You will never know how handy having a portable electric stove in the house is until you really need one. Whether your stove needs repair, you’re having your kitchen renovated, or you are simply searching for the right portable stove for your campervan. Getting the right one can be a massive challenge.
There are plenty of portable electric stoves on the market, some models are really new, snazzy and high tech, while others are simple. You want to consider a number of factors before you invest in an electric stove, but don’t worry, we are here to help.
We have reviewed our top 10 favorite portable electric stoves. We have highlighted both their good and not so good qualities and show you each product’s pros and cons. Before we get into the review portion, let’s delve into what we need to address before making a purchase.
Price Point
Everyone has a different point of view regarding if something is expensive or not. That isn’t to say that the maximum price you are willing to pay for a certain product hasn’t crossed your mind though.
Think about what needs you have to purchase a portable stove. If you need it for everyday use in your apartment, then of course you are going to be willing to part with a few more dollars than someone that just wants their portable electric stove for the occasional campervan trip, be it annually or a few times a year.
Ease of Transportation
The whole point in having a portable electric stove is for it to be just that… portable. Consider how heavy this item is to carry and move around the room or from your house to the car. You want to have a stove that is both compact and light enough for carrying, otherwise you will find a heavy stove to be a real nightmare to take anywhere.
If the stove includes plastic components, you will want to be sure to have a good quality bag or carry case to store it in which will make it easier to transport as well as protect the stove from any damage.
Outdoor Use
A portable stove is typically designed to be suitable for outdoor
occasions such as barbeques and garden parties, as well as bringing it along for camping.
Features
These days, portable electric burners include a world of features that you never knew you needed. Automatic shut off, LED displays, and a beeper that goes off if you take the pan off the stove and you forget to shut off the stove are just a few of the many convenient features included in newer models.
If you are purchasing your portable electric stove for more frequent use, it would be in your best interest to get a burner that can boil, simmer and fry food so pay attention to find such stoves that clearly state these additional features are included.
Materials
There are two main types of stoves; induction stoves and non-induction stoves. Non-induction stoves are more old fashioned in their aesthetics. Their burners typically have extremely durable visible coils that can withstand supporting heavy pots and pans.
Induction stoves are flat and made of either glass or ceramic. These are far more aesthetically pleasing and look great in a modern kitchen with other sleek looking appliances.
The one downside to induction electric stoves is that they are really fragile and will break easily when not being handled with care. Scratches and chips are also a common complaint amongst induction stove owners. While the scratches won’t necessarily stop the stove from working properly, they do collect dirt and look a bit scruffy.
Temperature Settings and Power
Most portable stoves these days can reach very high temperatures, so that won’t really be an issue you will face. The problem with simple electric stoves is that the temperature gauge jumps by 50 or more degrees Fahrenheit with every turn.
What you are looking for is a stove that has about 15 or 20 degrees identification notches between each heating level. This feature will allow you to have better control of getting the desired cooking temperatures during the cooking process.
This might not be an issue for people that use the portable stove now and then. For anyone needing to cook all sorts of different foods on this type of stove will find having a precise temperature gauge will help make life a lot easier.
The power watts can be a little confusing if you have no prior experience with electric cookers. With a single burner portable stove, the product’s features will indicate the available watts for the single burner.
Double burners have different wattage for each burner on the stove. One will be the ‘main’ burner with a high wattage while the other will be a lower wattage. The watts stated on double or triple electric stoves are usually the combined watts for the whole stove.
When cooking from scratch, you will need a stove that provides about 1800 watts. If it has less than that then the stove is more of a buffet burner which is designed to keep food warm or to be used to reheat cooked meals.
