The main difference between hot plate and induction cooker is that induction cookers are more energy-efficient than hot plates. This is because there is little space between the cooking vessel and the hot plate, allowing the energy to escape, whereas there is no space between the cooking vessel and the induction cooker.
Both hot plates and induction cookers are small and portable devices operated using electricity. We can use these devices to prepare many types of food.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is a Hot Plate
– Definition, Features
2. What is an Induction Cooker
– Definition, Features, Advantages
3. Similarities Between Hot Plate and Induction Cooker
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Hot Plate and Induction Cooker
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Hot Plate, Induction Cooker
What is a Hot Plate
A hot plate is a small portable cooking device operated by electricity. It consists of a cooktop with one or two burners. A hot plate can be placed on a table and is a stand-alone appliance. The invention of the hot plate dates back to the beginning of the twentieth century. Moreover, hot plates are inexpensive in the market and many people use them in boarding rooms, hostels, and dorm rooms to cook food.
When the hot plate is supplied with power, the coil within the hot plate begins to heat. When the hot plate heats to the required temperature, the food can be cooked. The material of the plate is usually very heavy; cast iron or ceramics are often used to make hot plates. A hot plate can have a round surface or hot surface. Since the appliance is portable, you can carry it with you when traveling. Hot plates have been used for laboratory purposes too, especially when heating glassware and its content. Furthermore, the general operating temperatures of hot plates vary from 100 to 750°C. In addition, there are different types of hot plates for different purposes.
What is an Induction Cooker
An induction cooker is a small portable device with a cooktop. Induction cookers are operated by electricity, and the cooktop is typically made using ceramic. There are special containers and vessels we have to use when cooking using induction cookers. The vessels should have a flat surface, and vessels with different surfaces cannot be kept on induction cookers. These specialized vessels have small circles in the bottom and are made using steel. These metal circles will concentrate the heat directly and help to cook the food.
Around 90% of electricity applied to induction cookers is used for cooking because there is no energy escaping in induction cookers. When the electricity passes from the induction cooker to the vessel, no alternate heat goes out since there is no space between the induction cooker and the cooking vessel. Thus, the temperature is directly used to heat the vessel and cook the food. This is a very energy-efficient method of cooking food.
Induction cookers are easy to clean since the cooktop becomes cool soon after the cooking. In addition, induction cookers take less time to cook food. It takes very little time to boil water. When the induction cooker is on, you can often hear a buzz or humming sound.
Similarities Between Hot Plate and Induction Cooker
- Both hot plates and induction cookers work with electricity.
- Hot plate and induction cookers are portable devices we can use for cooking processes.
- Moreover, both devices have cooktops to place cooking containers or vessels.
Difference Between Hot Plate and Induction Cooker
Definition
A hot plate is a small portable electric device with a metal plate that is used in cooking, while an induction cooker is an electric device that cooks food by electrical induction.
Process
When we switch on the power to the hot plate, the coil within the hot plate begins to heat, consequently heating the cooking vessel. In an induction cooker, the electricity directly passes from the cooker to the vessel.
Energy Efficiency
Induction cookers are more energy-efficient than hot plates. This is because there is no space between the cooking vessel and the induction cooker. However, there is little space between the cooking vessel and the hot plate, allowing the energy to escape.
Cooking Vessels
We can use any vessel in hot plates, but we have to use only specialized vessels with flat-surfaced bottoms in induction cookers.
Cost
Induction cookers are more expensive than hot plates.
Conclusion
The main difference between hot plate and induction cooker is their energy efficiency. Induction cookers are more energy-efficient than hot plates as there is no space between the cooker and cooking vessel.
Reference:
1. “Hot Plate.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 13 Aug. 2021.
2. Orentas, Geraldine. “Induction vs Electric Cooktop: What’s the Difference?” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 3 Mar. 2022.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Silex-Co-1930s-electric-coffee-pot-hot-plate” By Gazebo – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Induction cooker” By Mk2010 – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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