Cookware for induction cookers: which cookware is suitable and how to choose the right one

Induction cookers have a number of undeniable advantages. Thanks to their unique technology, they use electricity economically without wasting unnecessary heat into the environment. However, not every pot and pan is suitable for this application. The essence of the problem lies in the technology itself, with the help of which economical heating is carried out. To understand which cookware is suitable for an induction cooker (IP), you need to spend a little time on the theoretical part. This will help you choose the right kitchen utensils.

Cookware for induction cookers

Why do you need special cookware for an induction cooker?

A regular electric cooker works on a simple principle. It contains heating elements that heat up to a certain temperature, set using a mechanical or electronic control system. When the bottom of the pan warms up sufficiently, thermal energy is transferred to the food being cooked. Gas stoves work on the same principle, but the heating element is an open flame.

This leads to heating of not only the effective part of the cookware, but also the stove itself, as well as the surrounding air, which is especially noticeable in the summer.

There are no heating elements in an induction cooker.

The operating principle of an induction hob is significantly different because a more advanced physical process is used. It proceeds according to the following algorithm:

The controller activates a special induction coil located under the glass surface of the stove.
A high-frequency alternating current flows through the coil - with a frequency of 40-60 thousand Hertz.
The current creates a magnetic field that affects magnetic materials at a short distance, but sufficient for interaction between the induction coil and the bottom of the cookware. In this case, the glass covering the surface is not a hindrance.
Heating occurs due to the occurrence of eddy currents (Foucault currents) in the metal structure of the cookware.
When heated, the bottom material transfers the temperature obtained as a result of this process to the products.

The principle of operation of an induction cooker
This phenomenon is called electromagnetic induction. It gave the name to a whole category of furnaces operating on this principle. However, induction cookers cannot work with some types of cookware.

The metal of the cookware must have ferromagnetic properties in order to interact with eddy currents.

The induction cooker is guaranteed to work with cookware that is magnetic with a regular magnet. In some cases, stainless steel cookware is suitable.

Accordingly, the stove will not work with cookware made from the following pure materials (without a steel disk in the bottom and without “magnetic” impurities in the metal):

Glass
Ceramics
Aluminum
Copper

The video below shows how the Midea MC-IN2102 induction tabletop cooker behaves with cookware made from different materials.

It is worth knowing that induction hobs are as safe as possible, because if you turn on one of them without cookware, the automation will turn it off. During the cooking process, heating depends on the temperature of the bottom of the pan, and around the burner is determined by the thermal conductivity of the glass. By placing napkins under the bottom of the pan and around it while cooking, you can further reduce the heating of the panel glass. This feature can be especially valuable in homes with small children.

As mentioned above, some stainless steel options, especially those produced in the USSR, are not suitable for working with a stove, since such metal alloys do not have ferromagnetic properties, although they have a number of other advantages. To determine whether a particular cookware is suitable for working with an induction cooker, you need to pay attention to the labeling of the cookware.

What cookware should I buy for an induction cooker?

When choosing cookware for induction cookers, special attention must be paid to its bottom, which must have ferromagnetic properties. If you have any doubts about the magnetic properties of the bottom, you can check them using a regular household magnet. Another important factor is the thickness of the bottom and walls: the thicker they are, the faster heating will occur.

PosudaMartYou can check the suitability of cookware for induction using a magnet

The most common material used to make induction cookware is stainless steel. This is a practical, beautiful, lightweight and durable material that rarely fails housewives.

Cast iron cookware with or without enamel also works great on induction, the only condition is an absolutely flat bottom that fits tightly to the hob.

Cookware made of steel, aluminum and metal alloys, coated with enamel or non-stick coating is also suitable for high-quality cooking on induction cookers.

Glass and ceramic cookware, as well as old Soviet-made products, are not suitable for induction cookers. However, modern technologies allow manufacturers to create ceramic dishes adapted to work on induction - a magnetic disk is integrated into the bottom of cocottes, braziers or tagines.

Manufacturers, as a rule, mark induction cookware with a special icon; this information is displayed on the packaging and bottom of the product.

Marking of dishes for individual entrepreneurs

To determine whether a certain container can be used to cook food on an induction cooker or not, you need to look at the bottom of the container. Manufacturers are trying to make indelible markings that contain a spiral or magnet. The presence of such designations guarantees full compatibility with induction hobs. Some manufacturers have gone even further and complete their products with a small piece of magnet, which allows you to make sure that the necessary properties are available before purchasing.

