6 Best 12-inch Electric Hot Plates: Big Enough To Prepare Large Meals

In need of a 12-inch electric hot plate?

If yes, then we’ve got you covered!

In this article, you can read the reviews of different hot plates, including countertop and portable options, as well as griddle and induction models. Also, you can find out more information about what the market thas to offer and learn which features to look out for when choosing one for yourself.

The Rundown

12-inch Hot Plate: What Is It Exactly?

The 12-inch measure concerns the width of the heating burner or burners if the unit has more than 1 heating area.

Does This Model Differ From A Other Models?

Not really, only by its size. Both types provide efficient and safe cooking operations.

Is This The Biggest Option?

No, it’s not, but it is definitely amongst the biggest models. There are hot plates with 15-inch big burners but they are mostly used for commercial use. Anything bigger than that is actually a stove, not really a hot plate.

Using Large Burners: Why Would I Need It?

Big appliances have many benefits regarding their use. They are suitable for pans and pots of different sizes, and for cooking larger amounts of food which can come in handy if you have a bigger family.

What Can I Use This Hot Plate For?

Since it comes with adjustable temperature, you can use it for different cooking options such as cooking, boiling, frying, deep-frying, and steaming.

User-Friendly Design

These are simple models with simple control buttons, knobs, or panels. They are great for beginners as they really do not require any specific how-to manual.

Private And Commercial Use

Hot plates with big heating areas can be used both in your households and in professional kitchens. Thanks to their large heating area, they are suitable for the preparation of various different meals. However, make sure to go for a 12-inch model with a bit more power since they need to have really high performance and efficiency.

So, This Is The Size For You? Okay, Here Is What You Should Know

A 12-inch cooking surface is big in size and it comes with equally high performance and power in order to provide good cooking options and efficient operation.

What Types Of Plates Can I Get?

The categories are the same as with any other type of hot plate. You can get a coilless hot plate or a classic coiled model. The difference is in the visible or hidden coils. They can have classic cast-iron burners or use induction cooking operations.

Coilless Plate vs. Coiled

Hot plates with hidden coils are solid, durable, and easy to keep clean. They distribute the heat evenly across the cooking surface. On the other hand, heating elements with exposed coils heat up fast and they usually come with a drip tray underneath the heating element to collect all the food spillage.

Cast Iron Hot Plates

These are classic models with single or double burners made from cast iron. They heat up quickly and provide good efficiency. What makes them stand out is the fact that they can withstand up to 50 pounds of weight, unlike induction’s glass cooktop which can hold up to 7 pounds.

What Should I Know About Induction Models?

Induction heats the cookware which then cooks food. They have glass cooktops and they are energy-efficient. They requires special cooking pots and pans with magnetic bottoms.

Durable Construction

Most hot plates that are bigger in size are made of strong and durable materials such as aluminum, stainless steel, and cast iron. Some models even combine 2 of these materials to provide more strength and durability.

What Is A Wattage Range?

These models have a wattage power of between 1,000 and 2,000 watts. Some models let you choose the level of power you want to cook on.

What Temperature Range Do Most Big Models Have?

Most of them offer a temperature range between 100 and 450 Fahrenheit degrees. Thermostat knobs or control panels let you choose between different heat levels so you can use it for versatile cooking applications.

How Many Burners Can They Have?

There are two options; they can have single and double burners. Both with a measure of 12 inches in width, these units won’t take up too much space while providing you with one or two cooking surfaces. Most double burners will let you adjust the heat of each burner independently.

What Cookware Is Suitable?

If you get an induction model, you need to get specific cookware with a magnetic bottom. If you get a classic hot plate, you can use any type of cookware.

These Are Big Hot Plates. Do They Use A Lot Of Electricity?

Yes, they do. Per hour, the amount of electricity equals 2 kWh. Most standard hot plates use up to 1,8 kWh, no more.

6 Best 12-inch Hot Plates

Star 502FF Electric Hotplate

Two Cast-Iron Burners
This unit features two cast-iron French-style burners with separate control knobs. That way you can adjust the level of heat for each burner and cook two different meals at the same time. The solid burners are easy to keep clean and prevent any food from going down into the equipment.

Infinite Thermostat Controls
The thermostat knobs are located on the front side and are constructed from heavy-duty metal and prevent burns on users with the help of stainless steel bullnose. The infinite heat control is great for easy adjustments to the temperature when cooking different foods.

Compact Size
With adjustable 4-inch legs, this model measures 28 inches in length, 12 inches in width, and 11.63 inches in height. It is suitable for commercial use and can be easily fit onto countertop surfaces. There there is plenty of space left for other appliances besides it in busy kitchens.

For Frequent Use
With a durable design, the maintenance of this unit is easier. It has a stainless steel top and front side, as well as aluminum side surfaces. The heavy-duty materials are ideal for frequent use, and thus suitable for commercial kitchens, catering services, etc.

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Cadco CSR-3T Hot Plate

8-Inch Coiled Burner
This countertop hot plate features a single burner with exposed coils. The burner measures 8 inches in diameter and its heat can be controlled by turning the thermostat knob located on the front side of the unit. The temperature knob offers warm, low, medium, and high heat levels for cooking.

100 Watts Of Power
The power light alerts you when the unit is turned on to prevent damage and injuries. The on and off switch is located next to the turning knob for convenient turning on and off when needed. With a power supply of 1,500 Watts, it won’t take long for the heating element to get to the desired temperature for cooking food.

For Small & Busy Spaces
This hot plate measures 12.25 inches in length, 14 inches in width, and 4.125 inches in height. Without taking up too much space, you can get a cooktop surface that can give you a meal quickly in any space with a power outlet.

