You might think that an electric hot plate can only be used for easy cooking methods, such as making soup or reheating leftovers. But actually, they can also function just as well as traditional burners. They’re so versatile that you can use them for any type of food preparation, including cooking up those juicy cuts of meat.
Here, you’ll learn how to sear and serve a restaurant-quality steak using an electric hot plate.
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How to Make a Perfect Steak Using an Electric Hot Plate
Step-By-Step Guide
What You’ll Need
- Skillet
- Vegetable oil
- Seasonings
- Tongs
- Meat thermometer
- Clean plates
Step 1: Defrost Your Meat
Take the steak out of your refrigerator, and place it on a plate for 30 minutes to an hour. Keep in mind that if you don’t thaw your steak, its outer section will burn before its internal layers are cooked properly.
Step 2: Prepare Your Pan
Plug in your electric hot plate, and heat your skillet on it.
Pro Tip: Use a heavy-duty pan, such as a cast-iron skillet. This type of cookware maintains and distributes heat evenly, cooking your steak accurately.
Step 3: Season Your Pan
Apply a thin layer of vegetable oil to your hot skillet. As the oil begins to smoke, put your steak in the middle of your pan.
Step 4: Sear Your Steak
Sear each side of your steak for several minutes. Use a pair of tongs when flipping your steak. Try to achieve a brown crust all over the meat surface.
Note that the cooking time is based on several factors, such as its cut and thickness. So, you have to check the cooking progress from time to time.
Pro Tip: Season your steak for at least 40 minutes up to 24 hours before cooking it. This will help add flavors not only to the surface but also to the insides of your steak. After seasoning, put your steak back in the fridge.
Step 5: Check the Doneness of Your Steak
Get your meat thermometer, and insert it into the middle part of the meat to check if it’s already done. The temperature depends on your preferred doneness level.
For instance, if you want your steak rare, it must finish around 140 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the temperature will still rise between five and 10 degrees once you remove your steak from the pan. In that case, take your steak off the pan once it reaches 130 degrees.
Afterward, place your steak on a clean plate, and let it sit for five minutes. During this resting period, the meat fibers hold on to the juices, giving you a juicier piece of steak.
Best Electric Hot Plates
Electric stoves don’t only make for a great device for cooking steaks; they’re also an ideal kitchen helper, especially if you live in a dorm room and have a cramped kitchen, because of their portability and durability.
To help narrow down your choices, here’s a list of the best electric burners that you can conveniently purchase on Amazon:
CUSIMAX Electric Hot Plate for Cooking Portable Single Burner 1500W Cast Iron hot plates Heat-up in Seconds Adjustable Temperature Control Stainless Steel Non-Slip Rubber Feet Upgraded Version B101
$41.96 in stock
Features
- [All Types of Cookware]--CUSIMAX Hot Plate is suitable for All Type of cookware. Compatible with pots and pans with maximum size of 7.1 inches. Works with glass and aluminum and heats cookware efficiently with minimal heat loss.
- [1500W & Easy Cooking]--CUSIMAX Hot Plates used 7 thermostatically controlled heat settings conveniently to cook a variety of foods such as warm sauces, decoct steak, grilled cheese, boil water, make soup, cook pasta and vegetables and do so much more. Meet your daily cooking needs.
- [Convenient Single Burner]--The small scale in size makes it very portable. Ideal for dorm rooms, offices, camping, or even your RV. Great for every day use or as an extra cooking appliance in a busy kitchen. No stovetop required.
- [Safety & Durable]--Black Stainless steel body built to withstand frequent use. Simply wipe with a clean and damp cloth when cool. Durable cast iron cooktop. Automatic safety shutoff function with temperature regulated by a thermostat.
- [Customer Service]--CUSIMAX offer a outstanding 30-day hassle-free return policy. All CUSIMAX products are covered by Product Liability Insurance of United States. For details, please refer to the instruction manual. (Note: It is normal the machine will get hot because it has higher calorific value when it works.The heating light may cycle on and off during operation.)
