Moving to an induction hob usually means checking every pan in the cupboard, because only some will heat. Here you can find out which of yours will work, which materials suit the way you cook, what to look for in a listing, and whether an induction pan set or a few single pieces makes more sense for your kitchen.
What to look for
01Which pans work on an induction hob?
A pan works on induction if its base is magnetic, so cast iron, carbon steel and stainless steel with a magnetic base heat up, while plain aluminium, copper and glass stay cold. The hob's coil creates a magnetic field that heats the metal in the pan base directly. Hold a fridge magnet to the underside of each pan: if it grips firmly, the pan will work. Aluminium non-stick pans labelled for induction usually have a steel plate bonded into the base. The LENAK saucepans, for instance, are forged aluminium and listed for induction, gas and electric hobs. Read listings closely, because a set can look right and still be excluded. The Pendeford set is carbon steel, which is normally magnetic, yet its listing says all hobs except induction, so go by the listing rather than the material. Look for induction named in the listing, as in the Tefal Ingenio Emotion or the Kitchen Academy 12-piece.
02How do stainless steel, cast iron and non-stick behave on induction?
All three work on induction when the base is magnetic, but each responds differently to its fast, direct heat. Stainless steel heats quickly and reacts as soon as you turn the power down, which suits searing and sauces. The ProCook Professional frying pans are uncoated stainless steel, listed as induction and oven safe, in 20, 24 and 28cm. Tri-ply stainless, like the nuovva pair, bonds layers together so heat spreads across the whole base instead of gathering over the coil. Cast iron comes up to heat more slowly and cools slowly too, so it holds a steady temperature for searing steak once it is hot. The VonShef skillets are pre-seasoned and suitable for all hob types. Non-stick pans heat fast on induction, so medium settings are usually enough, and high power on an empty coated pan is best avoided. The Circulon Scratch Defense set puts a non-stick surface on stainless steel pans, and the HomeVibe saucepans are non-stick carbon steel listed as induction compatible.
03Does the size of the pan base matter on induction?
Yes, the flat part of the base should roughly match the cooking zone, because induction only heats the metal sitting over the coil. A pan much smaller than the zone may not be detected, and a much larger one heats in the centre and stays cooler at the edges. Measure your zones and compare them with base sizes rather than rim sizes, since frying pans flare outwards. Sets help here: the LENAK saucepans come in 16, 18 and 20cm, and the Alajivo set includes 24 and 28cm frying pans. A flat base also matters more than on gas, because a warped or domed pan loses contact with the glass and heats unevenly.
04Should you buy a full induction set or single pieces?
Buy a full set if you are replacing most of your pans at once, and single pieces if only a few fail the magnet test. A set brings matching lids and gives you several sizes for the zones on your hob. The HOMSMYTH 12-piece stainless steel set includes a casserole, frying pan, saucepan and stockpot with glass lids, and the Terlulu 13-piece and Kitchen Academy 12-piece are non-stick sets named for induction hobs. Removable handles save cupboard space, since the pans nest inside each other. The Tefal Ingenio Emotion 13-piece and the Alajivo 14-piece both work this way, and the Alajivo is listed as oven-safe. If your saucepans pass and only the frying pan fails, a two or three-piece frying pan set such as the ProCook or nuovva fills the gap.
Our top picks
Best stainless steel set for a full switchHOMSMYTH 12 Pcs Stainless Steel Pots
HOMSMYTH's 12-piece set covers a casserole, frying pan, saucepan and stockpot, all stainless steel and induction compatible, with glass lids. The pieces are dishwasher safe. It suits a household replacing a cupboard of aluminium pans in one go.
Best uncoated frying pans for searingProCook Professional Stainless Steel Frying Pan
ProCook's Professional set gives you uncoated stainless steel frying pans in 20, 24 and 28cm, listed as induction and oven safe. With no coating to wear, high heat is no worry. They go in the dishwasher too, which makes them a sound choice for steak and stir-fries.
Best non-stick on a stainless steel bodyCirculon Scratch Defense Stainless Steel Pan
The Circulon Scratch Defense set pairs stainless steel pans with an extreme non-stick surface across 5 pieces. Circulon lists it as induction and all hob suitable. If you want eggs to slide out but still like the weight of a steel pan, this is the set to look at.
Best for stacking in a small cupboardTefal Ingenio Emotion Cookware Set 13
Tefal's Ingenio Emotion comes as 13 pieces of non-stick induction cookware with removable handles. Clip a handle on to cook, then take it off so the pans nest inside each other on one shelf. It suits kitchens where cupboard space is tight.
Best non-stick saucepans on carbon steelHomeVibe 8-Piece Non-Stick Carbon Steel Saucepan
HomeVibe's 8-piece saucepan set is non-stick carbon steel with glass lids and Bakelite handles. It is listed as induction compatible, so it needs no magnet test. Pick it if your frying pans pass the magnet test and your saucepans don't.
Frequently asked
Can I use my old pans on an induction hob with an adapter?
Yes, an induction adapter disc sits on the zone, heats up, and passes that heat to a non-magnetic pan on top. It works for the odd favourite pan, but it is slower and less responsive than an induction pan, and the disc gets very hot. If most of your pans fail the magnet test, replacing them is the better long-term fix.
Why is my induction hob not detecting my pan?
The usual reasons are a base that isn't magnetic enough, a pan that is too small for the zone, or a pan sitting off-centre. Try the pan on a smaller zone, and check the base with a magnet. Some stainless steel is only weakly magnetic, and those pans may not register.
Why do some pans buzz or hum on an induction hob?
A low hum or buzz is normal on higher power settings, and pans made from bonded layers are more prone to it. It usually quietens as you turn the power down or once there is food or liquid in the pan. It does not mean the pan or the hob is faulty.
Are induction pans also fine on gas and electric hobs?
Most are, and many listings say so. The LENAK saucepans name induction, gas and electric hobs, and the Tower Cerasure set says it suits all hob types including induction. Check the listing for every hob type if you might move house, so the pans can go with you.
Does cast iron scratch an induction hob?
It can if you drag it, because rough cast iron bases are hard on glass. Lift a cast iron skillet on and off rather than sliding it, and keep the base clean so grit isn't ground into the surface. Pre-seasoned pans like the VonShef set are ready to use but still need that care.