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Simply Recipes / Chloe Jeong
If you’ve got an induction cooktop, you know that unlike regular stovetops, they don’t generate heat through flames or electrical heating. Instead, the coiled wire beneath the surface generates a magnetic field with your cookware, which then creates an electric current to generate heat. You may have been told, though, that once you install this energy-efficient cooktop, you might need to overhaul your set of pots and pans to something that is compatible, made from cast iron or stainless steel, with certain metals added to create the right magnetic force.
We also put some of our top picks to the test in our dedicated testing lab, specifically looking at heat distribution and hot spots, the amount of splatter, ease of pouring, nonstick qualities, how hot the handles get, and how easy they were to clean. You'll likely want a set that's durable, affordable, and includes a useful variety of necessary pieces.
Best Overall
Cuisinart MultiClad Pro Triple Ply Stainless Cookware Set
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Amazon
What We Love: Beautiful brushed stainless steel, quick to heat, oven safe
What We Don't Love: Fatty foods can overcook quickly if not careful
This set includes all the essentials, including two fry pans, a 3-quart saucepan, and a generously sized 8-quart stockpot, plus a bonus steamer insert. It’s suitable for all cooktops, including induction, and is oven-safe up to 500 degrees, ideal for recipes like skillet lasagna. Cuisinart's Heat Surround Technology promotes even heat distribution throughout the pan, from the bottom up to its sides.
The aluminum core construction was a highlight for our staff, who put this set through its paces at our testing lab. "For a stainless steel set, we were very impressed how quickly and evenly this pan is able to heat up," says Collier Sutter, our food and drink review editor. She was especially taken with the frying pan, which fried an egg perfectly, thanks to that aluminum core sandwiched between double-layered stainless steel. "It's superconductive of heat!" she says.
Our staff also liked that the brushed exterior is durable, easy to clean, and dishwasher safe. The non-reactive interior helps to promote efficient searing and caramelization while the lids circulate and heat moisture effectively. Last but not least, the stay-cool handles are riveted on to create a seamless, classic look, but they also serve a function.
"This set has slightly elevated and comfortable handles that felt safer when cooking at high temperatures, especially because your hand is further away from the heat," Collier explains, adding that she found the weight of each piece was distributed evenly throughout the handle.
The set's downside, however, is that because it tends to run very hot, very fast, it can easily overcook food (especially fatty food) and even start smoking, Collier says. She advises to be careful and not overheat the cookware: "When searing a chicken, there was a point where the chicken began sticking ... and slightly overcooked the skin," she explains.
Overall, this set wins for many reasons. The price is right, and it functions really well. "Especially if you can’t justify in your budget spending extra bucks on [a higher-end set], you can rely on this set daily for its even heating, angled comfortable handles, lighter weight, and its high-walled saucepan," she says.
Price at time of publish: $220
Material: Stainless steel with aluminum core | Maximum Temperature: 500 degrees | What's Included: 8.5-inch fry pan, 10-inch fry pan, 1.5-quart saucepan with lid, 3-quart saucepan with lid, 3.5-quart sauté pan with lid, 8-quart stockpot with lid, steamer insert with lid
Best Budget
Cook N Home 12-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set
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Amazon
What We Love: Very lightweight, glass lids include a steam vent, inexpensive
What We Don't Love: Regular dishwasher use may lead to discoloration, handles can get very hot
This wallet-friendly set works on a variety of cooktops, including induction burners. It comes with a 10-inch sauté pan with a lid that you can use for everyday skillet cooking. Instead of long-handled saucepans, this set includes three double-loop handled casserole pans. Overall, these pots and pans tend to be on the smaller side, so it might not be ideal if you do lots of big-batch cooking or cook for a crew. However, the price might be just right for you, at least to get started with.
"When I’m looking for induction-ready stainless steel cookware, my first consideration is always price. My favorite budget-friendly set is the Cook N Home 12-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set," says Justine Martin, the cake artist behind Guilty Pleasures Bakeshop in Ontario, Canada.
"This set is great for the elevated home cook who understands how to work with stainless steel, which isn’t inherently nonstick. I like this set because it comes with a lid for each piece, which allows you more versatility. While the pans are oven-safe up to 500 degrees, keep in mind that the lids can only withstand 350 degrees. This set is perfect for preparing anything from soups, stews, and stocks to seared meats and proteins," says Martin.
It’s made of stainless steel with an aluminum disc layer that claims to promote even heat distribution, though it does have some hot spots. Reviewers say they like how light the pieces are while still being heavy-duty, which we found to be true when we cooked with the set in our dedicated testing lab.