With 1500 watts of power, the Cusimax hot plate is such a powerful cooking device, yet it’s easy to control. It’s equipped with two knobs that serve as the burner’s switch and its temperature control.
This hot plate heats quickly with its seven heat settings. Just turn the temperature knob, and it’ll keep a steady temperature to effortlessly cook a variety of food, such as sauces, soup, eggs, cheese, pasta, and veggies among others.
This single burner has a 7.4-inch heating plate, which is compatible with all types of cookware. You may use any pots and pans with it, whether they’re made of cast iron, aluminum, or copper.
It also features a stainless steel body to withstand everyday cooking. This exterior’s smooth surface is easy to clean–just wipe it off with a damp cloth. Its feet are made of non-slip rubber to make sure that it stays firmly in place as you cook.
Some of its safety features include an indicator light, overheat protection, and automatic shutoff. Plus, the hot plate doesn’t emit harmful radiation, so it’s definitely safe to use.
Techwood Double Infrared Ceramic Hot Plate
Techwood Electric Stove, Double Infrared Ceramic Hot Plate for Cooking, Two Control Cooktop Burner, Portable Anti-scald handles Suitable for Office/Home/Camp Use, 1800W Compatible for All Cookwares
1 used from $55.40
Features
- PORTABLE KEEPS COOL HANDLES - Techwood infrared ceramic cooktop heats up food faster than conventional cooking ranges. Solid stainless steel riveted handle stays cool and comfortable during cooking. Ergonomic design ensuring safe transport and keeps cool on the stovetop.
- MINI SIZE & PORTABLE-Techwood hot plate used timeless stainless steel and crystallite glass design, compact and flat makes it perfect for dorms, studios, RV/caravans, work, camping, everyday use or as an extra cooking appliance in the busy kitchen. Because of its small and light size, you can easily to used in confined spaces or anywhere.
- ALL TYPES OF COOKWARE - Techwood electric stove can be used with any type of cookware in your home, such as aluminium pans, copper pans, cast lron frying pans and non-magnetic stainless steel pans can heats cookware efficiently with minimal heat loss. Ceramic panel and stainless steel body to withstand frequent use. Simply wipe with a clean cloth when cool.
- MULTIPURPOSE - Techwood portable dual burner heats efficiently to cook a variety of foods such as warm sauces, scrambled eggs, grilled cheese, soup, pasta, vegetables and so much more. Also you can use it as extra burner to keep food warm.
- CUSTOMER SERVICE SUPPORT - Techwood offers an worry-free 12-month promise and friendly customer service, our customer service team will be online all the time to help you. All Techwood products have relevant safety certificates and are protected by US Product Liability Insurance. See the user instruction manual for details.
This cooktop features 7.5-inch infrared burners over a scratch-resistant premium glass surface. It can heat up quicker and more evenly than traditional gas burners and electric coils. This helps avoid hot spots or uneven cooking.
It’s also compatible with all types of cookware. Its double-burner capacity can help you accommodate a large group and cook two different meals at the same time. Each burner delivers up to 900W, which is powerful enough to simmer, fry, and boil any type of food.
It’s equipped with stainless steel handles, which remain cool during the cooking process. These handles, including the burners and stainless steel housing, are all easy to clean.
Elite Gourmet Electric Hot Burner
Elite Gourmet ESB-301BF Countertop Single Cast Iron Burner, 1000 Watts Electric Hot Plate, Temperature Controls, Power Indicator Lights, Easy to Clean, Black
$18.99 in stock
5 used from $13.29
Features
- EASY TO CLEAN: 6.4-inch Cast Iron flat cooking plate is nonstick and easy to clean with a damp cloth or non abrasive sponge
- ADJUSTABLE TEMPERATURE CONTROL: Quickly reach and sustain the desired LOW, MEDIUM or HIGH heat settings with the variable temperature knob to keep food warm or boil hot water.
- BUILT IN SAFETY: Power indicator light on the front of the burner reminds users when the item is powered ON; non skid feet ensures the burner remains stable during use.