Comparison Table
| PRODUCT | FEATURES | LATEST PRICE |
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1. Cusimax Electric Hot Plate  |
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2. Ovente Electric Double Coil Burner  |
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3. Cuisinart Cast-Iron Double Burner  |
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4. Cusimax Ceramic Hot Plate Dual Electric Cooktop  |
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5. Sunavo Electric Double Burner  |
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6. Cukor Portable Electric Stove  |
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7. Rosewill Induction Cooker Cooktop  |
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8. Cusimax Triple Burner Cooktop  |
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9. Better Chef Double Burner  |
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10. Home Leader Electric Hotplate  |
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Our Best Portable Electric Stove Reviews and Comparisons
1. Cusimax Electric Hot Plate
Product Highlights
A compact single electric cooker, great for taking on road trips or using as an extra cooking option at home.
Features
- Suitable for all cookware
- Max pot size of 7.1 inches
- Portable
- For everyday use
- 30 day return policy
What We Like About Cusimax Electric Hot Plate
It gets very hot and holds heat very well. Easy to boil water on the stove. The pan gets hot enough to sear beef steaks. Very lightweight and easy to transport from place to place which is great for seasoned campers.
What We Don’t Like About Cusimax Electric Hot Plate
The unit overheats far too easily, especially when you are trying to boil liquids. The printing on the knobs wear off quickly. The numbers on the dial and even the on/off switch could not be distinguished after a couple of months.
PROS
- Has a temperature control panel
- Easy to use
- On/off lights
- Cools quickly after use
CONS
- Small
- Heats slowly
2. Ovente Electric Double Coil Burner
Product Highlights
Six-inch dual coil burner for camper vans, countertops, and more. For on the go or at home use.
Features
- 1000 watt/120 volt
- Durable stainless steel heating tube
- Non-slip rubber feet
What We Like About Ovente Electric Double Coil Burner
The Ovente Electric Double Coil Burner is very lightweight making it easy to take wherever you go. It is really handy to have a temperature regulation gauge on the burner and heats up just as well as a regular gas range.
What We Don’t Like About Ovente Electric Double Coil Burner
The design is old fashioned and not as safety conscious as it could be. Pots and pans slide off the coil burners far too easily and can cause serious injury to anyone in the vicinity of the burners.
PROS
- Light weight
- Easy to clean
- Can be used to reheat food
- Fire-resistant metal housing
CONS
- Not stable
- Old fashioned
3. Cuisinart Cast-Iron Double Burner
Product Highlights
Durable, cast-iron countertop double burner gives you extra cooking options. Great for parties or travel.
Features
- Brushed stainless steel housing
- On and ready indicator lights
- 1800 watts
- Small plate for quick heat up
- Adjustable thermostat
- Non slip rubber-feet
What We Like About Cuisinart Cast-Iron Double Burner
There is a ‘ready’ light for each burner so that you know exactly when the burner is hot enough for you to start cooking. It is compact and handy as a back-up stove in case of an emergency.
What We Don’t Like About Cuisinart Cast-Iron Double Burner
If both burners are being used simultaneously over a long period of time, one or both of the burners can play up a little bit. The returns policy window is only 30 days which isn’t very helpful as most products take a little longer than a month to malfunction.
PROS
- Easy to store
- Doesn’t overheat
- Compact
- Great for travel
CONS
- Bad customer service
- Struggles to bring liquids to the boil
4. Cusimax Ceramic Hot Plate Dual Electric Cooktop
Product Highlights
The portable Cusimax Ceramic Hot Plate is an electric dual cooktop with two 7 inch glass burners.
Features
- Works with all types of cookware
- Max pots and pans size of 7.1 inches
- 120 volt/900 watt plates
- Safety shut off function
- Stainless steel body
What We Like About Cusimax Ceramic Hot Plate Dual Electric Cooktop
When all you have is a small bar set up the kitchen this cooktop will make the area look like a real kitchen. For studio apartment dwellers with the inadequate room, this item is a great substitute for a large stove. It boils water easily and maintains a boil without any trouble. Perfect for hotpots. Another plus is that it can be used as a food heater to keep dishes warm.
What We Don’t Like About Cusimax Ceramic Hot Plate Dual Electric Cooktop
The Custimax Electric Cooktop is quite fragile, so if you are looking to take it on multiple trips and move it around a lot it might not last very long. It doesn’t cook like a regular stove which is to be expected. It does take quite a long time to heat up and bring liquids to the boil.
