Portable Induction Hob

[Digger]

I have this induction hob . . .

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/9147782

It is great but its biggest failing is that the lowest setting as it were is 450W where it pulses on for 3 or 4 seconds. This means that it fails to simmer very gently or even close to it! Even at this setting (stews for example) stuff will stick to the bottom of the pan so you have to constantly attend to it.

Can anyone recommend an equivalent induction hob that WILL simmer very gently without having to be mollycoddled every few minutes?

[barryrs]

Ikea have a couple of options, no personal experience though.

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/tillreda-portable-ind...

[Digger]

Thanks.

Hadn't considered Ikea. Competitive prices! Seems to recommend a maximum size of 20cm which might be a tad limiting.

[LeadFarmer]

I take this one away with us in the caravan but sadly its in our caravan now so I can't test it for you, but some of the reviews might answer your question...

[jet_noise]

Can you put something heat-resistant but field-transparent between the hob and the pan?
This would reduce the induction energy available to heat the pan - inverse square law.
A bit like a gear box with a high and low range.

If I recall my physics correctly

[Bacon Is Proof]

Use it as an excuse to upgrade to gas.

[21TonyK]

LeadFarmer said:

I take this one away with us in the caravan but sadly its in our caravan now so I can't test it for you, but some of the reviews might answer your question...

Did a bit of review reading...

"The only reason I've not given it five out of five is that getting things to simmer is impossible (for me anyway). - but that is probably nothing to do with the brand but maybe the technical ability of induction hobs at this price point. Maybe hobs in the £100-£200 would simmer better but its maybe a technical incapability of induction cooking - I don't know enough about induction to make even an educated guess."

My experience of most induction has been the same. My Dad spent a fortune on an induction hob for home and that pulsed so it was impossible to simmer things.

However, I have one at work which will simmer and hold temperatures. If anyone wants to spend a grand(!!) on a single hob I'll let you know more.

[motco]

Make sure the pan has significant thermal mass to act as a buffer. Perhaps induction compatible cast iron - if that's available.

[sgrimshaw]

motco said:

Make sure the pan has significant thermal mass to act as a buffer. Perhaps induction compatible cast iron - if that's available.

Cast iron works fine on induction.

[number2]

I was using a similar portable induction hob (also Tefal) and it too pulsed power to the hob. I don't recall it being a major issue although it was for temporary use (c. 6 months in the end) while our kitchen was being fitted.

I'm using a full-size induction hob now and it doesn't pulse power. It's a small sample size but I'd say that all the portable ones do it at any reasonable price point.

[GC8]

I have a couple of the original pattern single induction hobs from Lidl. They have temperature settings as well as time and level settings.

Far easier to gently simmer on than my IH cooker which cost a fortune.

These cost £30ea and are made by Kompernass.

[LeadFarmer]

I assumed all induction hobs pulsed? I thought they all gave out the same amount of power but pulsed on/off for longer or shorter times depending on what temperature you wanted?

[21TonyK]

LeadFarmer said:

I assumed all induction hobs pulsed? I thought they all gave out the same amount of power but pulsed on/off for longer or shorter times depending on what temperature you wanted?

Thats my understanding as well. I assume the ones that simmer pulse a lot more frequently. My Dads is like 2 seconds on, one second off. Work you cannot tell its pulsing at all.

[motco]

sgrimshaw said:

motco said:

Make sure the pan has significant thermal mass to act as a buffer. Perhaps induction compatible cast iron - if that's available.

Cast iron works fine on induction.

Thanks! I wasn't sure - we don't have cast iron but we do have a portable hob by Judge.

[number2]

21TonyK said:

LeadFarmer said:

I assumed all induction hobs pulsed? I thought they all gave out the same amount of power but pulsed on/off for longer or shorter times depending on what temperature you wanted?

Thats my understanding as well. I assume the ones that simmer pulse a lot more frequently. My Dads is like 2 seconds on, one second off. Work you cannot tell its pulsing at all.

There's noticeable pulsing (on/off): cheap portable
There's imperceptible pulsing: expensive fitted hob

[21TonyK]

number2 said:

21TonyK said:

LeadFarmer said:

I assumed all induction hobs pulsed? I thought they all gave out the same amount of power but pulsed on/off for longer or shorter times depending on what temperature you wanted?

Thats my understanding as well. I assume the ones that simmer pulse a lot more frequently. My Dads is like 2 seconds on, one second off. Work you cannot tell its pulsing at all.

There's noticeable pulsing (on/off): cheap portable
There's imperceptible pulsing: expensive fitted hob

But how expensive do you have to go, my Dads hob which pulses was about £700, my single portable at work was over £1K!

[number2]

21TonyK said:

number2 said:

21TonyK said:

LeadFarmer said:

I assumed all induction hobs pulsed? I thought they all gave out the same amount of power but pulsed on/off for longer or shorter times depending on what temperature you wanted?

Thats my understanding as well. I assume the ones that simmer pulse a lot more frequently. My Dads is like 2 seconds on, one second off. Work you cannot tell its pulsing at all.

There's noticeable pulsing (on/off): cheap portable
There's imperceptible pulsing: expensive fitted hob

But how expensive do you have to go, my Dads hob which pulses was about £700, my single portable at work was over £1K!

Don't know... I've a 70 quid portable and a 2.5k Miele, not sure where the cross over is

[GC8]

I’ve got more control with a £30 Lidl product than a £1,000 cooker offers.

Edited by GC8 on Wednesday 15th September 13:29

[Digger]

Thanks for all the replies peeps.

GC8 said:

I’ve got more control with a £30 Lidl product than a £1,000 offers.

Is that a Silvercrest model? I'm assuming it can simmer nice & slow?

It does seem that my Tefal has easily the highest lowest setting at 450W compared with most others which have 200W or even 100W. . . . should have done my research & read more reviews beforehand!

[Gtom]

The IKEA hob is a decent little thing. We survived with is for over two years while we renovated our house. I have kept it even though we have got a 5 burner gas hob because you never know when it will come in handy.