Scilogex SCI280-Pro Circular-top Digital Magnetic Hotplate Stirrer, Sensor & Stand Sold Separately, 5" Dia. Ceramic Coated Steel Hot Plate, 280C Max

There are hotspots clearly visible on the hotplate surface. Heat is not dispersed evenly over the top. It makes pulsating noise and it makes my lights flicker.

So I did actually get water to boil but it takes a long time and with some tricks.Putting the thermocouple probe directly in the water does not work very well, the key is to use another medium like glycerol, cooking oil, or even better silicon oil.I got it with great labor to go to 98C and boil the water lightly. It too like 45 minutes or so.All that aside you get what you pay for, if you are on a budget this will work fine. It is actually what I needed which was a small footprint hotplate with thermocouple.However this is by far a subpar hotplate that "barely boils water". However thermocouple works well, it's honest, and the design is pretty good. The warnings and temp readouts after it has been shut off is a nice touch. It just needs a better heating element.