Induction cookware has a symbol that looks like four loops of wire or an inscription saying ‘Induction Ready’ underneath it. You can test them by placing a magnet on the base of the cookware. If it sticks, it is induction-compatible.
If you have gotten a new induction cooktop, you would agree that it looks and works nothing like the gas or electric cooktop you are used to. I remember using an induction cooker as a bachelor, and it took weeks of sitting and staring at the pot to get the hang of what was going on.
Since there was no fire, no gas, and nothing to trace but the steaming sound inside the pot, it was easy to forget you were cooking. I cannot tell you how many times I burnt food because my electric stove mind underestimated the speed of the induction cooktop.
But, no part of this learning curve was as painful as disposing of or returning pots and pans that I thought would work for my new cooktop that never worked.
The selective nature of induction cooktops begs the question, how do you identify suitable induction cookware? Is there a sign on them? Is there specially made cookware specifically for induction cooktops? These are some of the questions we will address below.
How To Identify Induction Cookware
Here are the four main ways to identify induction cookware:
Method 1: The 4 Looped Wires
Induction cookware usually comes with a symbol that resembles four loops of wire on the base of the pan. They also come with the words “Induction Ready” or simply “induction” sign underneath. This symbol represents the magnetic coils located at the bottom of the hob plate.
Method 2: The Magnetic Check
If you cannot find these two inscriptions, you can test out the cookware with a magnet. If the magnet sticks to the surface, you can use the pots and pans with an induction cooktop.
Method 3: Material Selection
Cookware made with cast iron, black metals, and magnetic grade stainless steel works well with an induction cooktop. Notable brands such as All-clad, Bristol, Le Crest, etc., work effectively with induction coils because they manufacture fully clad cookware.
Method 4: The Boiling Test
One other way of checking the induction compliance of your cookware is to pour out a small amount of water into the pan and place it in the cooking zone. If the water begins to sizzle and boils in a few minutes, then the pan is induction compliant. Placing a glass or aluminum pot on an induction hob will give no results whatsoever. The hob will flash the fault or error display.
How Induction Cookware Works
Induction cookware works with induction cooktops. The cooktops generate electromagnetic energy and radiate it around the ceramic top. The cookware is induced to produce heat once it is set upon the cooktop.
For cookware to work with an induction cooktop, it must have a flat, smooth, and non-rake base. If you use cookware with an uneven base, it would vibrate and make noises and might have inconsistent heating.
Why Induction Cooking is Better
They Are Safer Than Traditional Electric Hobs
In the U.K, about 5500 fires were reported between 2020 and 2021, and dangerous electric cooktops and kitchen appliances cause their fair share of those fires. These incidents would be greatly reduced with induction cookware because they do not require gas or heat to generate heat within the cookware.
They also come with a child lock that prevents burns or kitchen fire. To turn on the child lock, locate the two left-hand controls and turn them counter-clockwise, holding them that way till the ‘key lock’ symbol pops up on the display.
To turn it off, turn the same knobs clockwise and keep it that way till the ‘key lock’ goes off. This setting will not affect the operation of the hob.
They Are Easy To Use
Once you get used to them, induction cooktops are easier to use than gas or electric cooktops. Simply place the pots on the ring, the magnet clicks, press the on button, and the hob comes on. Set the right temperature and watch the cooking process proceed smoothly.
You can also set a timer for the food, so you don’t always have to come back multiple times. Some cooktops allow you to select the fry, simmer, boil, or deep fry tool, depending on what you want to do.
They Are Relatively Efficient
Induction cooktops cook food at about half the time it would take the normal electric or gas cookers. The heat is evenly spread around the conductive pot, which is much more effective than a single contact point at the bottom of the pot.
This saves you a lot of money on electricity bills, and you’ll be spending much less time cooking. They also don’t have heat loss issues like other cooktops since they don’t directly transfer heat.
They Are Easy To Clean
Induction cookers are almost effortless to maintain. The cookware is less likely to have hotspots where food gets scorched because it has more contact with the heat source below. A clean rag, soapy water, and spray bottle are all you need to clean the surface of the hob.
Simply spray the soapy water over the surface and wipe it till it’s clean. Since the surfaces of the cooktop don’t get hot, nothing hardly ever sticks to the surface, unlike in gas or electric cookers.
They Are More Intelligent Than Traditional Cooktops
Inductor hobs are more advanced than the usual cooking appliances, which also explains why they are more expensive. Unlike regular radiation hobs, they have features like self-regulation, child lock, temperature check, etc.
Many inductors have built-in sensors which turn off when nothing is placed on them. They can also alert you when they have been left on for too long.
FAQs On what is the symbol for induction cookware
Can I Use A Small Pan On An Induction Hob?
Yes. A small pot or pan would work reasonably on an induction hob as long as it can register its internal magnet. The pan’s smaller surface area would produce a weaker magnetic field than it is capable of, which means a lot less heat than is expected. Always endeavor to use appropriate size cookware.
What Do I Do If My Induction Hob Makes A Clicking Sound?
The clicking and buzzing noise made by your inductor are absolutely normal. This is a result of the circuit board generating electromagnetic connections.
