The Ultimate Induction Cookware Set For Your Modern Kitchen

Induction cooktops are increasingly common, with many cooks favouring them for their sleek profile, easy-to-clean surface, and even heating. However, induction cooktops require compatible cookware. To be induction-friendly, cookware must have a ferromagnetic base, which works with an induction burner's electromagnetic coil.

There are a variety of high-quality induction cookware sets on the market, including stainless steel, cast iron, and ceramic options. Here is an introduction to some of the best options available:

- Cuisinart MultiClad Pro 12 Piece Stainless Cookware Set: This set is a great option for those seeking durability and even heating. The pans are oven-safe up to 550° F and conduct heat extremely well. However, the handles can get quite hot.

- Tramontina 8-Piece Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel Cookware Set: This affordable set offers even heating and sturdy construction. It is a great option for those who are just starting to build their kitchen or looking for a budget-friendly option.

- Caraway Ceramic Cookware Set: This set features a non-stick ceramic coating, making it easy to clean and preventing food from sticking. It also includes extra storage pieces and comes in a variety of aesthetically pleasing finishes.

- Made In 7-Piece The Non Stick Set: This set is optimised for induction cooking, with a 5-ply stainless clad construction that provides excellent heat conduction. The non-stick coating is PFOA-free, and the set includes a variety of pot and pan sizes.

- All-Clad D5 Stainless Brushed 5-Ply Bonded Cookware Set: This set is a top-of-the-line option for those seeking excellent heat conduction and durability. It has a high heat capacity and is oven-safe up to 600° F. However, it comes with a hefty price tag.

- Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron 5-Piece Set: Cast iron is a great option for induction cooking as it is naturally magnetic and provides excellent heat retention. This set from Lodge is pre-seasoned and made without PFOA or PTFE, making it a durable and versatile choice.

- Anolon Nouvelle Stainless Cookware Set: This set combines the excellent heat conductivity of copper with the durability and induction compatibility of stainless steel. It offers precision heating and large capacities, making it ideal for families or those who need to cook in batches.

Stainless steel

When it comes to choosing the best stainless steel cookware set for induction cooktops, here are some options to consider:

All-Clad D3 Stainless Everyday 10-Piece Pots and Pans Cookware Set

This set offers a lightweight design, flared edges, and comfortable handles. It distributes heat evenly, ensuring perfect cooking results. However, it is noted that the lid handles can get overheated. This set includes an assortment of pots and pans of various sizes, providing versatility in the kitchen.

Tramontina 8-Piece Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel Cookware Set

This affordable set offers even heating and is known for its sturdy construction. It includes two pans and three pots, but only the pots come with lids. The skillets also lack helper handles, which can make lifting them a bit challenging. Nonetheless, the set provides excellent value for the price.

Cuisinart MCP-12N MultiClad Pro 12-Piece Cookware Set

This comprehensive set is made of durable steel with an aluminium core, ensuring even heating and long-term heat retention. The smooth stainless steel surface makes it perfect for induction cooking. However, due to their excellent heat conduction, the handles can get quite hot. The set includes a variety of pieces, such as skillets, a saute pan, pots, a strainer, and lids, making it a versatile option.

All-Clad D5 Stainless Brushed 5-Ply Bonded 10-Piece Cookware Set

This set offers a high heat capacity and a lifetime warranty. It has two layers of aluminium sandwiched between stainless steel, providing exceptional even heating. While it is an expensive option with fewer pieces than some other sets, the durability and quality of All-Clad make it a worthwhile investment.

Tramontina Tri-Ply Clad 10-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set

This set includes pieces such as pots, pans, a saute pan, and a stockpot, offering a good range of sizes. It has an 18/10 stainless steel construction with an aluminium core, allowing for the magnetism necessary for induction cooking. The handles are riveted for durability and designed with ergonomics in mind. While some users find the weight distribution of the pots to be centred, the set offers overall good performance, durability, and design.

Cuisinart MultiClad Pro 12 Piece Stainless Cookware Set

This set is made of stainless steel with an induction-compatible aluminium core. It heats up quickly and retains heat well, making it ideal for searing and sauteing. The high sides prevent splatter, but they can also make it challenging to see into the pan. The handles are angled and comfortable to hold, and the set as a whole is well-balanced.

These options provide a range of features and price points to consider when choosing a high-quality stainless steel induction cookware set.

Cast iron

One highly recommended cast iron option for induction cooktops is the Lodge 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet, which is available for a very reasonable price of $30. Despite being on the heavier side at 7.5 pounds, it browns food beautifully and retains heat exceptionally well. Just be careful not to move it too vigorously during cooking to avoid scratching the cooktop.

For an enameled cast iron option, consider the Le Creuset 7.25-Quart Signature Enameled Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven, which is available for $294. This Dutch oven heated up quickly and evenly in tests, and its light-coloured interior made it easy to monitor browning and clean afterwards. It also comes in a variety of colours to complement any kitchen design.

Ceramic

Caraway Ceramic Cookware Set

This attractive set of ceramic cookware from Caraway Home comes in an assortment of earthy colours and has clean lines that go well with a modern minimalist aesthetic. The pans are made from aluminium with ceramic-coated interiors and feature riveted stainless steel handles that have a subtle bump underneath to indicate where the "hot zone" starts so you don't burn yourself. The pans are oven-safe up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit and will work with every cooktop, including induction. The set includes a 10.5-inch frying pan, 3-quart saucepan, 4.5-quart saucepan, and a 6.5-quart Dutch oven, plus a handy lid storage organiser.

