Pans for an induction hob need a magnetic, ferromagnetic base. The quickest practical test is to place a magnet against the underside: if it sticks firmly, the pan is likely to work. Suitable cookware is also normally marked with the induction symbol, shown as a coil-like series of loops, on the base or packaging. Bosch explains the principle and magnet test in its guide to induction cookware.
An induction hob heats the pan itself through a magnetic field rather than heating the cooking zone in the same way as a conventional electric ceramic hob. A compatible base is therefore essential. If a pan has no magnetic material, the hob may not detect it and will not heat it.
The surface finish does not tell you everything about induction compatibility. A pan can have an aluminium body, a non-stick coating or a glass cooking surface and still work if its underside contains the required magnetic base. Conversely, an apparently conventional stainless-steel pan may not work if the steel is not magnetic.
Stainless-steel induction pans are a versatile choice for boiling, simmering, frying and sauce-making. The important feature is the base, not the words “stainless steel” alone. Stainless steel may be magnetic, or it may be combined with a magnetic plate. The John Lewis cookware buying guide makes the same distinction.
A layered base can combine stainless steel with another metal to spread heat while retaining a magnetic underside. The IKEA 365+ nine-piece set, for example, has stainless-steel bodies and an aluminium layer between stainless-steel layers in the base. It is dishwasher-safe and has a 15-year guarantee, according to IKEA’s product information.
Other induction cookware materials have different uses. Cast iron and carbon steel are magnetic and retain heat well, but they are heavier than many stainless-steel or aluminium pans. Hard-anodised aluminium can work when its base is magnetic. Non-stick construction is suitable when it has an induction-ready base. The practical choice is therefore a combination of material, coating, weight and base design rather than a material label on its own.
For coated pans, heat control is also worth considering. Which? reports that the worst non-stick pans in its testing varied in temperature by as much as 180°C across the pan surface. That makes construction and temperature distribution relevant when comparing induction cookware, not just the fact that the pan is marked as induction-compatible.
The following examples cover individual frying pans and induction pan sets from UK retailers and manufacturers. Prices are the listed prices in the retailer information used for this comparison and can change.
| Brand and product | Listed price | Induction-relevant details |
|---|---|---|
| IKEA 365+ 9-piece stainless-steel cookware set | £59 | Suitable for induction, gas, glass ceramic and cast-iron hobs; layered base, dishwasher-safe construction and 15-year guarantee |
| IKEA 365+ 6-piece stainless-steel cookware set | £35 | Six-piece stainless-steel cookware set |
| IKEA 365+ 28cm frying pan | £19 | Stainless steel with non-stick coating; compatible with induction hobs |
| IKEA 365+ 32cm frying pan | £19 | Stainless steel with non-stick coating; suitable for induction |
| Ninja ZEROSTICK 3-piece hard-anodised set | £74.99 | 16cm, 18cm and 20cm saucepans; reduced from £149.99 |
| Ninja ZEROSTICK 5-piece hard-anodised set | £109.99 | Three saucepans, a 16cm milk pan and a 24cm frying pan; reduced from £219.99 |
| Salter Signature 6-piece stainless-steel set | £59.99 | Suitable for gas, electric, ceramic and induction hobs; includes saucepans, frying pan and stockpot |
| Circulon Total 3-piece frying-pan set | £95.99 | Small, medium and large non-stick induction frying pans; reduced from £119.99 |
| Tefal Ingenio Emotion 22-piece stainless-steel set | £149.99 | Stainless-steel pan set listed for induction; reduced from £375 |
| Tefal Ingenio Easy Cook & Clean 5-piece set | £88 | Induction-suitable pan set listed by Tefal UK |
| Tefal Induction 5-piece aluminium set at Argos | £150 | Aluminium pan set listed as an induction option |
| Argos Home stainless-steel 5-piece set | £45 | Stainless-steel pan set listed by Argos |
The IKEA 365+ nine-piece set is the most fully specified budget option in this table if you need several saucepans and value a longer guarantee. The IKEA frying pans suit a smaller replacement purchase. Ninja offers hard-anodised ZEROSTICK sets in several sizes, while Salter combines stainless steel with a six-piece selection. Circulon is more focused on frying pans, and Tefal offers both compact and very large sets.
Buy an induction pan set when you need several matching saucepans and want to cover everyday cooking in one purchase. Buy individual induction pans when you already own compatible saucepans or need to replace one frying pan. A useful starting combination is often a saucepan, a frying pan and a larger sauté pan or stockpot, although the right selection depends on what you cook.