Icon on cookware for induction cookers in the form of a spiral

You can take a magnet with you to the store, which you will use to check the options you like. It is worth remembering that even a weak attraction, which is not enough to securely fix the magnet, indicates full compatibility with the induction cooker.

The bottom of the pan for an induction cooker must be magnetic

Why use a special pan for an induction cooker?

To cook anything on an induction panel, you will need a special saucepan. Not every cookware can be used to cook food here - cookware for induction must have ferromagnetic properties. The hob itself, when turned on, will be absolutely cold - it will be the dishes that come into contact with the hob that will warm up here.

To understand why you need a special pan for an induction cooker, you need to understand the operating principle of conventional and unusual cookers. Gas and electric are aimed at generating heat (through fire or electricity) and transferring it to the dishes. Cooking begins precisely when the heat is transferred to the dishes and they warm up. But induction pans themselves are a source of heat. Under the hob there are magnetic coils that begin to work when special utensils with ferromagnetic properties are installed on them. That’s when the dishes begin to heat up, but the panel itself remains at the same temperature. This is what made induction popular, because unlike a conventional stove it is impossible to get burned.

Cooking begins precisely when the heat is transferred to the dishes and they warm up.

In order not to waste time studying the special designations of the “correct” utensils, you can take a magnet from the refrigerator - it will stick to the bottom of the necessary utensils.

What is the difference between tableware for individual entrepreneurs?

It is quite difficult to determine whether the cookware is suitable for an induction panel. Of course, there are several signs indicating this - a thickened bottom is visible or a disk in the bottom is visible through the glass. The main difference between cookware for induction cookers is weight.

For steel cookware intended for electric or gas stoves, the metal thickness is 0.5–1 mm. Such products are light and the bottom thickness is not enough for proper cooking on an induction panel. Uneven heating may cause food to burn in some areas.

A saucepan or frying pan designed for a stovetop has a thicker bottom and will therefore always be heavier. This applies to both aluminum and copper utensils. Additional mass is created by a steel disk in the bottom.

The bottom of a Swiss Diamond Classic aluminum frying pan. Top diameter - 30 cm, bottom thickness - 6 mm, weight - 3.1 kg

Another difference between IP cookware is its flat base. A stamped enameled steel pan may have a convex bottom. This also leads to uneven heating of food and is not suitable for cooking on an IP.

What cookware is suitable for an induction cooker - materials

There are several types of cookware that can be used for cooking on induction stoves. Some of them have such properties due to their own metal interacting with eddy currents. Other products for induction cookers are equipped with a special metal layer in the bottom area.

Stainless steel pans

Cookware made of stainless steel with magnetic properties has a number of positive qualities that affect the food cooked in it. Among them are the following:

relatively light weight;
the ability to experiment with design - make a matte or glossy surface;
lack of oxidation, which allows you to store food inside for a long time, including specific foods with a large amount of natural acids.

Stainless steel cookware for induction cookers
It should be remembered that when choosing a model, you need to pay attention to the markings from the manufacturer, since not every alloy has the necessary properties to work on induction hobs.

Cast iron

Cast iron cookware for an induction cooker is the best choice. It has many positive aspects:

retains heat well during the cooking process due to the thickness of the walls and can distribute it evenly over the surface of the pot or frying pan;
cast iron is a fairly durable metal, not afraid of abrasive cleaning from dried pieces of food;
has good strength;
burning of food in cast iron cookware is a fairly rare occurrence if you do not try to burn it purposefully;
high environmental friendliness of the material.

It will be convenient to cook in cast iron cookware on an induction stove.
The disadvantage of cast iron is its heavy weight and poor resistance to shock. When using it with a glass-ceramic surface, it is the weight that can play a cruel joke, so pots and pans should not be placed in a big way, because they have high kinetic energy and can damage the stove.

Enameled

Such products can be used in any case, since they are made of ordinary iron, which has excellent ferromagnetic properties. Since it is possible to apply several layers of enamel, this allows you to make beautiful dishes. The main thing when cooking is that there are no even small chips on the pan, because direct contact with metal leads to oxidation of the products inside. Among the main advantages of enamel cookware are the following:

a wide range of shapes, sizes and colors;
reasonable cost compared to other options;
high strength and durability;
does not require special care; for cleaning you can use any means that do not leave marks on the enamel coating.

