Buying guide for best induction cookware
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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.
Our top pick is the high-quality All-Clad D3 3-Ply Stainless Steel Fry Pan Set, which comes with two durable pans backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
Editors’ picks
All-Clad D3 3-Ply Stainless Steel Fry Pan Set
Editors’ Favorite
Number of Pieces: 2 | Material: Tri-ply stainless steel and aluminum| Oven-Safe Temperature: 600 degrees | Dishwasher-Safe: No
The All-Clad D3 3-Ply Stainless Steel Fry Pan Set isn’t as large as other induction cookware sets on our list, but it includes the two most commonly used frying pan sizes — 10-inch and 12-inch — so you’re ready to cook all your favorite recipes on an induction stove. The pans are made of tri-ply stainless steel, so they retain and distribute heat extremely well. The 18/10 stainless steel is especially effective for searing and deglazing.
These frying pans also feature a polished finish, so they look great sitting out on your stove. Their double-riveted stainless steel handles are very sturdy, too, and provide a secure grip while cooking. Made in the United States, the pans feature a highly durable design overall, so they are warp- and tarnish-resistant, too.
The pans aren’t just induction-compatible, either. They also work on traditional gas and electric stoves, making them highly versatile. Best of all, they are oven- and broiler-safe up to 600 degrees, so you can take them straight from the stovetop to the oven to prepare a wider range of recipes.
Cuisinart Stainless Steel 11-Piece Set
Great Value
Number of Pieces: 11 | Material: Stainless steel and aluminum | Oven-Safe Temperature: 500 degrees | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
The Cuisinart Stainless Steel 11-Piece Set contains all the essential pots and pans you need to cook on your induction stove. It includes three saucepans with lids, a stockpot with a lid, two skillets, a steamer insert and other accessories. The pieces are made of premium stainless steel but feature an encapsulated aluminum base, which helps them heat quickly and evenly and reduces the risk of hot spots. The pans’ handles stay cool during cooking and have a contoured design that provides a secure grip, too.
The cookware’s lids are made of glass, so they contain the heat and moisture to help your food maintain its flavor and texture while still letting you keep an eye on it as it cooks. They also feature large stainless steel handles that are easy to hold, as well as side grips and helper handles to make the cookware easy to move around the kitchen.
This Cuisinart induction-compatible cookware is also oven-safe up to 500 degrees, so you can bake or even broil your favorite recipes after starting them on the stovetop. You’ll have an easy time cleaning these pans, too. They’re dishwasher-safe, so you won’t spend hours scrubbing in the sink.
Carote 14-Piece Pots and Pans Set
Best Budget Nonstick Induction Cookware
Number of Pieces: 14 | Material: Aluminum and stainless steel | Oven-Safe Temperature: N/A | Dishwasher-Safe: No
The Carote 14-Piece Pots and Pans Set is an affordable option for home cooks who prefer nonstick induction cookware. The pans feature reinforced die-cast aluminum construction with a stainless steel base, making them not only induction-compatible but also durable, lightweight and easy to use. Their extended bottom heats quickly and evenly on all stovetops, including induction, so you don’t have to worry about your favorite recipes burning.
The set contains all the basic pots and pans a kitchen needs, making it ideal for anyone new to cooking or moving into a new home. It includes two frying pans, a lidded saucepan, a lidded sauté pan, a lidded stockpot and accessories such as a ladle and a spatula. It also comes with pan protectors that prevent scratches, chips and other damage during storage.
The pans’ interiors have a premium, PFOA-free nonstick granite coating, so there’s no risk of potentially toxic chemicals leaching into your food. To preserve the nonstick coating, Carote advises against using the dishwasher to clean the cookware. However, the nonstick surface makes it easy to wipe the pans clean after use.
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 an induction cooker as a single burner.
Because they heat the pan directly, induction cooktops cook more efficiently than traditional stoves. They also provide greater control over a pan’s temperature, so you’re less likely to burn or overcook your food. For homes with children, an induction stove is generally safer, too, because the burners stay cool during cooking, reducing the risk of accidental burns.
However, if you have an induction stove, you need the right type of cookware.
What makes a pan work on an induction stove?
The plates on an induction stove transfer heat directly 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 on an induction stove.
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.
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.
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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. Not all grades of stainless steel are magnetic, though. Varieties with a high nickel content aren’t induction-compatible because they block an induction cooktop’s magnetic field. As a result, you should still verify that a stainless steel cookware set is induction-compatible before purchasing it.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Cleaning and maintenance
In most cases, induction cookware doesn’t require any special care or cleaning. The cookware's exterior material determines the best method for cleaning and maintenance. Some sets are dishwasher-safe, which makes cleanup quick and easy. Other sets should be hand-washed to avoid damage to the surface. Induction cookware with a nonstick surface is usually the easiest to clean because you don’t need to scrub to remove the food.
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
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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.
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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.
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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.
How we analyzed
Finding the best induction cookware set for your kitchen can be tricky because it shouldn’t just be induction-compatible; it should also have all the features any home cook values in their pots and pans. To identify the best induction cookware, we analyzed customer reviews across multiple online retailers to determine which sets best met customer expectations.
Specifically, we considered how well and evenly the cookware heated on induction stovetops, how many pieces the set included, how well the lids fit, whether they were oven-safe and how easy they were to clean. Overall, we considered over a dozen induction cookware sets and selected our top picks based on induction cooktop performance, versatility, ease of cleaning and overall value.
FAQ
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.
