Last Updated on November 9, 2021 by
Indeed, your stainless steel pan enhances the kitchen experience. However, does stainless steel pan work on induction hob? It is a helpless turnoff if yours does not.
Some stainless steel pans work on an induction hob. Test if your stainless steel pan sticks using a magnet, a sticky pan works on inductions. However, a pan without iron but an aluminum sandwich base will short out a 10kHz magnetic field without warmth.
Stainless steel pans that do not stick use insufficient austenite or ferrite components. Cheapies with martensitic stainless steel will work on induction hob because since magnetic. It is now a question of ‘quality’ rather than ‘induction’.
Are Stainless Steel Pans Safe for Induction Hobs?
Stainless steel pans are not safe for induction hobs if the manufacturer does not specify them. If the bottom of your stainless steel pan is magnet-sticky, it is safe for induction. Some hobs will not heat properly if the pan is non-magnetic.
Nevertheless, there are a few exceptions. A stainless steel pan sold as induction-compatible might contain a hexagonal pattern in the base metal for some reason. Perhaps, to make your stainless steel pan conduct heat better on induction.
You might have to heat it at one-third the rate you heat other pans to work perfectly. If your induction hob is a cheapie, induction cooking with a pan will work but could produce a hot plasticky smell.
The plasticky smell is a sign that either your induction cooker or stainless steel pan will fail soon. Unfortunately, it forces you to turn off the induction heating and remove the pan.
Another factor that determines if your stainless steel pan burns safe on induction is the base. Pans without a flat base may not work perfectly, flat-base pans work better.
Best Stainless Steel Pans for Induction Hob
The manufacturer claims your pan is ‘durable’ and can ensure smart cooking but can it heat on induction?
Having an induction cooker means needing the right stainless steel pans, or pans that can heat with or without induction.
Unfortunately, a stainless steel pan without induction support will give uneven cooking results if it heats at all.
You need the following stainless steel pan for your kitchen induction hob:
Imarku Stainless Steel Pan
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Imarku brings you a 12-inch stainless steel pan that supports a multi-menu, including frying, cooking, braising, deep-frying, and sauteing.
It absorbs heat, resists warping and rust due to its premium 3-ply stainless steel base built with a thicker aluminum core.
for fast heat absorption, rust resistance, resistance to warping, and maximum durability.
Why the Imarku stainless steel pan can work for your induction hob:
- Induction support. The best story is that Imarku stainless steel pan is compatible with induction. It allows convenient cleaning with just detergent, water, and a scouring pad. On your busy schedule, you can have your dishwasher do the washing.
- Design. The Imarku uses an ergonomic handle solution that allows a more comfortable grip. The handle curve is just perfect for you to travel it from your induction hob around the kitchen. You can hang it on your shelf using its tail hole design to save space.
- Preserves flavor. This pan contains 304 food-grade stainless steel that is not sticky to enhance healthy cooking life. It functions to preserve the flavor of your food so that you get your cooking consistently perfect.
ZWILLING Spirit
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The ZWILLING Spirit always gets you in the cooking mood. It uses a thicker aluminum core which aids a faster cooking experience.
Its stay-cool handle makes sure you do not need pads to put your hot pan off the induction. You do not also get spills in the kitchen.
Why is the ZWILLING Spirit your stainless steel pan for the induction hob?
- Induction support. It works perfectly on an induction cooker up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Thanks to its thick aluminum core, you can heat your food faster and stay in the mood to prepare your favorite meal.
- Non-stick. The ZWILLING is non-stick on the inside and stainless steel on the outside for refined heating. It does not use PFOA and PTFE, and so uses less oil than other non-sticks.
- Stay-cool handles. The handle stays cool despite the induction heat. No fumes created, meaning no toxic fumes escape into the atmosphere.
How Do I Know If My Pans Are Induction?
If you are buying a stainless steel pan other than the above suggested, you want to ensure it supports induction.
