How to choose a pan for induction cooker?

Cooking using a frying pan is a convenient and simple way to cook food. But the change of kitchen equipment can put the hostess in front of a difficult choice. Which induction cooker is considered best? Why do you have to give up fashionable ceramic roaster and can you combine a grill or wok with this type of hob? Of course, part of the household utensils can be left.

But answering the question: which pans are suitable for induction, experts quite expectedly declare the need to purchase dishes with a special label. It can be found in almost any store - manufacturers make sure that their audience has a good selection of kitchen utensils.

One thing is important: Grilled pans and other types of similar products must have a metal base made of a ferromagnetic alloy.

It would seem, to check whether the pan is suitable for induction cooker, is very simple. You can bring a magnet to make sure how well it is attracted to the metal surface. But in practice, everything is much more complicated. If the metal of the heated bottom is not sufficiently permeable for electromagnetic radiation, it can be heated for a very long time.

Heat transfer will not be enough to fry or extinguish, but electricity bills will rush to infinity. Not all metals have ferromagnetic properties. In most cases, carbon and stainless steel, cast iron fall into this category. But the presence of various additives can lead to the fact that the ferromagnetic ability of the metal significantly deteriorate. Respectively, long-term heating is usually characterized by steel with a high content of nickel and chromium, some types of cast iron.

To be sure that the pan has exactly the right parameters, you should purchase special dishes. It will not only allow using any type of induction cookers without any problems. but also gives the opportunity to save energy spent on cooking.

The special designation used to label such dishes looks like spiral. The mark may be on the package, but most often it is applied directly to the bottom of the pan from the outside.

In addition to the desirable presence of a special marker, confirming the adaptation of the product to work with induction stoves, there are other requirements.

• The correct size. It is optimal if it takes from 80 to 100% of the burner area. With a coverage of less than 70%, the process of induction simply does not begin - contact will not be enough to turn on the slab.
• Multilayer bottom. It is especially important for pans not round. It is optimal if there is a material that distributes heat inside a steel “pie” of two metal plates. In general, it is enough that the bottom has the necessary properties - this allows you to create ceramic, aluminum and other types of frying pans with a combined base. This solution can be used on an induction cooker.
• Smooth and flat base. It contributes to the proper use of heat, saves energy. At a fit less than 70% of the bottom plane to the hob, the stove simply will not work. That is why old pans are often not suitable - their long heating is associated with poor contact with the induction coil.

There are different types of pans used in cooking. In the case of an induction cooker, they should have a corresponding badge confirming the ferromagnetic properties of the bottom. In addition, it is important to have a sufficiently thick bottom.

The main difference between the frying pans for induction cookers is in the manufacturing material - most often it is aluminum with titanium coating, steel, cast iron, which have the necessary parameters for rapid and uniform heating. With regard to the division into types and types, here we are talking mainly about the functional purpose of the product.

It usually has a square or rectangular shape. To interact with the induction hob in a grill pan, a round bottom is provided, from which the rest of the surface is then heated. This is a convenient and safe option for cooking meat and fish on the grill at home. The internal corrugated bottom allows you to get a beautiful pattern on the surface of the products - like after a barbecue grill, without leaving your home.

Traditional for the countries of Southeast Asia, dishes are not suitable for induction cookers in its classic version. But there are special series of wok pans, their bottom is even and rather wide, necessarily from a ferromagnetic alloy. The walls of such models are rather thin, well and quickly heated throughout the area. In addition, special plates with spherical rings are produced to obtain the effect of immersing the product in the heat of the flame.

Baking pancakes requires special dishes. In the case of an induction cooker, pans for them are made practically flat, with sides having a low bevel. With them it is easy to remove the finished pancakes and pancakes, turn the product during frying. Be sure to non-stick coating, the bottom can be quite thin - rather uniform heating is important. The optimum diameter is 20-25 cm.

They are designed for prolonged languor products inside. therefore It is recommended to choose thick-walled dishes from cast aluminum or cast iron. At the bottom of such dishes placed induction disk (it can be on the lid, if it is used as a separate container). The shape of the roaster is rectangular or oval, it can be placed directly on the burners that support heating along the extended contour.

Rating the best manufacturers can not do without the following brands.

• Hackman - Finnish company specializing in the production of cookware for induction cookers. Differs thoroughness in the approach to the development of their models. Among the products of the brand, Matador pans are particularly notable for home use with an internal ceramic coating and a cast iron or stainless steel base.

