Hotplates

Types of freestanding hotplates

If you are looking for a freestanding hotplate that you can use wherever you want, you should be aware that there are several different types.

You can read more about the three most popular types below.

Induction hotplates

Induction hotplates have become the popular choice when it comes to hotplates.

This is probably due to the quick heating that an induction hotplate can handle.

Induction uses a form of magnetism, which also means that the pots you use for an induction hotplate must be magnetic.

Gas hotplates / Gas burners

A gas hotplate is often the preferred hotplate for professional chefs, perhaps due to the fact that the gas hotplate heats quickly and makes it easy to adjust the temperature quickly.

With a gas hotplate, you are also not dependent on having access to electricity, as the gas hotplate runs on gas.

This also means that you obviously need to change the gas tank from time to time, but it gives you a good opportunity to transport the gas hotplate wherever you want without being dependent on electricity.

Cast iron hotplates / Mass hotplates

Mass hotplates are no longer the most popular choice of hotplates, but for those of you who do not have pots and pans designed for induction hotplates, it is a good solution.

Mass hotplates are made from a type of cast iron, which you may know from older stoves.

They are quite heavy and durable compared to many other types of hotplates.

Hotplate features and specifications

Below you can see which features and specifications you often find in hotplates, so you can more easily figure out which features you need.

#1 Timer

Most induction hotplates are equipped with a timer, which makes it easy for you to time your food.

For example, if you need to boil eggs, you can easily ensure that you boil the eggs for the right amount of time.

#2 Booster

The booster function makes it extra quick to prepare and especially to bring water and food to a boil.

It “boosts” the power of the hotplate and thus heats your food quickly.

Touch control

The function is particularly smart and not least environmentally friendly when you for example need to boil water for pasta and potatoes.

However, it is a really good idea to remember to turn it down again when your water has come to a boil, so you don’t overboil your food.

#3 Auto-off

Some portable hotplates have auto-off as an extra safety feature, so you never leave the hotplate on after use.

This means that if you forget to turn off the hotplate, it can detect after a preset time that there is no longer any activity and then turns off the hotplate.

#4 Non-slip feet

The non-slip feet are designed to ensure that you do not accidentally push the hot hotplate, causing it to move.

Additionally, it is also a good safeguard to prevent the hotplate from sliding easily if you accidentally pull on the cable.

#5 Temperature setting

On some hotplates, you can set the temperature precisely to the right degree.

This can be helpful if you need to melt chocolate or cook food that requires a specific temperature.

#6 ECO-safe

ECO-safe means that the unit is designed to be efficient and conserving in one way or another, which benefits the environment.

For example, many portable induction hotplates are super fast and therefore energy-saving compared to many other types of hotplates.

#7 Size

If you have specific needs regarding how large a hotplate you need, you should pay attention to the size of the hotplate when you buy one.

This is especially relevant if it needs to heat a large pot effectively.

#8 Overheating protection

This feature is a safety to ensure that the hotplate does not overheat, which could cause it to burn out.

This means that the hotplate will turn itself off if it becomes exhausted, for example if you have it running at high heat for a very long time.

#9 Double hotplates

When it comes to portable hotplates, you can get models with single hotplates or with double hotplates where you get two.

In some cases, the two hotplates may have different sizes, so there are options for both small pots and pans as well as larger ones.

What should you pay attention to?

If you choose an induction hotplate, you need to be aware that you cannot use all kinds of pots and pans on the hotplate.

The pots must be designed for induction hotplates in order for you to use them.

Therefore, it can become quite expensive if you buy an induction hotplate without already having compatible pots or pans, as you will need to go get some that are induction-ready.

However, the other types of hotplates can still be used with induction pots and pans, so here it is not a problem which type of pot or pan you use.

Cleaning hotplates

Before you start cleaning, it’s important to know which type of hotplate you are dealing with first.

The different types of hotplates need to be cleaned differently, as they are made from different materials.

In terms of cleaning, you should be aware that especially hotplates made of cast iron or so-called mass hotplates may be harder to clean if something gets burned onto them.

However, you should be more vigorous with cleaning the cast iron hotplates than you would with many other hotplates.

Therefore, you can use scrubbing sponges and cleaning cream to remove stubborn stains.

You should, however, be more careful with the coating around the cast iron hotplates so you do not scratch it.

The gas burner can often also withstand harsher cleaners like cleaning creams, sponges, and brushes.

Where you need to be careful is with the induction hotplates, as you can easily scratch the glass surface.

They can often be easily cleaned with a bit of dish soap, water, and a soft cloth, dish towel, or paper towel.

For stubborn stains, you can get a scraper designed for induction hotplates, but you should be a bit cautious with that.

There are many different forms of hotplate cleaner, so before you purchase anything, you should check that it is suitable for your hotplate.

Smart Home hotplate

A Smart Home hotplate can be controlled manually on the hotplate, but also via a connection to an app on a smartphone.

One of the features that is super smart about Smart Home hotplates is a timer.

Some Smart Home hotplates can give you really many cooking programs and even recipes, so you can easily cook food.

This means that you can easily choose settings depending on whether you want to boil, fry, simmer, steam or something entirely different to prepare your food.

Smart Home hotplates are also often equipped with the booster function, which allows for extra fast heating of the hotplate.

Freestanding hotplates / Portable hotplate

If you need a portable hotplate for one reason or another, you can read more below about which hotplate is best suited in certain situations.

Hotplates for camping and tenting

If you need to cook while camping, you may not have access to electricity.

Therefore, it may be worth considering a gas hotplate that you can use without electricity.

It works in such a way that it needs gas for you to use it, and you can therefore buy small gas canisters that do not take up much space, making them good for camping or tenting.

Hotplates for summerhouses and allotment houses

If you need a hotplate for a summerhouse or allotment house, there is a high chance that you have access to electricity.

If that is the case, you can easily use an electric hotplate with cast iron plates or an induction hotplate.

What you should choose depends on whether you already have pots or need to go buy some.

If you have or will buy induction-ready pots, then you can benefit from choosing the induction hotplate.

They are more energy-saving and easier to clean than cast iron hotplates.

If you have old pots that are not suitable for induction, then cast iron hotplates are the better choice, so you don’t have to spend money on new pots.

Also, find other smart kitchen gadgets here at avXperten, for example a smart panini toaster for perfect warm sandwiches or a kettle for a nice warm cup of tea.