Camping is a fun way to spend some time outdoors with your friends and family, but what if you want something more than a snack? Then, a camping hot plate is your answer.
My Top Picks:
After extensive research, I have compiled a list of the 10 best camping hot plates money can buy in 2023. Here’s a quick look at the best 3 of the bunch:
- Best Overall: Duxtop 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop
- Best 2-Burner: CUSIMAX Dual Burner Hot Plate
- Smallest: NuWave Pic Flex Hot Plate

Best 10 Camping Hot Plates
1. Duxtop 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop: Best Overall
If you’re looking for an easy-to-use, lightweight, and portable induction cooktop, the Duxtop is ideal. This little stove is perfect for camping, cooking in your home kitchen, or using it outdoors or in your RV or boat.

PROS
- 15 Temp settings
- Easy to clean
- Highest Rated
CONS
- 5″ heating element
- Middle very hot
The induction burner is extremely easy to clean – all you need is a damp towel. In addition, the angle control panel with the large display screen makes it easy to see, even from a distance.
When using an induction stove, it’s important to choose cookware with a magnetic bottom diameter of at least 5 inches.
If the wrong cookware is detected, the unit will automatically shut off after 60 seconds.
VERDICT: The Duxtop Portable Induction Cooktop is one of the most highly rated camping hot plates on Amazon. It has 15 pre-set power levels and temperature ranges, a built-in timer, an LED display, and a control panel – making it simple to cook whatever you need.
2. CUSIMAX Double Burner Hot Plate: Best 2-Burner
Cooking while camping doesn’t have to be limited to a one-pot meal. The Cusimax Portable Stove with 2 Burners is perfect for those who want to cook two different dishes at once, without any hassle.

PROS
- Small
- Use any kind of cookware
- Inexpensive
CONS
- Metal body can get hot
- Low temp too low
- No room for large pans
It takes seconds for this stove to heat up, so your food will be ready faster than you can say, “I’m hungry.” And two temperature control knobs mean that you won’t over or undercook anything.
The Cusimax Dual Burner Hot Plate is perfect for any large event or occasion where you want to whip up some delicious food quickly. And there’s also an automatic safety shut-off to prevent overheating!
Best part is, this guy doesn’t take up too much room on the picnic table!
VERDICT: The Cusimax is one of the best camping hot plates on the market today. With 2 burners and a compact design, you can use this to cook two different dishes simultaneously!
3. Cuisinart Cast-Iron Double Burner Hot Plate: Great for DJs
The Cuisinart Cast-Iron Double Burner Hot Plate is a must-have for anyone who loves cooking outdoors. The 2 cast-iron plates are heavy-duty, making them great for cooking everything freshly hunted venison steaks.

PROS
- Two-burner stove
- Easy to clean
- Affordable
CONS
- Slow to heat up
- Slow to cool down
This 1800-watt appliance has two heating elements: a 1300-watt large plate and a 500-watt small plate. Both heat up quickly, so you can cook multiple items at once, and they retain their high heat throughout cooking.
And cleaning is simple. The “coil-less” cast iron plates make cleanup a breeze. You don’t have to spend hours cleaning your cooktop – just wipe them down with a wet cloth.
VERDICT: The Cuisinart is perfect for those who love camping or just want to have an outdoor cooking option! And it’s great for people who live in small spaces like boats or RVs.
4. NuWave Pic Flex Hot Plate: Smallest
The NuWave Pic Flex Induction Camping Hot Plate is the perfect travel stove. It’s small, lightweight, and easily packable. This makes it painless to take wherever your culinary adventures may lead.

PROS
- Compact
- Heats up Quickly
- Presets
CONS
- Only 1 burner
Also, the temp setting range goes up to 500 degrees, so you can cook whatever dish you want. And because its digital display makes controlling the heat a breeze, cooking has never been so delicious or straightforward!
With the NuWave, you can fry up some eggs or bacon in no time. It also comes with a 9-inch frying pan to make cooking on the go even easier.
VERDICT: The NuWave is perfect if you need something small but mighty. It’s ideal for small areas like dorms, hotels, RVs, and cabins.
5. SPT Sunpentown Induction Cooktop: Slimmest
Suppose you’re looking for an induction hotplate that can be stored away discreetly and quickly. In that case, the slim 4.5-pound Sunpentown Induction Cooktop is your best bet.

