TLDR: I have an unused portable electric stove. Can I use it for heating air around without putting anything on top?
Long explanation:
I am cleaning up, repairing and adding insulation to a basement so that I can live there. I bought a 1200W infrared heater to make it warmer while I do stuff there, but it's not enough. I don't want to spend money on another heater because maybe I won't need it after I install the hatch and insulate it. So I thought I can temporarily use stove as a space heater.
Best Answer
Appliances are designed and manufactured with safeguards appropriate for their intended use. If you look at radiant heaters they have protective grills over the exposed heating elements to prevent some unfortunate person from touching the hot part, and to prevent combustibles from inadvertently contacting the heating element. They also have features like "tip-over" switches that shut them off if someone trips over the cord, and over-temp thermal cut-off switches if they overheat.
Your burner is designed for short term supervised use as a cooker, not a heater. I can't say that it won't work as a heater, but I can say that you should not use it for that, especially in a basement that could become a deathtrap for the occupant if there was a fire.
p.s.- the manufacturer user guide says: