Households across the UK with an induction hob in their kitchen are being urged to spend around 50p on a fridge magnet to complete an important check. The kitchen is often regarded as the heart of the home, where families gather to cook, eat and socialise, and with several meals to prepare day to day, the induction hob is often in frequent use.
What many households may not realise is that the type of pans used on induction hobs is really important, as not all cookware is compatible. Using the wrong kind can have a knock-on effect on energy bills.
How Induction Hobs Work
Induction hobs work by generating a magnetic field under the glass surface, which then creates an electrical current inside pots and pans and causes them to heat up. Only pans with a magnetic base, such as cast iron, carbon steel and certain types of stainless steel, are compatible. If the wrong type is used, it won't heat up efficiently, which affects cooking, shortens the lifespan of cookware, and wastes energy.
But there is a quick and cheap way to test whether pans are compatible with an induction hob – all it takes is a fridge magnet, which can be picked up for as little as 50p on Etsy.
The Magnet Test
According to Miele kitchen appliance expert Ryan Adams, director of Ati Harrogate, a fridge magnet needs to firmly stick to the bottom of the pan. If it does so, this indicates the pan is compatible with induction hobs. If the magnet doesn't fully grip and slides off easily, the pan likely isn't compatible and won't heat up properly.
Mr Adams said: "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."
He added: "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."
Why It Matters
Using the wrong pans on an induction cooktop can leave users 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.
UK households are already being urged to switch from gas hobs to electric ones ahead of a potential sales ban to help meet net-zero targets, as induction hobs are more efficient. But if pans aren't compatible, it will impact the ability to cook efficiently, wasting energy, money and time, so it's important to do this quick test as soon as possible.
Mr Adams added: "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."