PROS
- Heats up Quickly
- Slim design
- Presets
CONS
- Small burner
- Low temp is pretty hot
Not only does it fit almost anywhere, but its sleek design will complement any decor. With its all-digital display and seven power settings, the SR-964TB lets you cook your food faster while keeping it safe with a touch-control lock.
Plus, with 390°F heat reach, this sleek stove quickly heats up so you can have your meal ready in no time.
VERDICT: With the Sunpentown Cooktop, you get the best in hot plate performance. Heat is generated to the pan only, so no heat is lost. Once the cookware is removed, heating is stopped immediately.
6. Hamilton Beach Induction Cooktop: Hottest
Suppose you’re looking for an affordable and reliable single burner induction cooktop. In that case, the Hamilton Beach Induction Cooktop is a great option.

PROS
- Heats up Quickly
- 10 Heating levels
- 6 Cooking Modes
CONS
- Hotter than expected
- Turns off after extended use
It’s Amazon’s choice for this type of appliance, and it has 10 heating levels and six cooking modes. The control panel is super easy to operate. And its smooth glass surface means that it’s easy to clean.
The compact design makes it easy to pack up and take on the go. It’s convenient for RVs, tiny campers, and other small spaces.
Cook your meal with the precise temperature control settings or choose from one of the many pre-set cooking modes.
VERDICT: Although the Hamilton Beach temp control is not very precise, it still gets the job done. After extended use, it can turn itself off, which is annoying. That said, it’s great for basic camping needs.
7. Rosewill Induction Cooktop: Best for Pots
The Rosewill 1800-Watt Induction Cooker Cooktop is an excellent starter portable induction cooktop. It’s compact and affordable, and it comes with a 10-inch stainless steel pot!

PROS
- Easy to clean
- Comes with a pot
- Touchscreen
CONS
- Uneven Heating
- Timer is confusing
This no-frills hot plate is perfect for anyone who wants an easy-to-use and lightweight cooking appliance. Plus, it has touch-control operation for easy use. You can’t beat the value!
It has a large LED display, eight temperature settings that reach up to 450˚, eight power levels, and a built-in timer with a safety lock feature. Plus, the fan on the bottom prevents it from overheating, making it safer and easier to clean.
VERDICT: If you’re looking for a compact and affordable induction cooktop, the Rosewill is a great option! It’s small enough to pack but powerful enough to handle large pots (1 included) and pans.
8. Duxtop Portable Cooktop w/ Sensor Touch: Most Bells & Whistles
Duxtop has been a top brand in induction cooktops for over 10 years, and this latest sensor-touch version is no exception.

PROS
- Tons of features
- Powerful
- Easy to use
CONS
- 5-inch coil
- Loud fan
The Duxtop Portable Induction LCD Sensor Touch Cooktop has 20 preset power and temperature levels, shown on an all-digital touch screen.
Duxtop’s induction cooktop is one of the most popular on the market, and for good reason. It’s sleek, well-designed, and super powerful. It has thousands of positive reviews from customers who appreciate its quality and ease of use.
VERDICT: The coil is only 5″, so you’re limited to medium-sized pots and pans. Also, the fan can be a bit loud. But, if you’re looking for a high-tech induction cooktop that won’t break the bank, the Duxtop is perfect.
9. ISiler Portable Induction Cooktop: Most Child Safe
Even though induction cooktops are typically safer than electric or gas-burning stoves, it’s still important to take precautions. That’s why Isiler designed this model with a child-proof safety lock. This way, you can feel confident that your family is safe while using the cooktop.

