The Best Pans For Induction Cookware

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I believe induction cooktops are the future of stovetop cooking. They have a ton of benefits that gas stoves just don’t, and the only real catch is that not all cookware is compatible with them. That’s why I wrote this post to help you find the best pans for induction cooking on the market.

I’ll explain how exactly induction cooking works and recommend some induction-compatible cookware sets that you can buy to make the most out of your induction burner.

About Induction Cooktops

First, let’s go over exactly what induction cookers are and how to identify induction-ready cookware.

How Do Induction Cooktops Work?

When it is turned on, an induction cooktop sends up an electromagnetic current generated by a copper wire under the induction burner. If a pan with a magnetic bottom is on the cooktop, it will pick up the current and almost instantly become hot because of thermoelectric energy. In other words, the bottom of the induction-compatible cookware becomes the heat source for its contents!

Induction-Ready Cookware Benefits

Induction burners have a lot of benefits over traditional gas or electric stoves, including:

  • Energy efficiency – Studies have shown that only 40% of the thermal energy generated by gas stoves actually ends up being transferred to food. Electric stoves are more efficient at 74% conductivity, but induction stovetops are the best at 84% efficiency.
  • Safety – The surface of an induction burner will not be hot to the touch while or directly after it transfers heat to induction-compatible cookware. Because of that, it’s great to have if you’re a clumsy cook or if you cook around kids or pets.
  • Quick heating – Induction-ready cookware becomes hot almost instantly when you turn on the burner, which cuts down on cooking time.
  • Easier to clean – Since induction cooktops are flat, they’re much easier to clean than gas stovetops. Just give them a once-over with a wet rag!
  • Take up less space – you don’t need a cupboard nearby for a big gas tank like with a gas stove.

Best Pans for Induction Cooktops

The five sets in the table below are the best induction-compatible cookware sets I’ve ever used or seen used. Note that the sets are not specially meant for induction cookers (a label that would induce a needless price hike). Instead, they are just “normal” cookware sets of amazing quality that happen to also work great with induction stovetops.

None of these sets is cheap due to all of their superior performance and large amount of included cookware pieces, but I have listed for each a relative price range to help you narrow the choices down a bit. Below the table, I’ve also included an overview of what makes each set worthy of a spot on the list.

Model# of Pieces (w/o lids)MaterialPrice Range
Cookware Set4Aluminum w/ ceramic coating$$$
5-Piece Signature Set3Enameled cast iron$$$$
Reserve Ceramic Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set6Cast iron w/ ceramic coating$$
CTX Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set6Aluminum w/ stainless steel coating$$$$$
Chef’s Classic Stainless-Steel 17-Piece Cookware Set10Stainless steel$$

1. Overall: Cookware Set

by [amazon link=”B08XM1B6ZX” link_icon=”none” title=”Caraway” /]

[amazon fields=”B08XM1B6ZX” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image_alt=”Caraway Nonstick Ceramic Cookware Set”]

The two pots and two pans in this set may very well get more use than any other pieces of cookware I own, and for good reason; they’re good at conducting heat evenly, the non-stick capabilities are on-point, and the ceramic coating is so smooth that cleaning is a breeze.

Ceramic coating has actual health benefits for the food cooked in it, too, so that’s another benefit. Plus, if you read my posts regularly, you’ll know that I’m a sucker for aesthetically appealing cookware, and the ceramic coating on this set looks great. It has a vibrant shine that you don’t see often, and it’s available in seven diverse colors.

The pieces in the set are also lighter than any other good-quality cookware sets I own — and believe me, I own quite a few — thanks to their aluminum core. Plus, they’re compatible with any kind of cooktop.

The two included storage racks are great additions, too. One of them holds the cookware vertically like a bookshelf for pots and pans, and the other holds the lids for each piece. The set looks so nice when stored neatly in the holding racks that you can display them up on the counter if you have space. The racks also make storage in a cabinet easier and more compact, though.

2. Splurge: 5-Piece Signature Set

by [amazon link=”B08X7HX326″ link_icon=”none” title=”Le Creuset” /]

[amazon fields=”B08X7HX326″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image_alt=”Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Cookware Set”]

Le Creuset is never cheap, but the Dutch oven, saucepan, and skillet are quite possibly the best-quality pieces of cookware I’ve ever seen – every feature screams quality. A few of the most notable ones include:

  • The porcelain enamel has incredible non-stick properties but doesn’t ever need to be seasoned.
  • The three pieces are made of the lightest-weight cast iron on the market, making all of them easy to carry.
  • All three have ergonomic handles.
  • The heat-resistant handles on the Dutch oven and saucepan lids are plated with an oven-safe reflective gold coating.
  • The 10 color options for the porcelain are incredibly attractive gradients with deep, rich hues.
  • The “black satin” interior coating of the skillet is specially formulated for even heat distribution at higher temperatures, while the light-colored interior of the saucepan and Dutch oven is excellent at circulating flavor in recipes cooking at lower temperatures for a longer period of time.

