Best Hot Pots
Hands up everyone who got into stir-fries and now has an unused carbon steel wok sitting on the top of a kitchen cabinet. Count me in. But what if we could re-ignite that original passion for Asian food with something a little different? Something more exciting than just veggies tossed in oil and soya sauce. If that foodie in you just sat up and took notice, then you’re ready to learn more about Hot Pots. It’s a Chinese cooking process that involves a pot of boiling broth surrounded by a selection of raw ingredients such as seafood, thinly sliced meats, tofu, noodles, and yes, those veggies. You dip them in to cook, then remove after a couple minutes to eat. Think fondue, but healthier. From Shabu-Shabu to Korean Barbecue, and Teppanyaki, you’ve got every base covered with a great Hot Pot.
Our Favorite Hot Pots
Food Party Electric Dual-Control Hot Pot and Grill: For Family Dinners
Overview:
Material: Teflon finish, PFOA-free
Capacity: 2 liters
Energy Source: electric
Wattage: 1900-watts
Diameter: 16.5-inches around
Warranty: 30-day return policy
The name says it all. When you’re ready to entertain friends and family, this Food Party Hot Pot is the perfect appliance to get the job done. Now, what sets it apart from the pack and makes this model so great is the raised grid with Teflon finish and the parchment paper rings provided by the manufacturer to line the grill. Together, they prevent sticking and mean you won’t ever leave half your meal on the grill. With this model’s unique dual-controls, you can choose between using the grill, the Hot Pot, or even fire up both for a delicious, healthy meal that everyone is going to love. And at 1900 watts, you get the fast, even heat that is essential to a well-timed meal and with a full 2-liter pot, you never need to worry about running out of cooking broth. But there’s more because this versatile Hot Pot/grill combo is also ideal for cooking up anything from fried eggs and sausages to sliders and soups – the possibilities truly are limitless. And if you’re concerned about a greasy build-up, a handy portal lets you drain it off before you add more foods. It’s easy-care, but definitely hand-wash.
Pros:
- Separate temperature controls for grill and hot pot
- Raised texture on cook surface prevents sticking
- Fast and even heating
- Includes brush, tongs, and parchment rings for grill
- Handy port lets oil drain from grill
Cons:
- Not dishwasher safe
If you want to ramp up your entertaining credentials, this hot pot / grill combo is a fun and interactive way to serve delicious, healthy foods.
Food Party Electric Dual-Control Hot Pot and Grill
Food Party Electric Dual-Control Hot Pot and Grill
Overview:
Material: Stainless-Steel
Capacity: 4.75 liters
Energy Source: electric
Wattage: 1500-watts
Diameter: 12-inches around
Let’s face it, not everyone has the same tastes and while some of your friends and family might enjoy a hot and spicy dipping broth for their meats, seafood and vegetables, others may be looking for something a little tamer. That’s what makes this Aroma Dual-Bowl Hot Pot the perfect choice for serving guests with specific preferences. The dual-bowl design makes it a snap to cook up 2 different broths in sufficient quantities to keep everyone happy. And while the generous 4.75-liter capacity means you’re not likely to run out, a tempered glass / stainless-steel lid with steam vent lets you monitor consumption while keeping everything piping hot. Now, this Hot Pot is powerful, using 1500 watts to heat your broths quickly and that means you’re really going to appreciate the easy access power dial that lets you scale back on temps when things start to boil. Best of all, because it’s made of stainless-steel throughout, and it’s a separate heating base versus built-in, it means you can toss this Hot Pot straight into the dishwasher at the end of a meal for a no-fuss, no-muss clean up. Now that’s how to end a party.
Pros:
- Adjustable heat source for optimal temperatures
- Dishwasher safe
- Large capacity Hot Pot
- Includes steam vent lid for perfect cooking
- Stainless-steel construction
Cons:
- Smaller bowl does not separate from larger bowl for clean-up.
- No grill features
If you want to satisfy multiple culinary palates, then this stainless-steel, dual-bowl hot pot is the only way to go.
