Carrying a hot plate is a smarter way to enjoy a good meal no matter where you are. With one, you can easily fix yourself a quality gourmet dish while on the go. Or, you can keep your dip or soup warm throughout the course of an event.
Most of the best countertop burners are incredibly small, which makes them highly portable and ideal for camping and use in tiny spaces such as dorm rooms and RVs.
However, finding the best hot plate can be a crapshoot considering the vast number of products currently available on the market. I mean, there are several things you have to pay attention to such as plate type, burner, size, and others. Right?
All these can be somewhat confusing especially to the inexperienced buyer. Luckily, my team has done all the hard work for you and come up with a list of the hot plate reviews on the counter.
If this sounds good, get ready to simply peruse our list and choose the item that appeals the most to you!
What Is A Hot Plate And How To Use?
Contents
- 1 What Is A Hot Plate And How To Use?
- 2 Our Top 3 Pick
- 3 Our 10 Best Hot Plate Reviews
- 4 1. Duxtop LCD Portable Induction Cooktop
- 5 2. Cuisinart CB-60 Cast-Iron Double-Burner
- 6 3. Cuisinart CB-30 Cast-Iron Single Burner
- 7 4. Ovente Countertop Infrared Burner
- 8 5. Cadco CSR-3T Countertop
- 9 6. Rosewill Induction Cooker Cooktop
- 10 7. NuWave 30242 PIC Gold Precision Induction Cooktop
- 11 8. Kitchen Countertop Cast-Iron Double-Burner
- 12 9. NutriChef Portable Dual 120V Electric
- 13 10. Secura 9100MC Induction Cooktop
- 14 The Best Countertop Burner I Recommend
- 15 Factors to Consider While Shopping
- 16 Conclusion
Also called a countertop burner, a hot plate is typically a portable cooking device that usually comes with a flat surface. You can power it either by gas or electricity depending on the model.
Although hot plates are commonly used as portable heating sources, they could also serve as a suitable replacement for convection ovens and traditional stoves. They usually come in different sizes with one or more burners depending on the size and purpose.
With the exception of the ceramic hot plate, using this is very similar to how you use a traditional stove.
- To commence cooking, just place your pan or pot on the plate then go ahead to turn on to high heat.
- If required, apply your cooking spray to the pan while it’s still cold before you start heating.
- While the pot or pan is heating, add the food you want to cook.
- When you are done, reduce the heat level of the plate from high to medium to allow for steady cooking.
- To prevent burning, use a good spoon or any other suitable utensil to stir the food while it’s on fire.
- Once the food is fully cooked, remove it from the pot and transfer to a plate. And yeah, don’t forget to switch off.
Our Top 3 Pick
Our 10 Best Hot Plate Reviews
Looking for the best countertop burner reviews to substitute or supplement your main cooking appliance? Yeah, I know, that is what brought you here.
It’s time to peruse our list of the best hot plates on the market at the moment. Feel free to choose the model that appeals the most to you depending on your needs.
1. Duxtop LCD Portable Induction Cooktop
The Duxtop Portable Induction Cooktop is a high-quality product from Duxtop that brings a lot to the table. Highly rated in terms of efficiency, this unit delivers enough power to meet most of your cooking needs whether in your kitchen or on the road.
With a potential voltage of 120 volts and a current stream of 15 amperes, you will agree that this model can fit into any home.
You will be impressed by the self-adjusting feature of the burners which makes it possible for the burner to automatically detect the base of your pot or pan and adjust accordingly. The compact design and excellent build of this model is another thing to be intrigued by.
Apart from the compact design and pan detection, there are definitely other features that make the Duxtop LCD stand out from most of its competitors. Some of them include child safety locks, adjustable temperature settings, and power level, and automatic shut off.
Many users have come back to say they found it convenient and space saving. All these combine to make this appliance excellent and extremely suitable for home use. However, it can still be used outside on your patio, cabin house, or even in your office.
In order words, you can carry this appliance to any place of choice and create that cooking space you need to get. Like we mentioned earlier, this cooktop comes with multiple temperature settings and power levels.
You can set temperatures ranging from 140 ̊ F to 464 ̊ F while the power level can be between 200 to 1800 watts. There are ten power levels and temperature settings altogether, which enable you to cook with the required amount of heat for your dishes.