Nice design of an enamel pan for an induction hob
When choosing cookware for an induction hob, you should look for pans with a bottom thickness equal to or greater than 2 mm, and the bottom itself is quite flat. Otherwise, the heat may be distributed unevenly, causing some foods to burn while others remain moist.

Glass, aluminum and copper

It was previously stated that these materials cannot interact with the coil of an induction cooker. So why are they on this list? Everything is very simple. Manufacturers understand that this category has a special beauty and charm. Therefore, they solved the problem of using such cookware with induction ovens using a simple method. Each device is equipped with a metal plate made of ferromagnetic material embedded in the base. Thanks to its presence, the bottom of the dish is heated, although the materials themselves cannot interact with eddy currents. This approach made it possible to produce utensils from these materials, which expanded the range and made it possible to create truly beautiful options.

Such products are more expensive than classic ones, but they help decorate the kitchen and home with unusual items that will definitely immediately catch your eye.

What cookware is suitable for induction cookers?

The operating principle of induction cookers differs from traditional or ceramic electric cookers with heating elements or gas models. Heating occurs directly in the thickness of the cookware due to the absorption of magnetic field energy. But for this, the pot or pan must be made of a material with high resistivity and magnetic permeability. That is why all the dishes for them are made of ferromagnetic metals.

Modern stoves simply do not turn on if the material of the cookware does not meet the requirements. In fact, only the bottom material matters, but dishes made from combined materials are extremely rare.

If you don’t want to buy new pans, you can buy a steel disk under the bottom. It will heat up and transfer heat to dishes made of any material. You can cook with it in a glass, ceramic or aluminum pan.

Which utensils are best for cooking at individual entrepreneurs?

When choosing suitable cookware, you should be guided not only by the presence of the appropriate markings and buy the first item you come across that has ferromagnetic properties. Also pay attention to the quality, since the lifespan of the purchased new item directly depends on it. Among the main selection criteria, the following points can be highlighted:

Markings or magnetic properties to ensure compatibility.
The thickness of the bottom should be more than two millimeters. Even if the cookware is magnetic, but has a too thin bottom, it will have to be put aside, since the heating will be uneven, which is a serious obstacle when preparing dishes.
The optimal choice would be a utensil with a maximum bottom width in relation to the height of the walls. In such items, heating will occur much faster.
Give preference only to those manufacturers who have proven themselves over a long period of presence on the market and are able to offer reliable cookware with a long service life.

You should not omit the attractiveness of the design, because any utensil is, first of all, a tool that you will have to deal with every day in the kitchen. It should be pleasing to the eye and make you want to cook a culinary masterpiece, and not quickly get through routine work and run away from the room.

Rating of tableware manufacturers for individual entrepreneurs

Among the manufacturers of cookware intended for use with induction cookers, there are several companies that have been offering their customers reliable, high-quality options for several years now. The following brands are included in this list:

Fissler. The German manufacturer strives to create innovative products with advanced technologies. Therefore, the pots and pans he developed are equipped with heating indicators, temperature sensors and other technical innovations.

Cookware for induction hob from the German company Fissler
Zwilling JA Henckels . Cookware with this marking is highly valued among professional chefs, but also has a corresponding price, since it belongs to the premium segment.
Zanussi . Under this brand, the Italians produce not only household appliances, but also accessories for them, which include high-quality cookware of all types compatible with induction cookers.
Kochstar . Another German manufacturer that strives to achieve the most uniform heat distribution. For this application there is a multi-layer structure of the bottom and surface.
Staub . Representative of French industry. Choosing this brand combines quality and practicality with an attractive design.
Woll . The products of this brand are distinguished by rather thick walls and bottom. In some models of Woll frying pans, the thickness of the pan reaches 10 mm, which allows not only to heat food evenly, but also to retain the accumulated thermal energy for a long time.

Is it possible to cook on an induction hob in regular cookware?

As for ordinary pots and pans made of steel, you can cook in them. However, keep in mind that a thin base sometimes heats food unevenly and also reduces the efficiency of the panel, which increases energy consumption.

As mentioned above, it is impossible to use cookware that does not have ferromagnetic properties in combination with an induction cooker for technical reasons.

However, there is a simple device on sale that allows you to use any type of cookware when cooking on an induction stove - this is an adapter.

Secrets of cooking on an induction cooker

Housewives claim that the cooking process is reduced significantly compared to using an electric stove. The burner does not heat up. Direct heating of the contents of the container begins immediately.

