Induction cookware is essential for cooking on induction hobs. They can be in stainless steel, aluminium, copper, ceramic and non-stick. They have a multi-layered magnetic bottom and ergonomic handles. On the market, you can find the best pot sets or decide to buy them individually. Read our guide to find out more.
Induction cookware is indispensable tools if you have an induction hob. In fact, induction cooking is very different from that with the gas stove. In the induction hob, the electric current generates an electromagnetic field that acts on the molecules of the pot and is transmitted in the form of heat to the food. For this reason, only induction cookware can be used on these floors. The advantage of pans, and therefore, of induction cooking is to cook food in a short time with uniform cooking. They are easy to clean because they do not stick and are also safer. In addition, they also guarantee energy savings.
They can be in stainless steel, aluminium, copper, non-stick or ceramic. The bottom must be magnetic and contain a percentage of ferrous material. It is flat and multilayer, usually 2 layers of steel with one in the middle of aluminium. It can be thin or double, but it is those with a greater thickness that guarantee more uniform cooking. The handles are ergonomic and lined with thermal material to prevent them from heating up with the risk of burns. The pots are available in sets with diameters of different sizes or in single units.
Bialetti, Lagostina, Karcher and Berndes are the producers of the best induction cookware batteries. You can buy them from Ikea or compare the various models in the dedicated section of Amazon. Let's see together which are the best. Compared to traditional pots they cost more, but online you can find real offers.
The 10 best induction cookware: ranking
Below we provide you with a list of the best induction cookers available online. We chose the ones with the best quality/price ratio and the best reviews from buyers.
ZWILLING - induction cooker
This five-piece ZWILLING set consists of a 20cm saucepan, three saucepans (16cm, 20cm and 24cm) and a saucepan with 16cm handle. They are part of the Passion collection, the structure is of excellent quality and the handles are ergonomic. They feature an aluminium core which retains heat better and saves energy. They have an integrated graduated scale for dosing liquids. They can be washed in the dishwasher.
AmazonBasics - 11-piece induction cookware set
This 11-piece stainless steel cookware set is from AmazonBasics. The pots are equipped with lids to retain heat and moisture, while the long handles, side handles and lid handles ensure a safe and comfortable grip during lifting and transport. In addition, a hole at the end of the long handle allows you to hang them comfortably. Battery includes 8cm x 5cm skillet, 24cm x 5cm skillet, 14cm x 6.8cm pan, 16cm x 7.85cm (1.5L) saucepan with lid , one 20cm x 9.7cm (2.9L) saucepan with lid, one 24cm x 11cm (4.7L) saucepan with lid, one 20cm x 7.7cm shallow saucepan (2 , 2 L) and a 20 x 9.5 cm steamer.
Lagostina Briosa - induction set
The Briosa cookware line is made of 18/10 stainless steel with mirror polishing on the outside and satin on the inside. The bottom is in encapsulated aluminium for good heat diffusion without the risk of food sticking. The handles are in steel coated with soft-touch silicone for a comfortable and safe grip.
All items in the range can be placed in the oven up to 210 degrees and are dishwasher safe. Battery content: pot diameter 22 cm, saucepan with two handles diameter 18/22 cm, low saucepan with two handles diameter 26 cm, deep saucepan with long handle diameter 14 cm, non-stick pan diameter 26 cm, lids diameters 14/18/22 / 26 cm, ladle, skimmer, spaghetti picker.
Lagostina Sfiziosa - induction cookware set
Lagostina, entirely made of 18/10 stainless steel, is of high quality. The three-layer encapsulated bottom (steel-aluminium-steel) is suitable for any hob and promotes excellent heat diffusion, minimizing the risk of food sticking. The mirror polishing on the outside and the internal satin finish offer excellent hygiene and ease of cleaning.
