Imagine that a consultant at a home appliance store advised you on a safe, economical new product - an induction hob. You decide to purchase it and make a purchase. And finally, a new stove is installed in the kitchen. You decide to try it in practice: you start cooking dinner. And now the pan and pan with the future dinner are on the hot plates, and the stove does not even turn on.
It seems that you forgot to warn in the store that not all kitchen utensils are suitable for an induction cooker, but only having a set of certain properties. What to do? Is it really necessary to go to the store and buy a new set of kitchen utensils?
Take your time. First you need to decide what kind of cookware is needed for the purchased induction cooker: from which materials, with what characteristics. This article will help you not to get lost in the variety of kitchen appliances on store shelves and buy dishes that will last for many years.
Content
Why do you need special cookware for induction surfaces
The induction surface differs from the gas or electric principle of operation.
When the stove is turned on, electromagnetic energy appears in the induction unit. Such electromagnetic induction begins when a kitchen appliance is standing on the burner with a special bottom made of a material with ferromagnetic properties. The bottom of the dishes picks up electrons and quickly heats up due to the absorption of magnetic field energy. The appliance heats up almost instantly, which means that the food will be ready much faster. The hob cools down too quickly. Much faster than an electric stove.
The peculiarity lies in the fact that only that part of the cooking surface that is in contact with the bottom of the dishes is heated. The exposed surface remains cold. This means that energy consumption is reduced.
Therefore, the induction cooker is safe, economical due to high efficiency. It takes up little space.
However, it is possible to fully appreciate these advantages only if a device is used whose bottom is made of a material with high magnetic permeability. If the dishes are not suitable, the stove will either not work at all, or make an unpleasant noise. Therefore, you must choose a quality product.
What cookware is needed for an induction cooker
The pan or pan must have a ferromagnetic alloy bottom. As a rule, this refers to iron with magnetic properties. But this list of suitable materials is not limited. They will be listed below.
There is no need for the cooking appliance to be completely made of the necessary material. It is enough to have a suitable bottom.
This bottom must be at least 2 mm thick, otherwise it will deform during operation. The bottom thickness can be asked from the seller in the store or found on the product labeling yourself.
Modern manufacturers mark cookware for induction cookers with a special sign. The word Induction is written on this sign. The icon on the dishes in the form of a spiral.
New sets, as a rule, consist of low wide pots, ladles, etc. This is due to the fact that they cook food faster.
It is best to purchase an entire kit than to collect the same devices from different manufacturers. They will look stylish in the interior of the kitchen. A single set usually has everything you need for cooking. The likelihood of buying an extra item of kitchen utensils is reduced.
Properties of cookware for induction cooker
- Material.As already mentioned, a ferromagnetic material is used to make the bottom, i.e. capable of magnetization.
- Diameter. For a burner to work, it must be covered with dishes up to 70%. The sizes of all burners on the hob are usually different: from 8 to 20 cm in diameter. This explains the minimum requirement for utensils - 8 cm in diameter. This requirement is due to the fact that with a smaller area of contact with the surface, the stove may not work at all. Or, from an uncovered surface radiation will come that is dangerous to humans. There is a possibility of damage to electrical appliances located nearby.
- Perfect smooth bottom. The bottom should fit perfectly on the surface of the induction cooker. Otherwise, the stove will not heat up or make unpleasant noises during heating. On modern models, make sure that there are no inscriptions or logos with the name of the manufacturer at the bottom.
What material should the dishes be made of?
- Enameled cookware is suitable for cooking on an induction cooker if there is magnetic steel inside it.
- Stainless steel cookware is ideal for these applications. This material is durable and reliable. At the same time, note that the food in it can burn. Watch the bottom thickness, as usually stainless steel kitchen appliances are made thin.
- Cast iron cookware with a flat bottom is also suitable. It is durable when handled with care. Keeps warm for a long time, preserves the beneficial properties of products But remember that cast-iron utensils are heavy, you can accidentally drop them, causing them to crack or break. The cast-iron surface is porous, which means that it accumulates food odors. A pot is rarely made of cast iron, but you can buy a cauldron or a frying pan. Watch the bottom. It is rarely even.
Utensils whose bottom is made of copper, glass, ceramic, aluminum or porcelain are categorically not suitable. But the walls of kitchen appliances made of these materials are permissible. For example, glass teapots with a ferromagnetic bottom or aluminum pots with a steel bottom are sold.
Will other dishes fit
There is an unfounded myth that after buying an induction cooker you have to change all the kitchen utensils. This is fundamentally wrong. Many are surprised to find that the old kitchen utensils, which are already 10-15 years old, are suitable for cooking on a new stove.
Therefore, it would be prudent to first check the ferromagnetic properties for pans, pots, etc. already existing in the house. To do this, take a regular magnet and attach it to the bottom of the kitchen appliances. If it is magnetized, then the device under test has the necessary properties. But this does not mean that it will definitely fit.
Pay attention to the bottom, which is often uneven in old dishes. Also, the use of carbon deposits left after the gas stove will be difficult. Because of it, the stove may not work, unevenly warm the food. Nagar is likely to stain the surface of the plate.
Completely inappropriate dishes do not have to be thrown away. Buy a steel adapter disc. It can be cooked even in non-compliant kitchen utensils.
Top Brands Review
It is better to buy cookware for an induction cooker from well-known and trusted manufacturers. Then there will be less likely to be disappointed in the quality of the purchase.
Keep all receipts so that it remains possible to return the dishes, if suddenly it does not fit and the stove does not “see” it.
High price segment
Fissler is a German manufacturer offering a diverse line of kitchen products.
Woll is a German manufacturer. It stands out among competitors by manual manufacturing of goods. The bottom thickness is 10 mm. For the convenience of consumers, the inner surface is coated with a non-stick ceramic coating.
DeBuyer is a French company offering products with an exclusive design. The dishes of this company are used in high-end restaurants, which confirms the high quality. Consist of appliances made of copper and stainless steel.
Middle price segment
Tefal offers both professional-grade cookware and inexpensive stainless steel and aluminum products. Products combine style and ergonomics.
Oursson is a Swiss brand. It produces induction cookers and dishes for them. The range includes frying pans, woks, pans, cauldrons and stewpan.
Affordable price segment
Tescoma is a Czech manufacturer. Creates professional stainless steel cookware with a multi-layer bottom. In addition, the company offers an adapter for induction cookers.
VSPMO is a Russian manufacturer. Gourmet series dishes are made of stainless steel, passed quality control and certification.
Modern induction cooker models often require the purchase of new kitchen utensils. They have a number of requirements: the material of manufacture, diameter and thickness of the bottom, its perfect smoothness. However, suitable appliances can be found among existing dishes. To do this, it must be checked with an ordinary magnet. Modern manufacturers of kitchen utensils offer products in any price segment.
I was noisily running up while I was picking up dishes under the induction cooker ... But now I cook in beautifully new dishes, convenient and convenient on induction (Indesit company) It was not in vain) the pleasure of getting ready was only increased.
We bought a very reliable and safe Hotpoint. Yes, additional expenses for utensils, but it’s definitely worth it!
many acquaintances said that in vain we take induction glass ceramics. they say, and it is scratched easily, and special utensils are needed. but we are very pleased with our indesit. not a scratch. and the dishes are not that space money cost us.