if its base is induction-compatible and fits the chosen hob’s permitted pan-size range. Check the flat base rather than relying on the saucepan’s rim diameter; Tefal, for example, lists different ranges for its IH201840 and IH210840 models.
No: on the VonShef dual induction hob, 2800W is the combined rating and each plate is stated as capable of 1400W. Check the individual-zone rating of any double hob you are considering.
No. Stay with the cooking and follow the instructions for your model; a child lock does not remove the hazards from hot cookware. Tefal’s induction-cooker guidance also says to switch off immediately if the ceramic surface cracks.
Choose an identifiable product from a traceable seller, keep its instructions and inspect the plug and lead before use. An August 2025 Office for Product Safety and Standards report identified a serious fire risk involving a non-conforming plug fuse link in one induction cooker; it was a finding about that specific product, not all portable hobs.