• Woll - German premium brand. She pays great attention not only to the functionality, but also to the aesthetics of her products. In the company's assortment, there are both classic pans, and woks, stewpans, braziers for cooking more complex dishes. Non-stick coating made of titanium.

• Fissler - Another German manufacturer, claiming to be the world leader in the class of manufacturers of cookware for induction cookers.The company produces classic and pancake pans, woks, equipped with a non-stick coating of ceramics. Cookware conducts heat well, makes it possible to control the intensity of roasting.

• Rondell - German brand that produces such popular models of frying pans as “Walzer” with a three-layer titanium coating and an aluminum base. The popular Evolution-R series is equipped with a multi-layer inner coating with diamond chips to increase strength. The fixed thermoisolated handle allows to store ware in a hover. The service life of dishes - about 2 years. The most popular size is 28 cm in diameter.

• Ries - Austrian manufacturer, known mainly to European consumers. It manufactures products in the middle price segment, offers steel pans with a multi-layer enamel coating. The Kobaltblau series is positioned as a professional, there are frying pans in diameters of 24, 28 and 30 cm. The products do not absorb the smell, they are easy to wash even in the dishwasher, they are distinguished by high heating rate. The optimal solution for every day.

• Baf - German brand premium segment. Among the latest achievements is the Gigant newline series, manufactured to the most modern standards. The bottom thickness reaches 9 mm, the pans are equipped with a durable non-stick coating, convenient removable handle with rubberized coating. But there are limitations - the dishes can withstand heating up to +260 degrees without losing anti-burn properties. In the line there are cast deep stewpots from 20 to 32 cm, pancake pans.

• Teskoma - Czech manufacturer, famous for its innovative approach to creating a non-stick coating. It received the name "i-Premium Stone", has the properties and texture of natural stone. Textured inner coating. But there are also disadvantages - limiting the temperature, refusal to clean with hard abrasives, the need to use heat-resistant teflon blades.

• Lodge - American brand specializing in the creation of cast iron cookware. Resistant to wear pans almost never fail. The price of products is quite budget, there is a wide choice of sizes. But for new products made of cast iron, a special approach is needed - they need hardening, so that later the food does not stick to the walls.

• Fissman - A Danish company that produces pans for induction cookers, including those with a non-stick coating based on stone chips. The basis of dishes is aluminum, the bottom is multi-layered, provides a high heating rate. But there are drawbacks - the company works in the budget segment and does not care much about the sufficient thickness of the coating, so it is easy to damage.

• Tefal - a low-cost French brand, which allows you to purchase both a set and individual frying pans of the desired diameter. The average price category does not make the brand’s products less popular. It is quite high quality and modern. All Tefal pans have a proprietary heating indicator, a Pro C non-stick coating, comfortable ergonomic handles (in some models they are removable). Among the popular models can be identified «Meteor» - a series with a coating that simulates a stone.

The choice of pan for an induction cooker is influenced not only by the compatibility of the model with a specific type of cooker. Parameters such as ergonomics, usability, functionality and reliability of the product are of great importance. Even the best pan will not provide uniform heating of the bottom, if it is too large for the selected burner. And a quickly abrading coating will quickly nullify all the advantages of a non-stick function.

When choosing a pan for an induction cooker, you should pay attention to several criteria.

• The material of manufacture. The best is considered durable cast iron or copper, characterized by good thermal conductivity. Stainless or enamelled steel is quite thin, requires an additional outer coating. Aluminum provides maximum lightness to the pan.
• Type of coverage. Among the non-stick technologies, a diamond dust-based version is leading today - extremely durable, not prone to the formation of a spot heating effect. But it greatly increases the cost of the product. A more budget solution will be titanium or ceramic coating. It also prevents food from burning and helps prevent odors from being absorbed into the walls of dishes.
• Diameter. Frying pans for induction plates usually produce a diameter of 25-30 cm. This is enough for cooking for 2-4 people. But it is necessary to focus on the contours of the induction burner - they must be filled by more than 70%.
• Board height. For frying and stewing dishes, stewpans or pans with high (7-10 cm) sides are selected. Pancake models have low walls of 1-2 cm. Similar options are chosen for cooking cutlets and pancakes.
• Features of the bottom. It should be multi-layered, thick (preferably about 1 cm), flat. In the right pan, the products will not burn, they will warm up evenly.
• Pen type They can be stationary - fixed on a permanent basis, removable. The second is more convenient in washing and storage. The optimal material is bakelite, which stays cold even when the walls of dishes are heated.

For information on how to choose a frying pan for an induction cooker, see the following video.