We also liked the tempered glass lids, which are designed with a steam vent and allow you to monitor the cooking process. The performance of the riveted handles, however, was disappointing. While they are designed to stay cool and feel comfortable in the hand, our staff found the handles got very hot to the touch while cooking. Everything is dishwasher-safe, although some users noted that over time, regular dishwasher use led to discoloration.
Price at time of publish: $134
Material: Stainless steel with aluminum layer | Maximum Temperature: 500 degrees (pans) 350 degrees (lids) | What's Included: 10-inch sauté pan with lid, 1.5-quart saucepan with lid, 1.5-quart saucepot casserole with lid, 2-quart saucepot casserole with lid, 3-quart saucepot casserole with lid, 5.5-quart stockpot with lid
Best Nonstick
Circulon Symmetry 11-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set
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Amazon
What We Love: Heavy-duty construction, truly nonstick, comfortable silicone-wrapped handles
What We Don't Love: No venting hole in the lids
This hard-anodized cookware set means it’s twice as hard as stainless steel, is built for durability, and promotes fast, even heating. These are all ideal characteristics of quality nonstick cookware for an induction cooktop. A PFOA-free nonstick interior releases food seamlessly, washes up easily and is safe to use with metal utensils. Plus, its performance is backed by a lifetime guarantee.
The 10-piece set includes all the essentials, such as fry pans, saucepans, and a large stockpot. It also comes with a bonus piece: a small 1-quart saucepan with a pour spout that you'll likely wonder how you lived without.
The pans heat quickly and evenly on induction burners, although one reviewer noted that the smaller pans didn’t heat as quickly and evenly. And ideally, we'd prefer a set that has venting holes in the lids; this one doesn't. However, other features that win this set points include its comfortable, silicone-wrapped handles and its oven safety, up to 400 degrees.
Price at time of publish: $319
Material: Hard-anodized aluminum | Maximum Temperature: 400 degrees | What's Included: 8.5-inch fry pan, 10-inch fry pan, 1-quart saucepan, 2-quart saucepan with lid, 3-quart saucepan with lid, 3-quart sauté pan with lid, 8-quart stockpot with lid
Related: The Best Cooktops
Best Dishwasher-Safe
T-fal E760SC Performa Stainless Steel 12-Piece Set
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Amazon
What We Love: Sturdy construction, cooks quickly and evenly, includes a Dutch oven and measuring spoons
What We Don't Love: Food can easily stick to the bottom
T-fal is known for its workhorse cookware and dishwasher-safe capabilities. Many cooks feel that hand-washing cookware is the best way to go, and more often than not manufacturers will recommend hand washing to extend the life of its pots and pans. But sometimes you want to be able to put cookware in the dishwasher. Our reviewers liked that this set lives up to the manufacturer's dishwasher-safe promise.
The premium stainless-steel construction suggests durability, and the set comes with a limited lifetime warranty. Modestly priced, this set comes with the basics, including 8-inch and 10.5-inch fry pans and saucepans. The pans have T-fal's “techno release” interior that allows for easy release and clean-up, but some reviewers noticed food can stick easily to the bottom.
Where many sets have a stockpot, this offers a 5-quart Dutch oven, a wide-bottomed workhorse you might actually use more than a tall stockpot. One fun bonus is the fact that this set comes with a set of measuring spoons to round out your kitchen equipment. But regardless of the piece of cookware you use from this set, it will heat evenly and quickly.
Overall, this is a good oven-safe starter set for beginner cooks or if you need a set of pans that can take heavy use and go in the dishwasher—all without being too expensive.
Price at time of publish: $109
Material: Stainless steel | Maximum Temperature: 500 degrees | What's Included: 8.5-inch fry pan, 10.5-inch fry pan, 1-quart saucepan with lid, 3-quart saucepan with lid, 5-quart Dutch oven with lid, four measuring spoons
Related: The Best Nonstick Cookware Sets
Best Ceramic
Blue Diamond Cookware Triple Steel Ceramic 7-Piece Cookware Set
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Amazon
What We Love: Strong nonstick coating, great heat conductivity, safe in broiler
What We Don't Love: Doesn't include a stockpot, can't be hung for storage
This value-for-money set is also a great option if you prefer cooking with ceramic cookware, which is lauded for its nonstick capabilities. Beyond a couple of basic pieces, there's an 11-inch multifunction chef's pan and a nylon spatula and spoon.