The robust and ergonomic shape of the handles and handles, made of steel valet to, allows a firm and secure grip. The range includes a pot with 2 handles (18 - 22 cm), deep saucepan with 2 handles (18-22 cm), low saucepan with 2 handles (24 cm), deep saucepan with a long handle (14 cm), lid (14 - 18 - 22 - 24 cm), ladle, shovel and spaghetti picker.
Karcher - Jasmin cookware set
Karcher offers this 20-piece stainless steel cookware set which includes dishes for cooking and frying. It consists of: 1 saucepan with handle and glass lid (14 cm), 4 saucepans with glass lid (16 cm, 18 cm, 20 cm, 22 cm), 1 stewpan with glass lid (22 cm), 4 bowls with lid (20cm, 18cm, 15cm, 13cm). They are made of stainless steel (it does not deform, does not alter the flavours, it is easy to clean). It is suitable for induction hobs, dishwasher safe, and can be used in the oven up to 240 ° C. The bottom is encapsulated with thermal insulation.
LOVE PAN 10-Piece Hammered Nonstick Cookware Set
Ecolution Impressions Hammered Cookware Set
Ecolution Impressions Hammered Cookware Set, BUILT TO PERFORM - Designed to be functional, durable and safe for the environment. Constructed from heavy-gauge aluminium with a stainless steel base for even and consistent heat distribution. INCLUDES – 8" Fry Pan, 9½" Fry Pan, 1½ Qt. Saucepan with Glass Lid, 2½ Qt. Saucepan with Glass Lid, 3 Qt. Sauté Pan with Glass Lid, 5 Qt. Dutch Oven with Glass Lid. PREMIUM NON-STICK COATING- The non-stick on the Impressions cookware is a multilayered non-stick that offers incredible food release.
Cuisinart 77-412 Chef's Classic Stainless 4
Cuisinart 77-412 Chef's Classic Stainless 4, Stainless Steel for Professional Results: Stainless steel cooking surface does not discolour, react with food or alter flavours. Great for classic cooking techniques like slow simmers, rolling boils and reduction of liquids. Chef's Choice Stainless: Mirror finish. Classic looks, professional performance. Unsurpassed Heat Distribution: Aluminum encapsulated base heats quickly and spreads heat evenly. Eliminates hot spots
Circulon Symmetry Hard Anodized Nonstick Casserole Dish
Circulon Symmetry Hard Anodized Nonstick Casserole Dish, SUPERIOR NONSTICK: Casserole pan features TOTAL Food Release System of PFOA-free, metal utensil safe premium nonstick on raised circles for superior cooking release and effortless cleanup. DUTCH OVEN DESIGN: Heavy-duty hard-anodized aluminium casserole pan construction delivers lasting durability; the casserole’s attractive exterior adds style to any kitchen decor. INDUCTION PAN: Oven safe to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, the induction-suitable casserole is also dishwasher safe.
Prestige Optisteel - professional steamer
This Prestige Optisteel steamer with basket is the result of the combination of professional know-how and high-quality materials. The steamer can be used to cook vegetables or rice perfectly, thanks to the ultra-thick base that favours even heat distribution. Made of stainless steel and equipped with a transparent lid, which allows you to see the contents without letting the heat escape. This versatile pot is suitable for all types of hobs, including induction, and for the dishwasher. It has a diameter of 24 cm and is dishwasher safe.
How to choose the best induction cooker
Now that we have discovered which are the best induction cookware, let's analyze together which are the fundamental characteristics to choose the best cookware according to your needs. The first thing to consider are the materials with which they are made, then the bottom coating and, finally, the thickness.
Materials
The materials with which induction cookware are made are many. Let's see them together in detail.
- stainless steel: pots made of steel are the most used and widespread. They are very comfortable because they wash easily and are also very resistant. In fact, they don't corrode. There are thinner models and others heavier. The former heats up very quickly, but risk burning the food if you are not careful. The latter is slower but guarantee homogeneous cooking. They are both efficient, you just have to evaluate according to your needs.
