How much does it cost to run a hot plate?
A hot plate costs about 11¢ per hour, 8.1¢ a day, $2.46 a month and $30 a year at typical use (45 minutes a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Single-burner hot plates use 750-1,500 W; cast iron plates are slow to heat and lose heat around the edges.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single burner | 1,000 | 11¢ | 8.1¢ | $2.46 | $30 |
| Double burner | 1,800 | 19¢ | 15¢ | $4.44 | $53 |
At 45 minutes a day and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.60 | 11¢ | $3.29 | $39 |
| 2 hours | 1.20 | 22¢ | $6.57 | $79 |
| 4 hours | 2.40 | 43¢ | $13.14 | $158 |
| 8 hours | 4.80 | 86¢ | $26.28 | $315 |
| 12 hours | 7.20 | $1.30 | $39.43 | $473 |
| 24 hours | 14.40 | $2.59 | $78.85 | $946 |
Cost to run a hot plate in every state
The same hot plate costs $20 a year in North Dakota and $72 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 7.4¢ | $1.69 | $20 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 7.6¢ | $1.73 | $21 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 7.7¢ | $1.76 | $21 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 7.8¢ | $1.78 | $21 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 8.0¢ | $1.82 | $22 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 8.0¢ | $1.83 | $22 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 8.1¢ | $1.84 | $22 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 8.1¢ | $1.86 | $22 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 8.2¢ | $1.88 | $23 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 8.3¢ | $1.90 | $23 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 8.4¢ | $1.91 | $23 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 8.4¢ | $1.91 | $23 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 8.4¢ | $1.92 | $23 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 8.5¢ | $1.93 | $23 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 8.5¢ | $1.94 | $23 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 8.5¢ | $1.94 | $23 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 8.9¢ | $2.02 | $24 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 8.9¢ | $2.02 | $24 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 9.1¢ | $2.07 | $25 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 9.1¢ | $2.07 | $25 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 9.2¢ | $2.10 | $25 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 9.2¢ | $2.11 | $25 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 9.2¢ | $2.11 | $25 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 9.3¢ | $2.12 | $25 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 9.3¢ | $2.12 | $25 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 9.4¢ | $2.14 | $26 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 9.6¢ | $2.19 | $26 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 9.7¢ | $2.22 | $27 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 9.9¢ | $2.25 | $27 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 9.9¢ | $2.26 | $27 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 9.9¢ | $2.27 | $27 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 10¢ | $2.32 | $28 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 11¢ | $2.44 | $29 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 11¢ | $2.50 | $30 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 11¢ | $2.57 | $31 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 11¢ | $2.57 | $31 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 12¢ | $2.84 | $34 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 13¢ | $2.88 | $35 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 13¢ | $2.88 | $35 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 14¢ | $3.26 | $39 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 14¢ | $3.26 | $39 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 15¢ | $3.31 | $40 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 16¢ | $3.65 | $44 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 16¢ | $3.68 | $44 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 17¢ | $3.83 | $46 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 17¢ | $3.89 | $47 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 18¢ | $4.01 | $48 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 18¢ | $4.01 | $48 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 18¢ | $4.17 | $50 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 20¢ | $4.52 | $54 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 26¢ | $5.96 | $72 |
How to cut the cost
- Use a pan that covers the whole plate.
- Cover pots with lids.
- Turn off a few minutes before food is done to use stored heat.
- Switch to induction if you use a hot plate every day.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Heats the pan directly and wastes far less heat than cast iron or coil hot plates.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot plate | 1,000 | 45 minutes a day | $2.46 | $30 |
| Induction cooktop | 1,800 | 1 hour a day | $4.93 | $59 |
| Electric stove burner | 1,500 | 1 hour a day | $4.93 | $59 |
| Electric skillet | 1,500 | 30 minutes a day, 1 days a week | $0.29 | $4 |
| Instant Pot | 1,000 | 45 minutes a day, 3 days a week | $0.83 | $10 |
| Drip coffee maker | 1,000 | 30 minutes a day | $1.22 | $15 |
| Sous vide | 1,000 | 3 hours a day, 1 days a week | $0.59 | $7 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a hot plate per hour?
A hot plate drawing 1,000 watts uses 0.60 kWh per hour while running (60% duty cycle). At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 11¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 7.4¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 26¢.
How much does it cost to run a hot plate per month?
At typical use (45 minutes a day), a hot plate costs about $2.46 a month and $30 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a hot plate use?
Most hot plates use 750 to 1,800 watts, depending on the setting (single burner 1,000 W, double burner 1,800 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a hot plate use?
About 0.45 kWh a day and 164 kWh a year at typical use (45 minutes a day).
Does a hot plate use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 164 kWh a year it's a small share (1.6%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a hot plate or an induction cooktop?
At typical use, a hot plate costs about $30 a year versus $59 for an induction cooktop. So the hot plate is cheaper by about $30 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a hot plate?
- Use a pan that covers the whole plate.
- Cover pots with lids.
- Turn off a few minutes before food is done to use stored heat.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.