As the old kitchen saying goes, the first dish of dinner service should taste exactly like the last dish of the night. This is a tried and true motto that showcases an operator’s consistency. Shouldn’t that same idea hold true for buffets and pop-up events that require portable cooktops? It is possible to deliver uniform, restaurant-quality dishes in any portable cooktop scenario if you know what features to look for. The portable cooktop marketplace includes gas, electric and induction models. Here are some qualities to look for as you sort through these options.
Safety aspects
Safety first. There have been lots of advancements in portable cooktop design over the past decade, creating lightweight and ergonomic units. Although the modern portable cooktop can appear slim and streamlined, do not lose sight of the fact that these still pack a lot of power. It is critical to look for safety features. Hot surface indicators are a good first line of defense for portable gas and electric cooktops. Cooks and guests alike can be alerted with a red light if there is a hot surface. Notably, induction cooktops only get hot when a pan is present. A second critical line of defense is overheating protection. Electric portable cooktops, at a minimum, should include a countdown timer that turns the unit off after a predetermined amount of time. Gas and electric portable cooktops can have a feature that will turn the power off when a certain temperature threshold is achieved. An induction unit is often smarter than its gas and electric counterparts. Induction portable cooktop sensors prevent overheating and turn the heating area off automatically when a pan is removed from the cooking surface.
Precise temperature control
Knowledge is power. A cook who can manage temperature control can take the guesswork out of preparing food. This ability speeds up buffet lines and allows the user to dial in more nuanced preparations such as tempering chocolate or poaching an egg. Precise temperature control is also advantageous for holding food in the temperature “safety zone.” A portable gas cooktop is least likely to have much precision in temperature control and operates more on user feel. Some portable gas cooktops utilize thermocouples for intelligent flame monitoring, but this can still lead to variations in temperature. Electric portable cooktops operate with a range of calibrated zones from warm to hot, rarely with exact temperatures. Over multiple uses, a user can hone in on a more specific temperature zone with use of the control dial. Although more accurate than their gas counterparts, electric portable cooktops still require some guesswork on the part of the user. An induction portable cooktop can be accurate to within a single degree. For any heat-and-hold situation, this is a key attribute as it leaves nothing to chance. A cook can prepare items with more confidence and less training when there is no approximating temperature.
Power control
Power and temperature control are related, but are not the same thing. For that reason, it is ideal for a portable cooktop to have a power gauge independent of temperature control. It is preferable for power control to work in tandem with temperature control. Consider the task of boiling a gallon of water on a portable cooktop. The speed at which this task can be completed could be increased by increasing the power. A portable gas cooktop should have the ability to calibrate the rate at which gas is being dispensed in order to be burned, but it wastes energy in the process. For electric and induction portable cooktops, power is determined by wattage. Electric portable cooktops can draw 100 watts to 1500 watts while induction portable cooktops have a higher upper range drawing 100 watts to 3700 watts. Keep in mind that higher wattage can require more voltage to an outlet. 1800 watts is the maximum that can be derived from a standard wall outlet. Anything beyond 1800 watts will necessitate the installation of a special outlet.
A well-designed control panel
Cooking in style. As portable cooktop design has evolved over the years from boxy and basic to sleek and ergonomic, there are design elements to consider. To begin with, an angled control panel is preferable to a fully flat control panel. A fully flat control panel is more likely to be splattered. Flat control panels also add to a portable cooktop’s surface area. A larger footprint leads to using up valuable counter or table space. From a style and usability standpoint, well-designed control panels favor touch controls and digital readouts to excessive knobs and raised buttons. If there are knobs built into the control panel, make sure they’re constructed with durability in mind. Ultimately, a well-designed control panel is easier to clean, easier to use and easier on the eye.
Front-of-house and back-of-house interchangeability
Form versus function. A unit’s interchangeability between front and back of the house makes portable cooktops an attractive option. When we're talking about versatility, this usually becomes a discussion about durability. A portable cooktop specific to the back of the house might lack the design and finishes suitable for guests to see, but might be better constructed and have more power. A portable cooktop specific to the front of the house might lack some of the power necessary for an event. However, a portable cooktop designed for the front of the house might be more aesthetically pleasing. The two styles do not always have to be mutually exclusive. Design has caught up to power in recent years, so the portable cooktop marketplace does have units appropriate for both front and back of the house. A dual-purpose portable cooktop can be a smart investment, filling two needs with a single piece of equipment.Not all cooktops are created equally.
To begin your search, you’ll want to start thinking about features that can bring ease, consistency and control to your catering or buffet venue while standing up to the rigors of a commercial kitchen. Sorting through the top features of gas-burning, electric and induction portable cooktops can help point you in the right direction. If you discover portable induction cooktops are right for you, look no further than Hatco.
