Pots for induction cookers: what should be and how to choose?

Today, hobs and stoves function from different sources of heating. Therefore, in addition to the usual electric and gas burners, you can find induction cookers, which will require special dishes, in particular pots.

Induction cookers and hobs are increasingly being purchased and installed on the working surfaces of modern kitchens.

However, such a technological innovation requires housewives and cooks to use special utensils for cooking. This is due to the features of the device of such panels.

The surface of the plate is made of glass ceramics, while electromagnetic coils are placed insideforming a magnetic field and the generation of current, which acts as a source of heating of dishes standing on the stove with food. At the same time, the panel itself does not change its temperature.

In order for the whole process to function according to the established scheme, certain requirements are set for utensils used on such a stove.

• First of all, it is necessary that the pan be made of metal (aluminum, copper, steel, etc.), which has magnetic properties. Glass, ceramics and other raw materials, which are not inherent in such features, will not be heated. An exception is utensils with a special magnetic bottom.
• Another important condition for the compatibility of cookware with an induction cooker will be the thickness and diameter of the bottom.The first parameter can vary in the range from 5 to 10 mm, while the diameter should not be less than 12 centimeters for maximum coverage of the burner on the hob. Thin-bottom pans will deform much faster when exposed to high temperatures.
• In addition, the bottom structure is important. Pans can be made in the form of a single sheet of stainless steel or with a bottom consisting of several layers (from 3 to 6), which together form a kind of “sandwich”.

For the proper selection and operation of suitable utensils, manufacturers use a special inscription and image.

Check the conformity of the dishes using a magnet, which should stick to the bottom of the selected container.

As the popularity of induction hobs increases, the range of pots for sharing stands out for its diversity. Today, dishes are made from the following types of raw materials.

Checking with a magnet before purchasing steel utensils is mandatory, since some brands use metal alloys in the manufacturing process that will be incompatible with induction. On sale you can find separate containers for cooking, as well as steel sets, various in size, shape and displacement.

Steel pans are distinguished by their resistance to oxidation, have a non-stick coating, and are suitable for subsequent storage or transportation of finished dishes.

Among the weaknesses of the dishes, it is necessary to note a tendency to strong heating, which can lead to burns during rough handling.

In addition, traces of any touch remain on the shiny surface, which can complicate the care of the pot.

Cast iron pots have a long history, due to their positive features they are popular today, even for use on the latest generation of cooking surfaces. This metal interacts perfectly with the induction system, stands out for its durability.

In addition, cast iron is considered absolutely safe for operation and direct contact with food.

However, cast-iron pots are characterized by their impressive mass. Also, with careless handling, a container that has fallen on a stone or tile floor may crack.

Pans made of such a material are excellent for induction, since they consist of enameled metal. Such containers are not stand out for their high cost, have a large operational resource and attractive appearance.

Raw materials are completely safe for human health, in enameled containers you can store dishes after cooking.

So that such cookware can be used with induction cookers, many manufacturers additionally include metal alloys in the bottom.

As a rule, stainless steel is used for this.

Transparent glass pans can also be used on induction panels.

Glass stands out for its environmental friendliness, it is easy to care for.

In order to interact with the burner, the manufacturers additionally equip the pans with a special magnetizing bottom.

Today, pots of various sizes are on sale, however, the thickness of the bottom is of paramount importance. As a rule, it happens from 0.5 to 1 centimeter.

If the dishes are smaller, then electric currents will begin to spread around without contacting the bottom of the pan.

In addition to the fact that cooking in this way will not succeed, so also the magnetic field will have a negative effect on the adjacent equipment and the person.

When choosing dishes for cooking, it is necessary to take into account that the speed of cooking directly depends on the area of ​​contact of the container with the stove.

Some modifications of induction hobs have the function of automatically adjusting to the size of the containers used.

If the hobs themselves will control the interaction with the bottom of the pan, then any dishes can be in operation: from the smallest volumes to 10 l or more.

There are a lot of manufacturers of cookware for induction cookers, but not all of them can boast of great popularity.

Judging by the reviews, most often for induction hobs choose dishes of the following brands.

• Fissler. Cookware from a manufacturing company from Germany, which offers consumers sets of several units of pots for cooking on induction cookers. Capacities stand out for their stylish design, ergonomic shapes and high quality. However, this line belongs to the class of expensive kitchen utensils.
• Woll. An elite line of specialized dishes, a feature of the products is their manual manufacture. Pans come in different volumes, bottom thickness is within 10 mm. Tanks are available with non-stick titanium-ceramic coating.
• Tefal. A world famous French manufacturer that offers a range of pots from the TitaniumPro and PrivilegePro series.
• Rondell. For the induction cooker, you can choose dishes from this German brand. All pans demonstrate high quality during operation.
• VSPMO. Domestic manufacturer offers a special series of dishes, which is produced under the name "Gourmet". Products have successfully passed certification, therefore, has the quality mark of international standard.

At the first purchase of cookware for induction cookers, quite reasonable doubts may arise regarding the compatibility of products with the hob.

In addition, it is important to note the additional nuances that must be selected pots.

• The highlight will be the thickness of the bottom. You can purchase the product with a thin plate at the bottom, however, there is a high probability that during operation the bottom is deformed from high temperatures. Such dishes during cooking will produce too much noise. It is possible that the taste of products may also deteriorate.
• Any material can be used as a material for the walls, so you can choose all the models you like, most importantly, the ferromagnetic properties are inherent in the bottom.
• Quality products from manufacturers, designed for induction cookers, will be necessarily marked with a badge with a spiral. Also on the product may be the inscription Induction, which will greatly facilitate the choice of the buyer.

Any kitchen utensils in need of regular maintenance and proper operation, and pots for induction hobs were no exception to this issue.

But in the light of their characteristics, they will require compliance with some important recommendations, which will keep the tanks attractive and functional for a long time.

• As a rule, most of the pots can be washed without fear not only by hand, but also in the dishwasher. It is best to clean surfaces from contaminants and food debris immediately, without waiting for foreign impurities to dry out to the tank. This eliminates the need for abrasive chemicals and hard metal scrapers that can damage the bottom and walls of the pan, which will negatively affect the appearance and subsequent contact with the induction burner.
• For washing, it will be correct to refuse aggressive detergents that can damage the enamel layer on the dishes, as well as lead to corrosion on the metal.
• Cast iron pots must be washed with hot water when using a soft sponge. Then immediately wipe the container dry inside and out to eliminate the risk of rust.
• Aluminum utensils can easily be cleaned of any fat deposits using table vinegar. With a sponge dipped in this solution, you just need to rub the problem areas so that the pan again has an attractive appearance.
• For enameled dishes, there is a proven tool that will save the container from dark areas on the surface. To care for such dishes, you will need to boil it in water with the addition of baking soda.
• Use pots on a stove with magnetic properties should be, placing the container strictly in the center of the burner, so that the bottom covers half the area.
• The operation of induction cookers and containers for cooking is contraindicated for people with pacemakers and other electronic mechanisms.
• During cooking, it is not recommended to bring your hands very close to the surface of the stove, since the resulting radiation will be harmful to humans already at a distance of one centimeter from the source of the magnetic field.
• For cooking dishes on such a stove, pots that were previously used on gas burners cannot be used. This is due to the presence of soot on the outer walls, which will become an obstacle to the operation of the induction panel. In addition, in the future there may be problems with cleaning the burners themselves from soot.

The secrets of choosing pots for induction cookers can be found in the video.