An induction hob uses induction heating to provide safe, energy efficient and flexible heating of vessels by using multiple coils and a controllable magnetic fluid. In addition, the hob provides increased control over electromagnetic (EM) field spatial distribution in the vicinity of the hob by guiding the EM field through the controllable magnetic fluid, and allows for more precise tuning of each load (which varies with vessel geometry, material properties, and placement) by controlling the volume and spatial distribution of magnetic fluid at each load coil, effectively acting as a tunable inductance in each load.