Are you one of those people who are interested in a cooking appliance that will work anywhere at any time? Then you should purchase a hot plate. A hot plate is one of the appliances that have a wide variety of applications, including in labs.
However, cooking is also one of the hot plate uses. So, what is a hot plate? What is a hot plate used for? How do you stay safe when cooking with a hot plate? In this post, we will highlight all the relevant information you need to know before you can start using a hot plate.
Definition
A hot plate is a heating appliance that is usually portable depending on the size. You can use a hot plate as a replacement for an oven or a gas burner. You can also choose to use it as a stove when you do not have full facilities for a kitchen. In the current age and time, hot plates are powered by electricity.
However, in the earlier years of the 19th century, there were hot plates that were fired using gas. A hot plate usually has a flat, round surface. This flat and round surface produces heat. You can find a wide range of hot plates with the main differences in sizes. The smaller alternatives are highly preferred for traveling purposes.
How to Use a Hot Plate
Do you want to learn how to use a hot plate for cooking? Keep on reading to learn.
You can use a hot plate to prepare a full meal. You can also choose to use it to reheat food that is already cooked. However, you should know that the appliance uses electricity and it can damage your utensils. You might also expose yourself to harm unknowingly. For that reason, you have to take some precautions and follow certain steps, as noted down below. Safety is a priority, isn’t it?
Do Not Use Metal Pans
You should not heat or plate a metal pan on top of a hot plate. The metal pan would easily damage the hot plate, which means that the hot plate will most likely cause some accidents at the end. If you use a hot plate that is damaged, you risk an electric shock.
Maintain a Dry Surface
Before you can turn on the appliance for use, make sure that the pan’s lower surface is dry. By ensuring that the pan is dry, you prolong the life of the hot plate. Constant water at the bottom of the pan will damage the hot plate as time goes by.
Heat Resistant Gloves
A hot plate’s heat is not hidden and it is very easy for you to burn your fingers accidentally. The hot surface is exposed and you might hurt yourself when you are taking the pan off the hot plate.
Check for Cracks
Before you start using the hot plate, before you turn it on, you have to check if there are any cracks on the heating surface. The main reason is that a single crack will possibly cause an electric shock. In other cases, if any liquids spill on the surface, there are chances of electric shock. If you experience any faults with the hot plate, you should have it repaired.
Avoid Moving a Hot Plate before Cooling
After you finish cooking with a hot plate, you should turn it off. There are very many cases associated with leaving a hot plate after cooking with it.
After you switch it off, it is advisable to give it time to cool by itself. You should avoid moving it when it is still hot. Storing a hot plate before it cools might be cause for a fire.
Personal Safety
We all want to remain in the best physical state even after cooking, right? Well, follow these guidelines to make that possible.
First, you have to avoid wearing any loose clothing. You should also tie your hair so that it is not exposed to heat when you bend over the plate.
Secondly, if you plan to use oil when cooking, you should add the oil to the pan before you place it on the hot plate. Also, make sure that the hot plate heat setting is moderate before you plug it in the power source. Avoid leaving the hot plate for long without introducing the pan with ingredients, oil, or other liquids.
Cleaning the Hot Plate
After each use, the hot plate should be cleaned. It is a great way of ensuring that the plate serves you for a longer period. If you leave the oil residue on the plate with food particles and regular dirt, they will stick to the plate and over time, rust will start forming.
The first efficient method of cleaning the hot plate is using a glass cleaner or oven cleaner. Spray the cleaner on the plate and allow it to stay there for around thirty minutes. You should then wipe it off using a towel. Avoid any aggressive or rough scrubber because it will potentially scratch or damage the plate.
There are special cleaners for hot plates. These cleaners are available in stores all over the world. You can try one to check if the results are as good as you would like.
If you want to use a home remedy, you can simply use vinegar and bicarb. Add some bicarb to the plate and spray vinegar on top of it. After you scrub the plate properly, dry it using a clean and dry towel. You can also use a water and baking soda mixture with the same process.
Conclusion
The first part of learning how to use a hot plate is learning how to stay safe when using it. As long as you use the stated precautions, you will have an easy time cooking with a hot plate regardless of where you are. However, you have to read the manual that comes with the hot plate because it will give you a deeper insight into the functionality of the appliance.
Related:
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- How Do I Keep My Induction Cooktop From Scratching?
- Saute Pan Definition And Uses
- NuWave Precision Induction Cooktop Flex with 9″ Fry Pan Review
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