Emilie Meyer
Induction cookers have become increasingly popular due to their energy efficiency, precise temperature settings, and safety features. Unlike traditional gas and electric hobs, induction cookers only heat the cookware and not the surface, reducing energy usage. Therefore, only certain types of pans can be used on induction burners. Pans made from ferromagnetic materials such as cast iron, enameled cast iron, and some types of stainless steel are compatible with induction cookers. To check if a pan is compatible, simply hold a magnet to the bottom. If the magnet sticks, the pan will work on an induction cooker.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cooktop | Induction burner |
| Type of Pans | Pans with magnetic properties |
| Examples of Materials | Cast iron, enameled cast iron, stainless steel, nickel |
| Examples of Non-Compatible Materials | Aluminum, copper, glass, clay |
| Testing Compatibility | Hold a magnet to the bottom of the pan. If it sticks, the pan is compatible. |
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What You'll Learn
Pans with magnetic properties
Induction burners use electromagnetic fields to generate heat, so only magnetic cookware is compatible with them. To determine whether a pan is suitable for an induction burner, hold a magnet to the bottom. If the magnet sticks, the pan will work on an induction appliance. If the magnet only weakly attracts the pan, the cookware may not be ideal for induction cooking. If there is no attraction, the pan will not work on an induction cooktop.
Cast iron, enameled cast iron, and many types of stainless steel cookware are all induction-compatible. However, stainless steel poses the most confusion because it can be made with a variety of metals. A high nickel content will block the magnetic field, so stainless steel cookware with a nickel base will not work with induction burners. Heavy, high-quality stainless steel cookware with magnetic bottoms is recommended for induction cooking.
Non-stick pans made from unapproved materials such as aluminium will not work on induction cooktops. However, some non-stick pans are made with a layer of magnetic metal, which makes them compatible. Copper pans are usually not ferromagnetic, but some are clad with magnetic metals and are compatible with induction burners.
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Cast iron pans
To check if your cast iron pan is induction-compatible, simply hold a magnet to the bottom of the pan. If the magnet clings to the underside, the pan will work on an induction cooktop. If the magnet grabs the pan softly, you may not have good success with it on your cooktop. If there is no pull on the magnet, it doesn't contain the right metals and will not generate heat.
Cast iron is ideal for frying, slow cooking, or browning. It is also versatile and durable, making it perfect for cooking meals that move from the cooktop to the oven. However, cast iron can scratch the glass top of an induction stove. To avoid this, use an enameled cast iron pan, which covers the rough cast iron with smooth enamel. Enameled cast iron has a reduced chance of scratching your cooktop's surface.
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Enameled cast iron pans
Induction cooking works by creating a magnetic field between the pot and the magnetic coils beneath the cooking surface. The energy created in the electromagnetic field heats the contents of the pot. For cookware to work on an induction cooktop, it must contain ferromagnetic materials, i.e., iron or a layer with magnetic properties.
When purchasing enameled cast iron pans, look for a symbol on the bottom of the cookware or the packaging indicating induction compatibility. The symbol often looks like a horizontal zig-zag or a coil. You can also test if the cookware is compatible by holding a magnet to the bottom. If the magnet clings to the underside, the pan will work on an induction cooktop.
Some popular enameled cast iron pans that are compatible with induction cooktops include the Staub grill pan and skillet, which performed well in tests and had flared sides that allowed for easy flipping.
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Stainless steel pans
To test whether a stainless steel pan is compatible with an induction burner, you can hold a magnet to the bottom of the pan. If the magnet clings to the underside, the pan will work on an induction burner. If there is no pull on the magnet, the pan will not generate heat on an induction burner.
Some stainless steel pans that are compatible with induction burners include the Made In 6-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set, which includes a non-stick pan, and the Goldilocks Cookware Set, which is a fully-clad tri-ply stainless steel set that heats evenly. The All-Clad D3 tri-ply stainless steel pan is another option, although it is expensive and can be annoying to use because it clicks and whines when used on induction.
If you have a favourite stainless steel pan that is not compatible with your induction burner, you can use a product like a stainless steel induction hob heat diffuser, which can be placed on the burner under the pan.
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Non-stick pans
Induction cooking works by creating a magnetic field between the pot and the magnetic coils beneath the cooking surface. The energy created in the electromagnetic field heats the contents of the pot. Therefore, for cookware to perform on induction cookers, it must have a ferromagnetic base. This means that the cookware must be made entirely of magnetic materials or contain a layer with magnetic properties. Non-magnetic cookware like ceramic, glass, non-magnetic copper, aluminium, and non-magnetic stainless steel cookware won't work.
Some non-stick pans have a cast iron, enamelled steel, or magnetic stainless steel base that can react with the cooktop to generate heat. However, non-stick pans with non-magnetic bases won't work on induction burners. To test whether a non-stick pan is compatible with an induction burner, simply hold a magnet to the bottom of the pan. If the magnet sticks to the bottom, the pan is ferromagnetic and can be used for induction cooking. If the magnet does not stick, the pan will not work on an induction burner.
Some examples of non-stick pans that are compatible with induction burners include the Yosukata carbon steel wok, which has a flat bottom that registers on induction cooktops, and the Tramontina Tri-Ply Base 10-Inch Nonstick Fry Pan, which has a layer of magnetic steel on its cladded bottom. The All-Clad D3 Tri-Ply is another option, although it is more expensive.
It is important to note that while non-compatible cookware will not heat up on an induction burner, it will also not damage the cooktop. Additionally, cookware with a flat bottom that is about the same size as the surface area of the burner is recommended for the best heat conduction.
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Frequently asked questions
Pans made of ferromagnetic materials, such as cast iron, enameled cast iron, and some types of stainless steel, are compatible with induction burners.
Check if a magnet sticks to the bottom of the pan. If it does, your pan is induction-compatible.
The Tramontina Tri-Ply Base 10-Inch Nonstick Fry Pan is induction-compatible and heats up quickly and evenly. The All-Clad D3 is another durable and easy-to-clean option.
