Hot plates and portable hobs are ultimately flat, heated surfaces used as flameless stoves, ideal for a number of uses, even if you already have a full cooking set-up at home.
Why should I buy a hot plate?
Given their portable nature, hot plates are especially useful for travelling, whether that’s camping or staying in hotels and looking to save money by cooking your own meals. Most hot plates on the market will simply need to be plugged into an electrical hook-up and can be used immediately. As such, they’re also ideal for students, mobile-home owners, or anybody with limited space as they’re perfect for whipping up meals from scratch, warming leftovers or keeping food at its optimal temperature.
Even if you do have a fully equipped kitchen set up, hot plates can also come in handy when cooking larger meals, for families or special occasions, offering additional hob space which can then be easily stored when not needed.
Given their versatility, many different hot plates are offered with a range of differing styles available with various add-ons.
What are the different types of hot plates?
When it comes to categorising hot plates, heat sources and manufacturing materials are key aspects to consider. A range of hot plate styles are available, each with its own pros and cons. Traditional electric hot plates are by far the most popular, using simple and affordable technology to work. While dependable and easy to use, some electric hot plates take longer to heat up and cool down, ultimately extending cooking time and requiring more caution after cooking.
Induction hot plates are also popular, with induction technology keeping the hot plate cool while the pot gets hot due to the use of electromagnetism to excite the metal at the base. In addition to the surface remaining cool, your pots and pans will have more longevity as the even heating prevents hot spots. The catch, however, is that not all pans are suitable for induction cooking. Stainless steel and cast iron pans will be fine, but anything not ferromagnetic (such as copper) won’t work.
Infrared glass/ceramic hot plates are also becoming increasingly popular, using newer technology than standard electric hot plates. These particular models are generally aesthetically pleasing and easy to clean. With that in mind, you should avoid cleaning with anything too abrasive and only certain pans should be used on these hot plates to avoid scratching or melting the surface.
What features should I look out for when buying a hot plate?
Once you’ve decided on your ideal material and heat source, there are some other factors to consider. If you’re looking for something especially low cost, you may decide to settle on a model with fewer additional features, yet the best hot plates are those with adjustable temperatures rather than one constant setting. Other higher-end models have power light indicators and built-in safety features such as automatic shut-off, cool-touch surfaces and anti-slip rubber feet. While one-burner hot plates are the most commonly purchased and arguably the most practical, two-burner hot plates are also available, which are ideal for cooking multiple dishes or dishes which require different pans.
When deciding on which hot plate to buy, it’s worth noting the power wattage (most range from 1,000 to 1,800 watts), the burner size, which may affect the size of the cookware you can use, portability, temperature range and ease of use.
How we chose the best hot plates
All of the featured hot plates were tested in a home kitchen, with various criteria taken into consideration. The key focuses were the quality of the product and food produced, ease of use and cleaning, power, portability, basic functionality and value for money.
Shop the best below
VonShef Single Induction Hob
VonShef’s Single Induction Hob uses induction technology to heat the entire pan, making it a reasonably suitable alternative to gas hobs. In addition to 10 power settings, ranging from 200-2000 watts, the hot plate also has a generous 10 heat settings, ranging from 60-240oC. As such, it’s ideal for a wide number of purposes, from gentle simmering through to boiling, deep frying and stir-frying.
Suitable for induction pans with a base diameter of 12-20cm, the single induction hob is fairly durable with simple touch controls, an LED display and a timer which works in five-minute intervals. If your pans are broadly induction-suitable, the VonShef Single Induction Hob is a must-try.
Buy now £42.99, VonHaus
Daewoo Double Stainless Steel Hot Plate Tray
Best for: hob-tray combo
This double hot plate from Daewoo is bulkier than standard single-hob hot plates, but provides greater versatility for cooking meals that require two pans. With five thermostatic control settings for each hob, you can heat two different pans at varying temperatures if necessary, with a handy indicator light.
The hobs do take a while to heat up and cool down once turned off, but the clean design, versatility and value for money make this a good option for most hot plate needs.
Buy now £34.99, OnBuy
Tefal Everyday Induction Portable Hob
A versatile ceramic hot plate, Tefal’s Everyday Induction Portable Hob has multiple cooking functions, with six pre-set options such as stew, stir fry, deep fry, boil water and heat milk – the latter of which warms it up to an ideal temperature of 85oC and prevents the liquid from boiling over. As well as being aesthetically pleasing and scratch-proof, the hot plate is also suitable for families thanks to its cool-touch induction technology. It is worth noting, however, that not all pans will work on the hob.
While temperature control isn’t offered, per se, the hot plate’s manual setting does give some flexibility, though it’s not necessarily the best option for slow-cooking. Otherwise, although at the higher end of the price scale, it’s a high-quality option with multiple functions.
Buy now £67.97, Amazon
Progress EK4353P Single Hot Plate
The Progress EK4353P Single Hot Plate comprises a 1500-watt hob with variable heat settings for cooking at the optimum temperature and a useful power indicator light. In addition to integrated carry handles which make it easier to transport the hot plate, the unit is also easy to clean and has non-slip feet for added safety.
On the first use, the hot plate has a slightly unpleasant smell and the hob does take a little while to heat up but otherwise, it boasts good value for money and functionality.
Buy now £29.99, Amazon
Russell Hobbs 15199 Electric Mini Hob
Another double hob option, the Russell Hobbs 15199 Electric Mini Hob is convenient and portable, comprising two separate cooking plates with outputs of 1500 watts and 750 watts. Each hob also has an independent heat control with neon indicators, making the hot plate ideal for cooking dishes which require two pans. The finish is easy to clean, and protected from accidental spills, while the hot plate also has non-slip feet to help prevent accidents.
Buy now £47.99, Currys
Quest 35240 Electric Single Hob
Granted, the Quest 35240 Electric Single Hob hot plate isn’t much of a looker. But if you’re merely looking for basic functionality, the hot plate may be suitable for you. With 1500 watts of power, the single hob has five temperature settings, a solid die-cast heating plate to provide even heat distribution and a non-stick coating making it easy to clean.
Heating the burner does take some time and it’s not necessarily the most robust choice, but the Quest 35240 Electric Single Hob is a more than adequate budget option.
Buy now £19.99, Amazon
Vango Sizzle Single Induction Hob, Black, Medium
This chic and highly portable little induction hob makes cooking on the move easier than ever. It’s also fantastic for those with relatively small hobs looking to tackle multiple dishes at one say, for a Christmas roast, without taking up too much counter space.
The easy-to-use LED system automatically detects the presence of pans with a stainless steel base, while an integrated cooling fan reduces the risk of overheating. It’s also equipped with a handy 25m cable, and has been designed with outdoor use in mind with a maximum temperature of 200°C.
Buy now £70.00, Amazon
Verdict
While many excellent hot plates are available, the sleek models with multiple cooking functions and temperature settings are certainly the most useful for both indoor and outdoor cooking. The standard electric options are absolutely fine, but the induction hot plates are some of the best, providing most of your pans are induction ready (ultimately magnetic).
The VonShef version leads the charge, with the same functions as the more expensive options but for a lower price. The hot plate is also good looking, slim and easily transported with great functionality.