- COMPACT & PORTABLE: The compact size of our burner makes it an easily accessible item to take on the go wherever an extra cooking device is needed, at school, office, camping trips or home.
- EFFICIENT POWER: With a wattage of 1000 Watts, the hot plate and individual temperature controls provides sufficient heat for all your cooking needs.
Weighing only a little more than three pounds, this electric coil burner is small and lightweight, yet it’s packed with 1000 watts. This makes it an ideal device for preparing quick meals. It features a knob with seven temperature settings for easy cooking.
This 6.4-inch hot plate is made of a heavy-duty non-stick cast iron flat burner, which is easy to clean. This also ensures a more even heat distribution compared with other budget-friendly coil burners on the market.
Proctor Silex Electric Cooktop
Proctor Silex Electric Single Burner Cooktop, Compact and Portable, Adjustable Temperature Hot Plate, 1200 Watts, 34106, White & Stainless
7 used from $17.83
Features
- FAST HEATING WITH 1200 WATTS Quickly boil water first thing in the morning for pour-over coffee or hot tea prepare a family meal or keep a side dish warm This electric stove (single) heats up quickly so beverages and meals are ready when you are
- PORTABLE AND COMPACT FOR EASY TRAVEL AND STORAGE Add extra cooking space where and when you need it most from over the holidays and during home renovations to hot-pot style dining and camping It fits anywhere is easy to move around and is compact for easy storage
- SINGLE BURNER WORKS WITH ALL TYPES OF COOKWARE This adjustable temperature electric burner (single) is compatible with every kind of cookware including aluminum (which will not work on an induction cooker)
- VERSATILE COOKING — HEAT ADJUSTS FROM WARM TO HIGH The heat dial on this adjustable temperature portable electric stove lets you select the right temperature for every task from keeping food warm to boiling water for coffee or tea
- EASY-TO-CLEAN PLATE AND HINGED 5 5 INCH DIAMETER COIL For easy cleaning lift up the heating coil after it cools completely to access the plate beneath then simply wipe away any spills or messy drips
If you need an electric stove for boiling water or preparing that cup of coffee in the morning, this single burner cooktop can quickly deliver with its 1200 watts of power.
It’s compact and portable, making it easy to carry around and store in a bag. It has non-slip rubber feet so it won’t slide from your kitchen counter while you cook.
It works well with all types of cookware, including aluminum, which isn’t compatible with an induction cooktop. You can also lift its 5.5-inch hinged coils for easy cleaning in case of spills and drips.
Duxtop 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop Countertop Burner, Black 9100MC/BT-M20B
Features
- PORTABLE INDUCTION BURNER Duxtop induction cooktop uses 120V 15 amp electrical outlet–standard in all North American homes. ETL listed and built to North American electrical standards. Lightweight, portable induction cooktop makes handling and storage easy. Perfect for dorm rooms, home kitchens, backyard cooking, RVs, boats, etc.
- HIGH EFFICIENCY Choose from 15 preset power levels 200W to 1800W and 15 preset temperature level settings 140 F to 460 F. With an 83 percentage energy efficiency rating, induction cooker is more efficient than traditional gas or electric stoves yet provides quick heat-up and faster cooking times
- EASY TO CLEAN & VIEW With no open flame or heating element, food does not burn on the oversized glass cooktop, making the induction burner easy to clean just wipe with a damp towel. The angle control panel with a large display screen, providing easy viewing, even from a distance.
- REQUIRES INDUCTION READY COOKWARE Induction stoves rely on cookware to heat, so it’s essential to choose magnetic bottom cookware with a minimum diameter of 5 inches. The auto-pan detection will shut the unit off automatically after 60 seconds if no cookware, or the incorrect cookware is detected.
- 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEED Please allow the induction hot plate to cool down before cleaning. If you have any questions with our product, please feel free to contact our customer service.
Duxtop induction burner has flexible preset power levels, ranging from 200W all the way to 1800W. It also features 15 preset temperature settings, from 140 degrees to 460 degrees Fahrenheit.
