If you’ve just got an induction hob and are looking for some new pots and pans to use on it, you’re in luck. Below, you’ll find the best frying pans for induction hobs available in the UK right now.
However, before we get to the frying pans, induction hobs come with a few questions.
Do you need very specific (costly) pots and pans for an induction hob is probably the most-asked question about induction hobs. So, do you? Well, before we get to the pans, let’s answer that, shall we?
Best Frying Pans for Induction Hobs in the UK
1. WMF 24cm and 28cm Frying Pan Set
Size: 24 cm, 28 cm
Materials: 18/10 stainless steel, PermaDur non-stick coating
These two frying pans have a ferrous (containing iron) metal bottom, meaning they will work on induction hobs. They also have an excellent non-stick coating, which is made a PFOA-free material called PermaDur.
These frying pans hold heat really nicely thanks to the stainless-steel construction. They also have tall sides which further their heat holding capabilities. It also offers a really nice design. Plus, the curved, stainless steel handle, makes these very comfortable to use.
If you enjoy frying on low heat, this frying pan set is one of the best tools on the market for the job.
2. Tefal 30 cm Comfort Max Induction Frying Pan
Size: 30 cm
Materials: Stainless steel, non-stick coating
The Tefal Comfort range is designed to offer comfort, control and cooking performance. This frying pan is a whopping 30cm wide and is a bit like a crossover between a frying pan and a sauté pan.
You have plenty of space to cook steaks, chicken breast and a lot more, but the control of a much smaller pan thanks to the Thermospot technology.
The pan itself is made from stainless steel yet still has a power-resist non-stick coating to ensure that nothing will stick to the surface of the pan.
The stainless steel is left on the outside of the pan with a brushed finish that really finishes off the look nicely. Plus, the handle is curved in just the right way to offer maximum control while frying.
3. De Buyer 28cm Steel Frying Pan
Size: 28 cm
Materials: Carbon steel
Switching gears slightly, here is a frying pan that wouldn’t be out of place in any professional kitchen around the world.
This steel frying pan is pretty simple in construction and design. Still, it is built to last and offers a huge amount to your cooking arsenal.
There is no non-stick coating, no plastic handle or anything like that. So, you can transfer from your induction hob into the oven easily with this frying pan.
If you want a frying pan that is designed for the pros, this is it. This frying pan may look pretty basic, but it will help you create meals that are anything but basic!
Once again, this frying pan comes in a variety of sizes but has a very traditional style and shape.
4. Ninja Foodi ZEROSTICK 24cm Frying Pan
Size: 24 cm
Materials: Hard anodised aluminium, non-stick coating
Ninja may be more known for its kitchen appliances, but it also makes some fantastic cookware like this non-stick, induction frying pan.
This features Ninja’s Zerostick coating, which is extremely durable. The coating shouldn’t chip or peel, no matter how much you use it.
Thanks to the hardwearing non-stick coating, this pan can be used in the oven up to 260 degrees Celsius and is dishwasher safe.
The body of this 24cm frying pan is made from anodised aluminium. Anodising is an electrochemical process that hardens the surface of the aluminium, making it much more durable. So, the body of the pan is just as durable as the coating.
Ninja believes in this pan so much that they offer a 10-year replacement guarantee, which includes the non-stick coating. So, if anything with this pan goes wrong in those 10 years, you can get a brand new one.
5. Tefal Jamie Oliver Cook’s Direct Stainless Steel Frying Pan
Size: 28 cm
Materials: Stainless steel, non-stick coating
This is one of the most hardwearing, non-stick coatings that Tefal has ever created. It is reinforced with titanium particles which means that the coating is shockproof and extremely durable.
It creates a very smooth surface which means you can use this pan to cook the most delicate of foods.
Plus, the classic Thermospot technology means that you’ll always know when the pan is at the perfect heat.
As this is part of the Jamie Oliver Tefal range, it has a lovely, professional design that would look perfect in a restaurant kitchen.
The entire pan is made from stainless steel, including the handle and the rivets holding it. So, the non-stick coating is very durable, but so are the base materials of this pan, meaning you will likely have this pan in your kitchen for a very long time.
6. Scoville Neverstick 24cm Frying Pan
Size: 24 cm
Materials: Stainless steel, non-stick coating
This Scoville frying pan offers a non-stick coating that is five times stronger than most other non-stick coatings on the market.
It is suitable for induction hobs, and all other types of hobs and the non-stick coating is even dishwasher safe and will never peel or flake off.
I know, you’ve heard that about other non-stick coatings before, we all have! However, Scoville offers a lifetime guarantee with this frying pan, and that includes the non-stick coating!
Put simply, if you want a frying pan with one of the best non-stick coatings in the UK, this is it. What’s more, the frying pan is lovely to use, has a nice weight to it and is very well built and designed too.
7. Eaziglide Neverstick2 Aluminium Non-Stick Open Frying Pan
Size: 20 cm
Materials: Die-cast aluminium, non-stick coating
We’re big fans of the Eaziglide Neverstick2 system. This frying pan comes in 20 cm, 24 cm and 28 cm versions. The 28 cm pan is perfect for larger meals; searing a steak in this pan is nice and easy.
It’s also healthy as thanks to the fantastic non-stick coating, you don’t need any oil at all. You can even cook an egg in these pans without any oil at all. This is all thanks to the titanium reinforced non-stick coating.
The base itself is made from aluminium, and it has a die-cast stainless steel handle riveted to it. The handle is never going to come off this pan, and because it’s made from metal, it can also go into the oven up to 260 degrees Celsius.
This pan is suitable for all hob types and will be the workhorse of your kitchen for many years to come. Eaziglide believe in their pans so much that they offer a lifetime warranty with them! So, this pan has cooking power you can trust.