A set does not have to be bought all at once. Because compatibility applies to each individual pan, you can combine a stainless-steel saucepan from one range with an induction-ready frying pan from another. The important point is that every vessel you intend to use on the hob has a compatible base. A set is not automatically induction-ready simply because one item in the range is suitable.
Compare the actual contents rather than relying on the piece count. A set described as nine pieces may count lids separately, while another may include several cooking vessels without lids. Consider:
Some sets offer more variety than most kitchens need. A smaller set can be the better choice if it provides the sizes you use and leaves room for a separate specialist pan. A complete set can be convenient when several pieces need replacing at once, while individual induction pans avoid paying for duplicates.
Match the pan base to the induction cooking zone for effective operation. Ninja’s cookware guidance specifically advises matching the cookware base to the hob ring. The flat base is the relevant measurement when comparing cookware, not just the widest point at the rim.
A pan with a flat, stable underside makes good contact and sits securely on the glass. A base that is substantially smaller or larger than the zone may operate less effectively. This is particularly important when choosing large frying pans, saucepans or stockpots. Check the base diameter rather than assuming that a large rim means the pan will match a large cooking zone.
Cast iron and carbon steel can be suitable induction materials, while stainless steel works when its base contains magnetic material or a magnetic plate. Aluminium, copper and glass need the same type of induction-ready construction. Coated pans are practical for delicate foods, but the coating does not replace the magnetic base required by the hob.
IKEA has particularly clear specifications for its 365+ range, including induction compatibility, materials, guarantee information and individual pan sizes. Its sets are useful when you want a coordinated stainless-steel cookware collection, while its 28cm and 32cm frying pans allow a single-pan purchase.
Argos lists both the £150 Tefal Induction aluminium set and a £45 Argos Home stainless-steel set. It also lists the Ninja EverClad three-piece stainless-steel set as suitable for all hob types with a full induction base. Tefal’s own UK range includes aluminium, ceramic, cast iron and stainless-steel induction cookware, including frying pans, saucepans, sauté pans, woks and sets.
For larger or more specialised sets, Ninja lists both hard-anodised and stainless-steel ZEROSTICK options. Its five-piece hard-anodised bundle contains a 20cm saucepan, 24cm and 28cm frying pans, a 26cm sauté pan and a 28cm wok, and is stated to work on induction, gas, electric, coil, halogen and ceramic hobs.
Salter’s Signature six-piece set contains a 14cm milk pan, 16cm, 18cm and 20cm saucepans with lids, a 24cm frying pan and a 24cm stockpot. Circulon offers smaller frying-pan sets as well as larger induction collections. Tesco lists induction-safe sets including Karaca Emirgan and VonShef options, while John Lewis and Dunelm provide induction-compatible cookware categories for comparing their current ranges.
If a normal pan is non-magnetic, the hob may fail to detect it and will not heat it. The display may show a warning or error, although the exact behaviour depends on the hob model. This differs from a conventional electric ceramic hob, where the cooking zone heats first and transfers heat to the pan. With induction, the magnetic field needs a compatible pan base.
Remove the pan and perform the magnet test. If the magnet does not stick firmly, use a pan with a magnetic base and the induction symbol. The visible material alone does not determine whether cookware will work: a stainless-steel pan may be compatible or incompatible, while an aluminium or non-stick pan can work if it has a ferromagnetic base.
There is no single best type for every cook. Stainless steel with a substantial magnetic base is a versatile long-term choice. Induction-ready non-stick pans are useful for delicate food, while cast iron and carbon steel retain heat well. Choose a flat base and a size that matches the cooking zone.
Look for the induction symbol on the base or packaging. If it is missing, place a magnet against the underside. Firm attraction indicates that the pan is likely to work. Stainless steel, aluminium, copper, glass and coated cookware all depend on the construction of the base rather than the surface material alone.
Use pans with a magnetic base, including magnetic stainless steel, cast iron and carbon steel. Aluminium, copper and glass pans work only when they include a ferromagnetic induction base or plate. An induction-ready non-stick pan is also suitable when its underside passes the magnet test or carries the induction symbol.
Yes. Each saucepan, frying pan, wok and stockpot needs its own compatible base. If one piece in a set is not magnetic, that piece will not heat correctly on an induction hob even if the other pieces work.
