Even though induction is a relatively common feature in newer home kitchens, it’s not something that many people have firsthand knowledge of. If you’ve heard anything about induction before, it’s likely been something as simple as “It’s a type of hotplate!”. While this is true, there is a lot more to the technology than that. Induction heating works by creating an electromagnetic field. This field induces an electrical current on any conductive metal surface in its range. When the electromagnetic field is switched off, the current stops flowing and the induction process ends. As stainless steel is non-conductive, many people assume it won’t work on induction at all. Fortunately for lovers of this strong and beautiful material, it not only works but also has some pretty impressive properties when used on induction stoves or hot plates. Let’s take a closer look at why.
Does stainless steel work on induction?
In short, yes, all stainless steel pots and pans that are induction compatible will work on an induction cooktop. The best way to find out if a specific stainless steel pot or pan is induction compatible is to check the bottom of the pot or pan for the letters “IC” followed by a number. The number indicates the magnetic strength of the bottom of the pot or pan, with higher numbers indicating stronger magnetic properties.
Why does stainless steel work on induction?
1. It is non-conductive
Stainless steel is a naturally non-conductive material. As such, it doesn’t have to be heated in order to produce an electrical current. This is why you can use it on induction stoves and hot plates.
2. It conducts heat more efficiently than copper
Stainless steel has a much higher thermal conductivity than copper and this allows for better heat transfer out of the pan. For example, a stainless steel pan with a copper bottom will take longer to cook food than an identical one made from stainless steel. The difference is due to the fact that copper conducts heat poorly while stainless steel conducts heat very well. This greater conductivity also means that the bottom of your pan heats up faster when using induction cooktops and hot plates compared to using an older gas or electric stove.
3. Stainless steel is durable and long lasting
Another advantage of using stainless steel on induction cooktops or hot plates is that it’s much more durable than other materials used in similar applications such as aluminum, cast iron and Teflon coated pans. In addition, it won’t react with any of these materials when used on induction stoves or hot plates as they are all non-reactive metals (see below). Finally, since stainless steel doesn’t react with other metals like aluminum does with Teflon coatings, you won’t have any issues if you ever decide to change your cookware with a different material.
4. Stainless steel is affordable and easy to care for
Stainless steel is a very inexpensive material and it’s easy to maintain. It can be cleaned using regular dish soap and warm water, or you can use the stainless steel cleaner that comes with the pot or pan. If the stainless steel gets scratched or damaged, you can polish it using a polishing cloth or bar of fine abrasive soap. Lastly, you can also use a non-stick coating on your stainless steel pots and pans if you want to avoid sticking food to them when cooking.
5. Stainless steel is easy to clean
Another advantage of using stainless steel on induction stoves and hot plates is that it’s very easy to clean since it doesn’t react with other metals like copper does. As such, you won’t have any issues if food gets stuck in your pots or pans when cooking on induction stoves and hot plates as long as they are made from stainless steel.
How Does Stainless Steel Work On Induction?
1. The induction effect
Induction cooktops and hot plates work by creating a magnetic field in the pan or pot. When this field is created, it induces a current into the metal which results in more rapid heating of the metal. In other words, heat flows from the pot or pan to the induction coil which causes it to heat up faster.
2. Stainless steel conducts heat very well
Stainless steel is a very good conductor of electricity and heat. This means that when an induction coil is placed in contact with stainless steel, it heats up quickly and evenly. As such, using stainless steel on an induction stove or hot plate will result in much faster cooking of your food.
3. Stainless steel has no reactivity with other metals
As mentioned above, most pots and pans made from stainless steel are non-reactive with other metals like aluminum or Teflon coatings found on aluminum pots and pans. This means that if you ever decide to change your pots or pans with a different material, you won’t have any issues as long as they are made from stainless steel. In addition, since stainless steel doesn’t react with other metals like aluminum does with Teflon coatings you don’t have any issues if you decide to switch away from aluminum for your cookware at some point in time .
Pros Of Using Stainless Steel On Induction Stovetops
Stainless steel can be used with any type of cookware
Stainless steel is one of the best materials to use on induction cooktops and hot plates since it can be used with any type of cookware. This means that you won’t have to worry about ruining your pots or pans when switching from aluminum to stainless steel, Teflon coated aluminum, or any other material for that matter.
Stainless steel is easy to clean
Another advantage of using stainless steel on induction stoves and hot plates is that it’s very easy to clean since it doesn’t react with other metals like copper does. As such, you won’t have any issues if food gets stuck in your pots or pans when cooking on induction stoves and hot plates as long as they are made from stainless steel.
Stainless steel has no reactivity with other metals
As mentioned above, most pots and pans made from stainless steel are non-reactive with other metals like aluminum or Teflon coatings found on aluminum pots and pans. This means that if you ever decide to change your pots or pans with a different material, you won’t have any issues as long as they are made from stainless steel. In addition, since stainless steel doesn’t react with other metals like aluminum does with Teflon coatings you don’t have any issues if you decide to switch away from aluminum for your cookware at some point in time .
Stainless steel is easily cleaned
Another advantage of using stainless steel on induction stoves and hot plates is that it’s very easy to clean since it doesn’t react with other metals like copper does. As such, you won’t have any issues if food gets stuck in your pots or pans when cooking on induction stoves and hot plates as long as they are made from stainless steel.
Cons Of Using Stainless Steel On Induction Stovetops
Stainless steel is a more expensive option
Although stainless steel is a very good material to use on induction stoves and hot plates, it’s not cheap. As such, stainless steel is usually more expensive than aluminum or any other material.
Stainless steel can be hard to maintain
Another disadvantage of using stainless steel on induction stoves and hot plates is that it’s a bit harder to maintain compared to other materials. This means that you may have issues if your pots or pans are constantly exposed to high temperatures as this can cause them to become warped or warped in general.
Stainless steel can be easily scratched
As mentioned above, stainless steel is slightly harder than aluminum and Teflon coated aluminum when it comes to maintaining and cleaning them. As such, you may have issues if your pots or pans are constantly exposed to high temperatures as this can cause them to become scratched up over time since they’re not as easy to clean with the same frequency as aluminum pots and pans.
Stainless steel is a poor heat conductor
A disadvantage of using stainless steel on induction stoves and hot plates is that it’s a poor heat conductor. As such, you may have issues if your pots or pans are exposed to high temperatures as this can cause them to become warped or warped in general.
Final Words
Stainless steel is one of the most versatile and useful materials out there. It’s durable, easy to clean and has many different aesthetic qualities. When it comes to induction cooking surfaces, it’s a great choice. It heats up quickly and evenly, and it doesn’t scratch or chip easily. It’s a strong, durable material that looks great in any kitchen. For these reasons, stainless steel is a great option for induction. It’s a strong, durable material that looks great and performs well under high temperatures. It heats up quickly and evenly and doesn’t scratch or chip easily, making it great for frying, searing and all types of cooking.
