Best Hot Plates & Hobs for 2021
Keep your food hotter for longer.
When it comes to convenience, mobility and saving on space, a regular oven doesn’t always cut it. Whether you’re on the move, in search of a compact, stand-alone appliance or simply looking to condense your kitchen, a hot plate or portable hob are the ideal options. Keep reading to find the best hot plate or hob for your needs.
What Is a Hot Plate?
Simply put, a hot plate and a hob are flat, heated surfaces that works as a flameless stove. Hot plates and hobs are both portable and smaller in size than a standard stove top. Hot plates and hobs are light, easy to transport and store away, making them a firm favourite amongst students, campers, mobile-home owners and anyone without space for a full oven. It’s worthwhile to know that hot plates and hobs come in a range of materials which provide their own sets of pros and cons, so a little research will help you choose the best hot plate for you.
Best Hot Plates & Hobs for 2021
The best hot plates and hobs available are broken down by heat type, material, features and number of burners.
Best Hot Plate & Hob Heat Types
When choosing the best hot plate or hob, you have the choice between an electric or induction heat source. Although both require an electric power source, they differ in the way they conduct heat.
Electric Hot Plates & Hobs
Electric hot plates and hobs have an electrical wire that is housed within flattened metal coils. When you turn the hot plate on, electricity runs through the coils, causing the burner to emit heat. This heat then transfers to the pan or pot placed on the surface.
Pros: This is the best hot plate or hob for you if you’re in search of a cost-effective option.
Electric hot plates and hobs are compatible with any type of cookware that you may already have. Do bear in mind that glass is a poor conductor, so a glass kettle will take much longer to heat up. Do not use ceramic on the electric hot plate or hob. Other than that, you can keep your current set of pots and pans instead of having to replace them for compatibility.
Cons: Electric hot plates and hobs can take longer to heat up and cool down. Slower heating will extend your cooking time, and slower cooling will require more caution once finished. Not all electric hot plates or hobs are overly slow with heating and cooling time, so don’t immediately discard them as a choice. Electric hot plates and hobs do need to be plugged in, making them suitable for only those with a nearby power source.
Induction Hot Plates & Hobs
Induction cooking uses electrical induction rather than electrical heating elements. Electrical induction is produced via a copper wire beneath the plate. When you place your pan on the surface, an alternating electric current passes through it, producing magnetism which in turn produces electricity.
Pros: Thanks to the method of induction, the electric current passes directly into the cookware, rather than through the cooktop. The surface remains cool, and it’s unlikely that you'll burn yourself, making this the best hot plate for safety. Your pots and pans will have increased longevity because the even heating prevents hot spots on your cookware.
Cons: Due to the need for an electric current, pots and pans that are not ferromagnetic will not work on the induction hot plate. Compatible cookware includes stainless steel and cast iron (but not copper). Unfortunately, this means that you will have to replace any of your cookware that is not compatible. An induction hot plate and hob use an electric power source and will need to be plugged in to work.
Stainless Steel Hot Plates & Hobs
The best hot plate and hob for durability and strength is stainless steel.
Pros: This fire and rust-resistant material heats up quickly and lasts a long time if you maintain and clean it properly. Stainless steel hot plates and hobs can either have a coil or be coiless. Coiless hot plates and hobs have a more modern look, whereas coiled can come with or without a coil. Hot plates and hobs without coils have a more modern look, whereas hot plates and hobs with coils can look less aesthetically pleasing.
Cons: A hot plate or hob without a coil tends to be a little easier to clean because of its flat surface. A hot plate or hob with a coil has many gaps where dirt can fall through, making it more difficult to clean. Keep an eye out for hot plates with removable coils to make cleaning a breeze. Just be sure to avoid scrubbing the surface with an abrasive material to prevent scratching.
Ceramic Hot Plates & Hobs
The best cookware to use on a ceramic cooktop is stainless steel, carbon steel, titanium and anodised aluminium.
Pros: Non-stick ceramic hot plate or hob cooktops are extremely easy to clean. If you’re looking for a more visually pleasing option, ceramic is the best hot plate or hob as it's sleek, modern-looking and has no protruding coils.
