What cookware is suitable for induction cookers?

An induction cooker is a modern kitchen appliance that attracts with its efficiency. It differs from electric and gas panels in that during operation the bottom of the pan heats up directly. The surface of the stove remains cool.

It is important for housewives that the equipment copes with its functions, does not cause trouble and does not spoil kitchen utensils. And this largely depends on the dishes that are used on the stoves.

How the operating principle of induction cookers affects the requirements for cookware

The difference between an induction cooker and others lies in the heating principle.
Thanks to the magnetic field created by the device, it is not the stove itself that heats up. Eddy currents affect the bottom of the pan, and with it the food.

That is why not every pan is suitable for it.
The material must have high resistivity and magnetic permeability. It is important that the product has ferromagnetic properties.

Simply put, the metal used to make induction cookware must be magnetized. This can be easily checked using a regular magnet. A souvenir, for example, from the refrigerator, will do.

IMPORTANT! Glass, aluminum, ceramic, and copper dishes are not suitable for glass-ceramic surfaces.

Special cookware for induction cookers

It must be borne in mind that for the best heat transfer, the bottom of the saucepans must be level. The relief on the bottom will prevent a tight fit to the hob.
Consequently, uniform heating and proper cooking of food will be disrupted.

Let's figure out what kind of cookware is needed for a modern hob.

What is unique about special dishes?

The operating principle of the hob is ensured by a copper coil. It is located under the glass-ceramic surface. Under the influence of magnetic radiation, a current is generated in the coil. This phenomenon is called electromagnetic induction.

The copper coil produces magnetic vibrations. The generated current starts the process of quickly heating or cooking food. The surface of the glass-ceramic stove remains cold.

How to mark special dishes

When purchasing, it is important to determine which pans and pots are in front of us and whether it is possible to cook in them. For convenience, manufacturers put a special sign on their products.

The marking on suitable kitchen utensils is the spiral symbol.

The designation is made in the form of a pictogram. It consists of several schematic loops or zigzags and the induction inscription.

Cookware that can be used on an induction hob

Not only the taste of the prepared food depends on the alloy from which the frying pans or pots are made. As well as the operational functions of an inductive device.
The composition and alloy of the material can have both its advantages and disadvantages.

Requirements for dishes

If you do not have the opportunity to buy suitable but expensive tureens, check your household utensils with a magnet. Attach it to the bottom of the saucepan, if the magnet “sticks”, feel free to use it for cooking.

Important! The structure of the bottom of the dish is of no small importance.

It’s very good if you come across a 3-6-layer bottom assembled like a sandwich. It consists of the following layers.

• Ferromagnetic layer that produces thermal energy.
• Aluminum alloy, responsible for maintaining the heating temperature for a long time.
• Non-stick layer.
• Anti-deformation disc that ensures a tight fit to the tile surface.

The walls of dishes with such a sandwich bottom can be made of different materials, which is very pleasing. After all, sometimes housewives find it difficult to give up their favorite cast aluminum fryers.

Stainless steel dishes

This material has a lot of positive advantages. These include:

• resistant to oxidation;
• strength;
• ease;
• Beautiful design.

Stainless steel containers are presented on the market in a wide variety. These are pots, pans, stewpans and entire sets.

This utensil can be used for a long time without losing its quality characteristics.

However, there are also disadvantages:

• lack of non-stick layer;
• thin walls;
• the material is susceptible to scratches.

Cast iron products

Cast iron is an alloy that is chemically inert.It does not react with food products, therefore it will not harm human health.

Advantages of cast iron:

• fast and uniform heating.
• Keeps cooked food warm for a long time.
• Very strong and durable material.

Among the shortcomings, the following should be noted.

• Heavy weight. If dropped onto the glass-ceramic surface of the hob, it may damage it.
• Subject to corrosion, which may appear on the side walls.
• Quite fragile. If the pan hits the floor or ceramic tiles, it may break.

It is still considered a suitable and good material for induction tiles.

