Households across the UK are being urged to perform a quick and cheap check that could prevent wasted energy, costly mistakes, and culinary frustration this Christmas. The simple solution? A refrigerator magnet costing around 25p.
The 25p Fix for Your Induction Hob
With induction hobs becoming increasingly popular as part of the move away from gas, many cooks may be unaware that their everyday pans could be letting them down. According to kitchen appliance expert Ryan Adams, director of Ati Harrogate, using incompatible cookware is a common but easily avoidable error.
The problem lies in how induction hobs work. Unlike gas or traditional electric rings, they generate a magnetic field under the glass surface. This field induces an electrical current in the base of the pan, which is what creates the heat. If the pan's base isn't magnetic, the hob has nothing to react with and no heat is produced.
How to Test Your Cookware
The expert's advice is straightforward and requires no technical knowledge. "To test if your cookware is suitable, use a refrigerator magnet," says Ryan Adams. "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."
This quick test can identify which pans in your cupboard are up to the job. Typically, cookware made from the following materials will work:
- Cast iron
- Carbon steel
- Certain types of stainless steel
Pans made from aluminium, glass, or ceramic, however, will not function on an induction hob.
Why Getting It Right Matters
Using the wrong pan has several negative consequences. Firstly, your food will cook unevenly, if it heats at all, leading to kitchen stress during busy festive meal preparation. More importantly, energy is wasted because the hob cannot transfer heat efficiently to the pan, undermining the very efficiency that makes induction cooking attractive.
Ryan Adams also highlights that pan size and quality are crucial. "If you use pans that are too small for the cooking zone, the cooktop may not detect them at all, wasting energy and time," he told the Express. "Cheaper cookware can warp under high heat, leading to uneven cooking, and may even need replacement sooner."
Investing in durable, correctly sized, and compatible cookware ensures better performance and can save money in the long run. With the UK's push towards net zero encouraging a switch to electric cooking, ensuring your equipment matches the technology is key to realising the promised benefits of speed, safety, and efficiency.
So, before the Christmas cooking marathon begins, take a moment to grab a magnet and test your pans. This tiny investment of 25p and a few minutes could save you a significant sum on your energy bills and spare you a holiday headache.
