Hot Pot Stands: A Warming Trend In Dining

A stand for a hot pot is called a trivet. The word comes from the Latin tripedem, meaning three-footed, and is used to protect surfaces from hot dishes. They are often made from materials such as silicone, cork, bamboo, steel, iron, or wood.

Hot pot stands with an attached heat source

Butane Burner

Butane burners are a popular choice for hot pot stands as they are completely cordless and offer a romantic and simple live flame. The Iwatani VA-30 Portable Butane Stove is a highly recommended option by chef Tadashi Ono, co-author of the cookbook "Japanese Hot Pots". It is easy to use, with a simple turn of the dial to get it started. Butane burners are also quieter than other options such as induction burners. They are generally cheaper, but you will need to procure butane canisters separately, which can be a hassle to dispose of properly.

Induction Burner

Induction burners, such as the Duxtop 9600LS, are fast, safe, and more efficient than butane burners. They have a magnetic coil that generates heat directly in the pot, keeping the burner surface cool. This makes them a safer option. However, induction burners require pots made of magnetic materials with completely flat bottoms, and they tend to be noisier due to the built-in fan for cooling. You will also need a nearby power outlet, which can be a limitation for outdoor use.

Electric Skillet

If you already have an electric skillet, such as the Gourmet D'Expert Electric Skillet, it can be a good option for hot pot. It offers a multi-functional design with two cooking pans: a deep pan with a divider for yin-yang hot pot and a dual-surface griddle pan. However, electric skillets may not provide precise temperature control, and their rectangular shape might not be ideal for hot pot.

Hot Pot with Attached Burner

Some hot pots come with an attached burner, providing a convenient all-in-one solution. These can be fuelled by butane or electricity. While they offer the advantage of portability and ease of use, the trade-off is that they may not be as durable or long-lasting as separate hot pot stands and heat sources.

When choosing a hot pot stand with an attached heat source, consider factors such as convenience, safety, noise levels, pot compatibility, and your intended usage (indoors vs outdoors). Additionally, always follow the safety instructions provided by the manufacturer to ensure a safe and enjoyable hot pot experience.

Different materials used for hot pot stands

A trivet is a kitchen accessory used to protect tables and counters from hot dishes. Trivets are typically made from materials that can withstand high temperatures, such as:

Wood

Wooden trivets are often made from hardwoods like walnut, oak, and zebrawood, which are known for their durability and heat resistance. These trivets come in various shapes, including circular, rectangular, and fish-shaped designs. Some wooden trivets also feature intricate laser-cut patterns or interlocking designs.

Cork

Cork is a natural, lightweight, flexible, and waterproof material that is fire-resistant. It is derived from the bark of cork oak trees, which can take up to nine years to regenerate after harvesting. Cork trivets are available in different shapes, such as round, oval, square, and rectangular.

Metal

Metal trivets are typically made from cast iron and feature decorative designs. They can have rubber feet to protect surfaces from scratches and provide stability. Metal trivets come in various styles, including vintage and rustic looks.

Ceramic

Ceramic trivets are scratch-proof, heat-resistant, and often feature colourful designs or patterns. They can also be used as coasters for mugs or cups.

Silicone

Silicone is a flexible and heat-resistant material that can be used to make trivets in various colours and designs. Silicone trivets are dishwasher-safe, stain-resistant, and modern in design.

The difference between hot pads and pot holders

A hot pot stand is called a trivet. A trivet is a small plate or stand that you put a hot serving dish on to protect your table or counters from heat damage. They are often made from materials such as ceramic, glass, cork, cast iron, metal, and steel.

Now, you may be wondering about the difference between hot pads and pot holders. Well, they are not the same thing!

Hot pads are a type of material used under hot dishes to protect surfaces such as tabletops and kitchen counters. They are often square or circular and made from materials such as cotton, silicone, cork, or woven rattan.

Pot holders, on the other hand, are used to cover your hands when holding hot kitchen equipment like pots and pans. They are typically made from polyester, cotton, or silicone, and have a rubber surface on one side for grip and a fabric side on the other to absorb heat. They usually have a slit for your hand to go into and are often square-shaped with rounded corners.

While hot pads are meant to be left in one place, pot holders are used to handle hot items and require two if both hands are needed. In a pinch, hot pads can be used as makeshift pot holders, but it is not recommended as a long-term substitute due to the risk of burns and lack of grip.