Since the induction current interacts only with the cookware, the burner, if it heats up, does so only from its bottom

As soon as the process is completed, the saucepan is removed “from the heat” and the surface of the stove cools very quickly. It turns out that this is a safe way to cook food.

During cooking, do not use metal spoons or spatulas for stirring; they also immediately begin to get very hot.

Important! In low, wide pans the cooking process will become even faster.

To save old dishes, you can use adapters

When you don’t really want to spend money on new sets of dishes, buy 1-2 adapter disks. You can already put ordinary products on it. The disk is called an adapter. It is made of magnetic stainless steel. The usual thickness is 3 mm, and the diameter is 12-30 cm. If you want to save a lot, you can buy a Chinese adapter with a thickness of 0.6 mm, but it’s better not to do this. Remember the preferred bottom thickness!

In any case, whether cooking with an adapter or in a special container, the bottom of the product must be placed strictly in the center of the burner. This is due to the danger of electromagnetic radiation for devices and people.

If you decide to take cookware suitable for the stove from your old collection, then first its bottom must be thoroughly cleaned of the slightest traces of soot.

Adapter for induction cooker

If you have several pieces of cookware that are not suitable for these stoves, then there is a way to still use the cookware for its intended purpose. To cook in it as usual, all you need to do is purchase an adapter.

The adapter for dishes can be with or without a handle

The adapter is a stand for regular cookware on an induction cooker. In essence, it is a simple metal circle that has the necessary properties to heat up when exposed to eddy currents. It can be placed above the burner of an induction stove to transfer its energy to any cookware.

More details about this device in the article - how to choose an adapter.

conclusions

It is not enough to purchase the best pans for induction cookers. You need to take proper care of them.

Place the dishes on the work surface in the center of the circle
The bottom of the pan should fit tightly to the stove
You should not place pans that have previously been used on a gas stove on an induction hob.
Do not wash pots with abrasive substances.
Do not pour cold water into hot dishes
Do not use metal spatulas

You can check whether the cookware can be used on an induction cooker using a magnet. It should stick to the bottom surface. But you can evaluate its quality only after use.

How to cook correctly on an induction cooker

Cooking on an induction hob is slightly different and to use it correctly, please read the instructions carefully. Especially if you have never encountered such panels before.

In a special container

The cooking time and cooking process are no different from cooking on a gas or electric stove; there are no special recipes. The difference in the process is that the induction bottom, for example, of a pan, must be equal to the diameter of the burner. Following this rule will make the stove more efficient.

Correct when the diameter of the bottom matches the size of the burner

To make it possible to cook in different utensils with different bottom diameters, the burners on the panel are made of different diameters. However, if there is no exact diameter of the burner bottom, then small deviations are allowed.

With adapter

When purchasing an adapter, select its diameter according to the size of the burner on which it will be used. This must be taken into account, since if the sizes do not match, losses increase, because the burner first heats the adapter, and it heats the dishes.

A hob with different burner diameters has their markings

To reduce losses, the spread in the size of the bottom of the cookware for this adapter should not be 20% smaller or larger. So for an adapter with a diameter of 22 cm, the bottom size should be in the range of 18–26 cm. Read more about choosing adapters in another article on the site.

Operating principle of induction cookers

Unlike gas or spiral electric stoves, which operate on the principle of direct heating, induction hobs create induced electromagnetic vortex flows inside the bottom of the cookware, due to which the cookware and its contents heat up, while the hob remains cold.

PosudaMart Induction cookers require special cookware with a ferromagnetic bottom

Caring for dishes

Caring for induction frying pans and pots is no different from caring for other cookware. The main thing here is to understand what it is made of and use the appropriate means.

Wash dishes after cooking before food residues dry on the walls.
Use wooden spatulas to stir food.
Monitor the temperature. Overheating of empty cookware leads to deformation of the bottom and burning of the non-stick coating.
It is better to ignite cast iron products with vegetable oil after purchase - this will reduce the burning of food in the future.
Be careful with highly abrasive detergents as they may scratch your dishes.
Read the instructions. Many types are dishwasher safe.

Choose cleaning products suitable for the material

Bottom line

When you decide to purchase an induction cooker, try to immediately purchase cookware specially designed for it. This will allow you to effectively use the panel when cooking and save energy.

High-quality cookware from well-known manufacturers will delight you with your choice and serve you for a long time.

You should not judge cookware that is not suitable for the hob. Choose a suitable adapter and your old dishes will serve you for many more years. However, if it is still possible to use special dishes, then this will be the best choice.