One-pot cooks with crowded worktops
If soup usually needs just one saucepan, a portable hob lets you put the appliance away afterwards. Check that you have a suitable place to use and store it, and that your pan fits.
Who each hob suits
Cooks planning a permanent kitchen hob
If you often make soup alongside other dishes, a built-in hob’s multiple zones may be useful. Measure the intended installation space and check the selected model’s electrical instructions before committing to a fixed surface.
Cooks keeping their existing saucepan
Check the pan before choosing either type of hob. AEG UK advises using cookware with a magnetic base; its base size must also suit the cooking zone specified for the model you select.
What matters when choosing
Portable single-zone hob
Choose it when: You cook in one saucepan and want to put the hob away after use.
Trade-off: One zone cannot heat a second pan while the soup cooks.
Built-in multi-zone hob
Choose it when: You want a permanent surface and regularly cook with several pans.
Trade-off: It commits worktop space and requires model-specific fitting and electrical checks.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Flexible worktop space | Measure the clear surface needed during use and the storage space available afterwards. | I make soup in one pot but need the counter back when I have finished. Around 42% of consumers put that flexibility first. |
| Saucepan and heat control | Check for a strongly magnetic, flat pan base, a suitable base diameter and the hob’s heat settings. | I want to keep using my soup saucepan and adjust the heat as it cooks; for around 33% of consumers, pan suitability and control are the main concern. |
| Permanent cooking capacity | Compare the cut-out and clearance instructions with your kitchen, then check the exact electrical connection required. | I often prepare another dish while soup cooks, so several zones matter more to me than storing the hob away. This is the priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Buying pitfalls
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Assuming a built-in hob saves the same space as a portable one
A built-in hob removes a loose appliance from the counter, but it occupies a permanent part of the worktop. The product information lists the portable Tefal IH201840 at 225 × 350 mm, while the Zanussi ZEI6840FBA listing and the Hotpoint TB7960CBF listing describe substantially wider built-in appliances.
Decide whether you need a removable or fixed cooking surface, then measure the space it will actually use.
Choosing a built-in model may also mean altering the worktop and arranging electrical installation.
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Choosing the hob before checking the soup pan
A saucepan without a suitable magnetic base may not work on induction. The pan’s base diameter must also suit the selected hob’s specifications.
Test the base with a magnet, check that it is flat and compare its diameter with the exact model’s cookware range.
If the existing saucepan is unsuitable, you may need different cookware.
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Assuming every built-in hob connects the same way
The product information specifies professional installation to a 13 Amp fused spur for the Zanussi ZEI6840FBA and hard wiring by an electrician for the Hotpoint TB7960CBF. Neither requirement should be assumed for another model.
Read the selected hob’s installation instructions and have the kitchen supply assessed where professional installation or hard wiring is specified.
Relevant brands for reference
Tefal
The portable IH201840 is a one-zone option for cooks who want to store the hob after making soup.
- The product information lists a 225 × 350 mm footprint, a timer and compatibility with pots from 12 cm to 26 cm for this model.
- Its single zone does not accommodate a second pan at the same time.
Zanussi
The built-in ZEI6840FBA is relevant when a fixed four-zone hob suits the kitchen plan.
- The product information lists this model as 57.6 cm wide with four cooking zones.
- Its listing specifies professional installation to a 13 Amp fused spur; check the exact fit and supply before choosing it.
Hotpoint
The built-in TB7960CBF is relevant to cooks considering several zones and a flexible area for larger cookware.
- The product information lists this model at 59 cm wide, with four zones and a Flexi Duo area.
- Hard wiring by an electrician is specified for this model, making the kitchen’s installation arrangements an early check.
Portable hobs on Joybuy
These portable induction hobs suit the removable, one-pot route. Check each model’s operating footprint, your saucepan and the electrical connection before choosing one for a small kitchen.
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IAGREEA DF200-14V10 portable induction hob, 2000 W
A portable option to consider if you make soup in one pan and want to put the hob away afterwards.
The product name specifies eight power levels, temperature settings of 60–270°C, seven cooking functions, a three-hour timer and suitable cookware sizes of 12–26 cm.
Measure the space available for use and storage, and check the product instructions for the electrical connection before use.
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ochama portable induction hob, 2000 W
A portable option for one-pan cooking when you want to clear the worktop after making soup.
The product name specifies ten power settings, six functions, touch controls and a safety lock.
Check that your saucepan’s magnetic base and diameter suit the hob, measure the space needed to use and store it, and follow its electrical connection instructions.
Questions about choosing and using a hob
Will my existing saucepan work on an induction hob?
It can work if its base is suitable for induction and its diameter fits the hob’s specified range. AEG UK advises checking for a strongly magnetic base; also check that the base is flat and compare its size with the exact model’s instructions.
Is one cooking zone enough for courgette soup?
One zone can suit courgette soup made in a single saucepan, provided the pan fits and you do not need to heat another pan simultaneously. If you regularly cook a side dish or other ingredients separately, consider whether a multi-zone hob better suits those meals.
What should I measure before choosing a built-in hob?
Measure the worktop cut-out and compare it with the selected hob’s full dimensions and installation instructions. Check the required space beneath and around the appliance too; hob measurement guidance is general, while the exact model’s instructions determine its fitting requirements.
Do built-in induction hobs all need the same electrical connection?
No. The product information specifies professional installation to a 13 Amp fused spur for the Zanussi ZEI6840FBA, whereas hard wiring by an electrician is specified for the Hotpoint TB7960CBF. Check the instructions for the model you intend to buy and whether your kitchen supply is suitable.
What should I check before connecting a portable induction hob?
Check the appliance’s instructions and that the intended electrical supply is suitable for it. The Health and Safety Executive advises checking that electrical equipment suits its supply and that the supply is safe; a particular socket or extension lead should not be assumed suitable without checking.