If you’ve been forgoing cast iron cookware because you have an induction burner, you need not worry.
If you’re looking for a quick answer: “Yes!” You can absolutely use a cast iron skillet on an induction burner. In fact, cast iron is one of the best materials for induction friendly cookware. It’s a common myth that you can’t use cast iron on induction burners, which likely stems from a misunderstanding of how induction cooktops work.
This base layer will be affected by the magnetic field of the induction cooktop, distributing the heat. Tri-ply, high-quality stainless steel and cast iron cookware are compatible with induction cooktops. Copper, glass and aluminum cookware will not work unless they have a sandwiched magnetic base.
How to use cast iron on an induction stovetop:
Cooking in cast iron is pretty much the same when using an induction burner versus any other cooking surface. However, there are two key tips that are worth calling out:
Preheat your pan over low heat. Fast temperature changes aren’t good for cast iron; the iron expands as it heats up, and retracts as it cools. In extreme cases, forcing this process to happen too quickly can cause issues like cracking or warping. Induction burners are known for heating up a pot or pan much more quickly (this is one of induction’s advantages). We recommend preheating your pan over low heat on your induction burner for a few minutes before turning the temperature up. This will heat the skillet up gradually, and more evenly, helping to prevent any hot spots.
Use a burner that matches the width of your pan as closely as possible. While this holds true for a gas or electric stovetop as well, it’s even more important when working with induction. Cooking on an appropriately sized burner will ensure that the pan’s cooking surface heats evenly.
How does an induction burner work? Magnets
Induction stovetops are using magnets to create electric heat. So, the best cookware for induction stovetops is cookware that is naturally magnetic—which means that its a ferrous metal. Guess the symbol for iron in the periodic table of elements? Its Fe for ferrous. Iron and steel are your best bets for induction while materials like ceramics, aluminum, and copper need to have a steel or iron plate bonded into them to be effective. So how does the magnet / magnetism in an induction stovetop actually work? Induction stovetops have a coil of copper wire beneath a glass ceramic plate (this is what you set your cookware on). When you turn on your stove, an alternating electric current passes through this wire, which in turn creates a fluctuating magnetic field above the burner. When you place an iron or pan on top, this field creates many smaller electric currents within the metal, which heats up your cooking vessel. (This is the magic of induction: your pan heats itself up from within.) Thanks to the magnetic heating process, cooking on an induction burner gives you much more even heat and can eliminate hotspots on your cooking surface. Pots and pans also heat up more quickly on an induction burner, so be careful (more on this below).
Since induction burners rely on a magnetic field to generate heat, they’ll only work with cookware that’s made of ferrous metals (that is, metals that contain iron). Cast iron and most stainless steel pans work well on induction, but copper or aluminum won’t, unless it’s been specially built to work with induction. (Not sure if a pan will work with induction heating? Try putting a magnet on the bottom of it; if the magnet sticks to the pan, you’re good to go.) This magnetic field also extends a few millimeters beyond the surface of the burner, so it doesn’t matter if your skillet has a heat ring, it’ll still work just fine. This is especially true for our pans, since they have a heat ring that’s less than 1.5 mm thick.
Burger – NuWave Cast Iron Grill Featuring Chef Adrian
FAQ
Can you use cast iron on induction cooker?
Can you use any pan on the nuwave cooktop?
What should you not use on an induction cooktop?
What pans can I use on an induction cooktop?
Do cast iron pans work with NuWave?
The best part is they are easy to clean and maintain. Secondly, you can use cast iron pans as they are ideal for cooking on Nuwave due to their heat retention and even heat distribution properties. The seasoned cast iron pans work well with Nuwave, too, as they are non-stick.
Does NuWave induction cooktop work with cast iron?
This is because the cast iron beneath the enamel can be induced. So you cannot always judge induction compatibility solely based on the main material. The magnetic test is the best way to confirm if a pan will work properly on the NuWave induction cooktop.
Can you use a pan on a NuWave cooktop?
The NuWave cooktop is a versatile cooking appliance that allows you to use a variety of pans. However, not all pans are well-suited for use on the NuWave’s induction cooking surface. Understanding what types of pans work best can help you get the most out of your NuWave cooktop. What is induction cooking?
Can you use a non-magnetic Pan on a NuWave induction cooktop?
Nuwave induction cooktops require pots and pans made of magnetic materials such as cast iron and stainless steel. Non-magnetic pans such as aluminum, copper, and glass will not work on the Nuwave induction cooktop. It is essential to ensure that the base of the cookware is flat to ensure even cooking and maximum efficiency.