Choosing the right cookware for your induction stove can make cooking faster and easier. You’ll get faster heating and precise temperatures, plus you’ll save time cleaning up because you won’t have to deal with hot spots.
The good news is that most pots and pans you already own will work on an induction cooktop, as long as they have flat surfaces to ensure contact with the cooking element. Nonstick pans typically don’t need to be ferromagnetic, but you should still test them by flipping them over and holding a magnet against the bottom. If it sticks, they’ll work; if not, they won’t. Cast iron cookware works on induction too, but you’ll want to choose an enameled version since its rough surface could scratch your new cooktop.
A few types of stainless steel pots and pans—including HexClad, All-Clad, and Demeyere—are also compatible with induction burners thanks to their magnetic bases. You can also find induction-compatible aluminum and copper pots and pans, as well as a few ceramic pans with a metal plate bonded to the base. Just make sure the bottom of the pans is marked with an induction symbol or has a coiled spring on it to indicate it’s induction-compatible.
If you’re buying a new set of cookware for your induction stove, we recommend splurging on a premium set that includes the basic sizes you’ll need to start cooking. It will likely cost more than a less expensive set, but it’ll last longer and offer better performance.