PROS
- Easy to clean
- Boils liquids
- Suitable for frequent use
- 30-day hassle-free returns policy
CONS
- Fragile
- Takes a while to heat
5. Sunavo Electric Double Burner
Product Highlights
This 1800 watt double electric double burner with handles is ideal for kitchens and campervans.
Features
- 1800 watt combines power
- 6 temperature levels
- 20% improved heat efficiency
- Heat insulated
- Portable handles
- RoHS, ETL and CE certified
What We Like About Sunavo Electric Double Burner
Gets hot very quickly. Heavy duty and yet lightweight. Heats up nicely so you can cook up a great breakfast without any problems. It is aesthetically pleasing and suits modern kitchens without sticking out like a sore thumb. Accommodates most moderately sized cooking pans so there’s no need to purchase new cookware especially for this portable stove.
What We Don’t Like About Sunavo Electric Double Burner
One of the burners is slower to heat than the other, and may even stop working while you are in the middle of cooking something. Cooking time is a bit slower than your average gas cooking stoves.
PROS
- Durable and safe to use
- Food cooks on both burners simultaneously
- Small and compact
CONS
- Water takes a long time to boil
- Slow cooking time
6. Cukor Portable Electric Stove
Product Highlights
Cukor’s infrared double burner heats up within seconds of being turned on.
Features
- Maximum temperature is 1256 degrees fahrenheit
- 1800 watt left plate
- 900 watt right plate
- Heats in seconds
What We Like About Cucor Portable Electric Stove
You can reheat food on it without burning the contents of the pan and fry food on this stove, too. Several types of pots are suitable to use as long as the pot sizes are not too big for the plate. It is sturdy and well balanced, giving you peace of mind if you cook around small children.
What We Don’t Like About Cucor Portable Electric Stove
The portable stove doesn’t come with a carry bag to keep it safe in transit. Do not use pans larger than 12 inches on the stove. The stovetop isn’t easy to keep clean and takes a lot of scrubbing which can be time consuming.
PROS
- Cooks evenly
- Heat is controllable
- Compact
- Large pans have plenty of space
CONS
- Hard to keep clean
- Doesn’t heat to boil
7. Rosewill Induction Cooker Cooktop
Product Highlights
Single non-scratch electric stovetop and cooking pot with 5 cooking settings.
Features
- Scratch resistant
- Easy to clean
- Five pre programed settings
- 24-hour timer setting
- Touch control panels
- Eight power levels
- 3Qt stainless steel pot
What We Like About Rosewill Induction Cooker Cooktop
It gets hot really fast, speeding up the cooking preparation time. When you take the pan off the stove and forget to turn off the stove that will prompt a reminder beeper to tell you that the stove is still working. The pan that is included comes with a lid and is good for cooking up most meals.
What We Don’t Like About Rosewill Induction Cooker Cooktop
The power level feature is misleading and the timer is very confusing. It is very small. Having only one stove heater disk is often not enough, even when cooking for one person. It struggles to get past 300 watts before it automatically shuts off.
PROS
- Has a warning beeper
- Comes with a pan
- For daily use
- Easy to store away
CONS
- Small
- Overheats frequently
8. Cusimax Triple Burner Cooktop
Product Highlights
Three plate top stove for slow cooking and food warming.
Features
- Slow cooker and warmer
- Three burner stove
- Stainless steel
- Durable
- Non-slip feet ensure safety
- 18 months free replacement
- Free lifetime customer service
What We Like About Cusimax Triple Burner Cooktop
Great for big family gatherings and making slow-cooked meals for between 6 to 8 people. It does not turn itself on and off throughout the cooking process like some other burners on the market giving you cooking consistency for every meal.
What We Don’t Like About Cusimax Triple Burner Cooktop
It is very difficult to cook things from scratch in a short space of time using this burner. It is better suited for slow-cooked meals and keeping food warm and NOT for meals that require a high heat.
