This guide will help narrow down the best countertop hot plates within your budget that fits your needs so you can make quick, great meals without a stove.
Based on our own staff’s experience, in-depth research in premium trade subscriptions, and crunching publicly available user reviews, we’ve curated the thousands of countertop hot plate options on the market for a few that fit each typical use.
Whether you are looking for a quick breakfast & lunch electric cooktop or need to replace an electric stove, the right countertop hot plate is a must-have kitchen appliance for many kitchens.
Here are the details for all the best countertop burner options.
Quick Navigation
CUSIMAX Electric Burner Hot Plate
The CUSIMAX Electric Burner Hot Plate is a mini, portable single-burner electric hot plate that is ideal for student accommodation, office use, camping, parties, RVs, traveling, or any other situation where you don’t have access to a stovetop.
This 1500W hot plate has 7 temperature control heating settings and comes with anti-skid feet to keep it stable while cooking. It’s covered by Product Liability Insurance and comes with a 24-hour customer service policy. The CUSIMAX also comes with the option for a double burner for more cooking space.
- Mini Size & Portable--This single-burner electric hot plate from CUSIMAX can squeeze into small spaces to provide easy and adaptable cooking, it's an ideal choice for student accommodation, office use, camping, parties, RVs, traveling or others. No stovetop required.
- 1500W & Easy to Control--Powered by 1500W cast iron hot plate burner with efficiently 7 temperature control heating settings to accurate electric cooking, allows you to heat up food in seconds to the temperature you want.
- Stable & Safe--The hot plate is durable with stainless steel housing, and its surface is smooth and easy to clean. Bottom is equipped with anti-skid feet, ensures the stability of hot plate, preventing the electric stove from moving during cooking. Automatic safety shutoff function with temperature regulated by a thermostat. Simply wipe with a clean cloth when cool.
- Suitable for All Cookwares--Wide range of applications, the single hot plate burner works with all types of cookware in diameter of 7.4’’: cast iron, stainless steel, aluminum, copper and more.
- Customer Service--All CUSIMAX products are covered by Product Liability Insurance of United States. If there is quality issues, can get free replacement. We will provide the best service and reply within 24 hours.Note: It is normal the machine will get hot because it has higher calorific value when it works.
Cuisinart Cast-Iron Single Burner
The Cuisinart cast-iron single burner adds cooking space to any kitchen – or any place without a kitchen! Its powerful 1300 watts heat up quickly and retain high heat throughout cooking. The “coil-less” Cast iron plate is durable and wipes clean in a snap.
Premium brushed Stainless Steel looks elegant in any setting. A 6-setting temperature control offers total flexibility from low to highest heat – use it to keep foods warm, or to cook an entire meal. Ideal for entertaining and holidays when cooking for a crowd.
And its compact and portable size makes it ideal for small spaces anywhere without a kitchen, such as dorm rooms, boats, patios, or RVs. This is a versatile tool that’s a great addition to any kitchen – big or small!
- Heavy-duty cast iron plate
- 1300-watt large plate
- 6-setting adjustable temperature control from low to highest heat
- Ready and On indicator lights
- "Coil-less" cooking surface for easy cleanup
NuWave PIC Gold Portable, Powerful Induction Cooktop
NuWave PIC Gold Portable, Powerful Induction Cooktop is an easy-to-use countertop cooking appliance that emulates the power of a full-sized stove. You can easily cook meals without having to use traditional methods and you’ll be able to do it much faster than before.
This item includes an 8″ induction heating coil which generates heat directly in your cookware quickly and evenly ensuring no hot or cold spots for a better cooking experience. It also comes with precise temperature control so you can sear a steak at 575°F, warm sauce at 100°F or select from 52 different precise temperature settings with the simple press of a button.
- ADVANCED INDUCTION TECHNOLOGY – The 1500-watt NuWave Precision Induction Cooktop (PIC) Gold made with a series of magnetic induction coils located in the cooking surface. These coils generate magnetic fields that produce a warming reaction in steel and iron-based pots and pans, producing heat directly in the cookware and less residual heat in your kitchen.
- PRECISE TEMPERATURE CONTROL – While other induction cooktops can only cook as low as 100°F or as high as 575°F, with the PIC Gold, you can sear a steak at 575°F or keep sauces warm at 140°F, all with the same unit. The digital temperature controls let you adjust the cooking temperature in 10° increments. It features 100 hours of memory that allows you to program your favorite cooking procedures, as well as a Delay function that allows you to initiate cooking when it's most convenient for you.
