Today, the latest technology in the field of kitchen utensils are induction cookers, which have their own characteristics. In order to make the right choice, when purchasing such a product, you need to understand all the subtleties and nuances so as not to regret it in the future.
Today, induction hobs are at the peak of popularity.
First of all, understand all the intricacies of the work, and also study the entire process of cooking and operating the appliance.
What is induction cookware
At the moment, this is one of the most relevant appliances needed for cooking. How is this stove different from all the others? This tool for any housewife is highly energy efficient, which will significantly save your money. In addition, this device is the safest among all others. And the appearance allows you to organically fit into any kitchen interior.
Fast preparation of food occurs due to the specialized operating principle of the equipment.
To use the item, you need special utensils that have special ferromagnetic properties. Any old pan that can be checked using a magnet can be used. But the best choice in this situation would be new stainless steel cookware designed specifically for such technologies.
Do you need special cookware for induction cookers?
The presence of special utensils is necessary to activate the device. Otherwise, cooking food is simply impossible. The main feature of such kitchen utensils is the special coating on the bottom, which has magnetic properties.
Fast preparation of food occurs due to the specialized operating principle of the equipment.
All dishes should not be completely magnetized, since only the bottom is enough, which interacts with the stove. The materials used to make such kitchen items are usually heavy metals such as cast iron and stainless steel.
Why do you need special cookware for induction cookers?
Induction cookers are completely different from ordinary electric ones in terms of their operating principle.
Due to the influence of magnetic waves on a closed circuit, an electric current is generated, due to which heating occurs. The main difference is that it is not the surface of the stove that heats up, but the cookware itself. The stove transmits magnetic waves to the bottom of the frying pan or pan, which, in turn, is a “closed circuit”.
That is why, in order to create electromagnetic induction on the hob, it is necessary to correctly select the material from which the cookware is made. It must have ferromagnetic properties; in other words, an ordinary magnet must “stick” to it.
Thus, the following are not suitable for cooking on an induction stove:
- ceramics;
- aluminum;
- copper;
- glass.
But when purchasing a brand new induction hob, don’t rush to get rid of all the cookware at once. Many items can be checked using a magnet or in practice.
The dishes should be well magnetic.
How does an induction cooktop work?
When using such a stove, a rather interesting question arises about the principle of operation of such a stove. If you look at this, you can understand that it is significantly different from the method we are used to. Typically, heating is carried out by using a special special heat source, which can be either a fire or an electric heater. After which all the heat passes from the source to the dishes, and from the dishes to the food.
The stove is in contact only with the bottom of the container being used; the risk of getting burned on its surface is minimal.
In this technology, everything happens a little differently. This is due to the absence of this same heat source. Under the panel there are special coils that do not heat up after electric current passes through them. The question arises, what is this connected with? This is due to the fact that an electromagnetic field is created around from nearby objects made of ferromagnetic materials, which creates vortex flows. This is what heats the food.
On such a stove you can cook exactly according to the recipe.
The principle of the idea is quite simple and straightforward. Knowledge of physics and nothing more.
How to choose cookware for induction
It is worth considering that not every kitchen utensil, even specialized ones, can be suitable for cooking on an induction cooker. To make the right purchase, you should pay attention to a number of factors so that the purchase is not in vain. To do this, a number of certain characteristics should be taken into account. If you do not pay attention to some rules, your life and the life of your family may be at risk. For safety, it is best to familiarize yourself with how to choose the right cookware for an induction cooker.
Since the surface is smooth and mirror-like, food residues do not stick, which means that they can be removed without much effort.
Sizes and varieties of shape
What kind of cookware is needed for an induction hob? If you look at the principle of choosing dimensions for a regular slab, it is worth noting that dimensions have practically no role there. It all depends on the preferences of the consumer. Here, the quality of operation, and most importantly, safety, will depend on your choice. Do not use cookware that is too small based on the size of the burner, as this may affect human health and the surrounding electronics.
You can cook food by first selecting the desired function.
Bottom parameters
Paying attention to the parameters of the bottom, make sure that the vessel is multi-layered, since it is between these layers that a magnetic layer is installed, due to which the interaction between the stove and the utensils occurs. If the bottom does not have a certain size, then the automatic stove may not work at all, but if on the contrary, then the heating time will be much longer. The diameter of the bottom must be combined with the size of the burner, because otherwise, at a distance of 12-20 cm, the electromagnetic radiation exceeds and human life becomes in danger. Also, this threatens to damage nearby electrical equipment.
Kitchen equipment only heats the bottom of the vessel.
Why do you need special cookware for induction cookers?
In order to cook on such devices, you need special cookware for induction cookers. Its peculiarity lies in the bottom, which is made of materials with magnetic properties.
