The primary function of a hot pot is to cook different dishes, including those with a liquid base like rice, noodles, soups, chicken curries, etc. Since it has proven to be handy for almost all domestic kitchens, there are a plethora of products on the market that can make picking one a challenging and overwhelming task. Bearing this in mind, we have crafted a full buying guide so that you can make the right purchase decision and invest your money in an ideal hot pot.
How to Choose a Hot Pot
Capacity
While considering a hot pot’s capacity, you should mainly consider the volume of the inner chamber where cooking will be done. As the capacity of these products ranges from 1.2 liters to 5 liters, make sure to go for one that has enough volume to cook food as per your requirements. For example, if you want to have an appliance for one or two people, you can grab a smaller model with a capacity of 1.2 liters or 1.6 liters. For making family meals or food for a party, you will need a hot pot with a minimum capacity of 4 liters.
Material
The interior walls of the hot pots are usually manufactured from stainless steel. This material is not only durable but also easier to clean. It can retain heat excellently and distribute the thermal energy evenly for better cooking. Their outer wall is either made from plastic or stainless steel. If you have to carry the hot pot around in your kitchen, it’s better to go for a plastic product because the material is heat-resistant and won’t be as hot as the stainless steel hot pots.
Temperature settings
As the hot pot cooks food without any flame source, it comes with a temperature control button. In some products, the temperature control depends on power ratings like 200 watts and 600 watts only. On the other hand, a few models are reinforced with a temperature knob that will help you control the heat with precision and accuracy. They do not have a fixed temperature value, allowing you to set any temperature required for cooking.
Heating element
Most hot pots are reinforced with a heating element that controls the food temperature inside the pot’s chamber. Once you switch on the product, the current will flow through the heating element and produce the heat required for cooking a dish. In some products, a 1500-watt heating element is preferred because it can generate a high amount of heat energy for quick cooking. On the contrary, a few hot pots have a heating element that generates less than 1500 watts, which is better for slow cooking.
Storage
If the hot pot is bulky in size, storing it on the kitchen countertop can become challenging. Therefore, you need to go for a product with a sleek design and a compact size. This way, you won’t have to struggle with storing it inside the kitchen cabinet or at one corner of the countertop.
Portability
If you want to carry the hot pot to your office, on a road trip, or camping, make sure it has a compact and small size. Such a product will easily fit inside your bag, and you won’t even have to deal with a bulky appliance. You also should consider the weight of the chosen hot pot since it varies between about 2 pounds and 9 pounds. The lower the weight, the easier it will be for you to carry the hot pot to different places.
Special Features to Look for in a Hot Pot
Before you buy a hot pot, it would be best to know most of the features available in different products. This will help you decide which hot pot will meet your requirements in the best possible manner.
- Overheating protection feature shuts off the appliance once it starts consuming more power. This helps in keeping the heating element safe from thermal damage.
- A cool-touch handle or exterior body will help you carry the hot pot around in your kitchen without burning your fingers.
- The dry boil protection feature prevents the appliance from operating when there is no liquid inside the hot pot.
- Some hot pots are equipped with stain-resistant lids. Therefore, no matter what food you are cooking, it won’t cause stain marks on the lid cover.
- It’s often reinforced with anti-slip feet to ensure that it is stable and won’t displace from its position.
- The keep-warm feature will help maintain the temperature of the food within a certain limit, like 165°F to 185°F.
- In some products, the interior walls have a non-stick coating to prevent food from sticking to the base. They are also easier to clean.
- A few hot pots have an internal chamber divided into two sections so that you can cook different items together and infuse varying flavors.
What to Cook With a Hot Pot
A hot pot will allow you to cook a multitude of dishes like soups, stew, rice, curries, sautéed vegetables, kimchi, sauces, and more. Therefore, when considering a product, make sure it is capable of helping you prepare all your favorite meals.
