How To Tell If Cookware Is Induction Ready – Quick Guide To Induction Compatible Pots And Pans

Just like how microwave ovens haven’t entirely replaced the traditional toaster oven, the new induction technology hasn’t wholly eliminated gas stoves either. However, it is emerging as a viable option for your daily cooking needs. Not all cookware is made equal. Hence, not every pot and pan you own is induction-ready.

This article will help you understand how induction cooktops work, how it differs from the traditional gas oven, and how to choose cookware fit for use with induction stoves.

Types of Cooktops

Depending on the availability of gas in your area, how often you cook, and your budget and convenience, you can choose any one of the stovetop options available on the market.

Gas Stoves

As the name suggests, the gas stovetop relies on the supply of natural gas or LPG. They come with different-sized burners that provide you with different power levels in BTUs (British Thermal Units). Whether you want to bring your food to a simmer or generate more heat for larger dishes, the gas stove has a burner for the task.

Many of these ranges come with auto-ignition or pilotless ignition; you turn a knob and instantly get a fire started. Upswept cooktops are also great if you want to regularly avoid the hassle of wiping and cleaning your cooking unit.

Electric Stovetops

There are three types of electric cooktops – the coil, the smoothtop, and the induction stovetop.

Electric Coil Cooktop

Using the same working principle as an electric heater, the electric coil stove is a tough, stress-free, and affordable choice. It is recommended for smaller families on a budget. These cooktops are highly endurance, handling the toughest of spring-cleaning missions.

Usually, these come with four burners or more. The more recent models help you cook evenly, making them ideal for roasting and baking your food. If you are looking for an economical option, choose an electric coil stovetop with hotplate elements and coil.

The drip pans and the surface can take a harsh scrubbing. If your cooking utensils are massive, such as cast-iron pans, which other cooktops can’t handle, this is your perfect choice. Home chefs usually steer clear of this option as it generates a lot of heat.

Electric Smoothtop

The coils are invisible on this one as this variety has a smooth surface, usually made of ceramic. The heating mechanism is placed directly underneath this surface. Cleaning is much easier in this stove variant because of this very smooth surface; merely take a cloth and wipe the spills away.

Another benefit is that it both cools down and heats up very quickly. The radiant heat mechanism ensures that your food is evenly cooked. Halogen cooktops are not uncommon these days, which use halogen bulbs similar to those used in halogen ovens as a heat source under the smooth ceramic top.

However, there is a catch. The top is made out of glass. Hence you have to be extra careful not to harm the delicate surface. Unlike some tougher cooktops, this cannot handle heavy utensils. Heavier cookware can leave scratches or cracks on its surface.

Induction Cooktop

An advantage of this type of stovetop is that it keeps curious children, pets, and careless adults at bay. This type of stove is more or less accident-proof. There is no chance of children burning themselves, no chance of a gas leak, and no injuries from accidentally touching a heated coil.

The heating technology that it uses is an electromagnetic field. It only creates heat in contact with magnetic metals or cookware designed explicitly for induction stovetops. The surface, therefore, is never ‘hot’ per se. The surface remains safe to touch even if one forgets to turn the stove off.

This technology helps your cookware reach high temperatures in almost half the time taken by other kinds of cooktops. This stovetop is truly the cooktop of the future. Still, there is the additional expense of buying an induction compatible pot or pan.

How does an induction cooktop work?

This stovetop’s primary mechanism consists of a ceramic plate under which there is an electromagnetic coil. As the burner is turned on, a magnetic field is created as electricity runs through this coil. However, no heat is produced on the stove itself.

This magnetic field then influences the pan you place on the burner, which has to be made of iron or stainless steel. Interestingly, iron does not conduct electricity well, hence the current running through it is transformed into heat. Therefore, the pan itself generates heat, in this case, not the burner.

Do I need special pots and pans for induction cooking?

Yes, you need induction ready cookware. As explained above, the induction stovetop only produces heat in contact with magnetic materials such as iron or stainless steel. Hence, all your ceramic, aluminum, copper, and glass cookware must be used with other types of gas or electric cooktops.

However, check if these come with a special layer on the bottom that has magnetic properties. Examples of layered pans are Tri-Ply and Multiclad like Cuisinart MCP-12N.

Furthermore, the utensils should have a flat base to ensure steady cooking and even distribution of heat.

Many types of best stainless steel cookware sets, though not all, are compatible with these cooktops, as well as cast iron, enamel cast iron, etc. In the case of stainless steel, the amount of nickel used is essential because nickel blocks the magnetic field.

How can I tell if my pan is induction ready?

There are two sure-shot ways of determining whether your cookware will work on an induction stove.

One is to check if your cookware has a coil-like symbol on the packaging or the cooking pot itself. This is the best method when you are just starting out shopping for pots and pans. Just ask the seller specifically about stove type compatibility before you buy new utensils.

Another way to find out is to test the pot or pan with a magnet. If the bottom surface responds positively to it, your piece of cookware will work an induction stove. It is essential to ensure that the bottom surface is completely flat.

Conclusion

If you have an induction cooktop, it is important to have cookware that is compatible with it. Induction-ready cookware is specifically designed to work efficiently with induction cooktops, and can save you time and energy in the kitchen. By using a magnet to check for induction compatibility, you can easily determine whether a particular cookware piece will work with your induction cooktop. Additionally, be sure to look for other key features such as the appropriate size and shape, quality construction materials, and a comfortable grip. By choosing the right cookware for your induction cooktop, you can ensure that you will have a seamless and enjoyable cooking experience.

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