- PORTABLE COOKING CAPABILITIES – The PIC Gold lets you cook outside the kitchen. With a lightweight, compact design, you can take the PIC virtually anywhere. As long as you have access to an electric outlet, you can cook in your backyard, in the RV, at the campsite and so much more. You can even adjust the wattage, selecting from 600, 900 or the default 1500 watts with the press of a button.
- SAFE & EFFICIENT – The PIC Gold generates heat directly in the cookware itself, wasting virtually no energy while cooking your food and saving you money on your energy bill. By using no more than 1500 watts, the PIC conserves up to 90% of the energy wasted by traditional gas or electric stoves. And because the PIC Gold doesn’t cook with any open flames or hot coils, the area around the cooktop remains cool. These safety measures greatly reduce the risk of fires and accidental burns.
How To Choose The Best Countertop Hot Plates for Cooking Meals
There are a few considerations to look at when choosing the best countertop hot plate for your cooking area.
Price
Hot plates come in price ranges and you should choose a countertop hot plate that is within your meant variety. A $20 or $30 one will do, but if you find yourself utilizing it day-to-day for big dishes such as roasts and pot roasts which take about 2 to 3 hours to cook at low heat after that a more expensive one will be a much better investment.
Efficiency
The cooking area countertop hot plates that use quartz or glass components heat up very quickly and maintain the warmth at a consistent degree which implies you will not have to transform the heat down as typically. The ones with ceramic components take longer to warm up and they can not maintain the heat as long. The best test is the boiling water test.
Duration
Whether you will utilize your countertop hot plates for cooking meals frequently or once in a short while does not matter; what matters is that it will last longer. The ones with higher wattage and lower resistance (indicated by K/W) do not wear out easily. If possible, spend a bit extra on the ones with higher wattage.
Safety
The best countertop hot plates will automatically shut off when they are not in use or there is some type of malfunction (i.e. overheating protection) – that is the most important safety feature. They should also heat up progressively to prevent accidental burning & fire and provide you an indicator that it has reached your desired temperature to cook food. It should have a simple temperature setting so it’s obvious to manage.
Brand name
When it comes to brands, some have a better reputation for top-quality countertop hot plates. Sticking with these brand names will be the most effective choice so you can use them without fretting whether or not they will last long. Another guideline is the warranty period; if the business gives a lengthy warranty like 2 years after that you can be sure that the hot plates are of high quality.
Size
The size of a countertop hot plate is typically a personal preference, but a compact design will certainly make it difficult to cook large meals on it. A big one allows you to cook bigger dishes conveniently without needing to find different methods for cooking smaller meals.
FAQs about Countertop Hot Plates
Here are some frequently asked questions about countertop hot plates. Keep in mind that this list is meant to be a general guide and may not include all hot plates questions.
How do you clean up after a countertop hot plate?
When you are done with the cookery, clean the countertop hot plates up to get rid of any food droppings and oil buildups for hygienic purposes and safety. Allowing it to cool down before cleansing will prevent burns and spills that can harm or damage your hot plate.
How long is the cord of a countertop hot plate?
The range of a countertop hot plate’s cord will affect how far its plug has to be from the cooking area counter before usage. Putting a hot plate too near a sink or a counter with a long line of outlets can result in water spills and short circuits.
What are countertop hot plates?
These are small appliances to cook food on the go. They have been used for decades in restaurants, bars, and other commercial establishments to cook meals quickly without having to use a full cooker or oven. However, they can now be found in homes where individuals looking for a quick and easy way to cook their meals.
How do countertop hot plates work?
These appliances are connected to an electric outlet and contain a heating element that warms up the cooking surface when turned on. The appliance is divided into two parts: one for heating and one for cooking. The heating section is usually made of ceramic and can be found on top of a flat surface. It can also have a shiny metallic finish to make it look more elegant. The cooking part typically has grooves to allow oil or fat to run off, which prevents smoke from developing while cooking.
What are the benefits of using countertop hot plates?
They save time and energy as they cook your food faster than conventional cooking appliances such as ovens, microwaves, and stoves – similar to appliances like air fryers, sandwich presses, and George Foreman grills. They do not use up much counter space so you can use them even in small kitchens. You can save money as they are cheaper than other cooking appliances such as ovens and stoves. They do not emit harmful fumes to the environment, unlike other cooking apparatuses like a gas burner stove.
Next Steps
Countertop hot plates are a convenient and affordable way to cook food without using an oven or stove. The best hot plate options are easy to clean and come in a variety of sizes to fit your needs. With so many benefits, it’s no wonder these appliances have become popular in homes across the country. If you’re looking for an easy way to cook meals, consider investing in a countertop hot plate.