Easy Maintenance
The model is durable and easy to keep clean. After you are done cooking, leave the plate to cool off and then wipe clean. The stainless housing helps here for quick and easy cleanups. Under the coiled heating element, there is a drip tray that prevents spillage to go inside the unit.

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Waring SB30 Hot Plate

1300-Watt Power Supply
This electric hot plate is equipped with a single burner constructed from durable cast iron. It is housed in a stainless steel body with a turning knob for temperature adjustments and a ‘ready’ and ‘on’ indicator light. With a power supply of 1,300 Watts, you can choose between minimal and other 5 levels of heat for more precise cooking.

Designed For Countertops
The brushed stainless steel housing and non-slip legs with rubber are ideal for fitting onto any countertop surface, including kitchens and small spaces without one. It measures 10.75 inches in length and 11.5 inches in width.

For Small Spaces
With a durable design, you can use this safe hot plate frequently without a tear. It is ideal for small countertop spaces in studio apartments, dorm rooms, etc. For cleaning the product, leave the unit to cool off and then wash with a damp cloth, wiping the burner, the body, and the legs.

First Use
When using the hot plate for the first time, leave on the highest heat setting for about 4 minutes to burn off the protective film without a pot on top. It may smoke, but it should stop after a few minutes of the first use and shouldn’t happen again.

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Rosewill RHAI-15001 Cooker

Five Preset Cooking Modes
This hot plate features an induction crystal plate surface with a large LED screen that can display up to four digits. Apart from the screen, it also features a control panel with five pre-programmed modes for cooking. Those settings are for warming milk, cooking soup, stir-frying, frying, and making a hotpot.

Wide Power & Temperature Range
Each of the preset cooking modes has its button so that you can do any of these tasks with one touch of a button. For other cooking needs, you can choose between 8 temperature levels from 150 to 450 Fahrenheit degrees. This unit has a power supply of 1,800 Watts and with a minimum supply of 300 Watts.

Durable Ceramic Material
The ceramic material of the surface is resistant to scratches and easy to keep clean after cooking is done. This model measures 11.73 inches in width, 14.80 inches in length, and is only 2.36 inches high. This unit needs to be used with special induction-capable cookware.

Cookware Restrictions
With the purchase of this ceramic hot plate, you will get a 10-inch stainless steel pot for cooking. This model is ideal to use with cooking pots and pans that have a diameter between 4.7 and 10.2 inches. You can use it to cook food in your kitchen when you need extra cooking space, or for quick meals away from home.

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Vollrath 59300 Hot Plate

Requires Suitable Cookware
This hot plate uses electromagnetic induction for cooking food. It needs to be used with cooking pots and pans with magnetic bottom to be able to induce heat in them. Because of this, such model is usually more energy-efficient than some other types.

Digital Panel For Settings
This model is 12 inches wide, 16 inches long, and 3.13 inches high. The ceramic cooking surface is encased in stainless steel with a plastic bottom. Apart from the cooking surface, it features a digital control panel with a display screen for adjusting the settings. When not in use, it will not take up too much space for storage.

Adjustable Temp & Power
The 1800-Watt travel hot plate lets you choose between 20 power levels with adjustable temperature from 100 to 400 Fahrenheit degrees. It comes with a 6-foot long power cord for convenient plugging in. It is designed for indoor use and its size is ideal for traveling, cooking in studio apartments, dorm rooms, or recreational vehicles.

Safe To Use
Equipped with many safety features, this unit prevents burn injuries and damage. It has overheating protection, as well as safety automatic shutoff. It will also automatically turn off in case it doesn’t detect cookware on the ceramic burner.

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NutriChef PCRM12 Crepe Maker

12-Inch Non-Stick Griddle
This unit features a 12-inch griddle constructed from aluminum for a variety of cooking applications. You can make crepes, pancakes, and other breakfast foods easily. The non-stick cooking surface is great to use with included wooden spatula and batter spreader. It can be used on countertops and comes with a 2.5-foot power cord.

For Countertops & Tabletops
With a power supply of 1,200 Watts, you can choose the temperature of the plate by rotating the thermostat dial. The power light and the ‘ready’ light let you know when the unit is turned on and when the desired temperature has been reached. It is suitable for tabletops and countertops and measures 12 inches in length, 12.9 inches in width, and 2.4 inches in height.

User-Friendly
This crepe maker does not make a lot of noise during operation and is ideal for making breakfast for the whole family. Without making a mess as the food won’t stick to the griddle, it is easy to create delicious food. This also means that cleaning won’t be too demanding.

Compact For Travel
When not in use, this griddle hot plate will not take up too much space for storage and is also convenient to use for quick breakfast fixes. You can even take it along with you when traveling to never miss out on homemade food, no matter where you are.

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Safe 12-inch Big Electric Burners

Despite the size, these large models come with a safe design and good features that ensure your safety.

First Use

When you have a brand new hot plate, before you use it for the first time, leave it on the highest heat setting for about 4 minutes to burn off the protective film. After that, you can use it for cooking.

Hot Plate Smokes On First Use: What Now?

If a hot plate smokes, that means that the mentioned protective film is burning off. So the smoke is normal when you’re using it for the first time. The smoke should stop after a few minutes and it shouldn’t happen again.

What Feature Provides Stability During The Cooking?

Rubber feet. This is an excellent feature that ensures that your unit with a 12-inch heating area is stable, secured, and safe to handle.

Overheating Protection

Once the cooking surface reaches its set temperature, it shuts off so it doesn’t exceed that temperature. This is often defined with light indicators.

Can I Use It For A Long Time?

Yes, you can. You can use it safely for up to 4 hours. After that period, let your hot plate rest for a bit and cool down.

Can I Burn The Food With A High Power?

Yes, you can. The higher the wattage you use, the more risk there is that you can burn your food. This is not only about food but safety too. Do not leave your hot plate unattended.