The bottom of the cookware for induction cookers is made of materials with magnetic properties.
It is not at all necessary that the entire structure have ferromagnetic features. The main thing is that the bottom interacts with the stove. Specialized induction cookware is made from heavy metals. Most often, manufacturers use stainless steel and cast iron.
Induction cookware materials
What kind of cookware is needed for an induction hob? Products manufactured for the purpose of operation using induction cookers are always marked with a special symbol in the form of a spiral. But, unfortunately, not all people have the opportunity to buy specialized cookware for an induction cooker. Therefore, it is worth talking about the most preferred materials.
Specialized dishes should have a thick bottom.
Stainless steel
Products made from this material are very durable and popular. They have a huge number of advantages. It should be noted that this material is of very high quality, as a result of which it is not afraid of deformation in the form of oxidation. Food prepared and subsequently stored in such utensils will not spoil it in any way.
Between the layers of the bottom there should be ferromagnetic layers, which contribute to uniform heating of the container.
Also, for those who like an attractive appearance, stainless steel will be an excellent choice. It has a fairly stylish design with a glossy and matte surface.
In addition to the above, it is worth noting that such material does not have much weight, so it is very convenient to use.
Special kitchen utensils for induction will be considered suitable if they are made of heavy and durable materials.
But when caring for such utensils, you should be especially careful, since hard brushes and other similar products can cause unwanted scratches that will affect the quality of the dishes you prepare.
Cast iron
Cast iron cookware is the most preferred option and has a huge number of advantages. This material is one of the most environmentally friendly, which gives it a definite advantage. Cast iron utensils are the most popular and widespread among housewives due to the fact that food practically does not stick to this type of utensil.
Such metals are resistant to deformation and other defects.
It is worth noting that cast iron is the most highly durable material, so you won’t have to worry about rapid wear and deformation. This device will be the most durable among all the dishes and will serve you for a long time.
Also, it retains heat perfectly, and cooked food will be able to maintain its temperature for a long time. But, compared to stainless steel, cast iron is very heavy, which makes cooking pancakes very difficult.
Products made of stainless steel and cast iron are considered the most suitable.
The surface of the material should be handled very carefully and carefully, since it is still possible to damage it. Like any other product, if dropped, dishes can crack or even break. And improper care can contribute to corrosion.
With enamel
Cooking utensils with an enamel surface are also suitable for cooking on an induction hob, but only if there is no deformation in the form of chips. Such dishes do not require specialized care. It is only important for her to use care products that will not harm her.
They are perfect for induction use.
Such cookware is durable and can serve you, your family and your kitchen for an impressive period of time. The enamel coating is one of the most durable, which is why the choice is unlikely to disappoint you. And also, compared to all other dishes of this material, they do not have an impressive cost. In any store you can find a huge variety of dishes with an enamel surface. A large assortment awaits you.
Even the simplest metal vessel, coated with high-quality enamel, is suitable for such a stove.
But when purchasing, you should be careful in your choice, as the quality may disappoint you. Look at the bottom, it is important that it is flat and its thickness reaches at least 2 mm. If you want to preserve the visual beauty of your dishes, then you should not resort to using a strong cleaning agent that can damage the surface.
Aluminum
When using aluminum material on an induction cooker, first of all, you should pay attention to the material of manufacture. If it is steel, then the use of such a product is permissible, otherwise, cooking a dish is impossible.
Selecting suitable cookware should be based on the specialized operating principle of the induction panel.
Also, specialized stores sell adapters that will allow you to use cookware regardless of the material.
What kind of cookware is needed for an induction cooker?
After checking the utensils already in the kitchen, you can begin searching for and purchasing the missing items. To choose the appropriate options, you should pay attention to several basic parameters of cookware for induction cookers.
Utensil material
The most important thing is the right material. Not only the performance of the hob, but also the quality of the prepared food will depend on it. The following materials are suitable for induction cookers:
- Cast iron.
- Stainless steel.
- Iron.
There are also alloy options, such as steel and aluminum. But such frying pans and pots should be checked for suitability for such stoves even before purchase.
| Material | pros | Minuses |
| Cast iron |
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| Stainless steel |
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| Iron |
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| Ceramic (with induction insert) |
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It should be noted that the ferromagnetic properties of the material are important only for the bottom of the cookware. If a layer of suitable metal is applied at the point of contact between the surface of the stove and the pan, the base and inner coating will not matter.
Important! That is why the best choice for a modern kitchen is ceramic-coated cookware. This is the most popular material for induction cookers due to special inserts on the bottom.
Bottom diameter
The diameter of the bottom of the pan is another important parameter that determines whether the plate will be in contact with the object or not.
