Hot plate vs. induction cooktop: running cost
A hot plate is cheaper to run: about $30 a year versus $59 for an induction cooktop at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $30 difference.
| Hot plate | Induction cooktop | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 1,000 W | 1,800 W |
| Watt range | 750–1,800 W | 1,200–3,700 W |
| Typical use | 45 minutes a day | 1 hour a day |
| Energy per year | 164 kWh | 329 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 11¢ | 16¢ |
| Cost per day | 8.1¢ | 16¢ |
| Cost per month | $2.46 | $4.93 |
| Cost per year | $30 | $59 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $72 | $143 |
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What drives the difference
- Hot plate: Single-burner hot plates use 750-1,500 W; cast iron plates are slow to heat and lose heat around the edges.
- Induction cooktop: Induction delivers about 85% of its energy into the pan, so it needs less total energy than radiant or coil burners for the same cooking. A portable 120 V unit maxes out at 1,800 W.
Ways to cut either cost
Heats the pan directly and wastes far less heat than cast iron or coil hot plates.
See options on AmazonFlat, magnetic-bottomed pans couple efficiently with the coil for faster, cheaper heating.
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Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, a hot plate or an induction cooktop?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), an induction cooktop costs about $59 a year versus $30 for a hot plate. That's $30 more, or 2.0× as much.
How many watts do hot plate and induction cooktop use?
A hot plate typically draws 1,000 W (range 750–1,800 W). An induction cooktop draws 1,800 W (range 1,200–3,700 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.