If you’ve just ordered an induction hob and are now worried that your current pans are not going to work with it, this is the article for you.
When induction hobs first came to the market, it was very tricky to find pans that would work with them. Thankfully, nowadays, most pans that you buy are compatible with induction hobs. However, that doesn’t mean that your cookware can be used with your new hob. So, how can you check?
What Pans Can Be Used on an Induction Hob?
Any pan that is made from a ferrous metal will work on an induction hob. This includes pans made from the following:
- Cast iron
- Carbon steel
- Some stainless steel pans (this depends on the grade of stainless steel used)
Some aluminium pans, copper pans and stainless steel pans have bases made from ferrous metal. These bases are usually fused to the body of the pan, so they are nice and strong and allows the pan to be used on an induction hob.
A lot of cookware manufacturers are now doing this as it allows their pans to be used on induction hobs. It also takes advantage of the properties of the metal they have chosen for the pan.
Getting the Right Sized Pans for Your Induction Hob
Many new induction hob owners don’t know that the pan’s size is just as important as the metal it is made from. The pan you use on an induction hob must be the same diameter as the heating zone.
If the pan is too big, it may not heat up properly. And if the pan is too small, it may not activate the heating zone.
Of course, if you have a few sizes of pans already (that you know are induction hob safe), chances are they will work. However, if you have a few very large pans, you may need to invest in some made for induction hobs to ensure that the base is the right size.
Checking That Pans Are Compatible With an Induction Hob
To check your current pans, or pans that you are considering buying, there are a few tricks you can use. To start with, you can use a magnet to check that your pans are ferrous metal. A fridge magnet will work for this. Just touch the magnet to the bottom of the pan, if it sticks, your pan will work on an induction hob.
Of course, if you’re buying pans online, you can’t reach through your computer with a magnet. To check pans that you don’t own, you can look for the induction hob symbol. This looks like a piece of coiled wire and is used on all induction hob safe pans. Most manufacturers also state whether their pans can be used on induction hobs or not.
We hope this look at which pans can be used on induction hobs has been helpful. We have lists of the best induction hob safe pans in the UK right now so please check those out for the best induction pans available. We also have the best induction hobs in the UK too, so Chef’s Pick is a great place for all of your induction hob needs.
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.
