We’ll be discussing some of the features that we took into consideration to make our top choice of countertop burner which is the Secura 9100MC 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop Countertop Burner.
Quick List
Secura 9100MC 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop
Cuisinart CB-30 Cast-Iron Single Burner
Secura 8100MC 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop
NuWave 30242 PIC Gold Precision Induction Cooktop
Cusimax 1800W Double Hot Plate
Deciding Factors
Price
The price has to be one of the most important features and usually the first that we check. Depending on the size of the burner and the type of burner you want to buy, your prices can start from as low as $10.
If all you want is something basic to plug in and go then you can get a cheap option, when you move on in type to a gas burner or an induction burner the costs can grow very quickly.
If it’s for a short-term use then go for cheaper, but if you want to get a lot of use out of it or have limitations that dictate a more expensive option like lack of power or a safety issue, then expect to have to pay a higher price.
Portability
Portability might not be the main driving factor for you. If you want a cooking option and don’t have one at all, then your burner might stay in place, but if you are traveling and are using these burners when you are away, being able to carry them easily and store them away without them taking up too much space is important. If you don’t want to use your burner all the time at home you want to be able to store it away in a drawer or cupboard easily.
Multiple places a burner can be used
The joy of a countertop burner is the places it can be used. We’ve already mentioned holidays and camping, a gas burner can come into its own here if you have no power. Especially if you need something outside at home that is away from a power source and you don’t want to be trailing extension cables outside.
When you live in a room or small apartment with no cooking facilities you can use all types of burner. If you have to constantly store your burner, you may find an induction is quicker to cool.
You can use these burners at barbecues or if you’re having a dinner party and want to impress your guests by cooking something at the table. You can use them on the patio or by the side of your kitchen stove as an extra burner.
Don’t forget, you can even use these burners for crafts if you need to heat stuff up. They’re so flexible but don’t need a large outlay.
Top 10 Best Countertop Burners
#1 Secura 9100MC 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop Countertop Burner
This Secura 9100MC is our top choice of countertop burner, although not the cheapest on the market it offers good value for an induction hotplate. This is a compact burner which can fit easily on the worktop. It’s only 2 inches tall so could easily be stored in a drawer or cupboard.
For an induction cooker, you need to have access to an electrical outlet. So you can take it camping with you if you have access to power and it will work great as an extra burner or the only burner if you have no other cooking facilities.
It’s easy to use this Secura 9100MC, you have the option to change the heat by using the power levels. You have the choice of 15 levels or you can use the temperature control if you feel more comfortable with that. There are also 15 choices for temperature and a timer option of up to 170 minutes.
One of the greatest things about induction is the fact that it heats by electro-magnetic reaction with the pans you use, so that the pan itself is heated not the cooktop itself. This means that it doesn’t heat up around the edges of the cooker while cooking.
The heat on the cooking surface itself is only what is transferred from the heat of the pan. It cools down very quickly and doesn’t burn on food particles. You have to have magnetic-based pans to use this hotplate and any kitchen fridge magnet can help you check any pans that you have to see if they will work.
Read our full review of the Secura 9100MC 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop Countertop Burner
#2 Coleman Classic Propane Stove
When you don’t have a power source you have to supply your own, and that is where the benefit of owning a Coleman Classic Propane Stove can help. The Coleman is a propane gas stove, it has 2 burners which makes it a great stove if you have no power.
You can use these burners individually or both at the same time and with the easily purchased gas cannisters that supply the heat source, you can use this stove anywhere and at any time. This is reasonably priced for a double burner, and the size of 4.1 x 21.9 x 13.7 inches without the gas container attached it’s not too large to carry and store.
It’s easy to light, although it hasn’t got automatic ignition so you will have to have something with you to light the flame. The stove also has some built-in wind protection when the lid is up and the side wings are clipped in place.
There is plenty of space to fit 2 pans on top easily, and although it’s a great choice for camping there is nothing to stop you from using it in your kitchen or outside if you’re having a party or barbecue.
Read our full review of the Coleman Classic Propane Stove
#3 Cuisinart CB-30 Cast-Iron Single Burner, Stainless Steel
The Cuisinart CB-30 Cast-Iron Single Burner is an electric burner with a cast iron cooking plate. When you’re looking for something simple and easy to use you can’t go far wrong with this countertop burner which is solidly built and mid-priced.
It’s not too big and would be easy to carry around if you want to take it away with you or if you want to store it at home until you want to use it. The hotplate itself is about 7.5 inches across so you need to go for pans where the base is a similar size to get the best results.