OXO Ceramic Professional Non-Stick Cookware Set

If you'd rather have a classic set of neutral cookware, but still want the benefits of ceramic, this 10-piece set from Oxo fits the bill. It has all of the pieces you'll need to fully equip a kitchen: two skillets, two saucepans, a high-sided sauté pan, and a 5.2-quart casserole pot. Each is made with an anodized aluminium core with a black ceramic-coated interior, and very stylish stainless-steel handles. We found this to be a very solid set of cookware, offering even heating and little to no sticking when it came to cooking eggs and making rice pilaf.

T-fal Initiatives Ceramic Cookware Set

T-Fal was one of the innovators of the original nonstick cookware, and now they’ve branched out into ceramic-coated cookware as well. This set has a white ceramic interior that is scratch-resistant, stain-resistant, and dishwasher-safe. Made from aluminium, the cookware heats quickly, the handles have hanging holes, and the lids are made from tempered glass so you can peek at what you’re cooking without lifting the lid. The set includes a 7.5-inch frying pan, an 11-inch frying pan with lid, a 1-quart saucepan with lid, a 2-quart saucepan with lid, a 5-quart Dutch oven with lid, a 10-inch square griddle, and six nylon tools that you can use in the pans.

Greenlife Stainless Pro 2-Piece Frying Pan Set

Skillets are perhaps the number one pan when it comes to nonstick cookware pieces, coming in handy when making foods that tend to stick (we're looking at you, eggs). This set by Greenlife includes two sizes—8 inches and 11 inches—letting you cook both small and large quantities when necessary. Crafted from two layers of stainless steel wrapped around an aluminium core and coated with a nonstick ceramic, these pans offer durability and even heating with enough weight to keep them steady on the stove. We appreciate that oil didn't sit in the hottest part of the 8-inch pan, and so during testing, our lightly crisp eggs slid right out.

Non-stick

When looking for non-stick induction cookware, it is important to consider the material. While ceramic-coated cookware may work, traditional non-stick coatings perform better. Stainless steel is a good option, as it is magnetic and works with induction cooktops. Hard-anodized aluminum is another great choice, as it conducts heat quickly and evenly.

Kitchen Academy Induction Cookware Set

This 12-piece set includes a variety of pots and pans, such as fry pans, a deep fry pan, saucepans, casseroles, and even silicone utensils. The graniteware coating prevents food from sticking, and the aluminum core ensures quick and even heat distribution. The dark bakelite handles are heat-resistant, staying cool to the touch, and are more stain-resistant and easy to clean. This set is also lead, PFOS, and PFOA-free, making it a safe and healthy option for your kitchen.

CAROTE 10-Piece or 11-Piece Non-Stick Cookware Set

This set comes in either 10 or 11 pieces, including frying pans, saucepans, and a stockpot. The white granite induction cookware set is PFOS and PFOA-free, ensuring a safe and non-toxic cooking experience. The handles are also detachable, making it easy to store and perfect for RVs or camping.

All-Clad HA1 Hard Anodized Nonstick 10-Piece Set

This hard-anodized nonstick cookware set is a fantastic option for induction cooktops. It includes a range of frying pans, saucepans, a sauté pan, and a stockpot, all with sleek, black finishes and shiny metal handles. While the pans are a little heavy, they are well-built and durable. The three layers of PFOA-free nonstick material create a slick finish, making food release and cleanup a breeze.

Tramontina 9-Piece Induction Nonstick Cookware Set

The Tramontina set is a great option for busy kitchens, with its heavy-gauge aluminum construction and slate gray nonstick exterior finish. The reinforced nonstick interior is made without lead or cadmium, making it safe and easy to clean. The set includes a range of fry pans, saucepans, a sauté pan, and a Dutch oven, all with tempered glass lids and riveted cast stainless steel handles. It is compatible with induction, gas, electric, and ceramic glass cooktops and is oven-safe up to 350°F.

SENSARTE 14-Piece Non-Stick Cookware Set

The SENSARTE set is a 14-piece non-stick induction cookware set that includes frying pans, saucepans, and a stockpot. The black set is PFOA, PFOS, and APEO-free, ensuring a safe and non-toxic cooking experience. The pots and pans heat up quickly and distribute heat evenly, resulting in perfectly cooked meals every time.

These non-stick induction cookware sets offer a range of features, from quick and even heat distribution to easy cleanup. Consider your specific needs and preferences when choosing the best set for your kitchen.

Copper

There are some drawbacks to copper cookware. For one, it is very expensive. It is also tricky to care for, as it should not be put in the dishwasher and requires special products to clean.

• Coppermill Kitchen Vintage Copper French Splayed Pans: This set is sourced and restored by owner Beth Sweeney and includes antique one-of-a-kind pieces crafted by European artisans.
• De Buyer Prima Matera Copper 5-Piece Set: This set is induction compatible and has easy-to-hold curved handles that stay cool to the touch.
• Ruffoni Historia Hammered Copper 11-Piece Cookware Set: This set includes wooden cooking utensils and a thorough user guide. However, the handles get very hot during cooking.
• Mauviel Copper Triply 7-Piece Cookware Set: This set is mostly handcrafted in Normandy, France, and has a modern three-layer construction. It includes a stainless-steel interior that won't react with food and makes cleanup easier.
• Hestan CopperBond 10-Piece Set: This set includes a skillet with a wide surface area that heats efficiently and evenly. It also has comfortable handles and a rivetless design that is easy to clean.
• Lagostina Martellata Hammered Copper 10-Piece Cookware Set: This set is prone to discoloration, but it is excellent at browning sirloin steaks and simmering sauces. The handles also stay cool while cooking.

Frequently asked questions