PROS
- Great for parties
- For slow cooked meals
- Easy to clean
- Keeps food warm for long periods of time
CONS
- Not for everyday meals
- Big and bulky
9. Better Chef Double Burner
Product Highlights
1500 watt portable electric double burner in white.
Features
- 19 inch wide
- Available in packs of 1, 2 and 5
- 900 watts on the left side
- ETL approved
- Safety thermal shutoff
What We Like About Better Chef Double Burner
The Better Chef Double Burner has low to high power adjustable knobs. You can cook pretty much anything on it as it heats up to very high temperatures. Conveniently cooks for up to 4 people.
What We Don’t Like About Product Name
It cools down and shuts off during cooking, this is most likely due to the stove overheating and malfunctioning. If small internal parts come loose such as screws and other little bits it will need to be fixed professionally.
PROS
- Cooks for up to four people
- Stays hot
- Heats up fast
- Good value for money
CONS
- Needs constant adjustments
- Not for everyday use
10. Home Leader Electric Hotplate
Product Highlights
Easy to clean, stainless steel dual electric stove that is compatible with all cookware.
Features
- For everyday use
- 1500W + 700W Power
- Stainless steel
- 5 thermostatically controlled heat settings
- Overheating protection
What We Like About Home Leader Electric Hotplate
The stove heats up really fast and is very easy to use. Cooking and boiling food is done with ease and once you have finished cooking it is very easy to clean. Its aesthetic appearance is pleasing and it is compact enough for small cooking areas.
What We Don’t Like About Home Leader Electric Hotplate
This portable stove has a tendency to burn out and stop working when used on a daily basis. There have been incidences of it overheating and causing fires in the past. The power turns itself on and off when cooking something for longer than the stove can last in a single cooking session.
PROS
- Easy to store
- Compatible with Flat cookware
- Suitable for a small family
- Easy to clean
CONS
- Not for everyday use
- Overheats
Final Verdict
The Sunavo Electric Double Burner wins this stove-off. It is just the right size for a portable stove in many aspects. It is able to feed up to 4 people. Aesthetically pleasing and suitable for most kitchen styles if you wish to add it to the kitchen as an extra cooking appliance.
Buyers Guide Sunavo Electric Double Burner Q&A
Q) How safe is the Sunavo Electric Double Burner?
A) It is incredibly safe due to its insulated handles which prevent anyone from touching the hot surfaces. The stove does not emit any electromagnetic radiation and is suitable for daily use.
Q) Is there anything that can be done to prevent the stove from overheating?
A) Yes, the stove is overheat protected and will automatically shut itself off when the temperature creeps up too high. It will also turn back on automatically when the temperature drops too low to continue cooking.
Q) Can both heating plates work at the same time?
A) Yes, both of the plates can work simultaneously. Both sides are strong enough to boil water or sear a beef steak.
Q) What are the exact measurements of the double infrared burner?
A) Double infrared burner:
Product size: 47*27.5*8.1cm.
Weight: 2.22KG.
Burner ring: 19.05+19.05cm.
Q) Is this stove suitable for reheating food?
A) You can use this stove for reheating food, cooking from scratch, and to keep food warm. There are six heat settings on this model with levels one and two is the best settings for reheating cooked food.
Q) What pots and pans should I use on this stove?
A) Copper pots, cast-iron pans, stainless steel cookware, steak pans, non-stick pans, ceramic cookware, copper pots, glass cookware, and aluminum pots are all examples of suitable cookware you can use with the Sunavo electric double burner.
Q) Are both burners the same size, or is one larger than the other?
A) Both burners are the same size and can be used with standard-sized cookware.
Q) Can I plug the stove into a portable generator?
A) Not all portable generators are compatible with this stove, for example, a 500W portable generator.
Q) Can the heat protection feature be turned off or disabled?
A) No, the heat protection feature cannot be disabled. It is embedded into the system and is designed to keep users safe and prolong the life of the stove.
