If you have an induction hob, a quick 25p check could well save you money, energy and a whole load of kitchen stress this Christmastime, as advised by a savvy appliance expert
Saving 25p now, if you have an induction hob in your kitchen, could ultimately save you a nice little sum of money, let you avoid a headache and make sure you are optimising your cooking time, rather than slaving away at the hob for the rest of the Christmas season.
There probably isn’t a single day when you aren’t turning your hob on, and sometimes this can end up happening several times a day. Most people barely think twice about the pans they slam down, but this is exactly what’s probably costing them – they don’t realise that a lot of everyday cookware is not actually compatible with an induction hob at all.
Induction hobs work in a very different way from gas or standard electric hobs. There is no flame, no glowing coil. Instead, the hob creates a magnetic field under the glass surface. That field then generates an electrical current inside the base of your pan. That current makes the pan heat up. No magnetic reaction means no heat. So if the pan you are using does not have a magnetic base, the hob has nothing to work with.
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Simply put, pans made from cast iron, carbon steel and some types of stainless steel are usually fine. Aluminium, glass and ceramic are not. And if you use the wrong type, the pan will not heat up properly, your food cooks unevenly, energy gets wasted, and over time, your cookware can even wear down faster.
However, fear not, there isn’t a complicated method to test things out. You do not need fancy tools to check what you own. You only need a refrigerator magnet. And that is where the 25p comes in. According to Miele kitchen appliance expert Ryan Adams, director of Ati Harrogate, a magnet test is the quickest way to know if your pans are compatible. A simple fridge magnet needs to be able to stick firmly to the bottom of your pan. If it grips tight and does not slide off, you are good to go. If it slips away, the pan likely is not compatible with your hob.
He explains: “To test if your cookware is suitable, use a refrigerator magnet. If it sticks firmly to the bottom of the pan, it’s likely induction-compatible. However, if the magnet slides off easily, the pan may not have strong enough magnetic properties for efficient heating. Pans made from cast iron, steel, or some types of stainless steel are usually compatible, but materials like aluminium, glass, or ceramic will not work. When shopping for new cookware, bring a magnet to double-check the compatibility before buying.
“Using the wrong pans on an induction cooktop can leave you frustrated, as incompatible cookware won’t heat up. Cast iron and stainless steel pans are great options, but using very high heat can damage their surfaces, wearing down non-stick coatings or causing discolouration on stainless steel.”
The timing of this guidance matters as UK households are being encouraged to switch from gas hobs to electric models in the push towards net zero. Induction hobs tend to be more efficient, quicker to heat and safer to use. But that efficiency only works if the cookware matches the technology. If the hob cannot detect your pans, the energy is wasted, and the whole point of switching is lost.
The expert says that the size and quality of your pans matter as much as the material. Speaking to the Express, he said: “If you use pans that are too small for the cooking zone, the cooktop may not detect them at all, wasting energy and time. Cheaper cookware can warp under high heat, leading to uneven cooking, and may even need replacement sooner, increasing your long-term costs. Investing in durable, induction-compatible cookware allows better performance and saves you money over time.”
Basically, grab a 25p magnet and test your pans this week; you could save yourself the grief of slow-cooked meals and save on energy.
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