The origin of the word 'trivet'

The word "trivet" has its roots in the Latin word "tripēs", which means "three-footed". The Latin tripedem, or tripēs, is a combination of "tri", meaning "three", and "ped", meaning "foot". The word "trivet" itself is derived from the Middle English "trevet" and Old English "trefet", which also means "three-footed".

The Old English "trefet" is thought to be a blend of the Latin "triped-" and the Old English "thrifēte", both of which refer to three-footed objects. This etymology reflects the fact that trivets often have three legs, although some have four or none at all. The three-legged design is particularly stable, reducing wobbling on uneven surfaces.

Trivets have been used since ancient times to protect tables and other surfaces from heat damage. They are usually made of metal, wood, ceramic, or other materials, and are placed under hot dishes or cooking vessels. In addition to their practical use, trivets can also be ornamental, adding to the aesthetic of the table setting.

The phrase "right as a trivet" is an old expression meaning "perfect" or "excellent". It is thought to originate from the fact that three-legged trivets are steady and stable on most surfaces.

How to use a hot pot with a stand

A hot pot stand is called a trivet. Now, to use a hot pot with a stand, follow these steps:

First, you need to gather the right equipment. The most important piece of equipment for a hot pot is the burner. Butane and electric burners are the two most common types. Electric burners are preferable because they heat more evenly and are less likely to run out of fuel. A portable heat source, such as an electric burner, tabletop gas burner, or a hot pot set with a built-in electrical heating element, will also work.

Next, you'll need a pot. A wide, relatively shallow pot is best. Chinese stainless steel hot pots are ideal due to their round shape and depth, which allows for a good amount of food to be cooked without the food getting lost at the bottom. Some pots even have a "yin-yang" feature, allowing you to have two different soup flavors at the same time.

Chopsticks are also essential for a hot pot meal. Bamboo or wooden chopsticks are recommended since they are heat-resistant and cool down quickly.

You will also need small bowls for each person to assemble their own dipping sauce, as well as metal hot pot baskets or wire ladles to cook the food in the broth.

Now, let's talk about the food. Hot pot is a very customizable meal, and you can choose whatever ingredients you like. However, a balanced hot pot spread should include a variety of proteins, seafood, vegetables, hardy vegetables, mushrooms, and starches.

For proteins, you can choose from beef short ribs, fatty beef, leg of lamb, or pork belly. If you're using beef short ribs, par-freeze them first to firm them up, then trim off the silver skin and cut against the grain into thin slices or cubes. For the leg of lamb, ask your butcher to remove the bone and slice it narrowly. Presliced pork belly can be found in the refrigerated or frozen section of most Asian supermarkets.

For seafood, you can use Manila clams or shrimp. If using clams, scrub them clean and purge them in water for 30 minutes before cooking. For shrimp, go with tiger shrimp or your shrimp of choice, and salt them before rinsing.

When it comes to vegetables, Napa cabbage, chrysanthemum greens, and yu choy are excellent choices. Simply chop them into manageable pieces and add them to the pot.

Hardy vegetables like mountain yam, taro, lotus root, potato, and kabocha squash will add texture and variety to your hot pot.

Mushrooms are also a great addition to your hot pot. Enoki, beech, shiitake, king oyster, and button mushrooms will all work well. Simply chop off the roots and pull them apart into smaller clumps before adding them to the pot.

Finally, don't forget the starches! Glass noodles, rice noodles, instant ramen, rice, or dumplings can be added to your hot pot to round out the meal.

Once you have all your ingredients and equipment ready, it's time to start cooking. Place your burner on a stable surface and place your pot on top. Fill the pot with broth and turn on the burner to bring the broth to a boil.

While the broth is heating up, prepare your dipping sauces by mixing your choice of base (such as sesame sauce, peanut butter, or soy sauce) with additional flavorings such as chili garlic sauce, Chinese black vinegar, toasted sesame seeds, or fried shallots.

Once the broth reaches a boil, add whatever takes the longest to cook, such as hardy vegetables or mushrooms. You can also add meats at this point if you want to make your broth even meatier. Remember to be careful when adding flavor sponges like tofu or Napa cabbage to spicy broths, as they can absorb the heat and become overwhelming.

After that, it's a free-for-all! Add whatever ingredients you like to the pot and cook them to your desired level of doneness. Don't forget to share your delicious creations with your fellow diners!

And there you have it! You now know how to use a hot pot with a stand to create a delicious and customizable meal for you and your friends.

Frequently asked questions