Time to get a portable induction hob

It's getting to that time of year when Aga and Rayburn owners are contemplating whether now is the time to turn them off for the summer months (cue onset of an unseasonable cold snap). But what do you turn to when there's no hotplate to cook on? One option is a portable induction hob.

Induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular in both professional and domestic kitchens. They are quick, safe, cheaper to run, easy to clean and allow precise control of temperatures. They use a magnetic coil with an electrical current running through it. The pan you cook with completes the electrical circuit, turning your pan into the heat source (basically it heats the pan directly, not what the pan rests on). A portable induction hob works in exactly the same but has the added benefit of being portable. They can be stored away when not in use, leaving your worktops tidy. When needed just plug them in, turn them on and away you go! They aren't very expensive either, especially when you compare them to a full size induction hob.

As well as a substitute for your Aga during the warmer summer months, a portable induction hob is great for times when you need extra hob space such as preparing the Christmas dinner or when catering for larger numbers. You can take it outdoors. It's great for barbecues and al-fresco dining, saving you from having to run back indoors, whenever you need to heat anything up. Take it with you when you're camping or caravanning (you'll obviously need a pitch with an electric hook-up). Take it to the dining room and wow your guests by cooking directly at the table. Portable induction hobs are popular with students too. Domestic entertaining might not be high on the agenda of many students, but this will heat up a can of beans in no time! Having your kitchen renovated? There’s always going to be a period of time between the old hob/cooker being taken out and the new one installed and you can't live on takeaways alone!

A portable induction hob can be extremely useful if you have a particularly small kitchen or are in a bedsit. It takes up very little worktop space and is much cheaper to run than an electric hob. We have several portable induction hobs which we use in our shop for cookery demonstrations. This allows us the freedom to set up the demos anywhere in the store, or in multiple locations simultaneously.

One thing you will need when using a portable induction hob, is the right kind of pan. Most new pans are now built to be induction friendly, but there's an easy way to check if your existing pans will work and all you need is a magnet!

See our blog on whether your pans are suitable for use on an induction hob to find out how.