Can You Use Induction Cookware On Gas Or Electric Stove?

By Consumer Advise Team
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To keep pace with modern cutting edge technology, Induction Cookware is not only an all-in-one product but also reachable within the budget. Most of the Indian consumers adapted Induction technology for their kitchen along with an old gas stove system. Therefore, it is helpful to the users if they could be able to use the normal cookware on the induction cooker.

But here is the problem.

Not all cookware is compatible with even the best induction cooktops. But most of the induction base cookware can be used on a gas stove.

Why?

Because the induction heating mechanism is characterized by applying heat to an electrically conducting ferromagnetic body in the process of electromagnetic induction.

In simple words, you need electricity to heat up an induction cooktop, and there is no need to apply additional external heating sources. The specialty of this heating process on Induction Cookware is that the pot can itself generate the heat utilizing electromagnetic induction. (Read: How Induction Stove Works?)

The technology in cooking has made the process much more comfortable and not to mention pretty portable. Many families are adapting to the induction cooking process.

all about induction base cookware

Now, coming to the induction base cookware, these are different from the ordinary cookware found in the kitchen, because they are made of a different material that can induce electromagnetic force from the source. The induction cookers employ the use of a copper coil for the operation. This coil produces a magnetic field that heats the ferromagnetic item on top of the heating surface, i.e. the cookware.

How do induction cookware work?

An induction cooktop has a copper coil that creates an electromagnetic field when turned on. As per Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction, this field on the cooktop induces another magnetic field on the cookware. It generates eddy current in the magnetic material, which ultimately produces heat for cooking.

electromagnetic induction cooking process on induction cookware

Can induction base cookware be used on gas stove?

The induction base cookware is repeatedly heated and cooled throughout the process. Apart from the heating, the random expansion and contraction of the metal due to the application of heat keeps the cookware separated from the magnetic core through constant vibrations. It is a very fast and most efficient process to heat your cookware.

Hence raises the question, can induction base cookware be used on gas or electric stove?

Well, the answer is YES.

You can use this cookware with both gas stoves and induction cookers. We will discuss more on this gradually and try to understand the different aspects of their work. However, be advised that you gain the most from the use of an induction cooker, it is recommended that you use the induction base cookware. These are designed especially for induction cooking.

cooking with induction cookware on gas stove

Also Read: Induction Stove Vs Gas Stove

Induction cookware vs Non-induction (normal) cookware

Right from the date of emerging of modern induction cookware, the classic models became almost outdated, thus resolving all kinds of drawbacks. But, it doesn’t mean that the need for classic cookware has no more roles in the kitchen.

ParameterInduction Cookware on Induction CookerNormal Cookware on Gas Oven
Operating safetyHighModerate
ConvenienceHighLow
DurabilityModerateModerate
Efficiency80-90%40-50%
Capital costModerateHigh
Recurring CostLowModerate
Weight and space neededLowHigh
MaintenanceLowHigh

There are tons of applications of classic models of cookware that induction cookware can’t deliver as effectively as possible. Therefore a conflict arises between both this cookware on what should be preferred for households. One can use a non-induction cookware on induction cooktops following some guidelines and using special attachments.

Although there are a lot of important factors that can decide the real need of any of the cookwares, some of them are-

1. Compatibility:

Although the regular cookware is quite old and uses traditional methods of cooking, the pots and pans that are compatible with that cookware are surely available in every household. The induction cooker provides a certain level of benefits that can enhance your cooking experience to a great extent, but the pots and pans which are compatible with them are to be rebought.

2. Thermal conduction:

Normal cookware uses the process known as thermal conduction through which the flame from the burner or electrical heating elements of traditional stovetops generate heat and are transferred through contact. The dissipation of heat through flames that are not in touch with the pan or are at a greater distance than the pan consumes a bit more electricity and gas.

But induction cooktops don’t generate heat; induction burners inside these devices have coiled wire below the ceramic surface which creates an oscillating magnetic field. 

