Prepare for a new way of cooking with cookware that will last an age…
Induction stove-tops are becoming increasingly popular; consequently I have more and more people coming into the store asking what induction is and what pans are suitable.
The first thing I tell them is there are A LOT of options out there, usually far more than you think.
Induction cooking is a magnetic friction based method of heating which means the bases of your pans must be strongly magnetic. What this gives as far as a cooking-top surface is concerned is a very fast heat up and cool down time, very easy cleaning and an inbuilt safety feature in that there’s no flame and you simply can’t forget to turn your stove off. The element will not heat up unless there is a magnetic pan on it so no pan, no heat. Consequently more and more people are installing induction hobs in their kitchens; some universities are now even putting them in their student flats!
CHOOSING INDUCTION PANS
Now here’s the best part: the vast majority of our pans are perfect for induction. Practically anything with a stainless steel base is good to go. For example, the whole Le Creuset range online is perfect (with the one caveat that cast iron is heavy and your stove top will be made of glass so you must be careful), the whole Stellar range is also now completely induction ready. Sadly, for my long standing love of Mauviel copper pans they are not induction suitable, although there are magnetic interfaces on the market that allow you to use existing pans. These tend to cost as much, if not more than the new pans you would be buying. Anything that is aluminium, enamel or hard anodised aluminium will need to have a steel base, so check their specifications. Circulon Infinite is one of our most popular non-stick ranges which is induction safe, as is the Le Creuset toughened non-stick, Jamie Oliver Professional Series Hard Anodised Range, Stellar 3000 and 6000 to name a few. Top tip: don’t forget to take a magnet to the base of the pans you already own, hopefully you’ll be able to keep your Gran’s jam pan if the magnet sticks!
OUR TOP 3 INDUCTION READY PANS
|
1) Stellar 1000 Top selling stainless steel pan range.
|
 Stellar 1000 |
|
2) Le Creuset Toughened Non-Stick Top quality non-stick.
|
 Le Creuset Toughened Non-Stick |
|
3) Jamie Oliver Professional Stainless Steel Super popular range.
|
 Jamie Oliver Stainless Steel |
I hope you find this guide useful!
Nina,
Manager
Pots and Pans, St Andrews.
