Induction cooktops are a modern addition to the kitchen. That’s why many people struggle to find pots that suit induction cooking. So, what pots work with induction?
There are many pots that work with induction cooktops nowadays. A general rule of thumb to remember is that any magnetic utensils, or the ones that have magnetic material in them, are induction-friendly. This includes pots that are made out of cast iron, steel, as well as iron-based stainless steel.
That being said, there are ways to identify if you can use a pot with induction cooking. Let’s talk about that and more below.
How Does Induction Cooking Work?
Induction cooktops are both highly similar to and slightly different from electric ones.
For example, each cooktop uses metal coils that are positioned underneath your cooking pots.
These coils then heat up and cook the food.
As a result, both cooktops have gained popularity over traditional gas-powered ones.
They’re eco-friendly and better at evenly cooking food as well.
That’s a direct result of using coils for cooking meals instead of gas.
On the other hand, the difference between induction cooktops and electric ones lies in the type of metal used in the heating coils.
That’s because induction cooktops use copper coils that induce electromagnetic fields to help distribute the heat better.
These electromagnetic radiations result in magnets heating your food.
This makes induction cooktops the safest method of cooking out of the three.
That’s due to it keeping your cooktops cool and safe to the touch.
What Types Of Pots Are Good For Induction?
Again, because this kind of cooking relies mainly on magnetic fields, only pots with ferromagnetic materials can work with induction cooktops.
Here is a list of pots that you can use with your induction cooktop:
- Cast iron pots,
- Steel cookpots,
- Magnetic stainless steel cookware,
- Ceramic-clad pots that have a magnetic base,
- Magnetic porcelain or enameled pots.
Recommended Further Reading:
- Recycling Pots and Pans: Is it Possible?
- Is It Safe to Put Pots in the Oven?
- Is it Safe to Put Pots in the Dishwasher?
How To Know If A Pot Is Induction-Safe?
It’s easy to identify whether or not your cookware is compatible with an induction cooktop.
You can also check if you can use any of your old pots on an induction cooktop by carrying out these tests.
Given below are the two simple tests you can do.
The Magnet Test
You can use any magnet for this test and check if it’ll stick to the bottom of your pot.
You should also keep the following in mind:
- The tension between the magnet and the pot should be strong.
- If the magnetic pull between both is weak, the pot won’t work properly on the induction cooktop.
- No magnetic attraction with the pot means no heat will be induced.
Induction-Friendly Labels
Many cookware manufacturers have noticed the rising popularity of induction cooking.
As a result, a label imitating a coil is used to identify pots that can work with induction.
This is why you should check for the label before you purchase new cookpots.
You can also go over your current pots and look for this barbed wire design.
That’s how you’ll know that the cookware is safe to use on induction cooktops.
What Pots Don’t Work With Induction?
Pots that don’t have magnetic-friendly materials won’t be compatible with the induction’s coils.
As a result, no heat will get generated.
This is why you should avoid buying the following for induction cooking:
- Aluminum cooking pots,
- Stainless steel pots that lack a magnetic base,
- All-copper or brass cookware,
- Glass cookpots.
How To Make An Incompatible Pot Induction-Safe?
While manufacturers have taken the time to ensure that the bottom of their cookware is magnetic, there’s a budget-friendly and crafty way to turn your old pots into induction-friendly ones.
You can do this by purchasing a pan adapter.
This piece of cookware acts as a middle ground between your cooktop and an induction-incompatible pot.
So this way, heat can get induced, and food can be cooked.
There are other advantages of getting an adapter as well since they help you in slow-cooking complicated meals.
They also distribute heat more evenly.
Moreover, the adapter’s handle never gets hot, so it’s safe for you to adjust while cooking.
Related Further Reading:
- Creative Uses for Souvenir Spoons
- Advantages of Using a Wok Over a Frying Pan
- Do Stainless Steel Bowls Rust? [Why + How To Remove The Rust?]
How To Choose The Best Induction Cookware?
Here are a few things to keep in mind while choosing induction cookware:
1. Flat Bottoms
Consider pots with wide flat bottoms when choosing cookware for your induction cooking.
That’s because this feature allows the induced heat to cook the food evenly.
It also helps you cook faster, significantly reducing the cooking time.
2. A Heavy Lid
An induction cooktop is prone to vibrations, especially when cooking at higher power.
This is perfectly normal, but it also means a lot of kitchen noise — especially if your pot lids aren’t sturdy enough.
So make sure you pick pots with heavier tops that’ll make less noise while cooking.
3. Durable Handles
Another cause for vibrations is a weak pot handle. This is why you need to pick cookware with strong handles.
This way, they won’t disturb you while you cook.
Having durable cookpot handles also means less wear and tear. They shouldn’t be heat-conductive either.
What Material Is Best For Induction Cooking?
Considering what we’ve mentioned above about induction-friendly pots, you might still be wondering which of them is the best to use in the kitchen.
The most commonly used induction-safe cookware is made out of stainless steel, cast iron, and aluminum.
You’ll need to choose one of them based on your preferred cooking methods and how frequently you’re in the kitchen.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel cookware is known for its durability and non-corrosiveness.
This is why it’s a popular choice with kitchen owners.
However, stainless steel pots might distribute the heat unevenly.
So make sure that the pot is magnet-lined. The plus side is that they’re very easy to clean.
Cast Iron
Cast iron makes the pots heavy and perfect for slow, low-heat cooking.
They have thick bottoms that cook food evenly, but they take time to heat up and cool down.
However, keep in mind that cast iron pots are difficult to maintain, expensive, and erode fast.
So purchase an enameled cast iron pot.
Interesting Further Reading:
- Is Seasoning Cast Iron Skillets Necessary?
- Can Dutch Ovens Go In The Oven? (Le Creuset, Lodge, Etc.)
- Does an Anodized Pan Has Teflon?
Aluminum
Aluminum isn’t induction-friendly, so you’ll have to double-check that the cookware has the induction-safe label.
That being said, we recommend aluminum not only because it’s affordable but also because it’s heat-conductive, lightweight, and doesn’t rust.
In addition, porcelain enamel on aluminum makes pots easy to wash.
It also helps with even and quick cooking of various meals.
