Discover our selection of ovens and hot plates online now at BEHCO. Choose from a selection of products to suit your needs from well-known brands, like Kobe®.\n\n## What are ovens \u0026 hot plates?\nOvens and hot plates are both used for cooking from scratch or heating food to an optimum temperature. Both contain heating elements, but while an oven is a unit in which food is placed, a hot plate is a hob of sorts where pans and kettles can be heated from below by a heating element.\n\n## When is an oven \u0026 hot plate used?\nWhile most homes have an oven, some catering and office establishments also require the ability to prepare food beyond a basic microwave. Hot plates are often used by mobile food vans and are an ideal solution for portable food prep requirements. While laboratories regularly use hot plates to heat samples for a chemical reaction, their flameless design is a much safer option than the traditional Bunsen burners.\n\n## Oven \u0026 hot plate types\n#### Hot plates\n• **Electric hot plates**\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;-\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;These feature either an exposed or integrated coil burner. Exposed coil burners heat up quickly and can be a little harder to control without practice, while integrated coil burners deliver consistent heat and are easily cleaned.\n\n• **Gas hot plates**\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;-\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;This type uses propane canisters as a fuel source and is a go-to for campers. While industrial versions are also available and feature cast iron grates.\n\n• **Induction hot plates**\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;-\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;This modern variation utilises an electromagnetic field to create heat but must be used with induction cookware (which has a magnetic base).\n\n#### Ovens\nThere are lots of different types of ovens available, and these include single and double versions as well as combination models. They can be freestanding or built-in and are available with gas, electric and convection heating systems.\n\n• **Gas ovens**\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;-\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;This type are usually freestanding and utilise a gas inlet for fuel. They tend to heat up quickly and feature responsive temperature controls.\n\n• **Electric ovens**\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;-\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;These can be fitted or freestanding and must be situated near to a power source. They have a reputation for consistent heat and are easier to clean than gas ovens.\n\n• **Convection ovens**\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;-\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Sometimes called fan ovens, these circulate hot air inside of the oven to ensure even heat on all racks.\n\n## Considerations when choosing an oven or hot plate\n• **Power supply** - this will depend on what's available in the space you have and how portable you require your oven or hot plate to be.\n\n• **Size** - A smaller, gas-powered hot plate is ideal if you require portability. While table-top ovens are a lot easier to move than full-sized variants.\n\n• **Safety features** - for hot plates, ensure that an emergency cut-off is among the safety features to help prevent over-heating accidents.\n\n### FAQs\n*Do hot plates use a lot of electricity?*\n\nAn electric hot plate uses around the same consumption of electricity as the average household toaster. Different models may offer a better performance, so check the technical specifications before purchase.\n\n*How often should you replace an oven?*\n\nCheck your oven's performance at the ten-to-fifteen-year mark. Once the performance starts to dip past that time, it's worth investing in a replacement as this will be cheaper than repairs.