The Best Electric Hot Pot

Buying Guide

Overall, the type and range of dishes that you want to prepare will likely be the most essential in determining which electric hot pot you choose. Still, safety should always be a significant consideration with any electrical heat source.

Most products come with standard safety features, such as an automatic turn-off (similar to those found on coffee makers). Some will also self-detect overheating. Be sure to consider safety while shopping, especially if you find yourself to be forgetful in the kitchen at times.

Some electric hot pots can also perform other tasks, such as sauteing, steaming and more. Others come with dual-bowl designs, lids or other features to broaden the range of things you can do with them.

Being able to cook many dishes can be convenient if you use your appliance for camping or in a college dorm. Just be sure to check your user’s manual before cooking anything non-liquid. Be especially cautious before adding oil directly to the hot pot.

On the other hand, if your primary use for the pot will be to heat beverages, then you likely don’t need something fancy. In fact, some of the high-end products on the market might be too large for such a simple task.

Finally, many of the hot pots available for purchase come with accessories, such as lids, stands and cooking utensils specially designed to fit the shape of the pot. These are great if you’ll use them, but don’t overpay for accessories you don’t need.

• Always read the owner’s or user’s manual for your appliances, large and small.
• The best electric hot pots come in various materials, such as stainless steel or plastic with non-stick coating. Heavier materials are harder to carry but tend to be more durable.
• To avoid accidents (or even injuries), test your electric hot pot by making a simple drink or dish. Don’t start with something complicated.
• Remember to check out the safety features before buying.
• Most electric hot pots come with accessories. Factor that into the price, since some items may cost more because they come with a lot of extra paraphernalia you may or may not need.