Best Induction Cookware – A Precise Comparison

Guido Pedrelli
Guido Pedrelli
Italian Cuisine Expert and Food Blogger
Guido Pedrelli
Guido Pedrelli, the mastermind behind Nonna Box, has honed his culinary expertise for decades, inspired by family feasts in Emilia-Romagna. Mentored by his restaurateur nonna, he mastered Italian classics and furthered his skills with professional culinary studies in desserts and gelato making from Mec3. Today, he shares this rich legacy and authentic recipes through Nonna Box.
Expertise: Italian cuisine, Pasta, Pizza, Pastry, Dessert

Many more across the globe are getting serious about cooking at home. We all love a night out at a 4-star restaurant, but the intimacy of having people to the house has risen quite a bit in popularity over the last few decades.

When you are out and about preparing for your next batch of company, you will inevitably hit the aisles of the stores looking for equipment to prepare this awesome food with, and may get a bit confused about what to get. When you see cookware that is “Induction ready”, what does that mean?

We’re here to help you along the way, so you don’t have to spend time in “Deduction” of the topic like a detective would. Take a minute to read our best induction cookware reviews and you’ll learn plenty!

How Induction Cookware Works

An induction range is a bit different than many of the other ovens you’ll find on the market. It uses electromagnet waves that heat the cookware in quite a different manner, and the waves actually penetrate the pan to heat up the food inside.

Only the pan has a heat source, and nothing at all outside the pan receives any heat. As soon as the pan is removed, the heat stops right away, and the stove is no longer hot at all. This method of cooking has actually been around for many hundreds of years, but now has become much more popular as prices have lowered.

What are Induction Cookware Benefits?

Those who are wanting to save time as they are cooking and energy will enjoy the induction cooking route: Many who have taken this route say that it is even quicker at boiling water than even a gas range.

As rates are slated to go up in many cities over the next few years, many users are going to really enjoy this benefit. Since the heat goes straight into the pan and there is no loss around the edges, there is less energy used overall.

As so many are really concerned about saving time when they cook now, this is another reason why induction ovens may gain popularity as well.

Best Induction Cookware Safety and Appearance

The sheer fact that the top of the oven does not heat up alone is a real lifesaver for those that have kids: we all know that this is one of the first serious accidents that can happen in a household: when a child burns themselves on the stove.

The top of an induction stove is very sleek and smooth, and the appearance is quite a bit more pleasing than many different types of burners found on electric stoves. They can be much easier to clean than gas ranges are, since the surface is so much smoother, you are quickly able to just wipe them down, and this has really been the main appeal for many city-dwellers that are always on the go.

Since the element that produces the electric current is a magnetic field, you have to select cookware to use for the induction stove that is derived from magnetic material itself.

The cookware you will be using needs to be made from iron or iron-based material such as cast iron, stainless steel, or even carbon steel. One thing that many are concerned with is the ability to be non-stick: Some folks within the culinary realm claim that the best induction cookware can be a little fussy in this department, but there are a few examples that do quite well in this department.

Stainless Steel Induction Cookware

For the chefs that really know their way around a kitchen and have years of experience, the choice is almost always best to be stainless steel, even though the cost may be a bit more up front. Just like many other hobbies such as racing cars of even musical instruments, if you spend a bit more up front, you are going to enjoy the end result much more in the long run.

For all-around greatness, longevity, and ease-of-use, the champion brand Demeyere was founded in Belgium in 1908, and puts to use the latest innovations in culinary artistry. The Atlantis Stainless steel 10-piece cookware set included patented 7-ply material, and boasts flawless heat distribution for great nights of entertaining.

This set is constructed with seven high-tech layers, and is engineered to fully optimize different types of cooking.

The straight-sided pans have a stainless-steel well, and the sides are tightly welded into an Inducto-Seal base that is encapsulated in a 2mm copper center, which makes for flawless distribution of heat.

You get 9 1/4″ and 11″ fry pans, 1 1/2-qt. and 3-qt. saucepans with lids, a 4-qt saute pan with lid, and a 5 1/2-qt. Dutch oven with lid.