SEANN Electric Hot Pot with Teppan Grill: For Small Gatherings
Overview:
Material: Aluminum alloy
Capacity: 1.6 liters
Energy Source: electric
Wattage: 2400-watts
Length: 30 inches
Variety really is the spice of life and if you’re like me, you love to try a big variety of different foods when it’s time to sit down to dinner. And that’s what makes this SEANN so great – you get both a Hot Pot and a Teppan-style grill in the one unit. You can chop up foods to have ready for dipping in the steaming Hot Pot broth, or toss them on the grill for a Teppanyaki style meal. And if that’s not enough, the 1.6-liter Hot Pot has a built-in divider so you can offer two perfectly prepared styles of broth to satisfy everyone’s culinary palette. The dual heat control features 5 temperature control settings and allows you to adjust the temperatures of each cook surface independent of one another – so timing dinner is never a problem. And with 2400 watts of cooking power, you don’t have to worry about foods being undercooked or taking forever to finish. The grill is cast aluminum with a non-stick coating finish which makes it easy for clean-up while the pot is stainless-steel. Unfortunately, neither can be separated from the heat base so must be hand-washed. But so worth it.
Pros:
- Large grill surface
- Heat-proof handles
- Dual temperature control with 5 settings
- Tempered glass lid helps monitor cook process
- Cast aluminum construction with non-stick finish
Cons:
- Doesn’t separate from heat-source, so must be hand-washed
If you’re looking for one appliance that can do everything from grill foods to heat soups and sauces, this is the one.
Liven Electric 5-Liter Hot Pot with Dual Bowls: For Cooks Who Love to Set it and Leave it
Overview:
Material: Aluminum alloy
Capacity: 5 liters
Energy Source: electric
Wattage: 1600-watts
Diameter: 12-inches
When you want to be able to just flick a switch, then get back to the party, the Liven electric hot pot is just the ticket. Right off the bat, you’ll notice there’s no Teppan grill to monitor, so no worry about foods overcooking and sticking to hot surfaces. It also has an extra-large, 5-liter pot so you don’t have to deal with broths and sauces bubbling up and over the top, or boiling dry. But what’s really cool is that unlike most electric Hot Pots that offer just an on/off switch, this one has 5 temperature settings. So, you can go from a gentle pre-heat of 50-degrees C to a boiling temperature of 200-degrees. You control the heat and the speed with which your meal is ready. And the split pot makes it easy to prepare a broth, sauce or both, to suit the tastes of everyone at the table. A vented glass lid not only allows steam to escape, but lets you monitor the progress of your meal and I love the heat-proof, oversized handle that makes it so simple to serve, then cover to retain heat. The pot’s non-stick surface makes clean up a breeze, however hand-washing only.
Pros:
- Generous, 5-liter capacity
- 5 heat settings for total control
- Dual bowls for cooking 2 broths
- Tempered glass lid with large, easy-grip handle
- Heat resistant handles
- Non-stick coating for easy clean up
Cons:
- Doesn’t separate from heat-source, so must be hand-washed
If you’re looking for a great quality, electric hot-pot does all the work without you having to stay on top of it, then this model is the perfect pick.
Yzakka Stove-top Stainless-steel Hot Pot with Divider: For Quick Meals and Easy Clean Up
Overview:
Material: Stainless steel
Capacity: 1.5 liters
Energy Source: stove top
Wattage: n/a
Diameter: 12-inches
When you want to whip up a little Shabu-Shabu for the family, but without having to clear counter space and deal with messy cords, this Yzakka stove-top Hot Pot is just the ticket. We’re looking at the 12-inch design which is perfect for 2 to 4 people, but it also comes in a larger family-size version for when you’re feeding a crowd. What you’ll instantly love about this lightweight stainless-steel Hot Pot, is that it’s divided in half to allow for different flavors and spice-levels of sauces and cooking broths. And its generously sized, so you never need to worry about running short. Best of all, because it isn’t electric, its perfect for smaller kitchens that lack counter and storage space, or for camping trips where propane or open flame are the only fuel sources. A convenient glass top makes monitoring your broth super easy and this unit also comes with two spoons – one slotted for removing cooked foods from the hot broth, and one solid for spooning out sauces. The cool touch handles mean you never need to worry about transferring it from the stovetop to the table, and the stainless-steel construction mean that yes, it is dishwasher-safe.