PROS
- Child safe
- 8 temp settings
- 9 power levels
CONS
- Temp adjustment difficult
- Heats center of pan
This multipurpose hot plate is perfect for a variety of cooking needs. It has eight temperature settings and nine power levels, so you can use it for whatever you’re in the mood for.
Plus, its digital touch-control display ensures that the device never exceeds your selected temperature, and overheating protection prevents any accidents.
VERDICT: With more than 1,500 five-star ratings and hundreds of glowing reviews, the iSiLER is a must-have addition to any camping trip.
10. Aobosi Induction Glass Cooktop: Most Glass Surfacey
The Aobosi Induction Hob Cooktop is one of the most highly-rated camping hot plates. With over 1,000 five-star ratings and reviews, this cooktop is known for durability. It has crystal glass-ceramic plate materials which resist any scratches and damage.

PROS
- Scratch-proof
- Glass cooktop
- Auto shut-off
CONS
- Loud
- Thicker than most
The Aobosi Induction Glass Cooktop is quickly becoming a favorite because of its many features. It has nine power levels, 10 temperature settings, an automatic shut-off timer, a child safety lock, and a sleek touch screen display.
The glass surface means you’ll never have to worry about ugly scratches, and the many presets make it easy to cook your food just the way you like it.
VERDICT: The Aobosi is the perfect choice for anyone who wants a hot plate that looks great and performs even better. This is an ideal choice for camping trips – it heats evenly and quickly!

Camping Hot Plate Comparison Table
HOT PLATE | PRICE | BURNERS | TEMP SETTINGS |
---|---|---|---|
Duxtop 1800W Cooktop | $70 | 1 | 15 |
CUSIMAX 2 Burner | $59 | 2 | 7 |
Cuisinart 2 Burner | $79 | 2 | 6 |
NuWave Hot Plate | $80 | 1 | 6 |
Sunpentown Hot Plate | $77 | 1 | 6 |
Hamilton Beach Cooktop | $77 | 1 | 10 |
Rosewill Induction Cooktop | $80 | 1 | 10 |
Duxtop Cooktop Touch | $109 | 1 | 20 |
ISiler Induction Cooktop | $70 | 1 | 17 |
Aobosi Induction Cooktop | $62 | 1 | 10 |
If you’ve read this blog post and have decided you also need a list of the best camping stove, you’re in luck! Check out my list of the Top 10 Camping Stoves (for 2023).
5 Types of Camping Stoves
When looking for the best method for cooking while camping, you first need to decide on your camping style.
- Are you going to be near electricity?
- Are you camping off-grid?
- Are you camping at high altitudes?
- Are you cooking for large groups?
These questions will help narrow down your options, as each fuel type has distinct benefits and drawbacks.
1. Induction Hot Plates
If you’re camping at a site with access to electricity, the camping hot plate is a convenient cooking option. It’s simple to use, and there’s hardly any learning curve.
In fact, if you can use a burner on an electric range, you can use a camping hot plate without any trouble.

The major drawback of using a camping hot plate is that it requires electricity. This can be a challenge if you’re not near a reliable source, especially when camping.
Additionally, powering a camping hot plate with battery power is usually not viable, as even lower wattage models will still use too much electricity.
Upsides to Camping Hot Plates:
- No fire
- Lightweight
- No fuel needed
Downsides to Camping Hot Plates:
- Need to plugin
- Can’t use in remote locations
VERDICT: While hot plates may be a great option for some campers, I don’t recommend them for everyone. They’re limited because you have to have access to an electrical outlet.
2. Propane Stoves
Camping stoves can use a variety of fuels, but propane is the most common. That’s because propane is easy to find and relatively affordable.
Most propane stoves have 2 burners. The heat these burners give off is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Unit). BTU burners come standard on all types of camping stoves.
You often see models that use a small green fuel canister these days. The most popular are Coleman 16oz Cylinders.