PROS
- Easy and safe to use
- Adjustable temperature and power
- Automatic pan detection
- Low power consumption
- Automatically shuts off after 60 seconds when not in use
- Portable and suitable for all homes
CONS
- Unit is a little noisy
2. Cuisinart CB-60 Cast-Iron Double-Burner
When it comes to stability, there are very few burners that can compete with the Cuisinart CB-60 Cast-Iron Double Burner. Choose this countertop burner if you want a portable heating source that can provide you with an extra cooking surface for your heavy dishes.
This double cast-iron burner is basically the same thing as the CB-30 except for the addition of an extra 500 watts plate. Both plates come with their own switches and indicator lights. So after using the burner, always remember to turn off both of them.
Though the CB-60 is designed to support two pots at one, the plates are a little close to each other, which may be a problem if you’re cooking with two bigger pots at the same time. However, the appliance should serve well for one large bowl and a small pot according to the sizes of the burners.
I advise using the larger burner for your main cooking including boiling water since it uses more power. You can use the smaller burner for keeping your food warm (after preparation) or other simple applications where the steady temperature is required.
If you have a long history with burners, you will agree that uneven conduction of heat is a major problem with most models. Luckily, you won’t experience this problem with this contender.
The choice of cast iron for the plate surfaces also help to ensure even distribution of heat, which will help you prepare beautiful dishes. This, obviously gives the Cuisinart CB-60 a considerable advantage over many similar models.
Like the single burner, it also comes with rubber legs to keep it fixed in one place even if you’re using it in a vehicle that is moving.
Though the cords get really hot when cooking, it should cool within 15 minutes after cooking. So you need to be careful while using it to cook and only store it away after it’s completely cooled.
Overall, this double burner is highly effective and easily overcomes the limitation of the Cuisinart single burner, such as pressure cooking.
PROS
- Comes with rubber legs so it doesn’t slide
- Supports pressure cooking
- Heats up quickly and evenly
- Easy cleaning advantage
- High quality and durable construction
- Highly sturdy and stable
CONS
- Plates are closely placed together
- Cords can get too hot
3. Cuisinart CB-30 Cast-Iron Single Burner
In your quest for the best electric burner, if you’re particularly obsessed with endurance and durability, they might not find a better option than the Cuisinart CB-30 Cast-Iron Single Burner.
And trust me, it’s straightforward to tell why – its sturdy cast-iron plate. Of course, this is not common with every countertop burner you come across in the market.
Given the fact that it uses more watts, you can expect to enjoy more power from this unit compared to its predecessor. To be more exact, the Cuisinart CB-30 works with 1300 watts of power which is responsible for its fast heating as well as its ability to retain the heat generated longer than usual.
With this feature, you can bank on saving more money as you use up less power in cooking your food. Interestingly, this burner comes with indicator lights for safety and temperature control in the form of a knob.
It has up to 6 different temperature settings which make it possible for you to adjust the plate temperature to suit your needs.
Thanks to its coil-less surface, this appliance is much easier to clean compared to most countertop burners on the counter. And since you won’t ever need to detach any coil, you can worry less about damage.
However, when compared to the operation of other top performing best countertop burners, the Cuisinart CB-30 is a little bit slower which shouldn’t be a problem as long as it gets the job done, though we do not recommend it for canning or pressure cooking.
To prevent skidding, the burner is equipped with four rubber legs. So you can rest assured it won’t slide all over the place while in use. Cool?
Overall, the Cuisinart CB-30 is a compact, sturdy and versatile product that promises to make a great value buy. So don’t hesitate to put out your money for it if this catches your fancy.
PROS
- Very easy to clean
- Doesn’t slide while you’re using it
- Comes with a thermostat
- Great for office use
- Convenient to use
CONS
- A little slower
- Not suitable for pressure cooking
4. Ovente Countertop Infrared Burner
The Ovente Countertop Burner might not be the most popular product around, but it will definitely make a value buy for anyone who wants a countertop burner that rates high in terms of performance and durability.
This high-quality burner features a stainless steel and glass construction which helps to guarantee its longevity and sturdiness. It is specially designed to serve you while on the go, so you’re never starved of a good meal.
More so, this unit comes with a glass top which makes it easy to clean; so you won’t have to worry about crumbs or rust. Like the Cuisinart CB-60, it equips two burners which allow you to have two pots on the appliance at the same time.
Though both burners are designed to supply constant heat, using them at the same time for cooking is not advisable as this may affect the power of the burners as well as their cooking speed. True story!
As earlier indicated, the Ovente countertop burner provides steady and even heat, and this is primarily because its heating elements are made up of ceramic and glass. This is extremely important especially in situations where a precisely maintained temperature is essential; for instance, when you want to prepare candy.
