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Perhaps you have a small kitchen and you need a scaled-down countertop cooker?
Maybe you fancy a spare burner to improve the quality of food on your camping trip?
There are many reasons for hunting down a countertop burner and today we’ll highlight 5 of the best budget, compact cookers in a variety of shapes and sizes.
We’ll get directly into those countertop burner reviews right now.
5 Best Countertop Burner Reviews
We’ll get directly down to business with our reviews. After presenting 5 of the best choices on the market for your home and garden, we’ll walk you through how to focus on getting the most appropriate tool for your needs.
You’re spoiled for choice with 20 temperature settings and power levels whether you want a fiery stir-fry or you want to simmer a sauce over a very low heat.
The auto pan detection is a nicer touch and you’ll be alerted when the heat’s still on but no cookware is in place. A child lock is the other notable safety feature that’s often surprisingly overlooked.
Extremely compact, this burner works well in the kitchen while it’s small enough to take with you on your next camping trip.
You can tweak the wattage from 200 through 1800 watts. There’s a generous temperature band of 140 to 464 degrees Fahrenheit so you’re in safe hands whatever you want to rustle up in the kitchen.
The only small gripe is that the heating area could be increased in size. Aside from this, the Duxtop is one of the best countertop burners on the market at an extremely reasonable price point.
Pros.
- 20 temperature settings
- 20 power levels
- Auto-pan detection
- Timer in 1 minute increments
- Child safety lock
Cons.
- Some complaints about small heating area
- Reported issues with incorrect error messages cropping up
While induction cookers have many advantages, one of the serious drawback is being restricted in the cookware you can use. The Cusimax works well with just about all pots and pans so you won’t face any unexpected expenses.
While one hotplate is larger than the other, both are powered by 900 watts so you’ll be able to bring a pan of water to the boil on both plates fuss-free.
If you’re not satisfied with your purchase, you can claim a full no-quibbles refund during the first month. From this point, your burner is guaranteed for a further 18 months. You can’t really ask for much more than that at this price point.
You won’t need to do anything much beyond simply wiping away any food debris from your burner and you should get plenty of faithful service from it.
If you’re looking for a flexible and cost-effective method of cooking in a small kitchen, this countertop burner from Cusimax is well worth checking out.
Pros.
- Understated, minimalist design
- Works with all cookware
- Easy wipe-down stainless steel
- Convenience of 2 burners
- 30-day money back guarantee
Cons.
- Takes a while to heat up
- Knobs easy to knock accidentally
If you move swiftly, you can pick this burner up half price. It’s not particularly cheap but at the discounted rate represents outstanding value.
With coil-less cast iron plates, you’ll be free to use just about any type of cooking utensils. The housing is rugged stainless steel so it will stay the distance while demanding very little by the way of maintenance.
6 temperature settings is not going to set the world alight but you should be able to turn your hand to more or less any recipe without too much trouble.
If you’re looking for a no-nonsense countertop burner ideal for cooking in more confined spaces, the Cuisinart deserves a road test. It’s among the better non-induction burners out there and if you catch the current sale, you’ll be rewarded with a burner that punches above its weight.
Pros.
- Currently available at incredible discount
- Pair of cast iron hot plates
- 6 temperature settings
- Safety indicator lights
- Non-slip feet for maximum stability
Cons.
- Not cheap at full price
You’ll be able to adjust the wattage from 200 through 800 watts as with the Duxtop. Temperature range is equally impressive spanning 140 to 460 degrees Fahrenheit. There’s an integrated countdown timer good for 3 hours in 1-minute increments so you’ll get a lot of grunt in a small package.
Be aware upfront that you’ll need to use cookware deemed induction-compatible so if you don’t already have the requisite utensils, think twice or plan to upgrade your equipment before getting down to business in the kitchen.
You might struggle with much smaller pans so think about your intended usage and the kind of crockery you most frequently use to avoid disappointment.
The 1-year warranty is not the longest but allows you to buy without too much hesitation.
For a nimble and powerful solution to cooking in cramped kitchens, the classic Secura 9100MC shows no signs of fading in popularity and with just cause.
Pros.
- 15 power levels
- 15 temperature settings
- Induction burner
- Excellent overall value
- Solid 1-year warranty
Cons.
- Limited with cookware as with all induction models
- Doesn’t respond well to smaller pans
You should know off the bat that the Ovente makes more sense as a supplementary cooker than as your main appliance. You’re likely to find this burner limiting if you start undertaking more ambitious recipes.
That said, if you’re looking for a burner that occupies a very small footprint in a lightweight package, the Ovente is hard to beat.
You’ll find the burners get up to your intended temperature quick-smart and the power should be more than enough for most dishes. You shouldn’t experience any pockets of isolated hot or cold either so you’ll enjoy consistency not just raw firepower.
If you’re not hell bent on getting an induction cooker, this burner allows you to use a far wider choice of cookware so if you don’t have induction-ready utensils, this stovetop burner makes a smart bet.
If you’re looking for that winning combination of price, performance and portability, the Ovente is a banker.
Pros.
- Compatible with all cookware
- Ceramic glass top looks great
- 1700 watts of power
- Heats up rapidly
- Highly compact and lightweight
Cons.
- Limited with cookware as with all induction models
- Doesn’t respond well to smaller pans
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What To Look For In The Best Countertop Burner
Now you’ve seen 5 of the best products on the market, we’ll close with a few pointers on getting the best countertop burner for your needs…
Intended Usage
If you start by asking yourself how you plan to use your burner, this will streamline and simplify your buying decision.
A student looking to cook for an entire year in a small apartment will have different needs to a family looking for an occasional camping companion.
Be honest about how often and where you’ll use your burner then start looking at units built to cope.
Type of Burner
You can get electric or gas hot plates along with induction burners.
While these induction cookers are extremely quick to bring water to the boil and exceptionally energy-efficient, they cost more in the first place and require compatible cookware.
Think about which type of power best meshes with your cooking needs and buy accordingly.
Price
You should always consider the bottom line but never base your decision on price alone.
Spend as much as you need to for a burner in line with your needs.
A Final Word
Have you decided on the best countertop burner yet?
If you’re still not sure, why not pop to the store? You can always test out your favorite couple of burners and then carry out your purchase online to secure the best possible deal. Think of it as active window shopping!
Come back soon for more of the very best products for your precious home and beautiful garden.