All these figures reflect the induction’s power, yet it’s efficient when it comes to energy consumption. It also heats up and cooks faster than conventional burners.
It’s equipped with a digital control panel with an LED display that’s angled, so you can easily view the indicators, even if you’re far from the cooktop.
Since this device has no open flame, any food spillage won’t burn and won’t stick to the surface. This means easy cleanup after cooking.
However, one drawback of induction cooking is its cookware compatibility. Keep in mind that only magnetic cookware, with at least a 5-inch diameter, will work with this type of cooktop.
RELATED: NuWave Induction Cooktop Reviews (Read Before You Buy)
Factors to Consider When Buying an Electric Hot Plate
A portable burner may not possess all the features a standard gas stove has, but you’ll be amazed at what this appliance can do. Make sure to look out for these factors as you select your very own electric hot plate:
Wattage
The cooking power of your electric hot plate is measured in watts. This also refers to the maximum heat your hot plate can achieve and how fast it can heat. The higher the wattage, the quicker your cooking can be.
Generally, infrared and coil burners use 900 to 1500 watts. Meanwhile, induction burners use 1800 watts.
Some double-burners have two power ratings, which means each burner can deliver different power outputs. However, be careful with these types of hot plates, especially if they’re promoted as having 1800 watts. This power might be divided between the two burners, meaning each hot plate has only 900 watts.
Heating Element
Portable burners, specifically electric hot plates, have three ways of heating. The type of heating you choose affects how fast the hot plate will heat up and how evenly it can distribute heat.
- Metal coils: Coils distribute heat directly to the pot or pan sitting on top of them. They’re affordable but can cause hot spots. They can also be tougher to clean, as food can spill and drip between and under the coils. However, some hot plates encase coils in cast iron, wherein heat is distributed more evenly. This also gives you a smooth surface for easier cleanup.
- Infrared: This type uses halogen lamps, which are situated under a ceramic cooktop. The halogen lamps heat up the ceramic, then the ceramic heats up the cookware. It can cook your food faster and more evenly than coil burners.
- Induction: Perhaps the best hot plate out there, an induction burner takes heat distribution and even cooking to the next level. Like infrared, induction also has a smooth top, but it transfers heat directly to the cookware without heating the cooktop. However, it can be expensive, and it works only with magnetic cookware.
Number of Burners
Electric hot plates usually come in either one or two burners.
If you want a portable device that you can squeeze into your bag, then you may opt for a single-burner hot plate. On the other hand, if you wish to diversify your cooking and want to prepare two meals simultaneously, then double-burners are for you. However, they can be a bit bulkier and more pricey.
Hot Plate Size
Check the size of your pots and pans and see if they’re close to the diameter of your hot plate. If your skillets and coffee pots have a large base, then you have to use a wide hot plate. You want their measurements to be almost the same so you can achieve even and efficient cooking.
Safety Features
Generally, hot plates have overheating protection, which turns off the device in case of extremely high temperatures. Some also have a child lock system for the control panel to avoid your device from being accidentally activated or deactivated by your kids. Additionally, other hot plates have an automatic shut-off feature that shuts down the burner when not in use.
Controls
It’s essential that your electric hot plate has a wide range of settings so you can control its temperature. Some have low to high power settings, while others have more than six settings. Some hot plates can be operated with a single button, while others have various features, like LCD displays and timers.
Just remember that the more temperature settings there are in your hot plate, the more control you can have over your cooking. This lessens the risk of burning or even undercooking your food.
There are plenty of reasons why you should keep an electric hot plate on hand. It’s a portable, affordable, and convenient cooking device. It’s so compact that you can use it in small spaces, such as dorms, studio apartments, or RVs. It can also serve as an additional stovetop in a busy kitchen.
Plus, you can cook almost anything with it, including your favorite steak recipe. So, plugin that electric hot plate, and start cooking your masterpiece!
Are you ready to cook steak like a pro? Visit our page to learn about some recipe ideas that you can serve with your steak.
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