You will know if your stainless steel pan is induction if you find a coil symbol on its base. Also, test if a magnet clings to the bottom firmly. Otherwise, the pan is not built for your induction hob.
To test with a magnet, hold it to the underside to see if it sticks. If the conduction is loosely sticky, your induction hob will not be effective, if it works at all.
What Happens if I Use the Wrong Pan on an Induction Hob?
When you put a stainless steel pan on an induction hob, the magnetic field heats up directly. The hob stays cool, and your pan produces some residual heat.
However, using the wrong stainless steel pan on the same induction hob does not heat it. The induction will remain cool because the pan is non-magnetic.
Therefore, your pan only cooks on an induction hob if it is induction-compatible. The product manufacturer will specify if the stainless steel pan works on your induction; otherwise, do not buy it.
Moreover, both all-clad and clad stainless steel pans work just fine.
If your stainless steel pan uses non-stick coatings, it can fume when you place it on the induction. Normally, if it heats above degrees 660 Fahrenheit, the released fumes can be toxic, sometimes resulting in polymer fume fever.
A stainless steel pan has a higher resistivity than aluminum and copper. Nevertheless, aluminum and copper will work on induction hobs with higher currents.
You may experience insufficient heating current for better conductivity on commercial induction cooktops.
To couple with iron-based alloys, manufacturers selectively adjust the current of the induction coil. They install a circuit switch to close the circuit whenever a magnetic material is closer to the induction coil. This allows only an iron-based stainless steel pan to heat.
Industries use induction for metal heating, so we can melt aluminum and copper with induction heat to treat or braze metals.
Note that an induction hob does not require a magnetic material for the induction current by the coil. Instead, the nearby magnetic material enables the induction coil for the unit to operate efficiently.
How Do You Use an Induction Hob with a Normal Pan?
You can be tempted to use your stainless steel pan that does not conduct for the induction hob. However, knowing a few tricks can help to use your pan without making a mess.
Meanwhile, if you are unsure if your pan is magnetic, you want to test it at the lowest power. If it heats, then do the following to use an induction hob with your stainless steel pan properly:
Get your stainless steel pan magnetic
You want your stainless steel pan magnetic if it is not already compatible with induction. The reason is that your induction hob works on a magnet.
You also need a flat-bottom pan. If your pan is not a flat-bottom, the induction hob might only heat the part it reaches.
To get your stainless steel pan magnetic, use cavities/holes. Attach them to the bottom of your pan to enable the Eddy currents for heating. You just went DIY—good for you.
Cooking temperature
Your cooking temperatures must not exceed 450 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent the non-stick pan from releasing chemicals. 450 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended.
Do not heat your pan unattended
Unfortunately, you must not leave your pan unattended since it is not compatible with the induction hob. Lastly, you have to stir your food frequently to prevent uneven heating and charred food.
Why Are My Stainless Steel Pans Not Magnetic?
Most stainless steel pans contain aluminum which is nonferrous. Therefore, if your pan uses aluminum the most, it will not be magnetic. It will not also cook effectively on induction, if at all.
With a ferrous metal plate, you can get your non-magnetic pan to become magnetic and work on induction. Place the plate on the cooktop followed by your non-magnetic pan.
Stainless steel types can be chromium and chromium-nickel. It is typically designated as 400 and 300 series respectively in the United States. Your cooking can be made using both stainless steel types.
Almost any magnet will firmly stick to the 400 series stainless steel. The 300 series stainless steel is commonly non-magnetic and loosely attracts a magnet. Thus, while the 400 series on the pan can work on induction, the 300 series may be a lot less likely.
Final Thoughts on Does Stainless Steel Pan Work on Induction Hob?
Now, we have our answer. Let us reiterate that not all stainless steel pans will work on the induction hob. You can always perform the test on yours before heating it on the induction.
The biggest lesson from this story is that you need a stainless steel pan that is induction-compatible. Therefore, you must invest more to get the most from your pan.
