The Best Hot Plate of 2020

Whether you need one extra countertop burner to finish your big cooking project in time or a place to cook your favorite dish when traveling, a hot plate will become a real life saver.

A single electric burner will give you the possibility to enjoy your cooking routine on the patio while your hiking trip will become considerably more comfortable with the best portable induction cooktop.

The constant development of technologies for portable hot plates and tabletop stoves has given the customers a choice of most various models ranging in their features and prices. Today, one can find an effective and affordable electric burner for occasional use just as easily as an upscale hot plate with stylish design and excellent performance.

What is the Best Hot Plate to Buy

Before considering which type of the hot plate to buy, you should pay attention to the next features of your electric single burner.

1. Heating Source

The majority of hot plate models available now in the market require electricity. Nevertheless, there are also different options for those who would need their burner to use an alternative power source.

Today, one can choose a glass, ceramic, propane, cast-iron, or induction hot plate. The latter is especially valued for its safety in comparison with other types of hot plates.

2. Performance 

The quicker a portable hot plate can make a pot of water boil, the better it is in terms of performance. This is one of the key characteristics taken into account by the buyers.

3. Wattage

This is an important feature to focus on when choosing the best electric hot plate. Low wattage means you will be able only to warm your food while high wattage suggests the ability to fully cook a meal (which also includes the risk of burning). We recommend opting for a sensible medium.

4. Portability

When traveling, the portability of a cooking plate is vital. To make the best choice, take into account your specific requirements and traveling conditions that a single burner hot plate needs to fit into.

A double burner hot plate is great for cooking big portions of food. However, it is large and heavy, which means you would most probably need a big car to take it with you. A ceramic model might turn out to be inconvenient due to its weight. A glass cooking plate will require little space in comparison but it is easy to break.

5. Temperature Control 

The usability of a heating plate greatly depends on the temperature control option. It provides a comfortable way of perfectly heating your food to the desired condition. Take into account the power source of the model and its wattage, which should ideally be high enough to perform heating quickly.

When choosing a double burner hot plate, different temperature limits for each burner are a handy feature. A thermostat knob will make the temperature adjustment process super easy.

6. Safety

Since cooking on a hot plate always includes the risk of minor injuries, opt for a model equipped with safety features. Best rated hot plates with a panel lock and nonskid feet will be a perfect choice for parents.

7. Price

The price range for electric hot plates goes from $10 to $200. As a rule, the higher the price tag is, the better the performance, temperature control, and the general quality is.

Hot Plate Reviews

Best Overall

Max Burton 6400 Digital Choice

Max Burton hot plate
$11.99

Amazon Customer Reviews


Pros:

  • Highest boiling time among competitors
  • Burner surface cooking evenly
  • Usable digital controls

Cons:

  • Large size
  • Ferrous cookware required
  • A comparatively high price tag

This model proves to be the best hot plate not only for quickly boiling water but for cooking gentle food like crepes, which were perfectly cooked at both sides with chocolate delicately melted during our tests.

This electric heating plate gives the user much freedom in terms of temperature control with its various heat settings, simmer and boil buttons, all having an easy-to-clean flat surface. Moreover, this heating plate has a design with safety features in mind — it is not that easy to move it on the countertop, especially for kids.

On the downside, this Max Burton induction hot plate is quite big, which might be inconvenient when traveling. Also, it requires ferrous cookware, so you might need to buy some new ones.

However, taking all its functional features into account, this model seems to be one of the best hot plates for cooking at home, in your summer cottage, or in a dorm.

Best Value

Continental Electric CE23309 1100-Watt

Continental hot plate
$11.99

Amazon Customer Reviews


Pros:

  • Faster chocolate melting when compared to other hot plate reviews
  • Smallest weight among the competitors reviewed
  • Low price tag

Cons:

  • Scarce safety features
  • Burner surface cooking not as evenly as competitors do
  • Comparatively short cord

If you are looking for a small hot plate for a reasonable price, this model is a real value for money.

It is lightweight and compact, which makes it a great companion on your trips. Despite its low weight, it still provides enough surface for cooking a basic meal.

This electric hot plate has all the necessary features for an undemanding user but obviously can’t compete with high-end models in terms of complex functions and safety features.

It has only three power levels and is not equipped with a lock or an automatic switch-off function. Its comparatively short cord might also be a problem in cases when it is hard to reach the power outlet.

Best Iron Plate

Nesco SB-01 Single Burner

Nesco hot plate
$11.99

Amazon Customer Reviews


Pros:

  • Automatic switch-off safety feature
  • Comparatively longer cord
  • Does not require specific cookware

Cons:

  • Comparatively lower boiling time
  • Dials instead of numbered heat and power controls
  • Fewer safety features next to competitors

Due to its nature, the iron burner of this model cooks much more evenly on all its surface in comparison with the coil hot plates (although still not as evenly as induction hot plates do).

