In order for cookware to be induction compatible, it must be made of a magnetic material. So, if your cookware does not have a magnetic base, it will not activate the Hob to heat up. If you want to use non-magnetic cookware, you will need a special product.
Do you have an induction stove and want to continue using your normal, non-magnetic cookware? In this article, we will discuss some ways that you will be able to do exactly that. In addition, you will be able to save money by utilizing the cookware you already have on hand.
In This Guide
How to Make Cookware Induction Compatible
For your cookware to be induction compatible, it must be made of a magnetic material, or at the least, have a magnetic bottom to create a current between the cookware and the stovetop. To use everyday cookware on an induction stove, you need to use an Interface disk.
We will discuss what an interface disk is and how it is used. We will also investigate if there are other items that can be used for your induction stovetop.
Interface Disk for Induction Cooktops
An interface disk is specifically designed to allow everyday, non-magnetic cookware to be used on an induction cooktop. It is a disk-shaped device made of magnetic stainless steel. When placed on the cooktop, it interacts with the electromagnets in the stove and causes heat.
These Interface Discs, also called diffuser plates, come in various sizes and can also be made of cast iron instead of magnetic stainless steel. They range in price from about $10 to more than $90.
Buying one or more interface discs is undoubtedly cheaper than buying a whole new set of specially made pots and pans. But what if you want to use your induction hob right now? Is there anything else that you can use to make your everyday cookware compatible?
Use a Cast Iron Griddle as an Interface For Your Induction Hob
Since cast iron is magnetic and works well on induction cooktops, it should work as an emergency interface between the induction hob and your non-induction cookware. In order for the cast iron griddle to work, it must have a smooth underside and a smooth surface.
For any magnetic pan to work on the induction hob it must have a smooth, flat bottom. This is to ensure it engages the electromagnets in the cooktop and provides an evenly heated surface.
So, if you have a smooth bottom cast iron griddle or a large cast-iron frying pan with a smooth bottom, you can use this as a heat-conducting base for your traditional non-magnetic cookware.
A Steel Pie Plate Be Used As An Interface Disc?
If you have a smooth bottom steel pie plate that is magnetic, you can check by seeing if a magnet sticks to the bottom of the plate; you can use this as an emergency interface on your induction hob.
The magnetic pie plate you use must have a smooth bottom and be large enough to hold your non-magnetic pan. Turn on your hob. Place the pan on the induction surface and then your non-magnetic pan inside of it. The pie plate will heat up and eventually heat your non-induction pan, allowing you to cook in it.
Is it Safe to Use an Interface With Your Induction Cooktop?
There are safety issues to consider when using non-magnetic cookware and interface discs, and other devices on your induction cooking surface. This is because your induction hob can be damaged.
If you attempt to use an interface disc that is designed for your cooktop, or another cooking utensil as an interface, there are some things you should know:
- This is not the most energy-efficient way to use your induction hob. It will take minutes for the surface of your interface pan to get hot enough to heat the traditional non-magnetic cookware.
- Cast Iron cookware is hefty and could damage or break the glass cooktop if care is not taken.
- Metallic cookware of any kind can scratch or damage your induction cooktop surface, and protective mats are recommended.
- Using an interface of any kind on your induction hob could cause extreme amounts of heat that could damage your induction cooktop.
Therefore, you should always practice safety and pay close attention to using your induction stove and what you are cooking with.
Will Your Cookware Work on an Induction Hob?
It is possible to use certain types of traditional cookware on your Induction hob. The two main things that will make your cookware compatible are magnetism and having a smooth flat surface. To check for magnetism, use a magnet and place it on the pan bottom. If the magnet sticks strongly, it should work well on your induction hob.
One of the best types of magnetic pans to use is cast iron. It is strongly magnetic, and so long as it has a flat surface bottom, it should interact with the electromagnets in the stovetop, producing energy and thus heat waves.
Cast iron cookware has been used since the Han Dynasty in 220 AD. If you do not have a cast iron set and want to save money buying cast iron cookware, it is easily found in thrift stores at a fraction of the cost of a new set. Just make sure that the underside of the pots and pans is flat.
Difference Between Induction Cookware and Everyday Cookware?
Because the induction stovetop works with a consistent current generated through electromagnets, it requires special cookware to trigger the magnetism. Regular stovetops conduct heat through thermal conduction, such as heat or electricity.
This means that most of your cookware meant for a regular thermal stove will not work at all on your induction stovetop because they are not made with magnetic materials. Non-magnetic pots and pans include:
- Glass or ceramic
- Copper
- Aluminum
- Brass
- Tin
If you put any of these on top of your induction hob, your cooktop will not respond to them and will not produce the energized magnetic current needed to produce heat. This is why induction cooking has specially made cookware.
