Buying guide for best induction pan sets
While induction cooktops have plenty of benefits, including speed and energy efficiency, the downside is not all pans work on them.
If you've recently switched to an induction stove or your cookware simply needs a refresh, you may need to buy a full induction pan set.
This can be trickier than it sounds. Not only do you need to figure out which pan sets work on induction stoves, you should consider the types of pans you want in your set, which pan sizes you'll need to cook for your household, and the best pan material for you, to name a handful of important factors.
What is an induction cooktop?
First things first: what is an induction cooktop? Induction cooktops are surfaces that heat pots and pans directly using magnetic induction. A coiled copper wire creates a magnetic electrical current that goes directly to the pan, heating it quickly while keeping the burner itself relatively cool. Some stove models feature induction stovetops, or you can purchase induction cookers as a single burner.
If you have this type of cooktop, you need the right type of cookware.
What's included in an induction pan set?
There's no such thing as a standard induction pan set — every set contains a variety of pots and pans. While this makes picking out a set more complex, it allows you to select one that only contains what you need rather than being forced to buy a set that contains items you'll never use.
Items that may be included in an induction pan set include frying pans, sauté pans, saucepans, skillets, steamers, woks, grill pans, stock pots, and Dutch ovens. At a bare minimum, most people will want an induction pan set containing a saucepan or two and a few frying pans or sauté pans of varying sizes. However, if you're an avid cook, you may want a set featuring a larger array of items.
When evaluating the best induction pan sets, we consider how many pieces each set has and how heavy they are.
When selecting the best induction pan sets for in-depth review, we pay careful attention to what they’re made of and how easy it is to care for their stainless steel or nonstick surfaces.
We dig deep to find dependable induction pan sets that have the construction quality and durable materials needed to last for years—even if you like to wash them in the dishwasher.
We consider the weight of each piece in an induction pan set. The more mass a pan has, the more effective it is at heating.
We look at induction pan sets with a varying number of pieces, from simple three-piece kits to extensive collections capable of cooking for an army.
Ultra-premium induction pan sets made from high-end materials like brushed copper and tempered glass are included on our research list.
We search for induction pan sets with ceramic coatings that prevent sticking and don’t contain PTFE, commonly known as Teflon. This suits readers who are bird owners as well as anyone concerned about nonstick material off-gassing.
Extra points go to induction pan sets with heavy-bottomed skillets and braising pans that are ideal for searing and slow-cooking meat.
Nonslip handles, hanging loops, and see-through lids are just some of the nice-to-have features we’re always on the lookout for.
Top-quality induction pan sets with a stick-resistant enamel coating atop dense, thick cast iron tend to garner our attention. These pans are highly durable cooking implements.
Considerations for selecting induction pan sets
Pan material
Only certain pan materials work on an induction cooktop, but manufacturers can insert stainless steel plates in the bottom to make them induction-friendly. Unless you opt for a stainless steel or cast iron pan set, check that the pans are listed as suitable for use on an induction cooktop. That said, you can find pans made from a range of materials suitable for induction stoves and cookers.
Stainless steel: Stainless steel pans are durable and easy to care for. You can achieve professional results if you know how to use them, but you need to cook with a decent amount of oil to prevent sticking.
Cast iron: Cast iron pans are so durable that some people are still using their great-grandparents' 100-year-old skillets. What's more, they even leach iron into your food, which can help boost your levels. On the other hand, they're extremely heavy and require seasoning before the first use. Enamelled cast iron pans negate the need for seasoning, but the results aren’t quite the same.
Copper: Copper pans heat and cool quickly, which gives you greater temperature control when cooking. However, they dent easily and require more care and maintenance than stainless steel.
Hard-anodized aluminum: Hard-anodized pans are made from aluminum that's undergone a special hardening process. They're extremely tough and scratch resistant and are non-reactive, but there is a potential health concern with aluminum leaching into your food.
Number of pieces
Choose an induction pan set with the right number of pieces to suit your needs. If you're a one-pan kind of cook, you might not require a huge number of pots and pans. However, if you like to prepare complex meals with plenty of components, you may find a larger set makes the job simpler. It's worth noting that the number of pieces listed often includes lids as pieces. So, a five-piece set might contain three pans, two of which have lids.
Pan sizes
Pan sizes are important for two reasons. First, they should be the correct size for the heating areas on your induction cooktop (unless you have a stove with flexible induction capabilities), and second, they should be the right size for the amount of food you generally cook. If you have a household of one or two, you don't need many large pans — just a few for when you're cooking for guests. Conversely, compact pots and pans aren't much use to a five-person family.
Lids
Your induction pan set should contain at least two lidded skillets and saucepans, as the lids are useful for bringing liquids to a boil, simmering without reducing, braising, and more. Although it's not essential, you may prefer glass lids, as they let you check what's going on inside the pan without lifting the lid and letting heat escape.
Induction pan set prices
The cost of an induction pan set varies depending on the size and overall quality of the set.
Small stainless steel, copper, and nonstick induction pan sets can start at as little as $30, whereas a large cast iron set from a high-end brand can cost as much as $1,000. As a rule, basic induction pan sets cost between $30 and $60, mid-range sets between $60 and $100, and high-end sets between $100 and $300.
Although you can find more expensive induction pan sets, they're uncommon and are overkill for the majority of home cooks.
Tips
Consider what you usually cook when choosing an induction pan set. If you're more likely to whip up a stew or boil pasta than you are to pan fry, there's no point in buying a set that's heavy on skillets and frying pans but light on saucepans.
Decide whether you want oven-safe pans. These are great for starting dishes off on the stove and finishing them in the oven. If you want to use your induction pans in the oven, you'll need to choose ones with oven-safe handles.
Think before buying an uncoated cast iron induction pan set. Each piece will need seasoning before use to build up a nonstick coating, which will be time-consuming.
- Make sure your pans have a completely flat base. While some pans can have textured, patterned, or curved bases, these aren't the best choice for an induction surface.
FAQ
Q. What makes a pan work on an induction stove?
A. The plates on an induction stove don't actually heat up. Instead, they transfer heat to the cooking pan using a magnetic coil. As such, only pans made from ferrous (iron-containing) metals (such as stainless steel and cast iron) work on induction surfaces. Usually pans made from aluminum, copper, ceramic, glass, and other non-ferrous materials won't work on an induction stove. However, some pans have plates made from stainless steel or cast iron set into the bottom of the pan so you can use them for induction cooking.
Q. Is there anything I can't cook with an induction pan set?
A. Although induction cooktops work differently, the effects are ultimately the same. You can cook anything you'd normally cook on the stovetop in your induction pan set.
Q. Is there a simple way of telling whether a pan would work on an induction surface?
A. When you're buying new pans online, check whether they're listed as induction-friendly. For pans already in your possession, try sticking a magnet to the base. If it sticks, the pan should work on an induction stove.