To use this oscillating magnetic field for cooking, the pots and pans must be made of ferromagnetic material. It induces an electromagnetic field in the ferromagnetic materials and creates an electric current that generates heat in the pot. If you prefer to buy the pots and pans having magnetic material, then induction cookware is the best way to cook with.

3. Efficiency:

Induction base cookware is highly efficient than normal metallic or ceramic cookware. It can also be used both with Induction and Gas stoves. Unlike the general types of cookware, the pot on the stove is the only one that gets heated up while the burner itself doesn’t warm up much except being in contact with the pan. Therefore, there will be fewer chances of getting your plastic accessories burnt. 

4. Reliability:

Reliability is one of the most important factors that have a great influence in preferring cookware of your needs. The induction cookware is undoubtedly reliable and probably more durable than the normal one.

But, if you compare the total price consumed for either of the cookware with its benefits, then your mindset will surely force you to go to the induction side.

How to know if cookware is induction ready?

Induction cooking works when electromagnetic induction takes place between the cookware and the cooktop. If the cookware is not ready to use an induction cooktop, the heating process will not start. The stove will indicate it is the wrong cookware with a beep sound. You cannot just use any cookware for your induction stove.

There is an easy way to know if the cookware is induction ready or not. Hold a magnet at the bottom of the pan. If the magnet sticks tight to the pan’s base, the cookware is safe and ready to be used for induction cooking. If the magnet does not stick at the bottom of the pan, the cooktop will not accept the cookware.

You may have come across a zig-zag symbol or a coil-looking symbol at the bottom of the cookware. This symbol denotes that the cookware is induction-friendly and can be safely used on an induction cooktop.

Advantages and disadvantages of induction base cookware

Like a coin has two sides, every appliance, no matter how modern and efficient it is in the design and work, has certain advantages and disadvantages. Similarly, induction base cookware is no exception.

Let’s first try to shed some light on some of the several advantages of using induction cookware. These have been determined based on the user feedback and the enlisted features.

advantages and disadvantages of induction cookware
  • Let us begin with the afore-mentioned question; can induction base cookware be used on gas? The answer being yes, adds itself to the list of advantages of using induction cookware. When you purchase an induction base cookware, you are selecting a very versatile option that can be used on both the induction and the gas stoves efficiently.
  • This cookware comes equipped with a design that makes it better for the magnetic working of induction cookers. The use of such cookware will guarantee an efficient result and the best experience of induction cooking.
  • When you are using the induction base cookware on an induction cooker, the heating process only heats the cookware and not the area surrounding it. Thus the heat is efficiently distributed through the surface of the cookware resulting in faster cooking.

Apart from these overwhelming benefits, there are some drawbacks of induction-based cookware that one should bear within adverse conditions.

However, when compared to that of the advantages, drawbacks just seem to be a limit with which the extreme features are bounded. A few of the cons that should be noted by a buyer before buying the induction base cookware are-

  • As is apparent from the previous details, the induction cookware is specially designed. This results in an imminent surge in the price of the products. In some instances, it could be quite expensive for middle-class families to afford the right quality induction cookware.
  • Loss of electric power means the complete shut-down of the induction cooker. Hence you will not be able to cook using the induction base cookware in the scenario that you are experiencing a power-cut or a blackout.
  • The use of this cookware over an induction cooker generates a specific buzz sound during the cooking process. This is attributed to the vibration that results due to the working mechanism. Although this is not necessarily a disadvantage, it can be a bit irritating to some individuals.

Safety concerns about induction base cookware

Whenever there is the involvement of heat in the working of some appliance, there arise safety concerns regarding the use. It is the same with the induction cookware. Let us address some of the safety concerns regarding the use of such cookware.

