Thanks for choosing Sonya Hot Pot. The stainless steel pot is the individual pot which is detachable from the heating base. It ensures it will not harmful to the health. Gentle reminder, it is normal to have a burning smell, the smell on the first use is from a protective coating of oil that is used during the manufacturing process. The smell will automatically faded away after the couple time's usage. Recommend you to run the first try by boiling the clean water, you can add few vinegar into it.