Again, the major downside of this is that it takes a little more time to heat up which can be bothersome if you’re rushing to rustle some food or boil water. Many users also noticed a reduced performance regarding cooking speed and power when the two heating elements were used at the same time.
However, in spite of the little limitation, the Ovente countertop burner is still a great product and surely deserves recognition considering its quality and general performance. Don’t hesitate to go for it if you can.
PROS
- Easy and quick to clean
- Highly durable construction
- Great quality in its range
- Available at a reasonable price
CONS
- Slow when both heating elements are used at the same time
5. Cadco CSR-3T Countertop
The Cadco CSR-3T Countertop Hot Plate is a high ranked modern single burner that makes it easy to conveniently add a cooking space to any place without the luxury of a kitchen or any kitchen that needs pimping with an extra burner.
With a powerful 1500 watts and a large 8-inch tubular heating element, this appliance is one of the most potent single burners available for fast-to-heat cooking. In order words, it will make a great bet if you want a hot plate that can retain high heat and allow you to prepare your meals quickly.
Thanks to its solid, simple construction, this appliance is both easy to use and maintain. The clean premium brushed stainless steel housing also makes it to easily blend into any setting while its compact size makes it portable and ideal for small spaces.
So if you need to add a cooking space to your RV, boat, or small cottage house in the woods, then the Cadco CSR-3T burner will make a perfect choice. And even if you decide to add it to your kitchen as an extra burner to supplement your stove, you will find it truly worth it.
The inclusion of a Robertshaw thermostat allows for infinite incremental heat controls which gives you total flexibility in deciding the amount of heat you need to cook your food, while the ON/OFF rocker switch and power light allow you to safely operate the device and know when it’s in use.
Overall, the Cadco CSR-3T is an incredible plate that comes at a very reasonable price. If you need a single burner countertop stove that is ultra-powerful and can deliver high-speed cooking for your money, this stands a good option.
PROS
- Comes at an affordable price
- Allows quick heating
- Elegant and Compact design
- Powerful and space saving
CONS
- Not suitable for large pots with heavyweight
6. Rosewill Induction Cooker Cooktop
To achieve perfect cooking, a similar state cooker is required. And when it comes to the world of induction cooktop, very few models can compare with the Rosewill RHAI-16002 induction cooker cooktop.
Besides meeting all the essential requirement of an induction cooktop, this appliance offers a high degree of sophistication not familiar with similar products in its category. This is why it gets the top spot of professional and best performing portable cooker.
With this unit, there’s no limit to what you can accomplish. If it can be accomplished on an electric or gas burner, then it can be done on Rosewill RHAI-16002, but faster, safer and more efficiently.
With up to eight temperature settings ranging from 150 degrees to 450 degrees and power levels ranging between 300 and 1800 watts, this unit allows you to cook at your desired temperature and finish in lesser time.
For additional convenience and control, you can choose from any one of the five pre-programmed settings – Hot Pot, Stir Fry, Fry, Warm Milk, Soup – depending on what you intend to accomplish. In order words, you can adjust each setting manually to suit your cooking needs.
The inclusion of Warm Setting allows you to maintain your finished dishes warm so that they will remain at serving temperature. This is very important especially if you have family members that don’t eat at the same time.
You will also be impressed by the modern styling of this cooktop, which is greatly enhanced by the shiny crystal surface of the plates, giving the entire appliance an elegant appearance. A large LED display is also included to enable you to know what’s going on within the device.
All these make the Rosewill RHAI-16002 a high-quality cooktop. Finally, this cooktop seems highly efficient and could be the best-priced induction hot plate available at the moment. Even though it’s relatively new in the market, we believe it will make a great buy.
PROS
- Displays what is going on inside the appliance
- Highly efficient unit
- Elegant design to attract compliments
- Great price for what you get
- Powerful and fast
- Easy and safe to use
CONS
- Relatively new in the market (Not even a con, right?)
7. NuWave 30242 PIC Gold Precision Induction Cooktop
If you’re looking for the perfect induction burner for your small space, then the NuWave 30242 PIC Gold Precision Induction Cooktop will make a great bet. It’s not only ideal for saving space but much more comfortable than many models in the same category.
This hot plate comes with two powerful induction burners that can handle even heavy tasks. Not only do you get to boil and cook, but you also get to do it correctly. And thanks to its temperature settings which help you achieve a high degree of precision. You can also regulate the power level to save energy.
Although novice users might find it a little imposing to get around its many buttons and features, once you get used to it, you will find it incredibly useful and powerful for doing almost all your cooking.
