As many commercial hot plates are used in smaller establishments, available space if frequently a concern or limitation when making a purchase, so be sure to check the overall size of the unit to make sure there is enough counter space available. The width (or depth for some models) will determine the number of burners each unit has. Generally, there are two burners per every twelve inches of length. Some units even have a tiered or step-up design in which the rear burners are higher than the ones in front. Step-up hot plates allow you to easily access the pans on the rear burners, and they are a favorite of chefs who need to do a lot of display cooking.