If you cook one dish at a time and want to reclaim your worktop afterwards, choose a single-zone portable induction hob. A double hob is a better fit if you regularly use two pans at once and have enough space and the right power supply. A compact multicooker, meanwhile, is best for meals cooked in a single pot. If you choose an induction hob, check that your pans are compatible, that the surface is stable and that you follow the model’s ventilation instructions.
If you usually use just one saucepan or frying pan and put the appliance away after your meal, a portable single-zone hob is a good fit. IKEA France recommends its single-zone TILLREDA for small kitchens. Just check that your cookware is suitable for induction and that you have a flat, stable surface to use it on.
If you often need a saucepan and a frying pan on the go at the same time, two cooking zones save you having to cook one after the other. You’ll need somewhere to set the appliance up while it’s in use and should check its electrical requirements. Having two zones doesn’t, by itself, tell you how much power is available to each one at the same time.
For soups, slow-cooked dishes or steamed food, a compact multicooker offers another way to cook in a small space. Moulinex France’s Cookeo Mini is an example of this type of appliance, though it doesn’t provide two independent cooking zones for separate pans.
Choose this if: you mainly cook with one pan at a time and want to clear your worktop after use.
The trade-off: a sauce and a side dish will need to cook one after the other if they each need their own pan.
Choose this if: you regularly prepare two things at once, for example in a frying pan and a saucepan.
The trade-off: you’ll need more space while cooking, and should check the electrical specifications and whether power is shared between the zones.
Choose this if: most of your meals can be prepared in a single pot.
The trade-off: it can’t replace two independent cooking zones when you need to cook several dishes separately.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Space and storage | Measure the space you’ll need to set the appliance up while cooking, and where you’ll store it once it has cooled. | I want to prepare a meal without leaving the appliance on my only workspace. Around 31 % of consumers put storage space at the top of their list. |
| Cooking on two zones | Check the size of the zones and, in the instructions, the conditions for using them at the same time. | When I’m making a sauce while something else cooks, waiting for a zone to become free makes preparing a meal more difficult. Cooking two things at once is a priority for around 31 % of consumers. |
| Power supply and placement | Check the model’s voltage, current and power requirements against your available supply. Make sure the surface is stable and the ventilation openings are clear. | In temporary accommodation, I need to know where I can place and plug in the hob without overloading the electrical installation. Around 25 % of consumers prioritise these practical requirements. |
| One-pot meals | Check the multicooker’s capacity, the settings you’ll need for your recipes and how much room you’ll need to store the pot and accessories. | If I mainly make soups or slow-cooked dishes, one pot suits my habits better than using two saucepans at once. This type of meal comes first for around 13 % of consumers. |
An induction hob needs compatible cookware with a magnetic base, as UFC-Que Choisir points out. You won’t be able to cook on the hob with an incompatible pan.
Test the base of your cookware with a magnet and check which pan sizes are suitable for the model you’re considering.
If your pans aren’t compatible, replacing them means extra cookware to buy and store.
The second zone is useful for cooking two things at once, but the appliance takes up more space while you’re preparing a meal. Its electrical requirements must also be suitable for your home.
Start with the meals you usually cook, then check the dimensions, stated power and instructions for the model you’re considering.
IKEA’s instructions for the single-zone TILLREDA hob call for a flat, stable surface. The appliance’s ventilation openings must be kept clear, as specified in the instructions.
Choose a suitable spot before you buy, and let the hob cool down before putting it away.
An extension lead doesn’t provide extra electrical capacity. Promotelec warns that overloading can cause overheating and, in some cases, a short circuit or fire.
Check the hob and other appliances you’re using against the capacity of the power supply, and avoid connecting extension leads in a chain.
IKEA France’s TILLREDA range includes portable single-zone and double-zone induction hobs, designed for small kitchens.
Severin France’s range includes single induction hobs and the double hob DK 1031.
The Full Magma Double is a portable double-zone induction hob from Cecotec.
The Cookeo Mini is a one-pot cooking option for one person or a small household.
They need a magnetic base that’s compatible with induction, as UFC-Que Choisir explains. Test the base with a magnet and check the recommended pan sizes for the hob you choose.
One zone may be enough if you usually cook with one pan at a time or don’t mind preparing different parts of a meal one after the other. If you often use two saucepans, or a frying pan and a saucepan, at once, consider a double hob instead, taking its size and electrical requirements into account.
Don’t assume an extension lead is suitable just because there’s a socket available: it won’t increase your electrical supply’s capacity. Promotelec recommends checking the maximum power it can handle and warns against overloading. You should also compare the hob’s power with that of other appliances plugged in at the same point.
Wait until it has cooled down before moving or storing it. Switch it off using its controls and follow the model’s instructions on residual heat and cleaning.