When you invest in quality craftsmanship such as this, you won’t be sorry, and will own for life a key set for induction ranges that will last a very long time.

Top Induction Cookware Sets

 

T-fal C515SC Professional Total Nonstick Thermo-Spot Heat Indicator Induction Base Cookware Set

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This 12-piece cookware set comes at a reasonable price, and is exceptionally durable and scratch resistant, while also being safe to use with metal utensils. The set also has riveted Silicone handles for comfort grip, and is dishwasher safe, as well as oven safe to 400 degrees F.

This set is compatible with all cooktop surfaces including induction, and the small surface area as well as the straight sides of the saucepans are ideal for making sauces, boiling, or reheating. The Dutch Oven has a very wide bottom surface and generous size, and the fry pans are perfect for when you get an itch to sear, fry, or even toss food.

This set includes 8-inch and 10.25 inch fry pans, 1-quart, 3-quart sauce pans, 5-quart Dutch Oven, one egg wonder, 3-quart steamer, and 2 nylon tools. The pans are nonstick, and the stainless steel bottoms are characteristic of a set that has vented lids, cushion grip handles, and 2 rivets where some sets have one screw that can come very easily loose.

You can occasionally find a review that claims this set is not induction friendly, but it is compatible with many units as far as we have checked. One of the cheaper sets you can buy, the wok has also been said to be perfect for all of the times when you get the Stir-fry craving.

Magma Products A10-360L-IND 10 Piece Gourmet Nesting Stainless Steel Cookware Set

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This is a very awesome pot and pan series that is designed specifically for RVs and boats that have induction cooktops, where the outdoor enthusiast in you will gleefully thrive! The set secures easily for storage, and will do so in less than 1/2 cubic foot of space, which is perfect for the wandering soul in you that craves spots from the Grand Canyon on up to the Redwoods.

The set includes 3 sauce pans (1-1/2 quart, 2 quart, and 3 quart) with interchangeable lid, stock pot, and a saute/fry pan with interchangeable lids and is oven and dishwasher safe. The thumb release trigger handles are able to easily attach and detach while just using one hand, and many reviewers that are boat and RV enthusiasts state that the well-thought out design and high quality have made their trips better than ever.

This is a set that is designed for folks that love to spend time in the outdoors, but also love to prepare quality meals when they are on the go. It gets bonus points for being able to fit perfectly in the spaces available, yet still being a quality set to cook with.

Many reviewers who thought that the handles would be loose, shaky, or difficult to attach were proven wrong, and they enjoy using this set day after day, just as much as they enjoy dropping anchor or pulling up in the camper to a new outdoors spot.

Nonstick Aluminum Induction Cookware

If you have already been cooking with an induction range, you’ll definitely notice that the nonstick pans you are used to simply won’t work out right here. Since the construction material is aluminum, it means that they won’t react with the magnets to properly suffice, and you may have to do a little searching to find some that work well.

When you are looking online for this very important staple, include in your search description “induction ready”, because this is where you have to be very specific.

Once you find the right one, you’ll be serving up comforting favorites like scrambled eggs and pancakes in no time!

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The Matfer Bourgeat Elite Pro Aluminum Frying Pan with Induction Bottom is a great non-stick pan, that you can find. Made in France, this pan offers 4-layer nonstick coating, special induction stainless steel bottom plate, and an aluminum cool touch handle.

The coated rivets inside make for a very thick heat diffusing base, and reviewers say that no matter what kind of a job they force on it, nothing sticks to it.

Carbon Steel Induction Cookware Options

Since many believe that this world of fast food and quick fixes in the microwave is simply not the healthy route to take anymore, many great chefs and homemakers alike decided to steer their attention towards more traditional cooking means such as cast iron and ceramic.

Carbon steel is well-known in the wok department, and the built-in heat radiator effect can really help. Carbon steel is also incredibly durable, so if you are really hustling in the kitchen, there is less chance of smashing it when dropped.