For the induction hob coil to work, the bottom of the cookware must be at least 12 centimeters deep. This applies to cases where the cookware is made entirely of ferromagnetic material.
In the same case, when the dishes only have an insert of magnetic material on the bottom, it is worth paying attention to the diameter of this insert. Often, for a large bottom volume, the insert is provided several times smaller, and some stoves (or burners) simply do not respond to it.
Advice! It is worth noting that many manufacturers offer to purchase a special adapter - an induction disk. It is installed on the stove, and dishes of the required size are placed on it. In this case, heating will occur a little slower.
Pan thickness
The most preferred option are pots and pans with a cast disc at the base. You can also find a multilayer bottom made of various alloys, the inner coating of which has non-stick properties, and the lower part is equipped with an induction insert.
The thickness of the bottom of the cookware for an induction cooker should be about 5 mm - this will ensure both a good heating rate and the strength of the product.
How to determine if cookware is suitable for induction panels
There are several ways to determine whether a certain cookware is suitable for use on an induction cooktop.
Here are some of them:
- Place a regular magnet on the bottom of the cookware - if it “sticks”, most likely the cookware will heat up on the induction cooker. However, this method is not entirely reliable.
- Try the cookware in action by placing it on the hob and starting it. If the device does not start working, then this is not a suitable option. The method is well suited for checking utensils already in the kitchen.
- Look for a special designation on the product packaging. The spiral wave or the inscription “Induction” means that this item of cookware is exactly suitable for induction cookers.
Of course, the most reliable option is the latter. But it is only suitable for those cases when you are going to purchase a set of new dishes. To save money and check the dishes available in the house, it is better to use the second option.
Adapter for induction hob
Is it possible to cook on an induction cooker in regular cookware?
Is it possible to cook on an induction hob using regular cookware? In answer to this question, it should be noted that a lot depends on the coating on the bottom of your cookware. If you look at it objectively, then most likely you will not be able to cook a culinary masterpiece. Because using regular kitchen utensils can cause a number of problems. The induction cooker may not respond to the material your vessel is made of and may remain switched off. Or it may happen that the stove turns on, but no heating occurs, which will leave the vessel cold.
The bottom is the main parameter on which the consumer must focus attention.
This will not cause any harm to the stove itself and will not damage it. The only downside is that you will waste your energy trying to cook something. Therefore, when using such modern technology, it is worth taking care of the appropriate devices.
Many people wonder – what is an induction pan? The answer is the simplest. This is a vessel that has the same dimensions as a regular saucepan. Its difference is a special bottom, which allows it to heat up completely.
The diameter of the bottom must be at least 12 centimeters.
If you simply do not have the funds to purchase special utensils suitable for this technology, then manufacturers have made sure that cooking can be carried out using conventional appliances. This requires the use of magnetic adapters, which are a disk with a handle. It is placed on the burner, after which your dishes are placed on top.
This device will allow you not to change all the dishes, but to safely use the old ones without spending effort and money. This device does not cause any particular harm, but rather quite the opposite. This will protect your stove from unwanted and unfavorable scratches and all kinds of damage.
How to care for dishes
Contrary to popular belief, cookware for induction cookers does not require any special care. For the most part, all specialty cookware can be washed in the dishwasher. If cast iron products are used, it is recommended to dry them with a towel after washing so that they do not rust. You should be careful with all non-enamel cookware, as it is more susceptible to corrosion. Cast iron is also more fragile and can break if dropped.
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How to care for induction cookware
The implementation of specialized care depends solely on the material from which the dishes are made. But still, when leaving, you use the dishwasher, not paying attention to what food was used when preparing the dish.
If your pot or frying pan is made of cast iron, then you should remember that you need to thoroughly dry the item without leaving any traces of moisture. This is due to the fact that traces of corrosion may appear on this material; therefore, drying is the main condition for care.
Kitchen utensils should not be subject to even the slightest deformation.
If the material of your product is stainless steel, then care must be carried out somewhat differently. Such devices must be washed immediately after you use them. When caring for and cleaning metal, you should never use hard scrapers, as they can lead to deformation of the device, leaving microcracks or scratches on it. The ideal option would be pre-treatment with a salt solution before use. This will significantly increase the lifespan of your kitchen utensils. You don't need to make any special effort to do this, everything is surprisingly simple. All you need to do is add a vessel of clean water and add a few tablespoons of salt. Next, just put it on the fire and after boiling, rinse the vessel thoroughly.
Types of cookware for induction cookers
Enameled
Such dishes are usually made of various alloys or cast iron. The finished product is coated with several layers of enamel, which makes the dishes aesthetically pleasing and prevents harmful metals from entering the food. When choosing enamel cookware, you should pay attention to the quality of the enamel, since the presence of chips makes it unsuitable for cooking. And naturally, its bottom should be ferromagnetic, which should be confirmed by the corresponding icon.