Pros:
- Stainless-steel construction
- Dishwasher safe
- S-shaped divider for 2 different broths
- Includes steam vent lid for perfect cooking
- Works on electric, gas, and induction cooktops
Cons:
- Steeper sides make dipping difficult while seated
If you just want to pull together a quick hot pot for the family dinner, this stainless-steel, stove-top version is an ideal option.
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Mastering the Art of Asian Cuisine in One Pot
You don’t have to clear cabinet space and invest hundreds of dollars in equipment to achieve great-tasting Asian cuisine. With a good quality Hot Pot, you have everything you need in one simple pot. Best of all, the sky’s the limit in terms of the flavor combinations you can achieve. While traditional Shabu-Shabu cuisine uses boiling broths for the dipping and cooking of finely sliced raw foods, many of the electric versions now include a grill surface to help round out your Teppanyaki-style dinner menu. And to be sure, those grills can be used for so many more styles of foods and cooking, such as an easy breakfast buffet – just crack a couple of eggs, add bacon or sausage, and you’re set.
You May Be Surprised at How Healthy Your Meals Become
We all want to eat healthy, but salads can become boring and so unappealing when cold weather hits. With a Hot Pot, you learn how to cook using the natural flavors of quality foods in a way you never imagined. You’re not dipping them into hot oil or melted cheese, you’re cooking them in a delicious, broth-type soup that you have prepared and seasoned to meet your personal palette. Mild or spicy, you’ll enjoy a course of perfectly cooked meats, seafood, vegetables or noodles, and then ladle out a cupful of the tasty, nutrition-packed broth to end your meal. A thoughtful style of healthy dining that is going to hook you and your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a Hot Pot Work?
Its similar to a fondue pot, where a hot liquid (in this case, soup broth versus cheese or oil) is brought to a rolling boil and finely sliced foods or noodles are then dipped in and allowed to cook. It can be enjoyed by multiple users and many of the pots reviewed have a dual-bowl design to allow the use of different broth flavors or a broth/sauce option.
Is a Hot Pot the Same as Shabu-Shabu
A Hot Pot is just the vessel that is used to make a Shabu-Shabu meal – which is a boiled broth with sliced vegetables for dipping.
What Size of Hot Pot Do I Need to Feed a Family of 4?
You should look at a Hot Pot with a 1.6-liter or more capacity. This will allow plenty of liquid for cooking, but you won’t have much soup left over to enjoy. If you want to both cook and finish off with a cup of the broth liquid, aim for the 5-liter designs.
Can I Use My Choice of Cooking Broth in the Hot Pot?
You can, however the traditional broth is a Japanese stock made with dried kelp called Kombu Dashi. It’s a vegan broth that is fairly easy to make and it can take the authenticity of your Shabu-Shabu dinner to the next level.
What about clean up?
Most electric Hot Pots have a built-in heat source which precludes putting it through the dishwasher. Hand-washing is required.
Is there anything I can’t put into the Hot Pot?
Hot Pots are manufactured to be used with boiling broths. Not oils that can over-heat and splatter and not creamy foods such as cheese or dairy sauces that can stick and burn.
Conclusion
If you love to entertain, but are so over fondue pots and hot rocks, a Hot Pot is a great way to go. It’s a fun, interactive way to feed your guests and best of all, it’s healthy. You can go as authentic as you like, with traditional broths and foods, or change it up to suit your crowd. And because so many now offer the Teppan surface, you can augment your menu with your choice of grilled foods. While most are not dishwasher-safe, they do have a non-stick coating that means an easy wipe-down with soap and water. The five Hot Pots we reviewed were chosen for a variety of reasons including liquid capacity, heat source, clean-up and versatility. We hope we’ve helped you pick up some tips and tricks on how to buy a good quality Hot Pot that will meet the lifestyle needs of you and your family your years to come.