If you want to use your stove with a refillable propane tank, you’ll need the correct adapter and hose. I recommend the DozyAnt Propane Appliance to Bulk Tank Hose, compatible with most stoves.
Most freestanding stoves have an adapter for a larger propane tank.
Upsides to Propane Stoves
- Widely available
- Propane is affordable and efficient
- Used in many applications
- Powerful burners
Downsides to Propane Stoves:
- Performs poorly in cold weather
- Performs poorly at higher elevations
- Performs poorly in windy conditions (a built-in wind guard helps)
VERDICT: Propane stoves are an excellent choice for camping and even better for people who live off-grid. They’re reliable and easy to use, making them popular among campers.
3. Butane Stoves
Butane stoves aren’t as popular as propane stoves, but they are still a decent option for tabletop stoves. Most butane models are single-burner stoves, making them relatively powerful and efficient.
Butane Fuel is also pretty cheap, so you won’t have to break the bank to use this type of stove.

However, like propane models, butane camping stoves suffer from performance problems in chilly weather. They’re a great way to cook on the go, but they don’t perform well in cold weather.
Plus, butane canisters are just as easy to come by as propane canisters, so you’ll never be without fuel.
Upsides to Butane Stoves:
- Inexpensive
- Most affordable fuel type
- Best fuel efficiency
Downsides to Butane Stoves:
- Performs poorly in cold weather
- Not as common as propane
VERDICT: With the right gear, camping can be a cheap and enjoyable experience. Butane stoves are a good option if you’re on a budget since they’re cheaper than propane models.
4. Liquid Fuel Stoves
White gas, also known as Coleman fuel or naphtha, is the most common liquid fuel used in portable camping stoves. Liquid fuel stoves are among the most reliable types of stoves available.
They have the best performance and safety. As a result, they’re preferred by outdoors folk who love to cook in cold weather or when they’re at a high elevation.

In addition, liquid fuel stoves are often refillable, which minimizes their environmental impact because consumers don’t need to buy an entirely new canister for every trip.
Liquid gas camping stoves have disadvantages, the most glaring being their cost and weight. They cost more and are heavier than other types of camping stoves. This can make them difficult to transport between hikes or campsites. Plus, they’re harder to start.
Upsides to Liquid Fuel Stoves:
- Dependable
- Outstanding performance in cold weather
Downsides to Liquid Fuel Stoves:
- Challenging to use
- Low demand
VERDICT: A liquid fuel stove is an excellent option for camping in all seasons, but it’s especially well-suited for winter trips. Yet, finding models that are designed explicitly for liquid-gas-camping can be challenging.
5. Wood-Burning Stoves
Wood-burning stoves for camping are perfect for using wood as your only fuel source. There are various ways to heat your model, whether using fuel tablets, pellets, or even firewood.

You can bring your own firewood for larger models that need more heat. Twigs and sticks gathered in the forest are often enough for smaller models that don’t require as much heating power.
Although I think wood-burning camping stoves are a neat idea, they’re not the most efficient or highest performing. You must also be wary of restrictions on burning wood in certain areas due to burn bans.
Upsides to Wood-Burning Stoves:
- Comparable to a BBQ
- The forest is your fuel
Downsides to Wood-Burning Stoves:
- Inconsistent heat
- Use can be prohibited
VERDICT: While wood-burning stoves may be a great option for some campers, I don’t recommend them for beginners. There are many different types of models out there, but propane is still the most popular choice.

Differences Between Camping Stoves & Hot Plates
The most significant difference between hot plates and portable stoves is that hot plates need to be plugged in. This makes it impossible to venture out into a remote area and cook with a hot plate.

Propane, butane, and liquid gas stoves are the best option if you’re roughing it. A hot plate is a great option if you’re camping near an outlet or in an RV.
A camping hot plate is the best option for most car campers. They’re more efficient and powerful than a gas stove, and they can handle a wider assortment of cookware.
They also don’t take up as much space as a gas stove. Plus, if car camping is your main mode of outdoor travel, then it only makes sense to have one of these bad boys with you!
Most if not all of the camping hot plates on my list are made in China. This means they’re only gonna last you a few years before they fall apart. Alternatively, most camping stoves are sturdy, rugged, and American-made. So they’ll last you quite a long time.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. I hope it helped you make an educated purchasing decision! I mainly write recipes on this blog. But, since you’re here already, give one of these bad boys a read!