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electriQ Single Zone Portable Induction Hob review
Published: January 31, 2023 at 2:45 PM
4.5
A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.
GBP £49.97 RRP
Try the Good Food app - subscribe todayThis portable induction hob impressed us with its bright display, slimline body and speedy results, not to mention it was remarkably cheap to run.
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Pros
- Clear display panel, useful timer, intuitive controls, slimline, cheap to run
Cons
- Temperature dial may seem confusing to begin with
electriQ Single Zone Portable Induction Hob summary
If you're curious about induction cooking but have a limited budget, this option from electriQ is a solid choice. Sleek and compact, it has a clear, well-lit display and intuitive controls, plus a hob ring that's large enough to suit a range of pan sizes.
This model has a bit of weight to it but is light enough to move around if needed – that said, the cord is a decent length, so hopefully you shouldn't need to. It looks good on the countertop too, so could be easily left out if your storage options are limited. If you wanted to upgrade, there's also a two-ring model available.
- Read our full guide to the best induction hobs
How easy is the electriQ Single Zone Induction Hob to use?
We liked how stable it felt on the worktop, as there's four silicone feet on the base that prevent it from slipping. Pans sit securely without sliding around, and as the induction hob heats up, the entire body (including the hob ring) stay cool – a reassuring safety feature if you have little ones running around. The bright display also clearly indicates when the appliance is switched on.
The controls on this model were a little confusing to begin with, as it displays wattage and temperature (60-240C in 20C increments) rather than a traditional 1-10 scale for heat levels. This would be useful for deep-frying or sous vide cooking, however, as you can more easily maintain an even and consistent heat.
The wattage is quite high at 2000W, but it costs just 4.31p to run the hob for 10 minutes, making it the cheapest to run among those we tested.
Results
Bringing water to the boil was speedy, taking just three and a half minutes. We also tested the hob's response to temperature changes by bringing a pan of milk close to the boil, and it reacted quickly without the milk spilling over. When making caramel, there were a few dark spots, but we had no trouble controlling the temperature.
Keeping it clean is a simple affair – even where liquids boil over or droplets fall onto the surface of the hob ring, it never gets hot enough for them to burn and stick.
How sustainable is the electriQ Single Zone Induction Hob?
When unboxing, we found some protective plastic packaging and polystyrene that couldn't be recycled – there wasn't an excessive amount, however, and the cardboard box it came in was recyclable.
The wattage is fairly high at 2000W, but it costs just 4.31p to power the hob for 10 minutes (based on a variable tariff of 34p/kWh), making it the cheapest to run among those we tested.
Conclusion
For the price this is an excellent induction hob, and the fact it's suitable for a range of pan sizes means it's incredibly versatile too. We were also impressed by how cost-efficient it is to run, not to mention it has solid safety credentials, so is certainly a reliable choice for families with smaller children.
electriQ Single Zone Induction Hob Specifications
Wattage: 2000W
Dimensions (cm): 37 x 4 x 29
Sizes available: single and double ring
Materials: stainless steel
Made in: China
Guarantee: One year
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All costs-to-run calculations were done against the variable tariff at the time of testing (34p/kWh), which may have since changed – read more on the current energy price guarantee rates.
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