This set is built for durability, with a double layer of stainless steel surrounding an aluminum core. Because the aluminum is built into the pan, it’s fully clad, rather than just having an aluminum disc attached to make it induction compatible, like some less expensive sets. The diamond-infused ceramic nonstick coating is harder and stronger than traditional coatings. The diamond technology promises heat conductivity that is four times more conductive than copper, so this set will heat up faster, too—you won't need to use super high heat. The stainless-steel construction also ensures even heating. We love that it's oven and broiler safe up to 600 degrees and dishwasher-safe for easy clean-up.
This set does not, however, include a stockpot or Dutch oven for big batches. And if your kitchen is tight on storage, take note that you won't be able to hang these pots and pans, as the handles don't have holes in them.
Price at time of publish: $150
Material: Stainless steel with aluminum core | Maximum Temperature: 600 degrees | What's Included: 8-inch fry pan, 11-inch fry pan, 3.75-quart sauté pan with lid, 11-inch chef's pan, nylon slotted spatula, nylon solid spoon
Related: The Best Frying Pans
Best High-End
Fissler Original-Profi Collection Stainless Steel Cookware Set with Sauce Pan, 9 Piece
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Dillards.com
What We Love: Scratch-resistant, quick and even heating, comfortable and heat-insulated handles
What We Don't Love: Doesn't include frying pans
This German-made professional-grade cookware set is more expensive, but it’s built to last a lifetime and comes with a 10-year guarantee on stainless steel parts. The nine-piece set consists of only saucepans and stockpots, so if you need frying pans, you’ll need to purchase those separately. The 18/10 stainless steel construction is scratch- and wear-resistant, easy to clean, and dishwasher-safe. The manufacturer states that the thick base ensures fast and optimal heat distribution and even cooking without overheating.
Other design features include lids designed to let steam fall back into the food to keep ingredients moist. The ergonomic handles promise a comfortable grip and are heat-insulated to help prevent burns. The pots have an extra-wide pouring rim that helps minimize drips and spills. There are also measurement markings on the interior of the pot that makes it easy to measure liquids. Pans are ovenproof up to 500 degrees, perfect for finishing a frittata with potatoes, red peppers, and spinach, for example.
Price at time of publish: $900
Material: Stainless steel | Maximum Temperature: 500 degrees | What's Included: 1.5-quart saucepan, 2.7-quart saucepot casserole with lid, 2.2-quart stockpot with lid, 4.2-quart stockpot with lid, 6.7-quart stockpot with lid
Best Stainless Steel
Tramontina 12-Piece Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel Cookware Set
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Amazon
What We Love: Beautiful mirror finish, sturdy construction, heats evenly
What We Don't Love: Cookware is a little heavy
This versatile stainless-steel set is compatible with all cooktops, including induction. It comes with a 5-quart deep sauté pan (perfect for stir-fry recipes) and a generous 8-quart covered stockpot, which is ideal for big-batch stews and boiling noodles for your spaghetti carbonara.
The set is designed with a durable tri-ply clad construction, which means it’s made with a triple layer of metal: 18/10 stainless steel, an aluminum core, and magnetic stainless steel. Having all three throughout the pots and pans promotes even heating and excellent conductivity. Other design features include stay-cool stainless steel handles that are riveted for stability and a mirror-polished stainless-steel exterior finish that’s also easy to clean. The pans are also dishwasher-safe and oven-safe up to 500 degrees.
The top-quality materials, durable construction, and beautiful finish make this set worth the investment. Plus, its performance is backed by a lifetime warranty. The one drawback? Some reviewers felt the cookware is a little on the heavy side.
Price at time of publish: $610
Material: Stainless steel with aluminum core | Maximum Temperature: 500 degrees | What's Included: 8-inch fry pan, 10-inch fry pan, 1.5-quart saucepan with lid, 2-quart saucepan with lid, 3-quart saucepan with lid, 5-quart sauté pan with lid, 8-quart stockpot with lid
Related: The Best Skillets
Best Cast Iron
Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron 5-Piece Set
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Amazon
What We Love: Affordable, durable, great conductor of heat
What We Don't Love: Not dishwasher safe, very heavy
You may have heard some rumor that you can't cook with cast iron on an induction cooktop, but that's just not true. These cooktops work using magnetism, and iron is definitely magnetic. You have to make sure, however, that what you're buying is completely 100 percent cast iron, as some manufacturers put other materials that aren't magnetic into their pans. These affordable pans from long-running cookware brand Lodge will do the trick.
With proper care and maintenance, cast iron cookware can last a lifetime or more. It's almost indestructible and it's an incredible conductor of heat—another bonus. This five-piece set from Lodge is pre-seasoned with vegetable oil, which means you can cook with it right away. The set includes an 8-inch skillet, a 10.5-inch griddle, a 10.25-inch skillet, a 10.25-inch Dutch oven, and a lid for the Dutch oven. Despite their heft—these pans are heavy—they're ideal for induction and will last a very, very long time.
