Those of you who plan to upgrade to induction cooking may be aware that metal isn’t compatible with induction cooktops. It must be possible for an induction cooker to be compatible with all types of metal cookware out there on the market with all the progress we’ve made in technology?
Yes, that’s true. There is no induction cooktop that can use all metal cookware as induction cooktops are designed exclusively to use induction cookware. Non-induction cookware, however, can be converted to work with your induction cooktop by using converter plates.
How Do Induction Cookers Work?
It might seem overly simplistic to describe induction cookers, but they generate heat through induction.
Basically, the induction hob works by heating a coil of metal (most cookers use copper coils). The magnetic field is created by the metal coil when the power is turned on. Cookware placed in this magnetic field heats up because the iron atoms get excited by the field, which causes them to get excited.
The cookware you use must contain iron atoms if it is to work with your induction cooktop. We’ll now take a look at which cookware works with induction cooktops, which ones don’t, and how to tell them apart.
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Cookware That Works With Induction Cooktops
Due to the fact that induction cookers heat pots and pans via induction (electromagnetism), the cookware you use must be magnetic. This list shows which cookware works with induction cooktops.
Stainless Steel Cookware
An induction cooktop is best suited to cookware made from stainless steel. In addition to their good heat conductivity, they are strong and durable, containing materials such as carbon and nickel.
Here are a Few Things to Consider About Stainless Steel Cookware:
It is not true that all stainless steel pots and pans are the same. The quality of some is better than the quality of others. Check out our review of some of the high-rated stainless-steel cookware we tested on an induction cooktop.
- Cookware with copper and aluminum cladding is more efficient and conducts heat more efficiently than stainless steel cookware alone.
- There are many types of stainless-steel cookware available on the market today, but tri-ply cookware is the most efficient. Pots and pans with a tri-ply bottom are coated with stainless steel and aluminum.
Caution: Low-quality Tri-ply stainless-steel cookware and copper- and aluminum-clad stainless-steel cookware have started showing up on the market, so use caution. It is important to purchase high-quality and high-end cookware.
There is no doubt that stainless-steel cookware can be a bit pricey, but their superior performance, as well as their energy efficiency, should make that a non-issue.
Cast Iron Cookware
You can find cast iron cookware to be an excellent choice if your budget is restricted. Induction cooktops are compatible with these, since they are affordable and contain a large amount of iron. Unfortunately, there are some downsides as well.
Firstly, cast iron pots and pans are typically heavy, which can make cooking more difficult, especially if you need to lift and stir food a lot. Moreover, cast iron cookware is slow to heat and cool, which makes it unsuitable for dishes requiring rapid temperature changes. Induction cooktops also get scratched easily by cast iron pots and pans.
Carbon Steel Cookware
Carbon steel cookware combines the properties of cast iron cookware with the advantages of lighter cookware. The benefit of carbon steel cookware is that it is light and comfortable to use, as well as heating up quickly. Energy costs are thus reduced as a result. Further, carbon steel pots and pans react quickly to temperature changes, so they’re great for preparing dishes that require quick temperature changes.
Enameled Porcelain Cast Iron Cookware
It is also possible to cook with enameled porcelain cast iron on an induction range. A non-stick surface and an evenly applied coating make it heat up quickly. The pans are also lightweight, making lifting and stirring them easier.
Additionally, they are extremely durable and strong. It is common to find cast iron and enameled porcelain pots and pans of substandard quality on the market. You should therefore invest in cookware of premium quality.
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Cookware That Won’t Work With Induction Cooktops
It is important to note that any pots or pans made from any of the metals listed above will not work with your induction cooktop unless they have a magnetic bottom.
Aluminum, Copper, or Ceramic Cookware
A majority of aluminum, copper, and ceramic pots and pans cannot be used on an induction cooker. Due to their non-magnetic properties, these materials cannot be magnetized. However, some aluminum, copper, or ceramic cookware contains iron coatings, which make them suitable for induction.
Stainless Steel
Are you using stainless steel cookware? No, this isn’t a typo. While most stainless-steel cookware is induction compatible, not all is. An induction cooktop won’t work with All-Clad’s MC2 pots and pans. Stainless steel cookware that is induction compatible must be carefully selected if you want to ensure it will work in an induction cooktop.
If you want to determine if stainless-steel pans or pots will work on your cooktop, you can use a few tricks.
How Do You Know If a Pan Is Induction Ready?
Check if the cookware has a “Work with Induction” symbol if it is induction compatible. The induction symbol indicates it will work on your cooktop. Using the magnet trick will work if there is no induction symbol.
Magnet trick: Use a magnet to test whether the cookware you want to buy is induction compatible; if it clings to the magnet, the cookware is. Cooktops may not work with anything that clings softly.
How to Make Non-induction Cookware Work With an Induction Cooktop?
Induction-compatible cookware may be more expensive to buy if your cookware is made of non-induction metals? It’s not! With a few simple steps, you can convert your non-induction cookware into an induction cookware. This is how you do it.
To turn a non-induction appliance into an induction one, you must invest in an induction disk. A cooktop’s induction disk sits between the cookware and the cooktop. Cookware that is not induction/magnetic will get hot as it heats up.
Can Nonstick Pans Be Used on an Induction Cooktop?
They can be made from magnetic materials, provided they are made from materials that have these properties. It is also important to have flat bottoms on the pans.
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What Happens If You Use Non-induction Pan on an Induction Hob?
There will be nothing to worry about. During the process, no heat will be generated.
It is impossible for an induction cooker to work with any metal. The only pots and pans they work with are those with magnetic properties. There are a wide variety of cookware options available today that work with induction cookers, which is great news.
Induction disks are available for purchase or you can replace your cookware with new induction cookware if yours isn’t compatible. Hopefully, you found this piece to be informative and that most of your questions were answered.