  • It is clear by now that the heat is subjected only through the cookware in the case of induction cookers. The air and space around the cookware are not heated.
    Hence the risks of burn injury are decreased significantly. If you carefully handle the cookware, such risks are practically reduced to zero.
  • You do need to check the electrical supply to which you are connecting the cooktop. If there is no fault in the power connection, there will be no risk when you connect the stove and use the induction base cookware.
induction cookware safety precaution
  • When we address the previous question- if induction cookware can be used on gas, the risks are the same as cooking with any kind of cookware. Not only the cookware but also the air and space around it will be heated. Hence, you will need to be careful while handling them.
  • Some studies show that EMF (Electromagnetic Field) exposure can often exceed the maximum level when a person is standing close to induction cookware, which can probably bring out some adverse effects. Although this is found in the majority of the devices, most of the modern devices nowadays have advanced options to reduce the risks to a great extent.

Safety features that are included in the latest induction base cookware are quite useful these days as several options can reduce the safety risks completely. Some of the features that are highly essential to be used by the household for safety concerns are-

1. Booster:

The booster option is one of an incredible auto heat-up feature by using which the food will get heated at a high setting and then automatically comes down to the lower settings as well.

2. Overflowing control:

By using this feature, induction will either beep or shut down in case of food spills of liquid overflowing. This is essential protection, but in case your devices don’t have this option, you should restart the cooking process after wiping the spill completely.

3. Auto heat-up:

By using this feature, the induction-based cookware heats the food with a higher setting than automatically turns down to a lower setting. This feature reduces the effort of maximizing and minimizing heat settings from time to time.

4. Residual heat light feature:

Residual heat light is some amount of heat that remains around the cookware, which can be dissipated, unlike any other electrical cooktops. The light is turned bright when the residual heat is present so that one can know the presence of heat and can cool down the induction cookware for a few moments.

cooking on induction cookware

Frequently Asked questions

How to identify induction cookware?

Induction cooking seems to be similar to conventional gas or electrical cooking, but it is far different from them in all aspects. There are only certain types of pans that will work on the burner of the induction cooktop. Although, there are a few ways through which you can make sure that the cookware which you are buying will work on it.
The first requirement of cookware being induction compatible is being made of ferromagnetic materials. It may contain iron or a layer that has specific and effective magnetic properties. 
The best way to test if the cookware will efficiently work with an induction cooktop is to hold a magnet to the bottom. If the magnet clings to the underside, then the cookware is perfect, and if the magnet grabs the pan softly or has no pull, then it will be not efficient as needed.

Will induction cookware work on an electric stove?

Yes, sure, any kind of cookware that is a metal can be used on the electric stove as it works by heating the surface of the cooktop, which then transfers the heat to the cookware.
The induction cookware is different from the traditional one because of the magnetic layer, which helps the induction cooker induce electrons and creates the flow of current for the generation of heat. 
To have a metal body surely means that the transfer of heat will be as fast as that of the traditional ones. This means one can surely use the induction base cookware on any stove that may be electric or gas as well. However, the induction cooker requires only induction cookware to cook on it.

What is induction cookware made of?

There are many kinds of induction base cookware available in the market with different price ranges and different efficiency, but the basic requirement of cookware to be compatible with the induction stove is a ferromagnetic-based material underneath.
The material can be either cast iron or else magnetic stainless steel. These magnetic materials help the cooktop to induce electrons and then create a flow of electrons to generate heat on the cookware. The cookware that may be pan or pot should be highly magnetic such that any magnet can hold it as firmly as possible.
This is the basic quality of induction cookware to be highly efficient and compatible with the induction cooktops. However, all you have to do is to check the cookware with a magnet, whether it has ferromagnetic materials in it or not.

Conclusion

Induction cookware is a must for the induction cooker, which is nowadays a convenient option for households in the kitchen. If you are about to buy an induction cooktop to improve your cooking experience and make it favorable for your requirements, then you must prefer good quality induction cookware that may be pan or Induction pots or any cooking utensils.

This guide will provide you with some necessary facts about the induction cookware, followed by its significance when compared to the general cookware that is used for electric or gas stoves.


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