Experts urge anyone with an induction hob to spend $2 now for instant pan compatibility checks

An induction hob is undoubtedly an expensive investment, particularly as you'll need the correct pots and pans to go with it, too. For that reason, the last thing you'll want is to buy a new set, only to discover they don't actually work on your stovetop.

Luckily, there's an extremely quick and easy way to check whether your pans will work before taking the plunge on a purchase, and all you'll need is an inexpensive item that you probably already have at home – a refrigerator magnet.

Here, our in-house kitchen appliances editor Lydia Hayman explains how this simple hack works to help you swerve any induction hob mistakes.

How to use a magnet to check the compatibility of pans

As Lydia Hayman, our kitchen editor here at Homes & Gardens explains, induction hobs cleverly use magnetic energy to heat your cookware directly, while keeping the cooking surface cool to the touch.

'This is energy-efficient and precise, but it means that some pans won't be compatible,' Lydia says. Most importantly, induction hobs require pans with a magnetic base, typically ones with a high ferrous metal content, to work.

When selecting the best induction pans for your hob, there's a very quick and easy trick to ensure compatibility: Using a magnet.

'Look no further than your refrigerator door,' she says. 'Simply place a small magnet [such as these super affordable Pen+Gear Multicolored Magnet Set available at Walmart] on the bottom of your pan, and if it clings quickly and securely to the base, this is a sign that the pan is induction compatible.'

For example, you may find this working when wondering if an induction cooktop will work with cast iron pans.

'However, if the magnet slides or struggles to grip, it’s an indication that the cookware may not be induction-friendly,' continues Lydia. 'If you're out shopping for induction pans and you don't have a magnet to hand, look for cast iron pans, as this is an excellent conductor.'

We recommend the Utopia Kitchen Cast Iron Frying Pan available at Amazon or the Utopia Kitchen Cast Iron Skillets 3 Piece Set, also available at Amazon for only a marginally higher price. If you have the budget, the gorgeous Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Iron Handle Skillet available at Amazon is Lydia's top pick, available in 12 statement colorways.

'On the contrary, aluminium, all-copper, and glass pots and pans are typically incompatible, unless they have a magnetic layer on the base,' adds Lydia.

If your proposed pan is made of any of these materials, it will be obvious, as your magnet simply won't stick to them.

A word of warning, however. Keep magnets away from children and pets. If multiple magnets are ingested, they can migrate towards each other inside the body and cause dangerous internal injuries.

Shop Lydia's top product picks

FAQs

Which is cheaper to run, an induction or an electric hob?

While they can be a hefty investment to begin with, if you're considering the induction vs electric cooktop debate, induction hobs come out on top in terms of helping you to save money at home and cut energy bills. They're also far cheaper to run than a gas hob.

Meet our expert

Lydia Hayman

Lydia is the kitchen editor for Homes & Gardens, testing everything from coffee machines and juicers to air fryers and mixers. She is also a trained chef, and previously worked as a recipe editor at Mindful Chef.

Once you've sorted out purchasing the correct pans, it's also equally as important to learn how to clean an induction hob, for a streak-free shine without any costly damage.