This Cuisinart CB-30 is a 1300w burner and can heat up quickly, there’s a simple dial on the front which goes from 1-5 and a min setting between off and 1. There is also a power light on the front and a ready button so you can always see when it is switched on.
You don’t need any special kind of pans with this type of hotplate and they are pretty easy to wipe clean although you do need to wait until it has cooled down first. This hotplate can be used anywhere with access to electricity, it’s small enough to not take up all the space on the countertop but you need to keep a little free space around it as it can get quite hot.
Read our full review of the Cuisinart CB-30 Cast-Iron Single Burner, Stainless Steel
#4 Secura 8100MC 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop Countertop Burner
The Secura 8100MC 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop Countertop Burner is an induction countertop burner. It is one of the cheapest-priced induction cooktops and if you’re looking for an easy-to-carry unit that can work anywhere that there is a power source then this is a good choice.
Many people buy induction cookers because they offer a lot of control when cooking, the temperature can be set and it will stay there accurately which is great for when you are using oil for frying and you want spot-on control.
With this control, you still have the cool touch around the edges as the heat is generated in the pan not in the cooker. Induction heat is generated through electromagnetic energy which is why only magnetic-based cookware will work with these induction burners. It’s easy to check if your pans are suitable with a fridge magnet.
You can cook by using the temperature control, there are 10 different levels available or you can use the numbered power levels if you find that easier. All options are controlled by touch buttons on the front of the unit and there is a countdown timer on this cooker too.
There is a safety feature on the Secura that turns it off if there is not pan detected for 60 seconds, which means you won’t leave it switched on by mistake.
This is a compact unit, easy to wipe clean and it won’t take up much space if you want to use this in a small cooking area like a camper or a college room.
Read our full review of the Secura 8100MC 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop Countertop Burner
#5 NuWave 30242 PIC Gold Precision Induction Cooktop with 10.5″ Fry Pan, Black
The NuWave 30242 PIC Gold Precision Induction Cooktop with 10.5″ Fry Pan, takes away the problem of wondering if your pans will work on an induction burner by giving a frying pan in with it.
This would certainly make a great option as a gift to someone with no cooking facilities or elderly people who need a safer countertop burner. They are less likely to burn themselves as the edges around the cooker stay cool. Only the cooking area gets hot by absorbing some of the heat from the pan, although it cools quickly when the pan is removed.
Without a pan on the cooking surface, it won’t get hot. The heating only begins when the electro-magnetic vibration happens with the cookware when it is placed on the cooktop.
This cooker is a bit taller than the other 2 induction cookers mentioned above and the controls are on the front edge. There are 52 temperature settings starting from 100F to 575F and easy to adjust in 10-degree increments with the touch button controls.
You can buy a carry bag to carry this around with you if you are traveling but it’s not required, you could use any bag that can hold it. This NuWave can be used anywhere you have a power source, and can fit in a relatively small place on the worktop.
Read our full review of the NuWave 30242 PIC Gold Precision Induction Cooktop with 10.5″ Fry Pan, Black
#6 CUSIMAX Electric Hot Plate 1500W Single Burner
This CUSIMAX Electric Hot Plate 1500W Single Burner is an electric burner with a solid cast iron plate. At an affordable price, it’s easy to justify adding it to your shopping list. It’s very compact in size so easy to pack away if you want to take it away with you if you’re going on holiday, whether it’s to use in a camper or even a hotel room.
When you have a smaller item like this you can use it anywhere that you have an electrical outlet. You can use any type of cookware with this burner but for the most efficient cooking, you don’t want the base of the pans to not be more than 7.5 inches which is the size of the hotplate.
With only 2 control buttons on the front of the cooker, there is nothing complicated about using the Cusimax, there is an on/off control on the left and graduated heat control on the right which goes from off to max with 1-7 graduations to give better heat control.
The thermostatic heat sensor turns the heat off when the required temperature is reached and cycles on and off to keep the temperature steady.
You’re not limited to what you can cook on this appliance so whether you want to have it as an extra burner in your kitchen or the main cooking unit in your home it can handle it.
It can be hot to touch so you need to allow it to cool down before you wipe it clean and put it away for the next time.
Read our full review of the Cusimax 1500W Electric Countertop Burner.
#7 Cusimax 1800W Double Hot Plate, Stainless Countertop Burner, Silver Portable Electric Cooktop
The Cusimax 1800W Double Hot Plate, Stainless Countertop Burner, Silver Portable Electric Cooktop, is a great double electric burner, it has cast iron hotplates one is 7.4 inches and one is 6.1 inches in diameter.
