Not from the 3D printing world, but sometimes I'd use our heating plate to reheat pizza LOL! Gotta make sure to clean the surface really well afterwards though.
Used to have problems with the cat sneaking up while preheating, and being very intent on not getting off. (Even with the cold hot end poking him. It was… hilarious. Took an old i3 and sacrificed the build plate to solve the issue though.)
it really was hilarious watching the cat stubbornly refuse to move out the way as the bed moved back and forth and the hot end poked it. the cat had this most baleful look like it was being martyred by the machine.
(Yes, the friend was careful not to hurt the cat.)