Unlike many of its iron burner competitors, the Nesco SB-01 is equipped with such safety features as an automatic switch-off function and nonskid rubber feet preventing the appliance from sliding on the kitchen countertop.

The temperature and power adjustment are performed with the dials (so better keep your children away from them). A comparatively longer cord add to the usability of this model. All these features are packed in an attractive modern design that will please the eye each time you enter your kitchen or dorm room.

Best Safety Features

Sunpentown SR-1884SS 1650-Watt

Sunpentown hot plate
$11.99

Amazon Customer Reviews


Pros:

  • Safety features including a panel lock and an automatic shut-off.

Cons:

  • High price tag.

A panel lock is an invaluable feature for parents who want to prevent their children from playing with the plate controls. Next, this best buy hot plate is equipped with nonskid feet that enable the appliance to firmly sit on the countertop. Also, the Sunpentown hot plate has an automatic switch-off function added to the timer.

Moreover, this temperature controlled hot plate cools down quite quickly and has a body that stays comparatively cool to the touch even in the process of cooking.

This model is not a very small one, weighing 5.5 pounds. However, with a long 56-inch cord, it is the best hot plate for cooking at home.

Greatest Temperature Range

Secura 9100MC 1800-Watt

Secura hot plate
$11.99

Amazon Customer Reviews


Pros:

  • The widest temperature range among competitors we reviewed
  • Lightweight

Cons:

  • Safety features do not include a panel lock

According to induction hot plate reviews, this induction hot plate can heat your food in the range between 140 and 460 degrees Fahrenheit (60—238 degrees Celsius) giving you a choice of 15 heat options. This level of temperature control allows to gently melt chocolate or cook a thick sugar syrup with ease. Apart from such an outstanding temperature range, this 1800-watt hot plate demonstrates excellent performance.

A Few Tips for Using a Hot Plate

  • It is normal for a new hot plate to release some unpleasant smell when it is switched on for the first time. This happens because the new materials or paint are being heated. This is why when using your best single burner hot plate for the first time, let it heat for a few minutes without placing any food on it. Also, if you have kids, ask them to leave the room until the smell disappears.
  • Start cooking with your new hot plate only after all the unpleasant smells completely disappear.
  • Note that the major portable electric hot plates normally turns off automatically when reaching its highest temperature. Similarly, it automatically starts heating again after having cooled down. This feature helps you save energy and prevent food from burning.
  • Some models of hot plates for cooking are equipped with a thermal fuse used for temperature control.
  • Even the best hot plates aren’t designed to serve for a lifetime, so their shelf life usually isn’t long. However, if you don’t use your electric single burner every single day, it might serve you for quite a long period of time until it starts wearing out.
  • A comparatively simple design allows easy maintenance and repair in case of any troubles.

Never leave a hot plate unattended, as it could pose a fire hazard if used irresponsibly. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby, and always unplug your best portable hot plate when it’s not in use.

FAQs

1. What are the differences between electric, induction, and gas hot plates?

As you think about the best hot plate for your situation, you will see labels like electric, induction, and gas. An electric hot plate plugs into any standard 110-volt outlet. It uses electricity to heat the surface that the pan sits on.

An induction hot plate also runs on electricity, but it relies on magnetic induction to transfer energy directly into the cooking pan. The actual surface does not heat up, and the risks of burning yourself or starting a fire are low.

Gas hot plates use either butane or propane to produce an open flame burner like a gas range. These offer the advantage of not needing electricity. If you look at the best hot plate reviews, you will notice that Max Burton and Gas One represent quality brands for butane hot plates. Gilson is a reputable brand for propane hot plates, especially if you need one for rugged outdoor conditions.

2. Is it safe to use a gas hot plate inside?

Always refer to the user manual for your specific gas hot plate to confirm its safety for indoor use. Some butane models are safe for indoor cooking, but many gas hot plates are only intended for outdoor applications.

3. What are the pros and cons of induction hot plates?

These appliances generally please people with fast heating, low energy use, and safety. They are easy to clean as well because food will not burn against the induction surface.

To use one successfully, however, you will need to have cooking pans that contain ferrous materials like cast iron or sometimes stainless steel. Also be aware that the magnetic field necessary for induction interferes with digital thermometers.

4. How do I clean a hot plate?

In general, you can clean burned food and grime off of the hot plate with oven cleaner. Oven cleaners are very caustic and require that you have ventilation and wear gloves to prevent skin contact.

As an alternative to oven cleaner, prepare a baking soda paste. Add just enough water to baking soda to create a paste and then apply it to the dirty areas. Let it dry and then spray it with vinegar or lemon juice. The resulting chemical reaction will bubble and dissolve dirt. Wipe away the residue after the bubbling stops.

Brenda Barnett

Brenda studied art at the University of Vermont, but while doing her art she started a cheesecake company as a way to earn extra money. Then her passion for baking was born. Now she has more than 20 years of experience of cooking and testing kitchen products.

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