Buzz
To keep your beverages warm, you have several options: insulated cups, smart mugs, and flat-platform mug warmers. While smart mugs and insulated cups can be stylish, they tend to come with a hefty price tag. You'll see them being marketed during the gift-giving season, but I recommend you resist! The humble platform mug warmer may not win any beauty contests, but its versatile design makes it far more practical and useful in the long run.
Though I’ve heard great things about the Ember smart mug, it’s still just a cup, and one that needs its specific base. This limits its functionality—only items that fit into the cup will get warm, and you can't swap out the cup for something else. Insulated mugs are a similar story; while they don’t need a base and can maintain their temperature, they don't actively heat your drink.
I recommend opting for warmers with a flat design, allowing you to heat containers of any shape or size.
I used to think a mug warmer was just a one-trick pony, and as someone who sips slowly, I needed that one job to be done right. While it does a great job of keeping my coffee at the perfect temperature, that’s just the start of why it’s become my wintertime essential. A simple platform mug warmer doubles as a low-key hot plate, heating whatever you place on it (within reason). As long as the container is heat-safe and fits, you’re good to go.
You can proof bread using a mug warmer.
It should really be called an all-purpose warmer, as it works wonders for food too. I realized this while baking bread on a chilly March day, when the dough wasn’t rising as expected. My apartment was too cold, with north-facing windows that offered little sunlight. So, I decided to give my mug warmer a try. I placed a ceramic dish on the warming plate, added a fabric pot holder, and set the metal bowl of dough on top. Using an instant-read thermometer, I made sure the dough stayed at a comfortable 85°F, and it rose beautifully. (You can read more about proofing bread on a mug warmer here.)
Put your mug warmer to work for soups and dips.
Keeping coffee warm and proofing bread already makes the mug warmer worthy of praise, but I use it for so much more. I keep soup bowls warm during lunch, make butter soft and spreadable, and solve the classic problem of keeping cheesy dips at the right temperature. No more microwaving spinach artichoke dip or enduring cold, congealed buffalo chicken dip. Just plug in the mug warmer and place your dip on top. While it may not stay steaming hot all night, your cheese-based dip will stay at a perfect 135°F. This is great for solo snacking and especially essential for parties.
Optimization tips for mug warmers.
Be sure to check the packaging before using a mug warmer, as not all materials are compatible. My model works with tempered glass (like a coffee carafe), ceramic, and metal items. I typically use my ceramic bowls for serving dips and soups.
To maximize the heating efficiency of your mug warmer, ensure the bottom of the mug or bowl has plenty of contact with the warming surface. Flat-bottomed dishes work best, but most ceramics have a raised lip and central indentation, creating an air pocket that can reduce heat transfer. I recommend placing a quarter in the center of the warmer before setting the mug on top. This simple trick helps the quarter conduct heat more evenly, providing faster and more consistent warming results.