- Aluminium: they are cheaper than steel ones. The material makes them light and easy to wash. Aluminium is often combined with other materials to be an excellent thermal conductor. One of the advantages of this material is that it heats slowly so you don't need a lot of supervision but, at the same time, it can't guarantee even cooking like steel.
- cast iron: cast iron is the oldest material with which dishes are made. It is also very popular with professional chefs. The advantages are numerous: it is non-stick, economical and lasts a long time with good maintenance. The only disadvantage is that these pans are heavier than the others, so you must always use both hands.
- covered in marble: they are perfect for those who love to cook light foods, that is, without exceeding oil or fats. The food is crunchy and the cooking is excellent.
- copper: copper to be used on an induction hob must first be treated. It is the most expensive on the market. Its advantage is that it does not alter the flavours of food.
- Ceramic coated: these are also ideal for a light but exquisite cuisine at the same time. The ceramic is scratch-resistant, easy to clean and does not corrode with wear.
- Silverstone, xylan, Durit, Cortan or greblon: they are all non-stick materials and ensure that food does not stick while cooking in the pot. Let's avoid Teflon which, on the other hand, is toxic.
Fund
An element that undoubtedly affects the choice of the best induction cooker is its bottom. It is important both to ensure good cooking of the food but also for the safety of the pot resting on the induction hob. The best induction cookware has multiple bottoms: it is generally three-layered. There are 2 layers of steel and one in the middle of aluminium. The aluminium ensures that the heat is distributed evenly over the entire surface and does not disperse.
Thickness
As we have seen, the pots differ in their thickness. There are thin models and others more double. The former is certainly lighter and therefore more practical to use. On the other hand, they can easily melt or burn food because they heat up very quickly. The latter, on the other hand, are safer but very heavy and difficult to handle. The best would be to find a middle ground between the two thicknesses.
Dimensions
The dimensions of the pots can differ a lot from each other. Before deciding which one to buy, evaluate the width of your hob and make sure that the pots can be placed on the stove without getting in the way of each other. Another element to evaluate is for how many people you cook. If you are alone or as a couple, it will be worth buying some small pots and pans. Typically, the diameter of the pots can be 16-18-20-22cm. For optimum cooking, make sure the bottom 2/3 covers the stove.
Handles
Another fundamental element for easy and safe handling of the pots is the presence of ergonomic handles. The best are those that have a thermal coating that protects your hands from sunburn.
Set of cookware batteries
The choice of buying one or more induction cookers is subjective. If you have just purchased an induction hob, you will probably have to buy an entire battery. Generally, it can include 6 to 10 pieces. If, on the other hand, you already have some crockery and are looking for pots to replace the old ones then you can opt for 3-piece sets or buy them individually.
Certification
To be sure that the pots you are buying are suitable for the induction hob you can refer to the presence of a symbol similar to a coil. This label guarantees that the pot was made for that hob and that it has a multilayer bottom in steel and aluminium.
Brand
The induction cookware market is very large, and there are many brands that you can rely on to buy a good induction cooker. The best brands are Bialetti, Lagosstina, WMF, Alessi and Karcher. On Amazon, you can compare the various models and prices.
Price
The price of these dishes varies according to the brand, the materials and the number of pieces that make up a set. For a single pot, which is of good quality, the price is around 30 euros. As for the sets, however, it can also exceed a hundred euros.
How to recognize induction cookware
If you have pots at home and you don't know if you can use them on the new induction hob, there is a very simple method. Take a magnet and check if it sticks to the bottom of the pot, if yes then it means that the pot is suitable for induction. Another way is to put the pot with the water on top of the plate. If the display flashes it means that you can use the pan.
The advantages of using induction cooking
As we have seen, induction cookers have several advantages. Let's sum them up.
- speed: it is certainly the most important thing. They take less time to warm up. This allows us to optimize time and save on energy.
- safety: the absence of flames makes cooking with induction safer than with gas hobs. In addition, the heat is limited to the pot while the plate never heats up.
- beauty: the design of the pots and the top is minimalist and very modern.
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