Small-kitchen stock makers
If you generally simmer one pot of stock at a time, a portable hob lets you clear the worktop once the appliance has cooled.
Who each format suits
Batch-cooking households
For larger batches or longer cooking sessions, check your stockpot’s base diameter, the available low-power controls and the timer before choosing a hob.
Cookware-first switchers
If you hope to keep using your current stockpot, establish whether its flat base is magnetic and falls within the chosen hob’s stated pan-size range.
What to check before buying
Portable single-zone hob
Choose it when: You make stock one pot at a time and want to put the hob away after use.
Trade-off: Its one cooking zone cannot hold a second pan at the same time.
Built-in multi-zone hob
Choose it when: You regularly make stock alongside another dish and have space for a permanent installation.
Trade-off: It cannot be stored away; Bosch says installation measurements and ventilation arrangements vary by model.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Space and storage | Compare the appliance’s full footprint with your usable worktop and the space where it would be stored. | When the stock is finished, I want the worktop clear rather than occupied by another appliance. Around 40% of consumers put storage first. |
| Boil-to-simmer control | Check the lowest selectable setting, the power stages and whether the timer suits your cooking session. | I need to bring stock to the boil, then keep it at a manageable simmer without relying on a boil preset. Simmer control comes first for around 40% of consumers. |
| Pot and power compatibility | Check the stockpot’s magnetic base and diameter against the hob’s requirements, and plan a suitable socket arrangement. | I want to use my existing stockpot without finding that it will not work on the hob, and I need a safe place to plug it in. Around 20% of consumers prioritise compatibility and power supply. |
Common buying mistakes
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Choosing by maximum wattage alone
A high stated output does not tell you how the hob behaves at the low setting you need once the stock reaches a simmer.
Compare the selectable settings, timer and supported pot-base size as well as the maximum output.
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Measuring the stockpot at its rim
The hob’s cookware guidance concerns the base that rests on the cooking zone. A wide rim does not establish that the base is compatible.
Measure the flat base, check that it is magnetic and compare its diameter with the exact model’s instructions.
If your current pot is non-magnetic or outside the supported size range, you may need a different stockpot.
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Overloading an extension lead
A portable hob still needs an appropriate electrical supply. Electrical Safety First warns against overloaded extension equipment and extension leads plugged into other extension leads.
Use a suitable wall socket where practical. If an extension is necessary, check its marked rating against the connected appliances and fully unwind any cable reel.
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Assuming a built-in hob solves a storage problem
A built-in hob is a permanent cooking surface, not an appliance you can put away. Bosch says installation measurements and ventilation arrangements depend on the model.
Check the chosen hob’s installation manual against your worktop and the cabinet, drawer or oven beneath it before ordering.
A suitable installation may involve worktop alteration and installation work.
Brands to consider for these hob formats
Tefal
The portable, single-zone IH201840 is relevant if you want to store the hob after making stock.
- Tefal UK Shop lists nine power levels from 450W to 2100W and a two-hour timer for the IH201840.
- Tefal’s published pan-size guidance differs between its pages, so check the exact base-diameter range before relying on it for a large stockpot.
Daewoo
The portable SDA2771GE is an option to examine if stated output and timer duration matter to your choice.
- The product information lists 2200W output, a boost function, nine power stages and a three-hour timer for the SDA2771GE.
- Check the exact model number and cookware requirements: some of the descriptive copy refers to a different model.
ochama
Joybuy lists an ochama portable induction hob with a slim design for flexible worktop use.
- The Joybuy listing describes 2000W output and 10 power settings.
- Confirm the supported stockpot-base diameter and the low setting needed for your simmer before choosing it.
Induction hobs on Joybuy
These choices include portable hobs you can put away after cooking and a two-zone built-in hob for a kitchen suited to permanent installation. Check your stockpot and available space against the model you choose.
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IAGREEA DF200-14V10 2000W portable induction hob
Consider this portable model if you want to clear the worktop after stock-making. Its title lists eight power levels, 60–270°C temperature control, seven preset functions, a three-hour timer and suitable cookware of 12–26cm. Check its full footprint against your available space and whether its lowest usable setting suits your simmer.
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ochama 2000W portable induction hob
This portable hob is worth considering if you need a slim appliance that can be put away. Its title lists 10 power settings and six functions. Before choosing it for a long stock-making session, confirm the timer duration, lowest setting and supported stockpot-base diameter.
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CIARRA CBBIH292T 29cm two-zone built-in induction hob
Consider this built-in model if you want a second cooking zone while making stock and can accommodate a permanent installation. Its title lists 2900W, nine power levels, a timer and touch controls. Check the exact cut-out and ventilation instructions, pot-size requirements and lowest setting before ordering; it cannot be stored away.
Frequently asked questions
Will my existing stockpot work on an induction hob?
It can work if its flat base is magnetic and within the chosen hob’s supported size range. Tefal UK Shop suggests checking whether a magnet sticks firmly to the base; compare the base diameter, rather than the rim diameter, with the model’s instructions.
Which controls matter when making vegetable stock?
Look for a usable low setting and a timer as well as controls for bringing the pot to the boil. Check a preset’s instructions before relying on it: Tefal’s IH201840 boil programme is based on 1.5 litres of water in a 20cm pan, and its instructions warn that smaller quantities may boil dry if left unattended.
Can I use a portable induction hob with an extension lead?
Use an extension only if its rating suits the combined load and it can be used safely. Electrical Safety First advises against overloading extension equipment or connecting one extension lead to another; fully unwind a cable reel before use. A suitable wall socket avoids the additional extension equipment.
What if I have a pacemaker or implanted cardiac device?
Ask your cardiac team for advice specific to your device before choosing or using an induction hob. Royal Brompton Hospital warns that induction hobs may interfere with a pacemaker and advises keeping at least 60cm between the top of the hob and the pacemaker.
Does a built-in induction hob need installation planning?
Yes. Bosch says installation methods and measurements vary by model. Check the exact hob’s installation manual, including its worktop cut-out, clearances and ventilation requirements, against your kitchen before ordering.