With control over power level, time and temperature, this hot plate offer you a high degree of customization not prevalent with many models in the market. You will also be impressed with the automatic shutoff feature which powers down the appliance after you remove your cooking pot or pan.
In other words, even if you forget to turn off the device, it automatically goes off by itself, and much of this can be linked to the induction technology of the appliance.
Overall, this unit is an excellent choice if you desire an induction cooktop that offers punctilious temperature control. More so, it comes with its own 10.5″ Fry Pan. Since it neither produces an open flame nor operates with a hot coil, there’s hardly any risk of fire.
PROS
- Easy and safe to use
- More energy efficient than most ovens
- Multiple temperature setting
- Automatic shut off
CONS
- Doesn’t support every kind of hardware
8. Kitchen Countertop Cast-Iron Double-Burner
If you are thinking of adding another stove to your kitchen but feel space won’t be enough, or you are planning to go for a vacation in the woods and want to eat cooked meals while you’re there, then you will need a reliable portable countertop burner that would fit the bill.
In the case, the Kitchen Countertop Cast-Iron Double-Burner from Durabold is exactly what you need. Whether it’s a convenient cooking equipment for your cottage, an extra burner to serve your guests or a burner to complement your full-size hot stove and save space, this countertop burner will meet every one of these needs.
There’s no better way to avoid unhealthy fast foods when you’re away from home than to carry a good burner along. And with this iconic portable electric stovetop by Durabold, life is so much easier.
This heating unit is not only portable, but it also offers you a wonderful cooking experience whether you’re at home or camping out in the woods. To expand your choice of what dish to cook, this countertop burner offers you four different temperature settings.
The use of die-cast metal for constructing the body also ensures sturdiness and durability. Its compact design makes it fit almost anywhere, whether as a supplement for your home kitchen stove or as a way of adding a cooking space to a dorm room or small vacation cottage or camper van in the woods.
Unlike induction countertop burner which requires their own cookware, the Kitchen Countertop from Durabold supports any kind of pan. Of course, this is not surprising since it’s an electric cooktop burner.
Also, the two burners of this unit are adequately powered. The main burner uses 1000 watts while the other burner uses 700 watts. So you can use the main burner for boiling water or cooking your meals while the lower powered burner may be used for warming or simmering your already prepared dishes.
PROS
- Allows quick heating
- Truly easy to use
- Sturdy and long-lasting
- Comes with non-slip feet
- Portable and suitable for various applications
CONS
- Doesn’t burn fast
9. NutriChef Portable Dual 120V Electric
If you are looking for a good looking cooktop that offers great control and more heating options, then you might want to consider the NutriChef induction cooktop. Built with two heating zones, this cooktop is designed for larger groups especially when you’re on the road. The two panels come with different temperature settings that are independent of each other. This allows you to cook two different meals at the same time using different temperatures. Also included with each panel are an LCD screen and various cooking mode which helps to make temperature control easy and convenient.
An automatic warm function is added to keep your food warm for as long as you want. This is really helpful especially if you don’t plan on eating your food immediately after cooking. A child lock function is also added to the cooktop to make it safe for kids.
Many users have expressed their fascination with the design of this unit. Whether you choose to use it for your campsite or as a backup stove in your home, you will be amazed at the exquisite look it will give to your kitchen.
The only thing you might not like about the unit is the noisy fans, but this is common with two-burner cooktops.
Overall this is a great cooktop that has a lot to offer. Even though it costs more, the double heating surface it provides, as well as its independent heat settings is definitely a saver. You don’t want to miss this one.
PROS
- Double heating surface
- Comes with child safety lock
- Comes with LCD display
- Automatic warm function
- Multiple cooking options
- Elegant design
CONS
- The fan is a bit noisy
10. Secura 9100MC Induction Cooktop
When it comes to the best hot plate reviews, no list will ever be complete without featuring the Secura Induction Cooktop is the best Countertop Burner, and the reason is apparent.
Besides coming from one of the top performing brands in the industry, this product has already attracted a lot of positive feedback as it continues to gain popularity. So what exactly can you expect to get from this fantastic hot plate?
The Secura 9100MC is not just about an appealing frontend even though that’s what you will first notice. Apart from its beautiful black design, this device does pretty well when you put it to action. Even though it has a relatively small size, it is still able to deliver a decent amount of power which can also cook your heavy meals.
