How to Boil Water on a Hot Plate

An electric hot plate can be useful for heating up food and drink when you don't have access to a stove or for keeping already-hot foods warm. Although a hot plate is nowhere near as powerful as a full-size electric stove, you can use it to boil water for convenience foods such as instant coffee, tea or dehydrated soups. The key is to use a pot or other container that is appropriate for the size of the hot plate -- and to be patient.

Things You'll Need

• Small saucepan or heat-safe container

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Plug in your hot plate, and set the temperature to the desired level. If your hot plate doesn't have a temperature gauge, simply plug it in and give it about five minutes to get hot.

   • 2

     Fill the small saucepan or heat-safe container with water.

   • 3

     Place the saucepan or container onto the hot eye of the hot plate. Let it sit uncovered for 10 minutes or until it comes to a rolling boil.

   • 4

     Unplug the hot plate, and remove the saucepan. Let the hot plate cool down to room temperature before putting it away.