The three pieces also have all the features you would expect from a luxury cookware set: they are dishwasher-safe, they’re chip- and crack-resistant, and they’re safe to use with metal utensils. They’re also, of course, induction-ready.

If you have the money to spend on this set, I’d recommend it above all others.

3. GreenPan: Reserve Ceramic Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set

by [amazon link=”B09W3W5K8Q” link_icon=”none” title=”GreenPan” /]

[amazon fields=”B09W3W5K8Q” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image_alt=”GreenPan Reserve Ceramic Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set”]

It may be very affordable for a 10-piece (including lids) cookware set, but don’t be fooled: this set is still of very high quality. The cast iron of each piece is imbued with an extra-hard material called DuraCore that not only makes the pans more durable (supposedly) but is also excellent at conducting heat.

The interiors are coated with Thermolon Minerals PRO, an advanced ceramic non-stick material that is safe with metal utensils. And the pieces all have a clean, classic look that I think is more attractive than most other induction-compatible cookware out there, even the more expensive stuff.

My one complaint about this set is that it is not as long-lasting as the luxury brands. The rims of the pots and pans on my set began chipping after just a few months, and after about two years of use I actually had to toss the set. If you don’t cook too frequently, though, that shouldn’t be a problem. Besides, you can buy this set 3-5x over for the price of one luxury nonstick induction cookware set.

4. Durable: CTX Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set

by [amazon link=”B0034GJ16G” link_icon=”none” title=”CTX” /]

[amazon fields=”B0034GJ16G” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image_alt=”CTX Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set”]

Danish-made cookware tends to be some of the most durable out there, and this 10-piece set is a good example of that. The core of each piece is made of recycled aluminum, which is not the most durable material, but it is covered by a layer of polished stainless steel and a ceramic-titanium coating that you’d have trouble denting or scratching if you tried.

The pieces have a five-ply construction that heats up very, very quickly and evenly and cools off just as fast. My nephew raves about how great this set is, how the frying pans, the saucepans, and the Dutch oven are all perfectly constructed for their individual uses, and it’s at the top of my list of induction-compatible cookware to buy next. Now I just need to come up with $700 or so…

5. Large Set: Chef’s Classic Stainless-Steel 17-Piece Cookware Set

by Williams Sonoma

Classic Stainless-Steel 17-Piece Cookware Set

This set has a whopping 10 pots and pans in it, including:

  • 3 saucepans: one-, two-, and 3-quart models. All three include a lid.
  • A 3.5-quart saute pan with lid.
  • A 4-quart dutch oven with lid.
  • An 8-quart stockpot with lid.
  • 3 Frying pans with diameters of 8”, 10”, and 12”. The 12” one includes a lid.
  • A steamer insert.

All 10 of the pieces (17 including lids) are made of pure stainless steel, so they are easy to clean and are exceptionally durable. Only the bases are made from magnetized aluminum, which gives them more even heat distribution properties but is still compatible with induction cooktops. I also love how the lids of the pots are made from a clear glass that allows you to monitor the progress of your recipes while they are covered, a feature I’m not sure why isn’t the standard on all high-quality cookware sets.

The huge amount of pieces included in this cookware set considering the relatively low price make it an incredible value. The pieces aren’t quite up to the standards of Le Creuset, but they will definitely serve you well for a long time. If you’ve just bought an induction burner and need to stock your kitchen with a lot of induction-ready cookware, you should definitely consider this offering.

Induction Cookware FAQ

Do you need special cookware for induction cooktops?

Induction burners only work with cookware that contains magnetic material. Don’t worry, though; most quality cookware materials, including cast iron and stainless steel, are already magnetic and so will be compatible with induction cooktops.

Even ceramic-coated cookware is compatible with induction burners as long as the metal underneath the ceramic is magnetic. Cookware made from aluminum, glass, or copper is not compatible with induction cookers unless it has a magnetic base.

How do I know if a pan is induction-compatible?

If you’re wondering if a pan will be compatible with an induction cooktop, try the magnet test. To carry out the test, try pressing a magnet to the pan and seeing if it sticks. If it does, an induction stove should work just fine with it!

Can you use a cast iron skillet on an induction cooktop?

Yes, cast iron skillets are compatible with induction cookers. That being said, induction burners scratch easily so you shouldn’t put a cast iron pan with a rough surface on them.

Keeping it Hot

If you don’t have an induction stovetop, you definitely need to think about getting one. Even if you already have a gas stove in your kitchen, a portable induction burner or two are great for cooking out on the patio or taking on a camping trip. Of course, you’ll also need some quality induction-compatible cookware to complete the experience.

I hope this post helps you to make induction cooking a regular practice in your home.

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