The best part is that you get to select suitable values for power and temperature for your food from the settings options. And this is because this unit offers you up to 15 different settings for both temperature and power. It’s the same thing as saying; you can fix almost any meal for yourself. That’s pretty impressive, right?
You will also be happy to know that the Secura 9100MC comes with a built-in timer that keeps you going for almost 3 hours. Like other top end burners, it can be used together with a wide array of cookware, so you don’t have to bother much about getting the right utensils that match with it.
Many users claim, they found it highly versatile and pretty lightweight for a heat source. Besides this, you will also be impressed by the compact design of the unit as well as its promptness and smooth operation.
The only issue with this burner is that it doesn’t work with electric supplies that are 240 volts. In other words, you might have to consider other options on the list if 240 volts is what you’ve got.
Overall, the Secura 9100MC is an incredible plate that comes at a reasonable price. It is robust enough for your kitchen and yet lightweight enough to keep while on the go.
PROS
- Shows error message to help troubleshooting
- Can be used for iron, cast aluminum, cast iron, enamel steel, and stainless steel
- Various power levels and temperature options
- Features a digital control for easy selection
- Auto-pan detection to enhance efficiency
CONS
- Doesn’t support all power sources
The Best Countertop Burner I Recommend
Though I found all these countertop burners to be excellent choices, however, the product that stood out for me was the Cuisinart’s Cast Iron Double Burner. I enjoyed the extra cooking surface and great versatility it offers. I’m intrigued by its interesting features, so I can’t help but recommend it as the best hot plate.
I must admit, this was a tricky choice. And even now, I still don’t consider my decision as absolute. You can’t blame me; most of the products on the list are just so wonderful.
However, since am a stylish person, I found the Cuisinart’s Double Burner more fashionable and I love how it conducts heat evenly. Although the plates are close together, I don’t take this as anything since I hardly cook on both burners at the same time.
Anyway, if this is a problem for you, there are many other options you can choose from.
Factors to Consider While Shopping
Well, a buying guide or what we call the shopping guide is obvious. When you get your feet into the market, you are prone to become confused as hell.
To make sure, you don’t come home with a meaningless piece of shit, here’s is something you need to check!
Plate Type
There are different types of hot plates on the market. The major ones include electric, gas, induction, and ceramic.
Electric hot plates are equipped with self-contained heating elements that rely on electrical power while their gas counterparts rely on a gas source such as propane or natural gas.
The induction plates are usually cold to touch on the surface and employ magnetic induction for heating.
Ceramic hot plates are less accessible and involve heating a ceramic stone plate in a microwave before placing it underneath the item you want to heat. They are mostly used in laboratories.
The hot plate you decide to settle for will highly depend on your needs and preference. You also need to think about safety. The electric and induction countertop burner is without doubts the safest options. But what if you don’t have electricity?
Portability
Don’t forget the reason why you want to buy in the first place – portability. This is essential especially if you’re planning to travel with the device.
For instance, a double burner plate might not be convenient for travel since it is likely going to occupy a lot of space in your luggage. However, it could make a perfect choice for your RV or as a supplement or backup for your kitchen stove.
Also, a glass-top burner might be lightweight for travel, but it may break easily when carelessly handled.
Though ceramic coil plates are strong and less prone to damage, they tend to weigh more than other models. You need to consider all these, so you get a hot Plate that fits your need.
Temperature Control
It is crucial that you buy a countertop burner that will give you adequate control over temperature. A burner that’s difficult to control could affect the quality of your meals or prove very difficult and unsafe to handle.
You could choose a model that doesn’t overheat or take a lot of time to warm up. Since the wattage of the device greatly determines this, it is better to go for a burner that can progressively attain high temperatures.
In this case, if you’re buying a double burner, you might want to choose a model that comes with a large and small burner.
Power
The first thing (and probably the most important factor) to look out for when buying a hot Plate is wattage. This will go a long way to determine the efficiency and usefulness of a particular model.
Burners that take too long to boil usually come with heating elements that are underpowered. To save yourself long hours of waiting, you need to go for a wattage rating that will be useful to you.
For cooking meals or boiling water, high wattage is generally preferred to get the work done in less time. Nonetheless, it’s also important not to go too high. Hot plates that carry a lot of wattages generally consume a lot of power and can quickly burn your food.
Conclusion
There you have it – the best hot plates review 2018. I must admit, it was difficult to select these few from the many top models in the market. Thankfully, we did a great job, and it’s now up to you to pick the best countertop burner that suits your needs.
Each product we’ve reviewed above is not only among the best performing burners but also the best ones that are worth investing in.
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