Pans made explicitly for induction cooking may have any of the above materials, but they also include a layer of magnetic material such as iron. You can find reasonably priced induction cookware such as the Denmark Cooks Collection. This seven-piece set includes:
- 5-quart dutch oven
- 3-quart dutch oven
- 5-quart dutch oven
- 10 inch saute pan
- Three lids
- Two pan scratch protectors
This set is very reasonably priced. The Denmark Cooks Collection will work on any cooking surface, and each of the pans nests nicely within each other to save kitchen space.
If you are looking for a larger induction cookware set Gotham Steel has a 20 piece set that includes:
- Three Frying pans: 8.5-inch round frying pan, 10.25-inch round frying pan with a lid, and a 9.5-inch square frying pan, and a deep 9.5-inch square frying pan with a lid and a steam/frying basket with a lid.
- Pots include a 1.5-quart, a 2.5-quart, and a 4-quart. Each comes with lids and the 4 quart also has a dutch/steamer basket pot.
- Bakeware Set that includes: a muffin tin, square cake pan, cookie sheet, round cake pan, and a loaf pan.
This Gotham steel cookware and bakeware is made of titanium and ceramic non-stick material making it ultra non-stick and scratch-resistant. It’s a “complete kitchen in a box”!
Are Induction Cooktops Expensive?
There is now a wide variety of induction cooktops available to consumers. These cooktops range from about $60 for a single burner hob to more than $5,000 for a full-size 36-inch cooktop.
Depending on the size and quality of the Induction cooktop it can be expensive to buy one. However, the prices of induction cooktops are declining as they become more popular. You can get a full-size, five-burner, Empava induction stovetop for around $700.
This price is comparable to other glass top electric drop-in stoves available on the market.
Are Induction Cooktops Economical?
Induction cooking is extremely economical. Induction hobs rate at 84 percent efficiency compared to a gas stove of at 40 percent or an electric coil stove with an efficiency of 74 percent.
Induction cooktops also heat foods much faster and are a more environmentally friendly choice because they reduce carbon emissions. If you power your home with solar your induction hob helps reduce emissions even more.
The induction hob also lessens the chance of fumes and you have accurate control over how much heat is emitted during the cooking process.
What Features Should My Induction Stovetop Include?
Your induction stovetop should have safety sensors and detectors. These include sensors
- that will detect if there is too much heat and have an automatic shut-off.
- It should also be able to recognize how large or small a pan is.
- Energy controls
- Programmable memory
- Cooling fan
Look for these features and more when investing in an Induction hob. If you are buying one online be sure that it is made for US electricity, European styles will not work with our voltage system.
Are Induction Cooktops Noisy?
Induction cooktops can emit sounds while cooking. Some of these sounds may be unpleasant and unfamiliar to those not used to induction cooking. These sounds are harmless and part of the cooking process.
Some of the sounds you might hear when using an induction hob are:
- Buzzing
- Hums
- Rattles
These sounds come from different things, such as your cooling fan turning on to cool down the cooking surface. They can also be attributed to the cookware you are using heating up, or power controls cycling on and off.
If these noises bother you, you can try to lower the heat setting. Make sure you are using the same types of cookware on your hob to prevent them from rattling. Here’s a great tip: using cast iron will not produce noise!
Flat-bottomed cast iron is heavy and very magnetic. It will not vibrate on the glass top of the induction stove and will heat evenly. This makes cast iron the best type of cookware for your induction cooking.
How Do You Protect Your Induction Hob?
Because your induction hob is made of glass there is a potential for it to become scratched or broken. Here are a few ways you can protect the glass on your induction stovetop:
- Always use flat bottom cookware on your induction stove.
- Use a silicone baking mat that will cover the entire surface of your induction cooktop. You do not need to remove this while cooking and it will protect the surface of your cooktop from scratches, dings, and spills. These come in many shapes and sizes making them convenient for any size induction hob.
- Use a stove cover when you are not using your induction stovetop.
- Use non-abrasive cleaning solution and sponges, such as this Weiman Cooktop Cleaner Kit that comes with glass top cleaner, polish, a scrubbing pad, a razor, and a scraper.
- Clean up any spills immediately.
By using preventative measures, you will be able to keep your induction appliance scratch-free.
How to Make Cookware Induction Compatible
You cannot make non-magnetic cookware induction compatible without using an interface disk. For the best results, you should always try to use ferrous appliances that do not need any type of interface to interact with the electromagnet in the induction appliance.
If for any reason, you must use non-magnetic cookware you can bridge the gap by using your interface disk, or another shallow pan that is made of a ferrous material that will hold your non-magnetic pan.
Just be aware that the use of such a bridge may cause overheating of your stovetop and may create undesirable noise. It will also make your induction appliance less efficient.
Last update on 2022-08-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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