The Best Hot Plates In 2023

Top 5 Best Hot Plates 2023:

1. Cuisinart CB-30 Cast-Iron Single Burner
2. Cuisinart CB-60P1 Cast-Iron Double Burner
3. Cusimax Hot Plate Portable Electric Stove Countertop Single Burner
4. SUNAVO Electric Infrared Burner 1200W Hot Plate
5. Duxtop 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop Countertop Burner

Do you remember your college days when “cooking” in your dorm room mostly meant preparing bowl after bowl of ramen noodles?

Or that camping trip when you were little, and your mom somehow managed to cook a homey meal even though you were miles away from home?

What about that time when you and your significant other were just two newlyweds renovating their kitchen? 

Can you guess what all these different memories and scenarios have in common? 

That’s right – a hot plate. 

Whether you have fond memories of this handy little appliance or not, the truth is, hot plates have come a long way. The days of wobbly, unevenly-heated electric burners are long gone. 

These days, the best hot plate is a proper piece of cutting-edge technology with functional and space-saving design – and a powerful and uniform performance, too. 

And today, we’ll help you pick the right one for the job! 

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5 Best Hot Plates In 2023: Detailed Reviews  

1. Cuisinart CB-30 Cast-Iron Single Burner – Best Single-Burner Hot Plate 

Cuisinart is one of those well-known, trusted brands that most people would turn to for household appliances, so you shouldn’t be surprised to see it on our list. Plus, if you’re on the market for something durable and reliable, know that very few options come close to the heavy-duty Cuisinart CB-30. 

The combination of the cast iron plate and the brushed stainless steel housing makes this single burner the definition of durability. 

And yes, its performance matches its “functional but straightforward” looks. The 1300 watts of power and six different heat settings lend this single-burner hot plate more than enough for most cooking tasks. 

Also, bonus points for the “On” and “Ready” indicator lights; it’s the tiny details like this that make a world of difference from a user’s standpoint. 

Cooking is fun, but cleaning up afterward? Not so much. 

Well, we’re glad to report that, since this is a sealed burner with no exposed coils, the Cuisinart CB-30 is a breeze to clean. Best of all, it comes with a set of rubber feet, so it won’t slide all over the place while you’re trying to cook. 

It’s a little slow getting up to the desired temperature, but given its efficient heat retention, that shouldn’t be a deal-breaker. 

2. Cusimax Hot Plate Portable Electric Stove Countertop Single Burner – Best Budget-Friendly Electric Hot Plate

Next up, we have the Cusimax – an excellent one-burner hot plate for those looking for a compact, budget-friendly solution for cooking in a pinch. 

Equipped with a 7.4-inch cast iron heating plate and 1500 watts of power, this little guy can accommodate any type of cookware, as long as you stick to the 7.4-inch diameter limit. 

Design-wise, it’s basic-looking – but not in a bad way. The matte black finish of the stainless steel housing, complete with two brushed metal knobs – one that acts as an On/Off switch and one that serves as a temperature control dial – not only looks good but ensures durability, too. 

You’re getting seven heat settings here, ranging from 392 to 1162 degrees Fahrenheit, as well as a single indicator light to show when the unit is actively heating. 

But beyond all that, we appreciate the multiple safety features incorporated in its design. 

Besides the rubber feet to keep it firmly in place – no one wants a hot plate that slides all over the place – it also comes with a thermal fuse to ensure overheating protection. The automatic shut-off function will kick in whenever things get too hot. 

3. SUNAVO Electric Infrared Burner 1200W Hot Plate – Best Portable Hot Plate

The whole idea behind hot plates is to give you an alternative heating source packed in a compact, highly portable frame. And when it comes to portability, a couple of inches here and a few pounds there make a world of difference. 

So, if you want something genuinely compact and travel-friendly, we suggest that you give the SUNAVO hot plate a shot. 

The whole thing measures 12.1 x 10.9 x 3.7 inches and weighs a mere three pounds, featuring a ceramic glass burner ring and stainless steel construction. Better yet, it comes with two heat-insulated handles, making it safe and easy to move without the risk of burning yourself. 

Don’t let the compact frame fool you, though; with 1200 watts of power and a temperature control knob with six heat settings, this SUNAVO hot plate is anything but underpowered. 

Also, we appreciate the lack of a learning curve with this unit – the simple design contributes to its overall usability. 

As for safety, it does come with automatic overheat protection and will shut off when the temperature gets too high – and turn back on when things return to normal. 

4. Duxtop 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop Countertop Burner – Best Induction Hot Plate 

If you’d prefer an induction hot plate – even with the potential risk of having to buy a new set of induction-compatible cookware – this Duxtop countertop burner is certainly an option worth considering. 

The hot plate offers ten different power levels, ranging from 200 to 1800 watts for maximum efficiency, and allows you to adjust the temperature anywhere from 140 to 460 degrees Fahrenheit. 

You can make these adjustments and set it up for virtually any cooking task using the intuitive digital control panel. That’s where you’ll find the hot plate’s built-in timer with one-minute increments for up to 170 minutes, too. 

The self-adjusting burners are another intriguing feature worth noting here. They detect the size of your cookware and adjust accordingly, which is incredibly handy. Even more so, after 60 seconds without the pan detected on the surface, the unit’s safety mechanism kicks in and shuts it down automatically. 