Enameled cookware

Affordable cost, functionality, as well as a large selection of various shapes make this coating attractive for purchase.

Metal containers coated with enamel have many undeniable advantages.

• Durability.
• Strength.
• Its maintenance and care is quite simple.
• Variety of color palette.
• Low price.

Small minus:

• fragility of the enamel (with improper care, chips and scratches appear).

Important! To avoid noisy sounds during heating (the rounded bottom can act as a resonator), buy saucepans with a flat bottom.

Utensils that are not recommended for use

Utensils suitable for induction surfaces must contain ferromagnetic alloys.
As we already said, magnets are attracted to the walls of the pan. And if this does not happen, you need to be careful. After all, not every dish is suitable for use.

When choosing utensils, you need to know which pan not to use if you cook on an induction stove.

Glass

Heat-resistant glass can withstand high temperatures up to 300°C. This allows them to be used even in ovens.

There are only two cases where glassware is suitable for induction cooking.

1. The thickness of the bottom should be more than five centimeters.
2. Equipment on the bottom that makes it magnetized and fireproof.

Ceramic

Absolutely useless for induction hobs. Food will not heat up in ceramics.

Aluminum

Check with the seller or look at the manufacturer's packaging for the composition of the material. If there is no steel in the aluminum alloy, then such cookware is not suitable.

Brass

Brass contains ferromagnetic particles that react to a magnet, but... Their quantity is extremely small and results in weak heating of the bottom. And accordingly, in long preparation of products.

This material is extremely inconvenient and unsuitable for cooking.

Adapter (adapter) for any dishes

There is a great way to save money - buying a special adapter. It is designed for any type of induction cooker and allows you to avoid replacing cookware, which requires quite a lot of expense.

The adapter is a flat round disk. There is a handle that can be removable.

The adapter is placed in the heating zone. A frying pan is placed on top of it, which is “not suitable for induction”.

If you consider the considerable costs of pots and pans suitable for induction, then buying an adapter becomes a very economical and reasonable option.

Every housewife has a favorite roasting pan or roasting pan in terms of volume and size. With the purchase of an adapter, you can safely use them.

How to choose cookware for an induction surface

Important! Kitchen utensils for induction hobs should be wide and low.

Food in such containers will heat up more evenly and cook much faster.

There are quite a lot of proven and well-known manufacturers on the market that offer kitchen sets for induction surfaces.

• Tefal is one of the popular and inexpensive manufacturers of such cookware. Belongs to the middle price segment. Stylish design and a variety of pan shapes with thick bottoms allow you to cook quickly and efficiently.
• Rondel - products made of cast iron and stainless steel, excellent for induction. However, the products of this company are very expensive.
• Hackman is a well-known Finnish company. The product line is very diverse and of fairly high quality. Sauté pans, woks, and roasting pans are made by hand, so the price for products from this manufacturer is rather high. The products are distinguished by a thick bottom (up to 10 mm) and a non-stick titanium-ceramic coating.

Illiterate and improper use of modern technology and its accompanying devices can ruin the prepared dish. There is a high probability of damage to the tiles themselves and electrical appliances located nearby.

Tips for using cookware

• When cooking, use wooden, plastic or silicone spatulas.
• Try not to use metal devices for mixing cooked foods. They will heat up quickly and you will burn your hands.
• The dishes must be placed only in the center of the hob.
• Pots with thin walls or thin bottoms should not be left unattended. They can become deformed from overheating.
• People with pacemakers should avoid cooking on induction stoves.
• Using frying pans with poorly cleaned carbon deposits is undesirable. It will be difficult for you to clean the glass-ceramic surface later.
• Care for cookware and the stove itself follow the instructions from the manufacturer.

Choosing kitchen utensils and utensils to suit every taste and at the right price will not be very difficult.

A varied selection of kitchen utensils and ease of checking allows you to purchase them in different price categories. Just remember to evaluate the quality of the material, choose the right size and thickness of the bottom.