DeBuyer is one of the leading manufacturers for the pans in this genre, and you can check out their 12-1/2″ Carbon Steel Frying Pan.

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It’s the perfect accessory for searing, and the thickness allows for the ability to have a long pre-heating at very high temperatures. It has a flat Iron Handle affixed with rivets, and many reviewers have raved over its usefulness and practical nature.

You have to be really serious about your pans to take care of this one, and it may need a little TLC every once in a while. This is an addition to your kitchen that will truly last a very long time, and you’ll be proud to bust out for all occasions.

Cast Iron Induction Cookware

Just over the last ten years, sales of cast-iron cookware has more than doubled, as many professional and home cooks are looking for something durable. Iron products first made their way to the states in the early 1600’s, but were not yet quite made into cookware.

One reason that it is referred to as the “king” of cooking projects is that it is always long lasting, and takes quite a bit to destroy. Believe it or not, these can even last more than an entire century if constructed right!

When you put these materials in the oven, chemicals won’t be transferred to the food that you are cooking as they can be with some other substances. This 13.25 inch Cast Iron Skillet by Lodge has a very high level of heat retention, and a generous size that makes it a great addition to any gathering.

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Bacon and browns, even fried rice, some chicken dishes, and dishes like cornbread will all be fun to prepare in this piece. It’s ready to use upon purchase, oven safe, and made in the USA.

Copper & Induction Cookware

For most practical purposes, copper is not really compatible with induction cooking. The Prima Matera collection is a line of copper cookware that is induction range compatible, and the main draw here is a magnetic base that allows the magnetic waves to react with the pot, and makes the task of heating much quicker.

This Copper Induction Cookware saute pan from Prima Matera is an ideal number for fast browning, service, is great for displays, and practical for open kitchens.

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This is a very unique brand of cookware that is 90% copper on the outside, and has way above average thermal conductivity that results in extraordinary cooking. On the inside, you find 10% stainless steel, and this piece is a very nice French-Style curvature. Wash by hand, and use a polishing paste for ultimate care of this copper cookware.

Enameled Porcelain Cast Iron

Enameled cast iron cookware that is coated with a porcelain finish is really one of the best tools to use when you are preparing foods that are a bit more acidic. Many offerings such as pasta, rice, and most meats such as beef and pork all fall into this category.

What happens with these is that the acids themselves can spend too much time eating off the seasoned oil, and it ultimately leaves you with deteriorating or bare metal.

This Staub Cast Iron 0.75-qt Round Cocotte is a self-basting, Made in France beauty that is great at evenly returning the juices back onto the food that is being prepared, and is oven-safe up to 500 degrees F.

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The smooth enamel bottom works on all stovetops, and each one of these pieces is truly authentic. The rough texture results in exceptional browning, and is dishwasher safe. The self-basting system consists of distributed spikes over the entire inside of the flat lid, and is 9 times more effective than conventional lids.

Induction Ready Stock Pot

As we can totally understand when it comes to cooking great food, having a low budget is definitely sometimes what is most important to you. At many stores, you can get a 10-piece set for under $50, and you just have to keep in mind that they may not last forever.

The Royal Industries 12 qt induction ready stainless steel stock pot is a great buy and you can use it forever it is so durable!

There are various sizes you can purchase it in and it’s great to use with your induction range. This pan has also been used well for home brewing beer!

Click To Check Price or Read Reviews Best Induction Cookware review and shopping guide  

You are most definitely going to love your new induction range and the best induction cookware you’ve purchased for it, as there are so many great things about it that sets it apart from others. Energy saving potential, an awesome appearance, and the ability to quickly heat the best induction cookware are just some of the great qualities that you will enjoy.

You may be having just a few people over, producing a full-fledged release party or opening, or just cooking for two. Purchasing any of these best induction cookware products we featured will no doubt allow you to enjoy your oven the way it was meant to be, and you will soon be offering appetizers, quickly making quesadillas, and bowing down to accept your guest’s love of your new brownie recipe!

Check out our recent post on the best dishwasher safe cookware. Also you can read our post on the best non stick cookware!

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