As you might suspect, cast iron pans are not dishwasher safe. So, you might have to brush up on your cast iron cleaning and seasoning tips, but it's worth it.
Price at time of publish: $150
Material: Cast iron | Maximum Temperature: 500 degrees | What's Included: 8-inch skillet, 10.25-inch skillet, 10.25-inch Dutch oven, and 10.25-inch lid, 10.5-inch griddle
Related: Best Cast Iron Skillets
Final Verdict
With its excellent heat conductivity and enough pieces to really get you cooking, the Cuisinart Multiclad Pro Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set is a surefire bet for an induction cooktop. The Circulon Symmetry 11-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set is perfect for those needing induction-safe nonstick cookware.
What to Look for in Cookware for an Induction Cooktop
Materials
When using an induction cooktop, you’ll have to be careful about the kinds of pots and pans you use. Certain materials are induction-ready, while others aren’t. Magnetic materials like stainless steel over aluminum, cast iron, and enamel on metal are all safe to use on an induction cooktop. However, avoid glass, ceramic, aluminum on its own, and copper.
Of the materials used for induction-ready cookware, stainless steel over aluminum is the most common. "Stainless is bar none to most durable and versatile cookware material," Martin says. "You can scratch it, drop it, burn it, and it’ll always come clean (sometimes with a little extra elbow grease) and be ready for your next culinary adventure! It is virtually indestructible and endlessly refurbishable."
"The tradeoff here is that you'll need to do some homework to learn how to properly cook with your new set because stainless steel is not inherently nonstick," he says. "You’ll need to find information on the appropriate fat and heat combinations to save yourself from spoiling tonight’s dinner."
Set Variety
Purchasing a cookware set is more cost-effective than purchasing pieces individually. The more variety, the better. Look for a set that includes frying pans and saucepans that come in multiple sizes since that will give you more versatility for cooking. Some may even include a stockpot, saucepot, casserole dish, measuring spoons, steamer insert, or utensils. Determine what’s important to you and choose a cookware set that contains your must-have items; you might not need skillets, for example, if you've already got some that will work with your induction cooktop.
Maintenance
Most stainless steel cookware sets are dishwasher safe, making cleanup a breeze. Clean your stainless steel cookware gently with mild soap and a non-abrasive sponge to avoid scratches and a damaged finish.
All pots and pans are prone to wear and tear, and induction-friendly sets are no exception. Stainless steel cookware may show water spots, dings, or warps or get food stuck on it because the surface isn’t nonstick. With proper care, these imperfections can be avoided or at least kept to a minimum.
To best maintain your stainless steel cookware, follow these tips:
- To prevent water spots, dry your cookware immediately. This stops them from forming.
- When boiling water, salt your water after it’s come to a boil to prevent pitting corrosion.
- Heat your pan before adding oil. Then, let the oil get hot before adding food to prevent the steel from becoming static.
- To prevent sticking, avoid putting frozen food directly onto the hot pan. Let frozen food sit out for a few minutes before cooking.
- Allow the pan to cool completely before washing or submerging in cold water, as this could lead to warping.
- Use vinegar or baking soda to remove discoloration and stains.
FAQs
Can you use induction cookware on other cooktops?
Induction-friendly cookware is not exclusive to induction cooktops. Stainless steel pots and pans can also be used on gas and electric stoves. So can cast iron pans.
Is there an easy way to know if cookware is induction-ready?
Cookware must have a magnetic bottom to be induction-ready. An easy way to tell is by holding a magnet to the bottom of the pot or pan. If it clings to the bottom of the cookware, it’s induction friendly.
Can cookware damage an induction cooktop?
You should take extra care of your induction cooktop since they are usually made of fragile glass or ceramic. Daily use will likely not damage an induction cooktop, but it may become scratched or cracked if handled incorrectly. Your cookware is unlikely to damage your induction cooktop.
What material cannot be used on an induction cooktop?
Cookware that is aluminum, aluminum-clad, copper, or copper-clad won't work. Stay away, too, from glass, ceramic, and some stainless steel products. That's because these materials won't get hot; they won't attract and hold a magnet.
Why Trust Simply Recipes?
Food writer and avid home cook Layla Khoury-Hanold is the person friends and family turn to for recipe ideas and product recommendations (she once made 16 cheesecakes to find the best springform pan). An intrepid researcher, she mines her own experience along with internet guides and consumer reviews to do the legwork so home cooks can find the product that best suits their needs.
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