We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more ›
Hot plates are useful in all sorts of spaces, including a kitchenette, dorm, den, RV, and guest house. Many commercial kitchens even use hot plates for additional stove space. (They’re also great if you’re making Tasty-style recipe videos.) With the right appliances, you can set up a makeshift kitchen anyplace with a power source. There are, however, plenty of dinky hot plates that won’t heat a pot or pan evenly and effectively. Such poorly made portable burners will simply take up space while you order takeout. To help steer your mini kitchen in the right direction, here’s a list of strong and reliable hot plates available today.
Most versatile: iSiLERPortable Induction Cooktop
Amazon
This 1800W glass surface hot plate has nine power levels for different styles of cooking such as simmering, frying, and steaming. There are also eight preset temperature levels, though you can also manually set it to your specific desired temperature up to 460°F. The iSiLER has a wide heating zone that fits pots and pans as wide as 22 cm.
Twice the fun: Cuisinart CB-60P1 Cast-Iron Double Burner
Amazon
This 1800W Cuisinart double hot plate is heavy duty and reliable. Its cast-iron plates help it cook evenly and at high heat. Each burner has six power settings on a dial, functioning more like an electric stove than a temperature-specific induction burner. It has safety features like LED lights to let you know it is switched on and non-slip rubber feet for stable cooking.
Great value: Elite Gourmet Countertop Electric Hot Burner
Amazon
This is a high-value item for its cost. With 1000W of power, it heats to four settings: warm, low, medium, and high. It has few frills but works effectively and is easy to clean due to the sturdy non-stick cast-iron burner. It also has rubber non-slip feet for safety. The red LED will tell you that it is turned on.
Lightest: Ovente 7 Inch Single Hot Plate
Amazon
This tiny 1000W burner cooks with infrared technology on a ceramic glass plate for even temperature control. You can set it to 5 different temperatures up to just above 212°F. Measuring 7 by 9.5 inches, this is especially suited to small spaces or road-trippers. The Ovente also features an LED light and nonslip feet. It is suitable for all types of cookware.