Electric skillet vs. hot plate: running cost
An electric skillet is cheaper to run: about $4 a year versus $30 for a hot plate at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $26 difference.
| Electric skillet | Hot plate | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 1,500 W | 1,000 W |
| Watt range | 1,000–1,500 W | 750–1,800 W |
| Typical use | 30 minutes a day, 1 days a week | 45 minutes a day |
| Energy per year | 20 kWh | 164 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 13¢ | 11¢ |
| Cost per day | 1.0¢ | 8.1¢ |
| Cost per month | $0.29 | $2.46 |
| Cost per year | $4 | $30 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $9 | $72 |
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What drives the difference
- Electric skillet: Electric skillets and woks draw about 1,200-1,500 W and cycle with a thermostat; a 30-minute meal uses about 0.4 kWh.
- Hot plate: Single-burner hot plates use 750-1,500 W; cast iron plates are slow to heat and lose heat around the edges.
Ways to cut either cost
Heats existing pans efficiently and doubles as a burner.
See options on AmazonHeats the pan directly and wastes far less heat than cast iron or coil hot plates.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, an electric skillet or a hot plate?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), a hot plate costs about $30 a year versus $4 for an electric skillet. That's $26 more, or 8.4× as much.
How many watts do electric skillet and hot plate use?
An electric skillet typically draws 1,500 W (range 1,000–1,500 W). A hot plate draws 1,000 W (range 750–1,800 W). Watts alone don't decide cost. Hours of use, cycling and standby matter just as much.
Rates: EIA, 12 months ending 2026-07. Methodology.