List Price: $19.99
Sale Price: $16.00
Today's Bonus: 20% Off
For all the users who have had this fail. There is a minor "flaw" with this product, but failure can be avoided easily.
There is a thermal fuse in the product located near the side of the device. You should maintain 10 inches of clearance around all sides (no towels, etc.) to prevent the thermal fuse from overheating causes the device to "fail". This fuse is intentionally sensitive to avoid the product from causing a fire.
(Ideal design would have been a resettable PTC fuse, but this would increase cost).
The temperature control is from a bimetallic switch whose tension is controlled by a screw connected to the knob. Internals are well built and mounted, albeit simple. Appropriate heat shielding is used.
Otherwise don't expect magic. I purchased this for a sous vide and intentionally chose a simple cheap product. However caveats for users expecting fast temperature response: while it heats very quickly, it cools very slowly. (I did not rely on the thermostat to control the temperature, the included thermostat only very roughly controls the temperature and allows it to fluctuate wildly.)
Edit 9/10/2012
So far no issues, fairly constant use. For users wondering I find it draws around 8 Amps (max amperage). A 6 Amp breaker will trip when running this device (I would size all wiring for 15 Amps, but that's just me).
Also the top surface is very heavy, which causes it to hold a great deal of heat if you are building a sous vide I would try to maintain the temperature of the surface to your desired temperature. (eg place your thermocouple near the bottom of the pot, I let mine touch the bottom).
Edit 12/13/2012
Note: Your mileage may vary: the HIGH temperature setting does still regulate the temperature. Aka setting it on HIGH isn't going to just cause it to be constantly powered. This I don't mind. If it were to be constantly powered it would without doubt blow the thermal fuse, and with my PID controller it doesn't really affect anything.
Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>
I don't usually write reviews of products, but when I saw the overwhelmingly negative reviews this product has received, I had to speak up. I've had one of these for several years, and it's been working -and still works -flawlessly. I use it mostly for keeping a pot of tea at the temperature I like throughout the day, and I'm quite pleased with how well I can control the temperature of the hot plate.The heating plate is cast -something, and it holds heat well. It does everything I want it to do exactly as I want it to do it, and the price is pleasantly modest. What more could I want? I don't know what planet these other folks are on, but the reason I returned to this product page is to buy a second one for my office!
Best Deals on Aroma Hot Plates
people dont usually write these reviews unless they have a problem with the product and want to warn other potential buyers.i've been using this thing for well over a year now and it hasnt let me down one bit. its durable and requires no special care, just turn it on and set it to the level you want and let it do its thing. its reliable, quick,effortless and i use it nearly every day.
Honest reviews on Aroma Hot Plates
I ordered several different hot plate single burner cookers to see which one I liked best, and this one won. It's sturdy and heavy.. and unlike all the others, it can be CLEANED....which greatly prolongs its life..Impossible to clean the others... so they get tossed after a few months. Some of the cheaper models didn't heat properly after a while, and even became an electrical hazard so had to be discarded. This one seems to be a better made unit.The control settings are accurate, and nice to have 3 cook settings, plus a 4th 'warm' setting.
Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Aroma Hot Plates
Although it appears to be a great product for the first couple of months... when it's done.. it's done! It simply STOPPED working after 2 months. If you purchase this item, be certain you purchase the small appliance replacement warranty from Amazon.. because the manufacturer certainly will not replace it!