Ceramic
Ceramics is loved by many housewives for its performance qualities, it is easy to clean, very beautiful, not susceptible to scratches, and because you can cook in it without adding any fats. Especially for healthy food lovers, cookware manufacturers have created ceramic utensils suitable for induction cookers.
Cast iron
This type of cookware has reigned in kitchens since the time of our grandmothers, but even now it has not lost its attractiveness. Cast iron is durable, retains heat for a long time, but is quite heavy and fragile and can break if dropped. When choosing such dishes, you should pay attention to the bottom; it should be smooth, since porous material absorbs odors during the cooking process.
Cast iron pan
Copper
Copper cookware has excellent thermal conductivity, it is elegant and its hygienic properties are excellent, so manufacturers of induction cookware have not ignored this type of cookware. Equipped with a special bottom, copper cookware is perfect for induction cookers.
Stainless steel
Steel cookware has a number of advantages. Firstly, it is perfect for induction without additional modifications. Secondly, it does not oxidize, food cooked in it does not lose its beneficial properties, and such a saucepan (ladle, frying pan) can be placed in the refrigerator. Thirdly, the dishes are beautiful and fit any kitchen design.
Cookware sets
For many housewives, purchasing an induction cooker is a great opportunity to change cookware (and it’s not so important that the old one may be suitable). It’s much nicer when the kitchen is designed in the same style and the dishes match it. Modern manufacturers offer a lot of options for sets of kitchen utensils, it’s up to you to decide which one to choose.
Set of dishes
Popular manufacturers
Today, a large number of manufacturers are engaged in the production of this kind of dishes. But, unfortunately, not everyone does this with special diligence, putting quality above all else. The wide assortment of the store will allow you to choose exactly the product that you will like both in appearance and in characteristics. First of all, when choosing any product, you should give preference to trusted manufacturers who are very popular among consumers.
Fissler
This is a German company that has long been recognized among chefs and housewives. Their peculiarity is the production of kitchen utensils with a bias in favor of modern technologies. The product of this company has many additional functions in the form of measuring scales, sides designed for draining and a special bottom that evenly heats the dishes.
It will satisfy the tastes of any buyer - from a professional to a novice amateur.
The number of positive reviews is growing every day. People prefer high-quality goods, after purchasing which they will not have to regret.
Zwilling JA Henckels
This global brand is engaged in the creation and production of popular, and most importantly, budget and high-quality products. Making a profit is not the main goal of the company, since the quality of the device they create is much more important to them. Many chefs from all over the world use this device. There are some famous ones among them.
The Zwilling JA Henckels brand is one of the oldest and most respected brands in Europe.
Isn't this a confirmation of the quality of products that Zwilling JA Henckels produces?
Zanussi
Manufacturer from Italy, which specializes in the production of high-quality and lightweight tableware. Their products are equipped with a special multi-layer bottom. Also, the company does not forget to pay special attention to stylish design. Also, the company’s pricing policy is not overpriced, but rather the opposite.
Zanussi is a recognizable and leading home kitchen brand.
The combination of price and quality are the main advantages that are still worth noting.
Kochstar
A German brand that prefers steel products. Their products are distinguished by the fact that, in addition to a multi-layer bottom, they have durable walls. The design has a glossy finish, giving the cookware a very stylish visual appearance. In the store's assortment you can find a wide selection of different colors. And what’s most interesting is that their product is one of the most durable on the market and has a long service life.
Kitchenware from Kochstar (Germany) is the best in its class.
Staub
A company from France, for which design is equal to quality. Accented and special attention to this aspect allows us to make some of the most stylish products on the entire market. Their dishes can be used not only for cooking, but also for decorating the holiday table.
The smooth, enameled bottom allows Staub cookware to be used on all hobs, including induction.
Woll
Manufacturer from Germany, which produces products with a thickened bottom. You can also find specimens on the market whose bottom reaches 10 mm. In addition, the inside of the cookware has a special titanium-ceramic non-stick coating, which is very difficult to find in analogues.
Cooking on induction hobs is safe and energy efficient with cookware from Woll.
The technology of an induction cooker is quite simple, if you understand everything. This is one of the latest modern technologies, which is convenient and has a number of advantages. For proper and careful operation, certain rules must be observed. Also, the consumer does not have a strong need to purchase special marked utensils, since it is assumed that they will use a magnetic disk, which allows them to use old kitchen utensils. This will save you a lot of money.
Today, people have gradually begun to switch to using such technology. Every day the number of consumers wishing to purchase such a stove is growing. This trend is quite logical, because comfort and convenience are the main needs in the life of every person. This stove will be an excellent choice that you won’t have to regret.