Do You Need a Special Frying Pan for an Induction Hob?
Induction hobs create a magnetic field when a pot or pan is placed on the glass.
When you place the pan on the hob, it completes a circuit. An electric current passes through the pan and heats it. This means that a frying pan must be made out of ferrous metal or have a ferrous metal base.
Thankfully, though, there are plenty of frying pans that can be used on induction hobs. In fact, a large portion of frying pans on the market are suitable for induction hobs.
So, while you do need a suitable frying pan for an induction hob, they are not hard to come by and not that costly either.
If you decide not to purchase one of the fantastic frying pans below, just make sure that the frying pan you choose is made from ferrous materials or has a ferrous base.
So, how do you choose a frying pan for an induction hob? Well, you could just choose one of the frying pans on our list below. However, how did we choose these induction pans? Well, just before we get to list, let’s look at selecting the right frying pan for your needs.
What to Look for in a Frying Pan for an Induction Hob
Sizes
A frying pan needs to be the right size. As you know, frying pans come in an array of sizes. From 20cm right up to 40cm and sometimes bigger!
The best size of frying pan depends on the type of cooking you do. However, we do recommend getting a few different frying pans. This is because a lot of the cooking you do with a frying pan depends a lot on the pan holding as much heat as possible.
Buying a larger frying pan to fit a lot of food in isn’t ideal. This is because adding cold meat, for example, into a pan will draw the heat out. Instead, you can use different pans and hold the heat in.
Another good reason for having a few frying pans is cooking different things. A lot of chefs like to have a dedicated pan for eggs, for example. We aren’t saying you should go this far, but certainly having options in the kitchen never hurt anyone.
So, having a few good quality frying pans that are different sizes is a good idea.
Coatings
Next up, the non-stick coating. Which is better? Well, that depends on the type of cooking you do.
For example, if you enjoy searing and then transferring to the oven, you may want to buy a frying pan without a non-stick coating at all.
For general use, though, a non-stick coating is better. It makes cleaning a frying pan very easy and cooking with it a lot less stressful too.
Build quality
You’ll notice that all of the frying pans on the list below have riveted handles. This is because rivets will not loosen over time. They will keep the handle firmly attached to the body of the pan for the entire life of your frying pan.
Safety-wise that is paramount, of course. However, it also suggests that the manufacturer cares about quality. So, the body of the pan and non-stick coating will likely be very good too.
Materials
Frying pans can be made from a whole variety of materials. You can get steel, stainless steel, copper and a great deal more.
But which should you choose? You may think that having an induction hob would narrow down your choice, but not anymore. You can find frying pans for induction hobs made from any material nowadays.
These materials hold heat differently. Some heat up extremely fast but don’t hold the heat too well. Others take a bit of time to heat up but will keep the heat in the base of the pan and the walls for a good amount of time.
Material thickness also plays a part. The more common materials (stainless steel and steel) hold heat very well and heat up quickly. These are general purpose frying pans that will be suitable for most home kitchens.
What’s the Difference Between an Induction Pan and a Normal Pan?
A lot of pans available right now are induction compatible, but not all of them are. There are certain pans that won’t work on induction hobs because of the materials they are made from.
An induction hob needs something to complete the electrical circuit underneath the ceramic plate. This means that the pan must be ferrous (magnetic).
If you place a ferrous pan on top of the stove, the copper coil underneath the stove will begin to pass AC through the pan. If the pan is non-ferrous, nothing will happen.
So, pans made from copper, glass or aluminium generally won’t work on induction hobs, though it’s not always that simple. You see, most pans nowadays are induction hob compatible, including aluminium and copper pans.
This is because most of these pans have a ferrous plate in the bottom of them. This is typically a steel plate.
So, when you put a copper pan with a steel bottom on an induction hob, it will activate the copper coil, and it will work perfectly fine.
There is no difference between using a pan with a ferrous plate in the bottom and the whole pan being made from ferrous metal. As long as the pans can activate the circuit, they will both function the same during cooking.
How to spot an induction-compatible pan
The easiest way to see if a pan is induction hob compatible is to look for the induction symbol. This is a square with a coil in it. If the pan has this symbol on the base, it is induction hob compatible and will work perfectly fine with your hob.
What happens if you put a non-compatible pan on an induction hob?
If your pan is made from a non-ferrous metal (aluminium and copper, for example), then it won’t work on an induction hob.
When you place the pan on the hob, nothing will happen. This is because there is a coil of wire underneath the ceramic surface of the hob.
When a pan made from ferrous metal is placed on the hob’s surface, this completes an electrical circuit which flows through the base and sides of the pan, heating it.
If you use a non-ferrous (non-magnetic) pan, the stove doesn’t recognise that there is anything on top of it, doesn’t complete the circuit, and doesn’t heat up the pan.
However, there are some variables to pans made with non-ferrous metals. Some aluminium and copper pans have a layer of steel in the base which means they are designed to go on induction hobs.
Conclusion
Well, there is our list of frying pans that are perfect for induction hobs. We hope you’ve found your next frying pan on the list above.
If we had to pick just one of these products to recommend, it would be the WMF 24cm and 28cm Frying Pan Set as these pans are tough and well made, with an excellent PFOA-free non-stick coating.
Want to explore some more kitchen equipment? No worries, we have hundreds of articles telling you all about the best kitchen equipment in the UK right now.
Whether you’re kitting out a brand-new kitchen or just want the best pots and pan money can buy, we have a list for you on here! Happy cooking!
Scott is a writer and a passionate home chef. His passion for cooking began when he was 10 years old. Scott has been writing professionally for over five years now and loves to combine his passion for cooking with his day job.
