Induction cooktops are the latest trend in the cooking world for their energy-efficient technology. They provide consistent heat and less heat loss for cooking food faster. But the advanced technology comes with a condition that is to use induction-ready cookware with them.
So if you are shifting toward induction stoves, it is not the case that you will buy all-new and best induction cookware so you have to make your non-induction cookware compatible with them.
Why induction cooktop needs induction-ready cookware
Table of Contents,
The principle of generating heat in the induction works is electromagnetism in which an alternating current is passed through the wire into the coil beneath the cooktop surface creating a magnetic field around it and above the surface. Induction-ready cookware is magnetically conductive and ferromagnetic allowing penetration in the magnetic field which generates a strong resistance for current to flow in cookware. This resistance in electric current produces heat for cooking food.
Non-inductive material does not allow the magnetic field to pass and there will be no generation of electric current in the cookware.
How to identify induction-compatible cookware?
Induction-compatible cookware is flat, smooth, and magnetic. A common way to check whether a utensil is inductive or not put a magnet in the base of the utensil. If it sticks to the bottom, it is good for Induction cooktops. KitchenAid cookware is an Example of induction-compatible cookware.
induction cookware Symbol
You can tell if your pots and pans are induction ready by looking for a symbol on the bottom. The icon should look like four loops of wire or have words that say “induction ready.” If you don’t see it, try testing whether magnets will stick to them – they’ll work just fine!.
Induction Material options for induction cookware
Following are the great options for induction stoves:
- Stainless steel
- Cast iron
- Enameled cast iron
This induction-compatible cookware can be used with electric and gas stoves.
Non-induction cookware
The following types of material are non-inductive and not compatible for induction cooktops:
- Copper
- Aluminum
- Glass
Methods of using non-induction cookware on induction cooktops
Induction work with cookware of the same size means induction cooktop and cookware must have the same surface size.
So this requirement creates an option with the help of which one can use non-induction cookware or odd-sized induction cookware on an induction cooktop.
Following are the methods to make non-induction utensils compatible with induction stoves.
- Disk interface
- Netted steel
- Computer thermal paste
Disk interface
Using a flat stainless steel or iron disk between the induction cooktop and non-induction base makes a compatible environment for cooking.
Place this disk on the cooktop and then use any non-induction utensil for cooking. The electromagnetic mechanism occurs between the disk and cooktop and then heat transfer from disk to cookware. The disk provides even heat to cookware. It is very thin and heavy and there is no chance of tipping or slipping. It has a safe heatproof handle to hold easily.
Drawbacks of disk interface
metal cookware has a rough surface, So when a non-induction utensil is placed on the disk interface, these imperfect metal surfaces trap countless microscopic pockets of air between them.
As we all know air is a bad conductor of electricity. So magnetic waves penetrate and start inducing a current, the disk interface tries to transfer the heat to the cookware. But the pockets of air slow down the transfer.
As a result, the disk plate becomes hotter than the utensil bottom due to heat build-up. Some of the built-up heat is conducted downward into the ceramic and some get transferred to kitchen air.
The heat loss delays the cooking. It wastes a lot of energy and time.
Computer thermal paste is a one-time method to minimize the roughness of utensils and use the interface disk at its best.
Computer thermal paste
Computer thermal paste is not an ideal method but it is a better conductor of heat when compared to air for making a compatible surface between non-induction and induction.
The paste is applied as a layer onto the bottom surface of the cookware and then slowly place the cookware on the interface disk. This creates a paper-thin layer between the utensil bottom and disk which fills the rough gaps between the metal surfaces.
Every time you detached the cookware from the disk, apply the paste again. The reason is that thermal paste breaks down at high temperatures so each time it has to be scratched off and applied again before cooking.
Netted steel sheet
One of the methods of using non-induction cookware with induction stoves is to use a sheet of netted steel that is usually used to cover windows and doors. It is easily available in any hardware shop.
An appropriate way to use the sheet is: cut a steel sheet the same as the size of the cooktop surface double-fold it and placed it on the cooktop. This steel sheet is in contact with an induction cooktop for heating. Place non-induction cookware on a heated steel sheet for cooking.
Many videos are available on YouTube to guide you about how to make non-induction cookware compatible with induction cooktops with the help of netted steel sheet. Go check them out before applying this method on your own.
Safety check: do not touch the net while and after cooking. It may burn your hand. Use oven gloves if you want to check how hot the steel mesh is. Remove the cookware and netted mesh only after you have switched off the induction.
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Can you use aluminum pans on the induction cooktop?
it is not a wise approach to use aluminum pans over an induction hob. However, there are some manufacturers who make special designs that have magnetized bases and you can use those pans.
Will stainless steel work on induction?
Yes, stainless steel works on induction. Induction cooktops work by using electromagnets to create heat in the metal pot or pan that you’re cooking with. Stainless steel is a type of metal that is highly conductive, which means it works well with induction cooktops.
What metal works on induction cooktops?
You can use any pan if it is placed on a suitable metal disk that functions as your hotplate. The magnetic field of an induction stove will not produce enough current for copper or aluminum vessels but cast iron, and enameled steel pans (including carbon-steel) work great with this type of cooking technology!
Can I use normal cookware on an induction cooktop?
Yes, you can use cast iron on an electric coil stove, but there are some things to keep in mind. Cast iron is a very good conductor of heat, so it can heat up quickly and evenly on an electric coil stove. So if you want to cook food then try to lower the heat settings on your stove to avoid burning the food. Also, it is important to season your cast iron before using it. Seasoning helps to create a non-stick surface and prevents rusting.
can you use cast iron on an electric coil stove?
You can only use normal cookware on an induction cooktop if your cookware has induction technology. The base of the cookware should be flat and also it should have magnetism. If not, it will not work on an induction cooktop.
What are the disadvantages of induction cooking?
Induction cooking has a few disadvantages, most notably the cost of induction cookers and the fact that they only work with certain types of cookware.
The biggest disadvantage of induction cooking is the cost. Induction cookers can be two to three times more expensive than traditional electric or gas cookers. Additionally, you need to use specialized induction-compatible cookware, which can also be expensive.
Another downside is that inductions hobs can take longer to heat up than other types of cookers. However, once they are at temperature, they tend to cook food faster than other methods.
Conclusion
We can see that induction stove performance drops when used with non-induction cookware. So it is better to use induction utensils with it. But as this is heavy for your pocket to buy induction cookware, use the above methods to keep using your non-induction utensils. They are not 100% effective but do not let you down in cooking. A high-quality Disk interface is a highly used method for compatibility. Give it a try and send a cooking experience.