Besides being compact and relatively lightweight – it weighs only 6.53 pounds – this induction hot plate is also an incredibly sleek and stylish addition to your kitchen. More importantly, the polished glass surface makes it super easy to clean, too. 

5. Cuisinart CB-60P1 Cast-Iron Double Burner – Best Double-Burner Hot Plate 

Okay, it’s time to revisit Cuisinart for a second. The thing is, some of you may need the convenience and versatility of a double-burner hot plate. If that’s the case, none of the models you saw previously will cut it, no matter how good they are. 

Enter Cuisinart CB-60P1 – a double-burner alternative to the Cuisinart’s single version. It shares the design and primary functions of its smaller cousin but packs an additional cast iron plate and 500 watts of power to boot. 

You’re getting the same robust, stainless steel housing, heavy-duty, sealed cast iron burners, and non-slip rubber feet for added stability. Thanks to the closed-off heating elements, clean-up is quick and easy – a plus in our book. 

The larger burner has 1300 watts of power and serves as the main cooking surface; the smaller, 500-watt one is best used as a secondary heating element. 

They may split their power, but each burner comes with its temperature control dials – both with six different settings – as well as “On” and “Ready” indicator lights. 

It does need around 15 minutes to cool down after cooking, though, so be sure not to store it immediately.

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Which Factors To Consider When Choosing The Best Hot Plate?  

Besides our round-up of the best hot plates, it’s equally as important – if not more – to check out this buying guide, as well. 

That way, you’ll understand the factors that need to be considered when choosing the best hot plate for your home, which will ultimately contribute to a more informed purchase decision. 

So, let’s get to it!

1. Plate Type 

With so many different types of hot plates available on the market, finding the right one probably seems like a daunting task. 

But as long as you keep your needs and preferences in mind, picking one shouldn’t be that hard. And to help you out, we’ll even break down the three most popular hot plate types for you: 

• Electric Hot Plates – Many will enjoy the convenience of an electric hot plate – whether it’s an integrated- or exposed-coil, or a glass top one – because they’re the most versatile and don’t require an additional fuel source. Get to a power outlet, and you’ll be good to go. 
• Gas Hot Plates – One of the main perks of having a gas hot plate is that you don’t need electricity to power it, which makes them the go-to choice for camping. Some run on natural gas, while others come with an included propane fuel container for maximum convenience and portability. 
• Induction Hot Plates – These utilize an electromagnetic field to radiate heat directly into your cookware without getting as hot as the other types of hot plates, which makes them a good choice safety-wise. You’ll probably have to get a matching set of induction-compatible cookware, though. 

See Also: The Best Induction Range

2. Power 

The next – and arguably the most important – factor to consider is the actual power of the heating element, expressed in watts. 

Getting a hot plate with the right wattage goes a long way in determining its usefulness and efficiency: 

A hot plate can have all the right features and an attractive and portable design, but if its heating elements are underpowered, something as simple as boiling a pot of water will turn into a time-consuming task. See Also: The Best Pasta Pot

So, yes, higher wattage is generally better – you’ll get stuff done in less time. That doesn’t mean that you should go overboard power-wise, though: 

While an insanely high power rating of a particular unit may seem tempting at first, keep in mind that such units are extremely power-hungry. You’ll not only find yourself wasting a lot of power but increase your chances of burning your food accidentally, too. 

3. Temperature Control & Other Features 

Being able to set the temperature of the hot plate according to your needs, is a feature that shouldn’t be overlooked. 

The more basic options will probably only have an On/Off switch – and there’s nothing wrong with that – but you may notice the lack of adequate control over the temperature affecting the quality of your meals. 

Get one with three basic temperature settings, at the very least. Some control over the cooking temperature is still better than nothing, especially when preparing different types of dishes. 

If you want ultimate control over the cooking temperatures, though, go with a more advanced option that will allow you to set your hot plate’s exact temperature. 

Here are a few more features that may make the hot plate a bit more user-friendly: 

• Built-in timer for tracking cooking time
• On/Off switch with a power indicator 
• Easy-to-read display 
• Cool-touch surface 
• Magnetic stirrer 
• Child lock and other safety mechanisms 

4. Size & Portability 

Lastly, don’t forget to factor in the reason why you’re buying a hot plate – its compact size and portability. These factors become even more important if you travel a lot and need a hot plate that will fit in your luggage or serve as a stove replacement in your RV. 

That said, if you do need a portable hot plate, you should pay attention to more than just its size and weight – the materials used in its construction dictate how travel-friendly a particular model is. 

For instance, glass-top burners are generally lightweight enough for traveling, but they may break more easily. Ceramic ones, on the other hand, are less prone to damage in transit but tend to weigh more. 

Oh, and be sure to consider the hot plate’s capacity, too. 

A single-burner one would be more than enough for preparing small meals for one or two people at a time. Anything larger than that, and you’ll probably need a double-burner hot plate. 

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Our Final Thoughts & Recommendations 

The thing about hot plates is that they can be used in a wide variety of different settings and situations. 

For example, some of you may prefer a compact, single-burner hot plate that could easily fit in your dorm room, like the Cuisinart CB-30 Cast-Iron Single Burner. 

Others, however, may be looking to replace a traditional stove with a robust hot plate that has more than one burner, like this Cuisinart CB-60P1 Cast-Iron Double Burner. These are our personal favorites – and you should pick the best hot plate according to your needs and preferences, too. Your kitchen, your rules!