If you’re looking for a suitable cooking option in student accommodation, campers, holiday homes, or just as an extra to use at home, outside on the deck, or inside in the kitchen this might be the right choice for you.
Although there are 2 different size burners they both have the same wattage so you have the same heat capacity on both, very useful in the kitchen when you don’t want to cook just a one-pot meal.
There are 2 easy knob controls, 1 for each plate with 11 thermostatically controlled heat settings on each one giving you precise control for whatever you want to cook.
There is an overheating fuse in place which will click off the heat when it goes over the level of heat required to keep the heat level stable which is why the indicator lights go on and off showing the unit keeping the heat level right.
The outer casing is made from durable stainless steel with non-slip feet for safety, which is easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth along with the hotplates. If you’re looking for a double hotplate that is plugged into the normal kitchen outlet then consider the Cusimax 1800W Double Hot Plate.
#8 Cadco PCR-1S Professional Cast Iron Range, Stainless
If you’re looking for a more heavy-duty countertop burner then the Cadco PCR-1S Professional Cast Iron Range, Stainless seems to be a good choice.
This single burner which has 1500W of power is made strong enough to withstand continued use in a professional capacity so can easily handle being carried around if you want something portable to use either in a holiday situation or as an extra burner at home.
This is made from strong easy-to-clean stainless steel with stable non-slip feet and a cast iron hotplate. It’s controlled by a knob on the front marked with 1-10 heat settings and has an indicator light on the top above the controls.
One of the best features about this burner is the fact that it can hold a 12 quart pot which makes it a top choice for canners who tend to use tall pressure cookers which get quite heavy. One of the other requirements for canners is to keep the pressure levels steady so requiring accurate controls is a must and this Cadco burner can manage this with no problem.
If you’re looking for an extra hotplate for your kitchen or to use elsewhere and don’t mind spending a bit extra for a professional quality product then check out this Cadco PCR-1S.
Read our full review of the Cadco PCR-1S Professional Cast Iron Range, Stainless
#9 Iwatani Cassette Grill TATSUJIN Slim Ⅲ CB-SS-50
If you are looking for a small single-burner gas stove then you might be interested in the Iwatani Cassette Grill TATSUJIN Slim Ⅲ CB-SS-50. Whether you’re looking for a burner to use on holiday where you won’t have any kind of power supply or whether you want this burner for your home this simple to use butane gas burner is a useful choice.
These burners are often used in restaurants where they cook for the customer at the table so they are easy to carry and move around with instant control. This small stove is powered by a butane gas canister that can be bought from Amazon.com or many hardware stores. It’s very easy to lock into place and connect for cooking or disconnect when you have finished with a sliding lever on the front.
You can get 1.5 up to 2 hours of cooking time from a canister depending on whether you have it on full flame or just at a simmer. There is a built-in drip pan making it easy to clean and 4 pan supports that keep your pans steady and are suitable for any pans up to a 10-inch base.
There is also automatic ignition and flame control, all done with one adjustable knob on the front of the unit. For a low price you get a versatile countertop burner that is safe to use indoors and out.
Read our full review of the Iwatani Corporation of America ZA-3HP Portable Butane Stove Burner
#10 Elite Cuisine ESB-301BF Maxi-Matic 1000 Watt Single Buffet Burner Electric Hot Plate
If you’re just looking for a cheap little burner that you can keep on hand for any eventuality then take a look at the Elite Cuisine ESB-301BF Maxi-Matic 1000 Watt Single Buffet Burner Electric Hot Plate.
This small unit which is approximately 8.5 inches square with a 6-inch cast iron burner is as simple as it comes. It has 1000W power so can heat up quickly with low, medium, and high settings controlled by a knob on the front of the burner.
With only a 6-inch heating plate you don’t want to be using large pans as you won’t get even heating, you want to keep the pan base as close to the size of the hotplate as you can.
A burner that is easy to wipe clean and small enough to keep on the worktop or to put in a bag to take away with you on holiday as long as you have a power source.
This could be a great choice for student accommodation if you just want a way of heating up food or cooking simple one-pot meals. This does get hot so you need to keep a bit of space around it so you don’t touch it accidentally and let it cool before you wipe it clean.
For a lower priced option, you still get a powerful portable burner with the Elite Cuisine.
Conclusion
Don’t let the number of countertop burners put you off. If this is all a bit too much information for you then why not start out by checking out our no.1 choice the Secura 9100MC then you can move on to different types of burners with different prices above if you need to.
