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Pancakes being flipped over an induction cooktop

What cookware is compatible with induction cooktops?

Many households are turning to induction cooktops for their kitchens rather than traditional options. These cooktops produce electromagnetic energy, meaning you must use ferromagnetic cookware like cast iron, enameled steel, or stainless steel specifically designed for induction cooking.

This guide will introduce you to how to find compatible cookware for your induction cooktop so you can get the most out of your appliance.

Chocolate melting in a pan and solid on an induction cooktop surface

What makes induction cooking different?

Induction cooking works by heating compatible cookware through interaction with electromagnetic energy created by a copper coil under the cooktop.

Heat is generated directly in the pan and not underneath the glass. This allows the cooktop surface to cool down quickly after the pan has been removed.

Read this article to learn more about how induction cooking works.

What cookware is compatible with an induction cooktop?

You must exclusively use ferromagnetic pots and pans with an induction cooktop. Ferromagnetic cookware is either made entirely of magnetic materials or contains a layer of it.

If you use non-ferromagnetic cookware on an induction cooktop, the burner will not detect it, and therefore, the cookware will be unable to interact with the electromagnetic energy generated.

Compatible induction cookware material

Cast iron
Enameled steel
Stainless steel made specifically for induction cooking

Which cookware is not compatible with induction cooktops?

Non-compatible cookware won’t damage or harm your induction cooktop, but it won’t heat or work.

Non-magnetic cookware materials include:

Ceramic
Glass
Non-magnetic copper
Aluminum
Non-magnetic stainless steel cookware

None of these materials will work on an induction cooktop. Select induction cooktops may display an error code, or an indicator light may activate to signal that you’re using non-compatible cookware on an induction cooktop.

Tip for using induction cookware

For optimal heat conduction, cookware must have a flat bottom roughly the size of the burner you are using. The goal is to create direct contact between the cookware and the cooktop. If a pan is smaller than the element, the burner may not sense the pan and won’t activate to generate heat. Incidentally, if the pan is too large, it may produce uneven heating since heat will only be generated where the pan and the burner are in direct contact.

Person frying french fries in a frying pan on top of an induction cooktop

Can you use nonstick pans on induction cooktops?

While you can use some nonstick pans on induction cooktops, it ultimately depends on the specific pan’s magnetism. Certain non-stick cookware has an enameled steel, cast iron or magnetic stainless steel base that can react accordingly with the cooktop to produce heat. Those with non-magnetic bases won’t work under any circumstance.

A magnet stuck to the bottom of induction compatible cookware

How to test cookware’s compatibility with an induction cooktop

You can easily test the compatibility of your cookware with a magnet.

Follow these steps to confirm if a piece of cookware can be used on an induction cooktop:

Turn over the pan
Hold a magnet to the bottom
Check to see if it sticks

If the magnet sticks to the bottom, then the pan is ferromagnetic and compatible with induction cooking. This method is also effective in testing if stainless steel appliances are magnetic.

How to know if cookware is compatible with induction cooktops

Induction-compatible cookware typically has a stamped coiled spring symbol on the bottom. Check your cookware to see if this symbol is present. If so, it is safe to use on your induction cooktop.

Shop Whirlpool^® Induction Cooktops

Induction cooktops from Whirlpool brand are equipped with features to help you monitor your cooking progress. Select models have Assisted Boil, which indicates when water reaches the correct boiling temperature¹ and Assisted Pan Frying, which notifies you when oil reaches the optimal temperature to add food². Additionally, induction technology keeps the cooktop and elements cool to help reduce baked-on messes and allow for quick and easier cleanup.