Cons: When cleaning, avoid using an abrasive scouring pad, as it could scratch the surface. Porcelain, enamel, glass and stone cookware should not be used on a ceramic hot plate or hob as they can scratch the surface or melt.
Tempered Glass Hot Plates & Hobs
Ceramic and tempered glass hot plates and hobs are almost entirely interchangeable. The difference is that tempered glass has been strengthened through thermal or chemical treatment.
Pros: Tempered glass hot plates and hobs are easy to clean and fit in well with a sleek kitchen theme.
Cons: These hot plates and hobs are prone to scratches, so you’ll need to be particularly careful. Tempered glass can withstand a constant temperature of 250°C, so be sure to avoid placing extremely hot pots and pans on the surface to avoid this.
Hot plates and hobs offer a number of features which are important to consider, particularly depending on where you plan to use your hot plate or portable hob.
Hot Plates & Hobs With Adjustable Temperatures
This type of hot plate and hob functions as a stove by providing varying temperatures rather than one constant setting.
Pros: With a range of temperatures to choose from, you’ll be able to cook a variety of dishes while your hot plate or hob maintains the heat setting you require. The adjustable temperature maintains a steady heat which allows it to be used as a warming plate when set to the lowest temperature setting.
Cons: Hot plates and hobs with adjustable temperatures tend to be a little more costly than those without.
Hot Plates With Power Light Indicators
A power light indicator is a quick way to know if your hot plate or hob is switched on or off.
Pros: When the light is lit, your hot plate or hob is on, and when the light isn’t glowing, your hot plate or hob is off. It’s unlikely that you’ll find an induction hot plate or hob without this feature, as they all come with LED displays, whereas electric hot plates and hobs do not.
Cons: Hot plates and hobs with power indicators can cost a little more than those without.
Auto Shut Off Hot Plates & Hobs
If you’re a little forgetful or looking for an additional safety feature, a hot plate or hob with an auto shut off feature is the best option for you.
Pros: The auto shut off feature works a little differently between the induction and electric hot plate and hob. Once the pot or pan has been removed from an induction hot plate or hob, it will automatically shut off. This is because there is no longer the induction connection from the plate to the pot, ensuring that the hot plate or hob is only on when being used. With electric hot plates, and hobs the auto shut off feature acts as a thermostat and a thermal fuse. The thermostat helps to maintain the desired temperature while cooking. The thermal fuse protects the hot plate from overheating by automatically shutting the hot plate or hob off when it reaches a temperature that is dangerously high. This feature helps to prevent overheating and fire hazards. Additionally, auto shut off helps protect and preserve your hot plate’s longevity.
Cons: If you are moving your cookware from the hot plate or hob and intend to immediately return it to the cooktop, the auto shut off feature can be inconvenient. Otherwise, this is an excellent feature to have.
Hot plates come with either one or two burners. The one you choose will depend on the amount of space you have as well as how much you plan to cook.
One-Burner Hot Plates & Hobs
One-burner hot plates are the most commonly purchased kind.
Pros:A hot plate or hob with one burner is ideal for those short on space, those looking for a quick cooking solution or anyone who do not plan to cook often. Single-burner hot plates and hobs are easy to store once cooled and take up very little counter space. Single burners are perfect for small meals, students and those looking to save a little money on food when staying at a hotel.
Cons: With a single burner, you will only be able to cook with one pot at a time, making it slightly inconvenient for preparing multiple dishes.
Two-Burner Hot Plates & Hobs
If you have space to spare and intend on cooking multiple dishes, a two burner hot plates and hobs are the best choices for you.
Pros: A double burner is the best hot plate or hob for a long-term investment. The double burners work individually, allowing you to cook two dishes at different temperatures if necessary.
Cons: Two burners do take up a little more space, making storage less convenient.
No matter what your needs are, there is a hot plate or hob to meet all of them. Whether a long-term piece or a short-term solution, you can find the best hot plate and hob for you.
